Allium in King's Lynn and West Norfolk

We booked on the strength of enjoying rack of lamb. That was part of the internet menu. However it was not available on our arrival! We chose fish & chips. Nice quality fish & ample plateful. However malt vinegar was not to be had. We were offered white wine vinegar instead. Ok but not the one we prefer. However a pleasant night in a restaurant well cared for by staff & management. Thank you.

We were visiting for my mums 87th Birthday. The positives were: good variety on the menu, warm and welcoming atmosphere. Three out of the four meals were well cooked and tasted lovely. However when my mums duck was cut into it was raw in the middle. We called the waiter over and explained the problem, it was taken away and unfortunately mum waited for 25 minutes for a fresh plate to come out by which time she was eating by herself. Not once did anyone come over and ask how things were, no birthday wishes, no offer of desert menu. They deducted the duck dish from the bill. Sorry to say we won’t be rushing back. Maybe don’t order the Duck, and if the restaurant reads this, we suggest you serve a a duck breast off the bone to avoid sinew’s.

We came across this place whilst looking for somewhere for a drink, they were very busy but accommodated us, the cocktails were lovely and the service was prompt, great cosy and busy atmosphere. Looking forward to coming back for food

Our first visit last night with our son and daughter in law. This is their favourite restaurant and have been several times before. We were not disappointed. Food was amazing service excellent. We will definitely be returning.

We first came across this unusual place one Saturday morning whilst looking for a coffee. We went in and had a coffee and a really lovely sausage roll. We enquired about Sunday lunch and were told it was not always available. Anyway, several weeks later we rang to see if Sunday lunch would be available the following week and it was so we booked in. Our table is booked for 1.30pm and when we arrived, the restaurant was reasonably busy and the host that met us offered a choice of three tables. We took a table which was to the back of the restaurant near the kitchen and out of the way. We had a truly lovely roast dinner, really good in every way. There were two members of staff working that day, who we now know it was the manager and one young lady who absolutely worked her socks off. We had our meal, we were offered desserts but chose to have coffee instead. After we’ve had our coffee, we sat for some significant period of time, probably 15 minutes, waiting for an opportunity to ask for the bill. The manager was chatting in the opposite corner with other customers and we weren’t able to make eye contact with him to interrupt him at all. The poor waitress was running backwards and forwards delivering food, taking drinks orders and clearing the tables for the next day service. When we did get somebody’s attention, we asked for the bill and the manager came up to take the payment. We paid and subsequently my husband offered him some feedback which was the food was excellent but the service had let the restaurant down. We commented how hard the young girl had been working and how it was disappointing not to be able to raise the bill slightly quicker as he was busy talking to the same customers. He did point out that he had members of staff who had gone sick which made our next point even more poignant. We suggested that whilst ‘circulating’ he could keep an eye out on his other customers to which, in my opinion he rather arrogantly responded that he’d been in the industry for 25 years and that his job was too mingle. Whilst I agree with that, I think it’s important, as host, that he is looking after all his customers (not to mention supporting his staff) when he has one member of staff doing all the waiting. I commented how good the food had been and sent compliments to the chef and the hosts response were it should be good. He’s co-owner. I just feel that sometimes a host has to be humble and gracious when given feedback because not all customers feel brave enough to say something. Whilst the food is truly excellent at £82 for Sunday lunch I don’t think I will be hurrying back purely due to his attitude - which is a shame.

Very sorry but so poor. We where shown to our seats in a corner. Then the table next to us..3 people where asked to move to allow 6 people to sit... in fact it ended up, extra chairs being taken from all over to allow 7 to sit. Meaning Us as a couple could not move.... we almost had the next table sat in our lapse... I said to the person behind the bar this was wrong and he said the restaurant was busy.... Honestly not our problem...we where there celebrating my 60th birthday... We felt very let down and amazed at what had happened. We will never visit again... so very poor customer service... When ask to speak to manager...he had left...so not busy...just poor.

Had the goats cheese and chicory salad with truffle fries. Lovely ambiance, really tasty food! Looking forward to going back.

