A new fine dining restaurant has opened in a west Norfolk garden centre on the most romantic day of the calendar year.

The Greenhouse restaurant caters for everything from coffee and cake or a simple pint, to fine dining, at The Downham Home and Gardening Centre.

The new restaurant features a full dining area with a bar and booths, as well as a classy lounge with sofas.

Eastern Daily Press: The Greenhouse restaurant at The Downham Home and Gardening Centre. Picture: Sonya DuncanThe Greenhouse restaurant at The Downham Home and Gardening Centre. Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

The Downham Market centre's new head chef, Adam Cook, is classically trained in brasserie dining and has created a menu offering breakfasts, toasties, burgers, Sunday lunches and British dining classics.

Breakfasts are priced between £5.95 and £13.95, including pancakes, sandwiches and fry-ups.

Eastern Daily Press: The Greenhouse restaurant at The Downham Home and Gardening Centre. Picture: Sonya DuncanThe Greenhouse restaurant at The Downham Home and Gardening Centre. Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

Eastern Daily Press: The Greenhouse restaurant at The Downham Home and Gardening Centre. Picture: Sonya DuncanThe Greenhouse restaurant at The Downham Home and Gardening Centre. Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

The main menu includes fish, British classics and pasta, ranging from £12.95 to £17.95, plus a separate burger menu.

General manager at The Downham Home and Gardening Centre, Chris Gooderson, 32, said: "So far, people really like the comfy, cosy, welcoming atmosphere.

Eastern Daily Press: The Greenhouse restaurant at The Downham Home and Gardening Centre. Charlie Smith, resturant manager and Chris Gooderson, general manager. Picture: Sonya DuncanThe Greenhouse restaurant at The Downham Home and Gardening Centre. Charlie Smith, resturant manager and Chris Gooderson, general manager. Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Eastern Daily Press: The Greenhouse restaurant at The Downham Home and Gardening Centre. Picture: Sonya DuncanThe Greenhouse restaurant at The Downham Home and Gardening Centre. Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

"It has been a long time coming and I am excited to get it going at last. 

"We have a nice relaxing dining atmosphere and different rooms to suit everyone. Whether you want to be comfy in the lounge or enjoy our dining area, where we have a higher table service.

"People don't realise what we have behind the glass doors."

Eastern Daily Press: The Greenhouse restaurant at The Downham Home and Gardening Centre. Picture: Sonya DuncanThe Greenhouse restaurant at The Downham Home and Gardening Centre. Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

Eastern Daily Press: The Greenhouse restaurant at The Downham Home and Gardening Centre. Charlie Smith, resturant manager and Chris Gooderson, general manager. Picture: Sonya DuncanThe Greenhouse restaurant at The Downham Home and Gardening Centre. Charlie Smith, resturant manager and Chris Gooderson, general manager. Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

The restaurant will be officially opened today (February 14), by Charlie Pyatt, Mayor of Downham Market and there will be a special Valentine's Day evening tonight, with roses and romance.

The Greenhouse will be open between 9am and 4pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 3pm on Sunday, with plans for a later opening time in the future.

Looking ahead to the rest of 2023, the centre is set to see a facelift, with big renovations to the garden centre.