From fine dining in Norwich to top-notch seafood on the coast, these Norfolk restaurants hold three or four AA Rosettes for culinary excellence.

AA Rosettes are awarded by a team of inspectors, with three for places that deserve national recognition well beyond their local area.

There are currently seven places in Norfolk with three rosettes and one with four.

The latter is a very select group of restaurants that exhibit "intense ambition, a passion for excellence, superb technical skills and remarkable consistency". 

3 AA ROSETTES 

Eastern Daily Press: Louis Bailey, assistant restaurant manager, Katja Bainbridge, owner, Richard Bainbridge, owner, and Luara Santos, restaurant manager, at Benedicts on St Benedicts Street in Norwich.

1. Benedicts, Norwich

Nestled at the top of bustling St Benedicts Street in Norwich, this restaurant is run by chef Richard Bainbridge, who won BBC Two’s Great British Menu in 2015, and his wife Katja.

They offer a seasonal tasting menu and the restaurant underwent a huge refurbishment last year. 

2. Farmyard, Norwich

Proving that St Benedicts Street is the place to be for foodies, this fantastic bistro was inundated with bookings after earning its third AA Rosette in 2021.

It is run by couple Andrew Jones, who is the chef patron, and Hannah Springham, with the pair championing the four-day working week. 

3. Roger Hickman's Restaurant, Norwich

Roger Hickman serves a modern British menu at his restaurant in Upper St Giles Street.

Hickman earned his culinary stripes at the same location when it was home to local favourite Adlard's.

Eastern Daily Press: Kevin and Jacki Mangeolles at The Neptune, HunstantonKevin and Jacki Mangeolles at The Neptune, Hunstanton (Image: Archant)

4. The Neptune Restaurant with Rooms, Hunstanton

As well as holding three coveted AA Rosettes, this much-loved restaurant in west Norfolk also has a Michelin star. 

Chef-owner Kevin Mangeolles uses the best seasonal produce that the county has to offer, including locally landed fish and lobsters and game from local estates and farms.  

5. The Dial House, Reepham

The Grade II-listed Dial House in Reepham, which has bedrooms too, is also run by Andrew Jones and Hannah Springham, but the pair have recently put it up for rent. 

Earlier this year, its restaurant, led by 25-year-old chef Sofi-Marie Ford, was added to The Michelin Guide. 

Eastern Daily Press: Daniel Smith, chef patron at The Ingham Swan Daniel Smith, chef patron at The Ingham Swan (Image: Ingham Swan)

6. The Ingham Swan, Stalham

This award-winning restaurant with rooms is run by chef patron Daniel Smith, also behind The Wildebeest in Stoke Holy Cross.

The menu heavily utilises local ingredients as well as ideas and flavours from Mr Smith's time on BBC2's Great British Menu and in leading London establishments. 

7. Titchwell Manor Hotel, Titchwell

Another west Norfolk spot, Titchwell Manor ticks the boxes both for food and location as it boasts views of the Norfolk coast and glorious countryside. 

Under the guidance of the chef-owner Eric Snaith, head chef Oliver Bacon-Hilton and his team have created a refined menu using carefully selected ingredients and have held 3 AA Rosettes since 2013. 

4 AA ROSETTES 

Eastern Daily Press: Galton Blackiston outside Morston Hall Galton Blackiston outside Morston Hall (Image: Archant)

8. Morston Hall, Blakeney

Morston Hall is the only restaurant in Norfolk to earn a prestigious fourth AA Rosette, which is an elite group of eateries.

Galton Blackiston is the chef patron and it also holds a Michelin star for its innovative cooking.