Sunday Lunch with my Daughter and Granddaughter 1st time at the Allium been wanting to go for ages Friendly staff We both had Roast Chicken Food was delicious and served hot Amazing dessert Will definitely go back and recommend

My husband and I were very lucky to be squeezed in on Saturday, we were advised we could have the table for 2 hours as they were very busy that evening and that wasn’t a problem at all, it’s quite standard when dining out. We started with a beautiful bottle of Whispering Angel, for starters I always have the same, prawn cocktail with a tempura king prawn. I’m never disappointed by this and have had it many times before. My husband had mussels - absolutely delicious. James recommended the Scottish Halibut special for our main and again it truly didn’t disappoint. All cooked to perfection and was accompanied by some delicious braised leeks, spinach and creamed potatoes. We didn’t have dessert this time but I did enjoy an Espresso Martini - the best made in Norfolk. We are regulars at Allium, breakfasts are superb and an absolute highlight is that we can order a Sunday roast takeaway meaning I don’t have to leave the house!!! Keep up the fantastic work and we can’t wait to come back….

This was our second visit - on our first visit we loved the food but I had to ask for a chair (we only had 5 for a booking of 6 people) and was told to take one from another table! So I carried a chair across the restaurant while the man continued setting another table!! On this visit it was my husband and I as a couple. I ordered the duck & found it inedible - fatty & impossible to cut with my knife. I brought it to the attention of the waitress who took it to the chef. She brought it back with the message that it was cooked properly & wouldn’t ‘make me ill’ if I ate it!! Well I couldn’t eat it so my husband gave me some of his beef dinner. When the waitress collected our dishes she asked if everything was ok & I told her the duck was inedible. She said she would ‘feedback to the chef’. We were then charged full price for our meal… Poor customer service, poor staff training & on this occasion inedible food. We won’t be returning unfortunately

This is a lovely place, good food, friendly, knowledgeable staff. The place is a bit dark but very 'on trend'. Toilet seat still needs fixing !

Great menu and overall really great food. However the front of house service is extremely poor. The girls are nice enough but they just need an hours proper training in customer service. The biggest concern is both during this visit and my last visit a month ago they added a bottle of wine to the bill that we didn’t order. Once is a mistake, twice is suspicious so always double check your bills if you go here

I visit Allium from time to time to enjoy the atmosphere and the the lovely food . I must have been here at least six or seven times in the last year and the food has always been a hit with me . I have never had the same dish twice because I’ve always wanted to explore there menu and I have never been disappointed , especially when I have had there sea food . I have heard people groan about slow service and grumpy Derek at the front of house lol, but I can only say I have always found it a worth while experience eating here and look forward to eating there again .

A real shame, the food was lovely but the whole experience was completely let down by the service out front. We visited last week and my friend being vegan called ahead to make sure there would be an option for her. When we arrived we were seated by the door which wasn't great as I was continuously bashed by the door as people came in, but fine it's a nice intimate place. We checked the ingredients for the pina-colada as was listed as coconut cream, the man from the bar (we assumed in charge) came over and quite rudely said no it's not vegan and is made with cream, we asked if it could be made with just the coconut cream as stated on the menu, and he quite patronisingly told us it then wouldn't be a pina-colada without actual cream, which from working in an actual cocktail bar I can tell you isn't correct and traditionally it doesn't contain cream at all. When asking about the wine he bluntly told me I had a choice of whispering angel or the house, like I'm suppose to know what the house was. He then came back over before ordering to tell us they didn't do vegan food and seemed almost angry when we said the person on the phone had checked and the chef had said he could. Overall very patronising and cold. Not the service you expect when the menu is so pricy. Food I could not fault i had the pork chop which was really lovely and everything on the plate was cooked perfectly. The waitresses were polite and kind, but seemed very young and inexperienced so didn't know answers to any questions relating to the food or drinks. When paying top prices for food you expect a level of service to match but I felt spoken down to and to my friend he was very rude and obnoxious, a real shame. On that basis wouldn't want to return or recommend.

Despite the restaurant being absolutely full to capacity, the food & timings were excellent & all staff super helpful as we had vegans & vegetarians us! Yet to be disappointed by this place. Soho vibes in west Norfolk!

Recently visited family in the area and stumbled across this gem. Absolutely fantastic! Definitely recommend. All in all great food and attentive service. Thank you for lovely night.

West Kensington prices but in West Norfolk. 2 drinks, 2 mains, 2 deserts, total £82. Pork chop very fatty, rice pudding Luke warm, virtually cold and tiny for £8.50. Being given soup spoons to eat dessert wasn’t ideal ! A real disappointment. Won’t be rushing back.

