A Connoisseur's Guide to the 7 Best Wine Bars Norwich Offers in 2025
- Sandra
- 7 days ago
- 14 min read
Norwich, a city rich in history and culture, also boasts a thriving and sophisticated wine scene. From innovative self-service tasting rooms to classic brasseries with cellars full of character, the city offers a perfect pour for every palate. Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur seeking rare vintages or a curious newcomer eager to explore, this guide is your definitive resource for navigating the best wine bars Norwich has to offer. We'll delve into what makes each venue unique, from their curated lists and food pairings to the ambience that sets them apart.
This guide is specifically designed for professionals and travellers seeking to unwind after a busy day. We provide actionable details for each location, including opening hours, reservation advice, and insider tips tailored for business travellers and contractors. Finding comfortable, furnished accommodation is key to enjoying your stay. Landlords direct with Stay Norwich Apartments, Norfolk, furnished accommodation when you need it, for as long as you need it. No hassle, no drama, pay and stay. With a convenient apartment as your base, you can effortlessly explore the city's vibrant local wine culture. Let's raise a glass to discovering your new favourite spot.
1. The Wallow: A Self-Service Wine Adventure
The Wallow offers a truly unique and interactive approach among Norwich wine bars, putting you in the driver's seat of your tasting experience. Forget waiting for a bartender; here, you charge up a card and become your own sommelier, exploring a vast, ever-changing selection of over 50 wines from high-tech dispensing machines. This innovative format is perfect for discovering new favourites without committing to an entire bottle.
The vibe is relaxed and sociable, making it an ideal spot for a casual after-work drink or a full evening dedicated to wine exploration. It perfectly complements the diverse array of Norwich's pubs and drinking spots by offering something distinctly modern and hands-on.
Key Information & Insider Tips
Location: 36 Exchange Street, Norwich, NR2 1AX. Just a 10-minute walk from our Stay Norwich Apartments, making it an easy and convenient choice for an evening out.
Price Range: ££ - You control your spending. Top up your card with your desired amount and sample tasters from just a couple of pounds.
Opening Hours: Open daily from midday. Closing times vary, so check their website for the most current hours before visiting.
Recommended Pairing: Their locally sourced charcuterie and cheese boards are specifically curated to complement the wines. The deli counter staff are knowledgeable and can recommend perfect pairings.
Insider Tip for Business Travellers: The self-service format is excellent for solo visitors or for entertaining clients with an interactive experience. Book a table online in advance, as peak times are busy and sittings are often time-limited (typically 2 hours 15 minutes). For a quieter experience, visit mid-week.
Booking Advice: Reservations are highly recommended, especially for their popular "Wine Wednesday" event which offers discounts on your card top-up. You can book directly through their website.
For professionals and contractors staying with Stay Norwich Apartments, The Wallow provides a sophisticated yet informal setting to unwind. It's the kind of hassle-free, high-quality experience we aim to provide with our furnished accommodation - just pay, stay, and enjoy.
Website: https://www.wallowwine.co.uk/
2. The Last Wine Bar & Restaurant: A Norwich Institution
A true Norwich institution, The Last Wine Bar & Restaurant has been a beloved city-centre fixture for over three decades. It offers a more traditional and refined experience, blending the charm of a classic brasserie with a superbly curated wine list. This is the place for those who appreciate a sit-down meal with an expertly chosen bottle or simply wish to enjoy a sophisticated glass of wine in an elegant setting.
The atmosphere is buzzy yet intimate, making it a versatile choice for a business lunch, a romantic dinner, or a relaxed drink before a show at the nearby Norwich Playhouse. Its long-standing reputation is built on quality, consistency, and a passion for great food and wine, securing its place among the best restaurants in Norwich.
Key Information & Insider Tips
Location: 70-76 St Georges Street, Norwich, NR3 1AB. A convenient and central location, easily reachable from our apartments.
Price Range: £££ - Reflects its brasserie-style dining and extensive, high-quality wine cellar.
Opening Hours: Primarily open Wednesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. It's essential to check their website for precise, up-to-date hours before you plan your visit.
