Hirst's Farm Shop & Café in Great Yarmouth

I was staying in the area and had lunch here four times. The experience in terms of service and food was variable. With regards to service, there is an older waitress who needs more training and does not know the menu very well. She seemed very unsure of herself and had trouble recording our order, having to repeat ourselves several times. Answers to our reasonably basic questions about the menu were "I think so..." and that did not fill us with much confidence. The younger waitresses were very good, attentive and friendly - so something must be going well in terms of staff training. We were also given warm tap water with no ice on a hot, summer day. This was partly due to the high price of drinks - £3.10 for canned drinks and £5.75+ for a milkshake. The surf and turf burger was really good - I would recommend this, as the crayfish, pawns and burger were lovely with the sauce. This was consistently good. The gammon, egg, chips and peas was also yummy and good value. The meat was well-cooked, as were the chips. The haddock was really nice on one occasion, with light and crispy batter. But on another occasion the batter was hard and overcooked, accompanied by cold chips and peas.

Very disappointing. Have been here previously and it was fault less. However now it’s gone down hill big time. When we’re arrived it felt very unorganised. Our food then arrived and it was shocking. A friend had avocado on toast and it was like rubber it’s like it had been reheated. I had waffles and it was horrible, tasteless and hardly any fruit on it was was a shame. We was a big party and 3 times a waitress came round and asked if there was anything we needed, in the hope we would leave it felt like. They then stood and kept staring at us and we felt very pressured to get off the table. The lady then came over one last time and said ‘you can go and pay up there’ Very very rude. Would not recommend at all.

I’m a local and visit regularly. However, sometimes the food is cooked well and sometimes not. The service is also ‘hit and miss’ depending what waiter serves you. We have been 4 times this week and on two occasions the service has been very mediocre. Ww ordered the haddock bites and twice they were fried to a crisp the other visits they were lovely. Unsure if this is due to different people cooking? Also the service isn’t good we asked for water with ice on three occasions and they forgot so we were served warm water and either had to ask again or go up ourselves to get a glass of ice cubes. One particular waitress cannot answer questions about the menu all she replies is “I think so”. I asked if the vegan chile coffee n carne was the vegetarian mince she replied “I think so” but when it arrived it wasn’t - it was chick peas and vegetables which tasted more like a bolognaise than chilli con carne. I did mention this and I will say there was no fuss with a refund. It’s a shame as they are charging fairly high prices that don’t reflect the food and service - there are better places to visit that are more consistent.

One to avoid, gone downhill. Went there a couple of years ago and had a great fresh combined seafood dish. Tasty and healthy, how things change. We asked for a sharing seafood platter. When it arrived it was all deep fried food apart from one small slice of hot roast salmon. Most of the platter was cheap, greasy whitebait, a few tempura prawns and similar squid. Fries were compulsory, no new potato option. When we asked why there was little fresh fish we were told the menu had changed. This was the most tasteless and unhealthy meal we had had in years. We did not eat it all, enough was enough. When we paid the lady at the till confused our table number and was going to charge us a lesser amount We corrected her and paid the full bill over £30. We were told the delicious meal we had before was a seafood medley. I told the lady we would not come again. We will continue to use the very reliable White Swan in Great Yarmouth. I would appreciate a response to my review.

This is the second time we've visited for a brunch and each time the food was exceptional. Service great, didn't have to wait too long for food either. Cafe clean and tidy, prices good, staff pleasant and helpful. Served by Jane today (14/7/24) who is a very nice helpful lady. Will definitely visit again.

Service and friendliness of staff could have been much better. Long wait for food which was very good when it arrived. However when I went to pay at the counter our waitress was busy cutting a couple of slices of cake for someone. While I waited for her attention she proceeded to lick her fingers before lifting the slices on to a plate then she licked her fingers again, wiping them on her apron before she used the till to print my bill! This is a dreadful HYGIENE ISSUE and she needs be given the appropriate food and safety hygiene training before she makes someone very unwell. I hope we are not unwell tonight!

This was my first visit after long hoping to pop in on a visit to the area. I was so pleased to take my Mum as had heard positive things about Hirsts. We were not disappointed! The staff were so helpful and our food and drinks were excellent. The shop itself was well stocked and fairly priced. I look forward to visiting again very soon.

Absolutely delicious food. Service was fantastic too. Never disappointed here! Super place to take family or friends. Staff are so friendly.

Treated hubby to breakfast in his birthday, recently moved to Hemsby so this is on our doorstep. We have visited before but never had breakfast, it didn’t disappoint. My only criticism is use Colmans English mustard , the Lichfield’s one deserves the bin only …

Lovely cakes and coffee. Friendly staff. Dog friendly. Farm shop on a working farm is small and very expensive even for local veg. I personally wouldn't support this business again as they stock foie gras pâté.

The overall ambience was fine and the food that went past us looked good. But the service was spasmodic, and with no structure,and nobody in charge.They need to tighten up this and do what others do and approach and clear a table and offer desserts or more drinks.We were left as if we were invisible and then had to go up and order our own desserts which were not marked as to what they were..However we picked well the Banofee pie was simply the best we had ever had. The prize for the day goes to the lone lady on the till who took cafe money and the shop money and answered the phone..ridiculous. Give her some help please. .