I last reviewed this restaurant nearly two years ago. The food is good but, unfortunately, the service is not. We had a table booked for 8pm on a Friday night to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We arrived at 8pm on the dot and had to wait several minutes at the door before we were even acknowledged. We were then told that they were very busy and the table would be ready for us shortly. We were seated at around 8.15 and then waited another 10 minutes before we were given menus—and they only came when my husband requested them. During this time, it was clear that the table next to us was trying to pay and were not getting anywhere. Around 10 minutes later, the waitress asked if we’d like drinks. We submitted our whole order at this point. Our bottle of wine was somewhat dumped on our table by the man who, I presume, is the manager/more experienced member of staff. We don’t really care about tasting the wine before it’s poured but I thought it was etiquette for wine to be poured (initially) by the server? The table next to us seemed to be having some issues with one of their drinks; this was replaced but the manager did this in an ungracious way. As part of our order, we asked for water for the table: this didn’t come until we enquired as to its whereabouts. The food is lovely, although I don’t know why my duck breast still had a leg bone attached to it. I think this affected the cooking of it somewhat. Overall, it just felt like there were a lot of inexperienced teenagers doing their best on a busy Friday night but not really having a clue what they were doing. They need better training and/or more experienced staff need to be involved with the busy shifts. When you’re spending well over £100, you expect better.

Great little restaurant. Book if there’s a group of you, as it’s not very big. Service was okay, but a little slow. The food however, is absolutely fantastic-best meal I’ve ever eaten. The chefs really know their stuff!! I had steak and it was cooked to perfection! Expensive, but totally worth it!

Food was half decent, once it arrived, however generally overpriced for a breakfast menu. Experience here might be different at a weekend if they have more staff on, but we had a mid week stop and had zero service. Waited 10 mins at a table before clearing up the previous plates, then had to go to counter to order, as well as chase after 20 mins for food, even went to the counter to get / pay the bill. Staff seemed nice enough, but you would expect better service when your paying £11 for poached eggs.

Popped in as been before just for a sandwich and again this time for the same. Service was not very good a bit like headless chicken but eventually got our drink and sandwich. The sandwich was good and around normal price nowadays but the coke!!! How do they justify £4 for a small glass of post mix coke which was more ice than coke, having a half of beer would be cheaper just crazy. For this reason will not go again.

Beautiful building & interior, really helpful staff, amazing cocktails & the kitchen went out of their way to make sure we’d were happy with everything after requesting a very annoying vegan meal!! Could’ve happily sat there all night long, the vibe was 😍😍😍

Beautiful atmosphere, food amazing. Was very busy so wait for food was maybe a little longer than normal but was absolutely worth it and staff were very attentive and friendly! Family run, heart and soul put into the business from the interior design to the...

Went to this restaurant for our daughters birthday treat on Saturday. Two front of house - one man in his 50s and a young lady. The service from the young lady was ok, but from the man was the worst I've ever experienced. He started...

Having eaten dinner at Allium on two previous occasions, and loved it, we thought the restaurant would be a good place to lunch with a couple of elderly lady friends. Our experience was disappointing. The food was excellent, as we expected. Unfortunately it was not...

We weren’t sure what to expect , as apart from lovely lunches we hadn’t had an evening meal here, but the AIlium pleasantly exceeded our already high expectations. The bruschetta and arinchini was delightful, as was the chicken supreme, duck, and burger. The chicken was...

Have dined here numerous times. Food always great & Pornstar Martini excellent. Great selection & knowledge of wines. Looking forward to our visit on the 4th August to celebrate my daughters birthday

The Allium has a wide ranging traditional menu and all our meals were cooked to perfection. Service is very friendly but a little slow e.g. two meals arrived some time before the third. Disappointed to find no British bottled beer.

We really enjoyed the whole evening - it looks nice, has a good atmosphere and the food was delicious. The bang bang cauliflower was a surprising hit - so tasty. All our group thoroughly enjoyed the food.

This is the second time my wife and I have taken friends here and our opinion hasn't changed the Slightest The food was brilliant the service was excellent Our friends last night just loved the restaurant. Will be coming back again and again.