Recommended Pairing: Explore their "Bin Ends" section on the wine list for exceptional value on fine wines. Pair a robust red with one of their seasonal steak dishes for a classic brasserie experience.
Insider Tip for Business Travellers: The Last is an excellent choice for client entertainment, offering a professional yet unstuffy environment. For an established spot like this, fostering enduring customer relationships is key. Insights into how other successful venues maintain their clientele can be found when you explore effective loyalty programs for restaurants. The separate bar area is also perfect for a more casual meeting over a glass of wine.
Booking Advice: Reservations are strongly advised, particularly for evening dining on Fridays and Saturdays. You can easily book a table directly through their website’s online system.
For professionals needing furnished accommodation, The Last Wine Bar offers the kind of reliable, high-calibre experience we champion at Stay Norwich Apartments. It's about quality and consistency without the hassle, letting you simply pay, stay, and enjoy the best the city has to offer.
Website: https://thelastnorwich.co.uk/
3. Melville & Sons: Stylish Sips and Small Plates
Situated in the historic Tombland area, Melville & Sons brings a contemporary and sophisticated edge to the Norwich wine bar scene. This wine-led bar and kitchen is the creation of experienced operators, offering a meticulously curated wine list alongside inventive cocktails and an elegant small-plates menu. It’s a stylish destination perfect for a refined evening out, blending the line between a dedicated wine bar and an upscale dining experience.
The atmosphere is chic yet welcoming, with a knowledgeable team passionate about their offerings. The focus on quality pairings makes it a standout choice for those who appreciate the interplay between food and wine, positioning it among Norwich's best cosmopolitan eateries.
Key Information & Insider Tips
Location: 23 Tombland, Norwich, NR3 1RF. Conveniently located, it's approximately a 15-minute walk from our Stay Norwich Apartments, placing you right in the heart of the city's most scenic quarter.
Price Range: ££ - £££ - Reflects its premium, curated selection of wines and thoughtfully prepared small plates.
Opening Hours: Typically open from Wednesday to Sunday, with hours extending later into the evening towards the weekend. Always check their website for the most up-to-date schedule.
Recommended Pairing: Explore their small plates menu for a true taste of what they offer. Dishes like cured meats, artisanal cheeses, or their seasonal kitchen creations are designed to complement the wine list perfectly. Ask the staff for their current favourite pairing.
Insider Tip for Business Travellers: The stylish interior and attentive service make Melville & Sons an excellent choice for impressing a client or enjoying a sophisticated solo dinner. The venue also features a private-hire space, "The Poppin Jay," ideal for organising small corporate events or private gatherings.
Booking Advice: Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for evening dining on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. You can find contact details and booking information on their website.
For professionals staying with Stay Norwich Apartments, Melville & Sons provides a polished setting to unwind or entertain. It mirrors the hassle-free, high-quality experience we provide - just pay, stay, and enjoy the best Norwich has to offer.
Website: https://melvilleandsons.co.uk/
4. Jarrold Wine Bars (Food Hall): A Refined Retail Retreat
For a sophisticated break during a day of shopping, the Jarrold department store offers not one, but two elegant wine bars nestled within its bustling Food Hall. This unique setup provides a refined atmosphere where you can enjoy a carefully selected glass of wine, perfectly paired with artisanal treats. Whether you choose the Cheese & Charcuterie Wine Bar or the Patisserie Wine Bar, you're guaranteed a high-quality experience that blends retail therapy with oenophilic pleasure.
The vibe is chic and civilised, offering a calm oasis away from the city centre crowds. It’s an excellent choice for a leisurely lunch, a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, or a civilised start to an evening. This unique offering makes Jarrold a standout among Norwich wine bars, providing a distinctly different pace and setting.
Key Information & Insider Tips
Location: 1-11 London Street, Norwich, NR2 1JF. Located within the Jarrold department store, it's easily accessible and just over a 10-minute walk from our Stay Norwich Apartments.
Price Range: ££ - Very reasonable for high-quality wines by the glass, with pairings that offer excellent value.
