7 food and drink businesses opening in Norfolk in 2024

Sammy's Bar and Grill in East Runton will become the White Horse as it undergoes an extensive refurbishment Picture: Google/The White Horse (Image: Google/The White Horse)

1. White Horse Bar and Restaurant

Where: High Street, East Runton 

Husband-and-wife team Carl and Katie Stairs have taken over the former Sammy's Bar and Grill site and are transforming it into the White Horse Bar and Restaurant. 

The venue's reopening has been provisionally set for summer 2024 as work gets under way to fully transform its interior, exterior and live entertainment capabilities. 

The Norfolk Wildlife Trust recently purchased The Pleasure Boat Inn Picture: NWT (Image: Norfolk Wildlife Trust)

2. Pleasure Boat Inn

Where: Staithe Road, Hickling 

This Broads pub was purchased by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust (NWT) in November this year, with "significant building work" planned for the site. 

Eliot Lyne, NWT CEO, said: “Investing in a popular local pub will allow us to create new ways to introduce people to the nature, landscape and wildlife of Hickling."

READ MORE: New Norwich coffee shop serving homemade treats 'caters for everyone'

Taco Bell will open in Norwich Picture: Newsquest/Google Maps (Image: Newsquest/Google Maps)

3.  Taco Bell

Where: London Street, Norwich 

Tex-Mex fast food giant Taco Bell is opening in the former home of Thomas Cook in Norwich, near Jarrolds. 

The restaurant will be Norfolk's only branch of the American chain after its Great Yarmouth takeaway closed during the pandemic.

Pop Inn Amusements in Wells Picture: Google Maps (Image: Google)

4. Street Food Hall 

Where: The Quay, Wells 

North Norfolk District Council has unanimously approved an alcohol licence for a new 168-seater restaurant above The Pop Inn café and arcade in Wells. 

It will be a street food hall, with a similar feel to Yalm in Norwich, with customers able to order from different kitchens.   

Dominic Burke and Toby Westgarth of Sir Toby's Beers at the site of their new bar in Norwich (Image: Supplied)

5. Bier Draak

Where: King Street, Norwich 

Business partners Toby Westgarth and Dominic Burke of Sir Toby's Beers are opening a "continental beer bar" in Norwich in January 2024. 

It will feature draught and bottled German and Belgian beers alongside a selection of cold meats and cheeses.

You can support the project and get a 50pc bonus on a bar tab through the Sir Toby's Beers website. 

Caroline and four of her former staff outside the tearoom before its closure in August 2022 - Left to right: Kayla Pennell, Dorothy Matthews, Caroline Dwen, Sabrina Pennell and Tazmin Pennell (Image: Archant)

6. Rosy Lee's Tea Room 

Where: Bridge Street, Loddon

This much-loved tearoom shut in August 2022 after being run by Caroline Dwen for more than 20 years. 

But it looks like it could be making a comeback, with a recent post on the Rosy Lee's Tea Room Facebook page saying that they are "hoping to be back soon" due to "public demand".

READ MORE: Award-winning Norfolk brewery brings back 'Survival Box' to stay afloat

An artist's impression of the new Pho restaurant (Image: Norwich City Council)

7. Pho

Where: Queen Street, Norwich 

National restaurant chain Pho, which serves Vietnamese street food, is opening in the former Royal Bank of Scotland building in Norwich. 

The closest branch to Norfolk at the moment is in Cambridge and it serves its signature pho bowls, salads, noodles and curries.