WOW! What a place ! Fantastic atmosphere, great staff, and the food is just 5 star ⭐️! We loved the evening can’t wait to come back Thank you

Absolutely brilliant! The atmosphere is great , music just in the background, with lots of conversations going on but none that are intrusive. Service is good but not in your face, the mozzarella balls are a revelation and if you only eat one burger this...

Went for breakfast and the food was delicious. Good quality sausage, bacon and eggs, cooked perfectly. Staff were friendly and the place was very clean. Would definitely go back if ever in the area.

Went to Allium for a birthday meal with my partner and parents yesterday evening. This was my 2nd visit and both times have been amazing. Food all delicious, well presented and reasonably priced (I wouldn’t say cheap but you get what you pay for and...

Went for a birthday treat ,excellent food ,excellent service ,not a budget restaurant but lovely food for a special occasion

An excellent Sunday roast. Second trip this year. Excellent service (front of house and owner) as are his team. Decor is as considered as the rest of the operation, even ‘Leeks and Peas’ for the restroom is another clever touch. Each roast meat is as...

Have been wanting to visit this restaurant for some time as we had heard amazing reviews on it and we were not disappointed! Everything was excellent and service was very attentive. We were lucky enough to have the owners Dad looking after us. Everything was...

Visited here on a Saturday evening with friends. It was jam packed! Despite this service was very good - the staff were all young and friendly. The menu offered an interesting choice. My mussels starter was delicious with a chilli kick. For the main the...

you get a warm welcome and the restaurant is decorated really nicely (including the loos - always a good sign!). The menu choice is good and the execution of each dish was excellent - fabulous flavours with some surprising outstanding dishes, like the bang bang...

We had a really fantastic night at Allium. The food was superb and service couldn't have been better. Nothing was too much trouble. Would highly recommend the mussels and the beef cheek.

The food is definitely in the hands of someone who knows & cares about what they are doing. Portion sizes are good, not so large that food waste would be an issue but substantial enough to satisfy. The staff are always friendly and happy to...

Went for a girls night out with my aerobics class. We had the most wonderful meal, perfectly paced and excellent food. I’ll be back with my husband.

Went lunch on Sunday 18/12/22 place very cold roast dinner was cold would not go back and would recommend any else to I ran the Downham fryer for25 year and roast dinners had 5 hygiene not 3 very poor

Love love love this restaurant! 2nd time off coming and cannot fault it. Service fantastic! Food to nice as could eat there every week . Nothing I could fault! Can’t wait to go again .

A much needed fine dining restaurant in Downham Market. Have been several times now and never been let down with the quality of the food. The Sunday roast is the best I’ve ever had, and midweek; the Sloppy Joe burger must be the best I’ve...

Allium is wonderful a complete treasure in Downham Market. It is well worth driving to for a nice meal. We visited following a number of recommendations from friends. The atmosphere, buzz, location and decoration is lovely. We visited on a Sunday, had starters - goats...

This is an amazing restaurant! The service was friendly and efficient and the food was fantastic. It was so refreshing to see the specials menu with interesting and varied dishes, rather than the standard pub "favourites". Very reasonably priced considering this is definitely not a...

Sat outside to eat as restaurant was fully booked, not a problem and food was very enjoyable. However, had to go inside to request the bill as none of the staff came outside for at least half an hour. Waited outside for 15mins with still...

Best sandwich in 20 years. It made me think: when was the last? It was a Sunday Roast Dinner sandwich at Lake Taupo in New Zealand - with Yorkshire pudding and gravy … This one was made with cloud-soft brown bread cut thickly, the tenderest...

Went to eat here as been recommended. Would NOT recommend this place at all. Overpriced pubgrub trying to be a Michelin type restaurant. Food was cold and a long time coming,staff were rushing us to move on as they "needed the table" man in charge...

Went to Allium with a group of girl friends this evening to celebrate a couple of birthdays. We enjoyed lovely food, friendly service and a great atmosphere. First time we’ve been and will definitely be going back. Very classy and intimate, superb evening.

Great place to enjoy yourself if you like quality food and drink. Staff are very patient and pleasant.

Ordered our drinks. They did not have my first choice of raspberry lemonade, they suggested a strawberry crush but I went for my second choice traditional lemonade but alas they didnt have that either. Not sure why they have a drinks menu when they cant...