Opening Hours: Aligned with department store hours, typically closing around 5:30 pm or 6:00 pm. This is a daytime venue, not a late-night bar.
Recommended Pairing: At the Cheese & Charcuterie Bar, let the experts guide you to a perfect wine match for a board of Binham Blue or Norfolk Dapple. At the Patisserie Bar, indulge in a slice of exquisite cake with a glass of dessert wine or prosecco.
Insider Tip for Business Travellers: The Jarrold website allows you to purchase Wine Bar Packages and gift experiences online. This is a fantastic and convenient option for corporate gifting or treating a client to a unique local experience. Seating can be limited, so arriving just outside of peak lunch hours is advised.
Booking Advice: Walk-ins are the standard, as reservations are not typically taken for the wine bars. Be prepared for a short wait during busy shopping periods like weekends and holidays.
For professionals staying with Stay Norwich Apartments, Jarrold offers a touch of luxury and convenience. Much like our furnished accommodation, it provides a hassle-free, high-quality experience where you can simply pay, stay, and enjoy the finer things.
5. Substrata Wines: Your Portal to Natural and Organic Wines
Substrata Wines offers a modern, merchant-led approach to the Norwich wine scene, focusing exclusively on natural, organic, and low-intervention wines. While not a traditional walk-in wine bar, it serves as an essential resource for discovering unique bottles through its online shop, Norwich Market stall, and highly-regarded tasting events. This makes it a perfect choice for those who want to explore the world of sustainable winemaking and enjoy high-quality bottles back at their accommodation.
The emphasis is on education and accessibility. Substrata demystifies the often-complex world of natural wine, curating a selection from small, artisanal producers that you won't find in a supermarket. Their model is ideal for anyone looking to purchase a special bottle or learn directly from experts at one of their popular local pop-ups.
Key Information & Insider Tips
Location: Stall 114, Norwich Market, Norwich, NR2 1ND. Their online shop offers UK-wide delivery, bringing fantastic wines directly to your doorstep.
Price Range: ££ - Bottles are competitively priced, with multibottle discounts available. Tasting events are ticketed, offering great value for guided sampling.
Opening Hours: The market stall has specific opening times (check their website), while the online shop is open 24/7 for browsing and purchasing.
Recommended Pairing: Use their expert online descriptions or ask for advice at the stall. A funky orange wine pairs brilliantly with spicy dishes, while a light-bodied red is perfect with a simple charcuterie platter.
Insider Tip for Business Travellers: Planning a quiet evening in your apartment? Order a curated case online for delivery. It's a hassle-free way to stock your kitchen with exceptional wines for your entire stay, far superior to a last-minute supermarket run.
Booking Advice: Their themed tasting events sell out very quickly. Follow them on social media or sign up for their newsletter via the website to get advance notice and book your tickets before they're gone.
For professionals staying with Stay Norwich Apartments, Substrata Wines provides a convenient way to enjoy a sophisticated wine experience without leaving your temporary home. Landlords direct with Stay Norwich Apartments, Norfolk, furnished accommodation when you need it, for as long as you need it. No hassle, no drama, pay and stay.
Website: https://www.substratawines.com/
6. VisitNorwich: Your Official Norwich Bar & Wine Guide
While not a wine bar itself, VisitNorwich is an indispensable online resource for anyone looking to explore the best wine bars Norwich has to offer. As the official tourism guide for the city, it provides curated, trustworthy, and up-to-date lists of top-tier venues, including many of the wine spots mentioned in this guide. Think of it as your digital concierge for planning the perfect evening out.
The platform is particularly useful for visitors and new residents, offering a quick way to shortlist potential destinations based on expert local knowledge. Its editorial round-ups often coincide with city-wide events like Norwich Wine Week, making it a brilliant tool for discovering seasonal highlights and special offers. It's an excellent first stop before diving into the broader range of things to do in Norfolk.
Key Information & Insider Tips
Location: An online resource, accessible from anywhere. It's the perfect planning tool to use from the comfort of your Stay Norwich Apartments accommodation.