What a gem of a place... called in after looking up places to visit whilst on holiday we wasn't disappointed.. I had the most amazing eggs denidict... then visited the farm shop.. amazing local and farm products... fantastic friendly staff.. a lovely gem of a place

Was really looking forward to having a breakfast but was told I couldn’t swap the sautéed potatoes for a hash brown and that I could add it as an extra if I wanted one…

We hadn't been for a while but visited for lunch. It was quite quiet so plenty of room and we needn't have booked a table. When seated with the menus that's when it all started to go wrong. We waited and waited for someone to take our order, trying to make eye contact with staff and sitting in the we're ready pose failed to work. eventually we managed to catch someone's attention - some 20 minutes later. Alas the waitress had zero personality and was not really interested in engaging in conversation, just taking the order on her electronic toy. The drinks and food then arrived pretty swiftly and it was hot and fine, although the steak burger was rather tough almost like it had been reheated. Food finished we waited for our plates to be cleared and once again tried to catch someone's eye, but no one was interested they were backwards and forwards past our table and not interested. We were after more drinks and cakes/dessert. One hour and 20 mins after we walked in the door we decided enough was enough and got up to pay. When asked if everything was alright we said no the service was poor. The lady apologised and said she'd feed it back to the girls but she was one of those that ignored us, and she admitted they weren't busy so there was no excuse - not a clue! The owner appeared to be in with some other chaps and he was oblivious to what was going on, I can't see this holding its place for long if they don't get customer service sorted. Whist we were there we frequently saw staff standing around talking and there really was no atmosphere in the place. If only they had: a) taken our order sooner b) asked how our food was whilst we were eating c) cleared our plates and ask if we wanted anything else d) looked and acted as though they cared This has definitely gone downhill since our last visit and we won't be bothering again as the staff and service let it down. A rating of two is generous and only because we ate the food.

Amazing breakfast, well served and presented. Excellent customer service. We arrived for 9am and the cafe soon filled up. Maybe an idea to book although there were tables available outside as the weather was great.

We turned up for breakfast at 11.25. They then said sorry it’s now 11.30 and refused to serve any food. Absolutely appalling!

Lovely meal, friendly staff will certainly visit again the cafe. Child friendly food reasonably price food on menu something for everyone

Four of us had lunch. Two delicious burgers and two tasty sea bass. All beautifully presented and served by delightful staff, who never stopped smiling, despite the restaurant being extremely busy. We live in the village and come here quite often. Never disappointed - it's so lovely and friendly. The breakfasts are great, too! Well done Robert and all your wonderful.staff..

Having been here before it is a busy place, it would be best to book in advance if you can as it's very popular excellent quality meals wether it's a breakfast or lunch, Sunday meals are also extremely popular, it's a lovely place to sit and enjoy the atmosphere, staff are very pleasant but busy running around, prices are to be expected with the quality meals presented, very nice tea and coffee.

Went to get brunch and had a large breakfast instead and we were very happy with the food and the coffee and the service was very good. They also have great stock in their shop including some very good fresh fish.

Came here for breakfast, although the ingredients are no doubt good quality before they are cooked, the way the food was cooked let it down! Sausages are cooked in the deep fat fryer, cooking them to within an inch if their lives, leaving them dry,...

Sorry but disappointed, both had Farmers Breakfast and thought that the sauté potatoes were rather ‘soggy & looked quite burnt’ the sausage looked as tho it was a reheat from previous day, poached egg was hard and mushroom could have rung the oil out of....

I have had lunch at Hirst Farms numerous times as a I am local in the area. The food is always fresh and excellent. The service friendly and efficient. A great place to go for food or to buy local produce.

I have been a number of times to the cafe for coffee but, having heard good things about their roast dinners, we thought we’d give it a try. We were certainly not disappointed in any way. It exceeded all expectations. My husband and I both...

A lovely visit for lunch and to see the lambs. Adult meals were a good size and a fair price. However the child’s meal which was £8. 75 and consisted of 2 over cooked chicken goujons, 9 chips and a small pot of beans (...

A fantastic place to come whether a solo visitor or with company or family. Kids will love the animals and the tractors. The food is so flavoursome and fresh and can really taste quality products used which makes a huge difference. The breakfast is a...

This has to be one of the best places for a Sunday roast. The food is absolutely fantastic. Service is friendly and efficient. It isn't a restaurant so don't expect starters, mains, pudding, coffee etc, however Hirsts are brilliant at what they do. At the...

This place is a real little gem, as a treat we went for a family breakfast and as you pull in you can meet the residents of the farm tucking into their breakfast too. We received a warm welcome and had super friendly service and...

Stopped off for a coffee and late breakfast, hubby had the breakfast and I had waffles with berries and yoghurt. Food was well presented and tasted wonderful. Coffee was lovely and hot. Excellent customer service. Staff friendly and welcoming. Also has a lovely farm shop....

We visited before football to celebrate my birthday, and we both had breakfast. The service was very good, the breakfast was excellent! We also bought a platter for later, from Dabs and Crabs. This was very fresh and very tasty.