Visited several times and as yet not dissapointed, good luck to the owners keep providing Downham Market with great food and service

We booked a table for 6.30 the menu looked good. Food arrived and was ok but not great. Large portions don’t make up for quality. Unfortunately we didn’t have time for dessert as they had overbooked and we were approached by I presume the manager,...

The last time we were in Downham Market pre-Covid this building was a bank. It has now been successfully converted into Allium. We stopped by for lunch and was able to sit outside opposite the Town Clock on a sunny April Saturday. Service was good...

had lunch here, menu was quite restricted but the food was excellent. gave us some of the evening's food as a stater. the fish pie was one of the best i have ever eaten. staff friendly and helpful.

Very pleasant and a great atmosphere albeit it was coming up to Christmas. Food was excellent and also the service.

Such a lovely evening - no fuss or nonsense, simply great atmosphere, lovely people and superb food. The duck was sublime. And I could have eaten every desert on the menu. We'll certainly be back!

The food was superb in all courses .Shrimp starter Dover Sole and lovely pudding.A great addition to Downham Market.Quite e xpensive but London standars brought to Downham.Friendly staff.

It was our sixth visit and each time the food is good. But the Service Is poor. On previous visits we had to ask numerous times for items to be bought to the table. This time instead of brining the mint sauce to our table...

I had really high hopes of this place and been begging to go so my fella took me there for date night to celebrate my birthday. I was super excited. The place is gorgeous, the atmosphere was great. After giving our name we were pointed...

We visited as a family of four for Sunday lunch. The restaurant was very welcoming and very friendly, efficient service. The portions were very generous and absolutely delicious food - possibly the nicest piece of roast beef I've ever tasted! I'll definitely be back.

We like to go to local places to support them but will never return. London prices with Downham Market service and know how. Four people for two courses £200. The fillet steak was served which I have to say was amazing but they forgot the...

We visited Allium for a family meal and wasn’t disappointed. Lovely food and atmosphere, will definitely visit again.

We visited Allium last night and consequently feel compelled to share our experience. This was our first time visiting this establishment which can only be described as 'superb'. The ambience is lovely, with exceptional food. The waiting staff went out of their way to ensure...

Great food and good service thank you. Not impressed with a small table for 3 people which required constant juggling of crockery, bottles and glassware to make things fit; the flowers were dispatched to the windowsill. The restaurant felt crowded with tables and lack of...

What a great find, and in my parents home town, we couldn't fault anything the ambiance, service or food, all dishes were very well cooked, presented and balanced. The look and feel of a brasserie, perfectly executed, warm welcoming cozy and sophisticated. Brilliant night celebrating...

We chanced on Allium during a short break in the area. I can't praise te place highly enough. The owners have turned the place into somewher to be proud of and we fuly enjoyed our food.

What a lovely evening, wonderful food, great service and a lovely setting. It was great to eat in a restaurant where the emphasis was put on high quality food and great service rather than a large venue where very often it's about numbers through the...

From the moment of arrival this place has got it spot on. The music, ambience and service was excellent. Then came the roasts…… Wow! Beautifully presented (see pictures) and piping hot too. We felt the sirloin of beef and belly pork, just shaded the excellent...

Unbelievable experience! Great service and fantastic food. I had been to the owners previous resturant but even with the high standards set there this place wipes the floor with it. It's a really lovely environment in the heart of downham market with fantastic decor. Really...

We attended on a Sunday, The restaurant was very busy. The food was good and service fairly attentive although on the slow side. Downsides were that the space felt overcrowded (to the point of we had to leave the building to put out coats back...

Just back from a Sunday Roast at Allium with my daughter and can honestly say it won't be the last visit - food was excellent and plentiful and really cannot be faulted in the slightest. Where the Allium did let itself down based on today's...

What a wonderful surprise! I booked for a Sunday lunch as I have never been before. Thanks to Tripadvisor I found a great restaurant at my door step! The staff was lovely friendly and great fun too. The service was excellent despite a very busy...

We were on holiday with our little dog! found this lovely little restaurant one morning whilst looking for a decent coffee! The owners are very down to earth and friendly, made us feel very welcome. They were a joy to chat too! even offered advice...

Had a voucher brought me for my 50th so went on Wednesday night! Absolutely delicious I had the lamb shank so tasty! Best Iv ever had. Portion sizes are really good! Loved the place so nice and cosy inside ! Only one thing I have...