Price Range: Free - The service is completely free to use, providing direct links to the official websites of the bars and restaurants it features.
Opening Hours: Available 24/7 online for your planning convenience.
Recommended Pairing: Use VisitNorwich to discover a venue, then book a table at a spot like The Wallow or Connaught Kitchen for their excellent wine and charcuterie pairings.
Insider Tip for Business Travellers: Before meeting a client or heading out for a solo evening, consult VisitNorwich for the latest venue openings and highlights. It saves time and ensures you are visiting a reputable, highly regarded establishment. For visitors looking to delve deeper into the city, you can find more about Norwich's offerings on this guide.
Booking Advice: VisitNorwich is a discovery tool, not a booking engine. Always click through to the venue's official website to make a reservation, which is highly recommended for most Norwich wine bars, especially at weekends.
For contractors and professionals staying with us, VisitNorwich removes the guesswork from finding quality leisure spots. It aligns with our "no hassle, no drama" approach: just like our furnished accommodation, it’s a straightforward resource that helps you pay, stay, and enjoy your time in the city.
7. Norwich Wine Week (official site)
While not a permanent wine bar, the official Norwich Wine Week website is an essential resource for any wine enthusiast planning a visit to the city, especially around mid-June. This platform is the central hub for the city-wide annual festival, offering a high-density way to sample numerous producers, discover local merchants, and explore the best wine bars Norwich has to offer, all in one concentrated period. It's the ultimate tool for planning a deep dive into the local wine scene.
The website is your gateway to the festival's flagship events, masterclasses, and a full programme of tastings. For visitors, it's a fantastic way to experience the city's vibrant culture, much like the other exciting festivals to experience in Norwich. The site allows you to plan an itinerary focused on wine discovery, turning a short stay into a memorable tasting adventure.
Key Information & Insider Tips
Location: City-wide. The website lists all participating venues, from established wine bars to pop-up tasting rooms across Norwich.
Price Range: ££ - Tickets for flagship events like 'Uncorked' are priced individually. Many smaller events at local bars may be free or have a nominal charge.
Opening Hours: The festival typically runs for a week in mid-June. Check the website for the exact dates and specific event times for the upcoming year.
Recommended Pairing: Use the site to book a "Meet the Merchant" event. This allows you to get personalised recommendations and discover unique wines you won't find elsewhere.
Insider Tip for Business Travellers: If your work trip coincides with the festival, use the website to find unique client entertainment options. A tutored tasting or masterclass is a far more engaging and memorable experience than a standard dinner meeting. Book well in advance, as popular sessions sell out quickly.
Booking Advice: The website is the primary portal for purchasing tickets to all major events. It's crucial to book early, especially for the main 'Uncorked' tasting event, as it is extremely popular and tickets are limited.
For contractors and professionals staying with Stay Norwich Apartments, timing your visit with Norwich Wine Week provides an unparalleled social and networking opportunity. Our hassle-free, "pay and stay" furnished accommodation offers the perfect base from which to explore the festival's many venues.