My first visit but absolutely not my last. From setting foot inside the welcome was warm and genuine and was echoed a little later when the owner welcomed us. The decor is classic vintage and makes the most of a small space; I found the...

First visit to Allium and omg it won’t be the last, this has got to be the best restaurant we have been to in a long time. Amazing food and top class service.

Had amazing food at Allium, lovely atmosphere and brilliant staff, beautifully decorated. Definitely the best place to go to eat in the area. Very reasonably priced for the quality and the service. Will be back very soon!

Our First visit to Allium...Husband’s Birthday…We absolutely Loved it ….The decor, the ambiance, the service outstanding. The Drinks we had were WOW….WOW…WOW An amazing selection of Gins…Cocktails Porn Star Martini/Expresso Martini were perfection….Red Wine exceptional. Allium’s Hosts & Staff welcomed us with smiles & warmth....

After hearing some good reviews for Allium, we thought we'd visit with our daughters to try your famous roast dinner and can honestly say it was amazing! Keep up the good work guys! Top marks for venue, staff, food quality, value for money and atmosphere……I...

We had a fantastic evening at Allium. The atmosphere was really nice, lively yet somehow intimate too, possibly helped by the gorgeous décor. We found the staff to be lovely - friendly and attentive. But what it really comes down to is the food, and,...

Friendly staff; we were served promptly. Lovely food and ambiance: I had French onion soup, followed by venison; my husband had chicken liver pâté and a rib-eye steak. We both really enjoyed our choices—which were well-cooked and full of flavour—and left feeling very full and...

Lovely atmosphere and decor. Good, friendly service. Well cooked food- excellent quality. Really enjoyed a delightful meal.

Small ,lively although a bit noisy for some .Wonderful atmosphere ,superb food and all home cooked so can be tweaked to personal taste

The food was extremely tasty but the service was a bit haphazard with only a few plates of food coming out of the kitchen to our table at a time so we had virtually finished ours by the time our friends got theirs. The staff...

Not one to normally write a review, however, it would be remiss not to as, after numerous visits, all of which been first class, last night’s soirée was such a fantastic experience. There were 11 of us to cater for and have to say, the...

Unfortunately we started the evening with a very wobbly table which apparently all that could be done was an apology bearing in mind this was our 40 th wedding anniversary so we were expecting to be pampered but we had to get somebody’s attention every...

Managed to get a last minute booking here after seeing in online and I can honestly say it’s a real little gem, the family atmosphere in such a lovely restaurant is worth the 5 stars by itself, you can see it’s run with passion by...

Drink only as couldn't eat due to their "small working environment" meaning they are not able to cater for anyone with an allergy/intolerance. You think they'd have considered this when they converted the building! Obviously I won't go again. Ate in Naxos just up the...

I found the food to be So expensive, ordered calf’s liver on the specials board, wasn’t aware of the price as they had no menus, was charged £20 for ONE slice of liver, mash and spinach, so unjustifiable. Make sure you are aware of the...

Absolutely loved it here. The decor, service and food are all totally spot on and the owner (I assume) was extremely friendly and helpful. Will definitely return

Went for meal on Saturday night, lovely decor and a nice atmosphere, The food was good, although they have a small menu, the food was done very well. Will be recommending this restaurant to others and hope that we will be back soon.

First time, but will be back soon. Excellent Sunday menu. I had lamb shanks along with plenty of fresh veg, roasties, and a proper home made Yorkshire pud. All served by friendly staff.

Having recently moved to the area we were looking for somewhere new and so decided to try Allium. WOW!! we certainly weren't disappointed. The food is excellent and reasonably priced and the service is fantastic. We returned to try the Sunday lunch which didn't disappoint....

Lovely roast on Sunday. Service was exceptional and food was beautiful. Lovely atmosphere and staff. Very helpful. Will deft come back and totally recommend to everybody to try.

We found this restaurant by chance as we were passing through Downham market. The service was excellent. Joe took good care of us and changed what was on the menu for me, the portions were large and good value for money. We were three and...

Had a really nice evening meal with a group of friends at this Bistro, Restaurant called ‘Allium’ near the clock in Downham Market. Taken to our table, which was laid out perfectly with plenty of room. 6 of us round the table with room to...