Top 7 Norwich Wine Bars Comparison
Item | 🔄 Implementation complexity | ⚡ Resource requirements | ⭐ Expected outcomes | 📊 Ideal use cases | 💡 Key advantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Wallow | Medium — card-enabled dispensing systems + basic FOH oversight | Machines, rotating stock, central venue space, light kitchen supplies | High sampling variety ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Try-before-you-buy tasting; sampling many wines; casual groups | Wide rotating selection; self-service flexibility; easy online booking |
The Last Wine Bar & Restaurant | Low–Medium — standard restaurant service and wine list | Kitchen staff, wine inventory, dining space, reservations system | Reliable dining + pairings ⭐⭐⭐ | Dinner service; mixed groups; private-hire events | Established reputation; consistent brasserie menu; central location |
Melville & Sons | Medium — curated list with small-plates kitchen and private-hire setup | Skilled front- and back-of-house, curated stock, styled interior | High-quality pairing experience ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Date nights; small-plates dining; private events | Curated wines; knowledgeable team; stylish setting |
Jarrold Wine Bars (Food Hall) | Low — in-store counters within retail operations | Department-store support, limited seating, click-and-collect capability | Convenient casual service ⭐⭐⭐ | Shopping break drinks; family-friendly visits; gift purchases | Integrated retail context; easy giftable packages and experiences |
Substrata Wines | Low–Medium — merchant + events/tastings logistics | Online shop infrastructure, market stall, event coordination | Strong specialist selection ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Buying organic/low-intervention bottles; guided tastings; pop-ups | Focus on natural wines; online delivery and multibottle discounts |
VisitNorwich | Low — editorial curation and maintenance | Editorial staff/time, venue liaison, web publishing | Efficient discovery tool ⭐⭐⭐ | Shortlisting venues; planning visits and event timing | Trusted local guide; consolidated links and opening info |
Norwich Wine Week (official site) | High — city-wide festival coordination and ticketing | Multiple venues, exhibitors, event production, ticketing platform | High-impact discovery & learning ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Intensive sampling; masterclasses; industry networking | High-density tasting events; curated masterclasses and exhibitor exposure |
Your Perfect Norwich Stay for Wine Discovery
Norwich presents a vibrant and surprisingly diverse landscape for wine enthusiasts. From the innovative self-serve experience at The Wallow to the classic, sophisticated ambience of The Last Wine Bar, the city offers a rich tapestry of tasting opportunities. This guide has journeyed through the best wine bars Norwich has to offer, equipping you with the essential tools and insights to plan your perfect vinicultural tour.
We've explored specialist independent merchants like Melville & Sons and Substrata Wines, where expert knowledge and unique selections are paramount. We also highlighted the convenient elegance of the Jarrold Wine Bars and essential planning resources like VisitNorwich and the official Norwich Wine Week site. Each venue provides a distinct atmosphere, a unique selection of wines, and an opportunity to create lasting memories, whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or a curious newcomer.
Matching the Bar to Your Needs
Choosing the right venue is crucial for an optimal experience. Your decision should align with your specific goals for the evening, whether it's a casual after-work drink, a detailed tasting session, or a celebratory meal.
For the Explorer and Socialiser: The Wallow is unparalleled. Its Enomatic machine system allows you to sample a vast range of wines at your own pace, making it perfect for groups or individuals keen on discovery without commitment.
For the Classic Food & Wine Pairing: The Last Wine Bar & Restaurant offers a more traditional and refined setting. This is your go-to for a special occasion, where a carefully curated wine list complements an exquisite menu.
For the Dedicated Learner: Melville & Sons and Substrata Wines are your destinations. Here, the focus is on education and passion. Engage with the knowledgeable staff to discover rare grapes, organic producers, and the stories behind each bottle.
The Foundation of a Great Trip: Your Accommodation
To fully immerse yourself in the wine bars of Norwich, your choice of accommodation is more than just a place to sleep; it’s your strategic home base. A central, comfortable, and well-equipped apartment allows you to transition seamlessly from a day of work or sightseeing to an evening of sophisticated relaxation. This is especially true for business travellers, contractors, and those on extended stays who value convenience and comfort.
Having a space with a full kitchen, reliable Wi-Fi, and a comfortable living area elevates your trip. It provides the flexibility to enjoy a quiet night in or prepare for a formal evening out, all without the constraints of a standard hotel room. For professionals needing temporary housing, from contract workers and builders to families between homes, this setup is indispensable. It combines the ease of a hotel with the genuine comfort and utility of a home. Landlords direct with Stay Norwich Apartments, Norfolk, furnished accommodation when you need it, for as long as you need it. No hassle, no drama, pay and stay.
Ultimately, your journey through Norwich's wine scene is a personal adventure. Use this guide as your compass to navigate the city's offerings, and pair your explorations with accommodation that enhances every moment.
Ready to explore the best wine bars Norwich has to offer? Secure the perfect home base for your adventure with Stay Norwich Apartments. Our fully furnished, all-inclusive properties provide the ideal blend of comfort and convenience, placing you right in the heart of the action. Book your stay today and uncork an unforgettable trip.
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