The Merchant's House: Coffee & Ale in Norwich

I was here from Swindon for a wedding and I was blown away by the place. The Staff was all very nice and friendly, they all worked so hard. Didn't eat there but I did browse the menus prior to coming and it does look like there is a great choice. Great business model and I would love to see it expand to other places

My first visit for the 'open mike' night. I feel it could become a new favourite.

Mixed experience - incredible cakes and courtyard setting. The savoury food was pretty poor (especially the quiche) and incredibly overpriced for such a tiny portion. Everything was on the pricier side, in fact, but I'd probably return for special occasions for the ambience

Very nice atmosphere, the people are kind and smiling. I recommend the small courtyard, very cosy and well decorated.

This place has a great selection of high quality beers and a lovely space to drink them in. The courtyard at the back is delightful and affords you a view of genuine Tudor architecture. So why only three stars for me? Well, the staff here have frequently been brusque and unfriendly almost to the point of rudeness. A couple of times now I've had problems with my orders and pointing this out has resulted in an arrogant indignation rather than understanding or apology. When I come to a coffee shop or bar I want to feel like I'm a welcome customer, not an inconvenience who is in the way of whatever else they want to be getting on with. I keep going back here cause it's such a nice place in the hope that my experience will improve, but so far it's been very hit and miss.

Beautiful courtyard My drinks order was taken at the door and they came and found me to serve rather than making me wait. The matcha latte was great but you may want to ask for sugar as it was a little bitter for my taste but that’s just my preference Will return when back in the area!

I have no idea what about foods. I tried out ice americano, the taste is very surprising. Next time I will try another drink and food

Absolutely charming patio! Overlooked by huge walls of very old leaded glass windows. Worth the visit just for this!

Really nice place. Decent coffee (non dairy is available). I really liked the mushroom and blue cheese quiche.

Really enjoyed our visit, coffee was perfect and the Treacle Tart was delightful, a difficult choice as all the cakes looked amazing. Staff were friendly, helpful and efficient. Lovely atmosphere in a cosy, comfortable place. Will definitely return xx ☕🍰🍷🍺

Lovely staff and such a cosy space. Good coffee for the price you pay for it.

Lovely little find for an 'I've just finished Friday' glass with a friend. Relaxed and friendly.

What a little gem of a place. I visited to listen to music and it was perfect. The courtyard is an ideal place to just chill and appreciate local talent perform home grown songs. 😊

Enjoyed delicious Brie n Cranberry toastie, delicious orange cake and delicious local coffee, by friendly staff in a lovely setting.

Found staff unfriendly and offhand. Plonked down offerings without a word or smile. Will not return

Love this place! My fav coffee venue. My only complaint is that people sit in there nearly all day on their lap tops with one coffee so theres never any spaces. You also cant reserve a table? Must be loosing out on revenue if people sit in there all day? Great place but we very rarely get a seat

Stopped off here to do some work calls/work remote and it has to be the nicest people with the best coffee in Norwich. Apologies to everyone else in the cafe who had to hear me whittering on

Very friendly staff and atmosphere.

My friends and I all love this place. the staff and customers are really friendly and welcoming and there is always a feeling of peace. Sunday evenings for music is always a fabulous event but it's equally enjoyable to drop I'm for a lazy morning coffee and toastie. The courtyard is stunning and the plants well loved...

As a proud resident of ‘The Fine City’ of Norwich and a seasoned traveller, I can honestly say that The Merchant House is without doubt the best Cafe Bar in East Anglia…….if not beyond! The atmosphere is amazing, as is the selection of drinks. Food is limited as no kitchen, but their toasties (and other snacks, cakes, sausage rolls etc) are off the scale! Rarely does one find a Cafe Bar with such an all inclusive attitude. It’s a place where everyone can meet and enjoy great company. It’s somewhat unique and that’s down not only to the beautiful setting, but more importantly owners and staff who care about their customers. Something that increasingly becoming a rarity in today’s, somewhat homogenised world. There’s live music on a Sunday, which is always a joy. Plus a support of the simple pleasures in life, such as playing board games or learning languages etc. The residents of Norwich and visitors alike are truly blessed to have such a wonderful Cafe Bar!

I've been visiting this cafe for many years. But after the fowl service received today, it's unlikely I'll be going there again. A very rude unwelcoming woman taking my order decided to shout at me when I told her she took my order down wrongly. I'm sure she's had no training in hospitality and couldn't cope with a busy period. Four of us who are all local, vowed never to have coffee there again especially if that woman is on duty. Her special skill seemed to only upset her customers.

Good service, friendly staff, very good coffee and good environment.

The best coffee house in Norwich. A warm friendly welcome with some great cakes and coffee.

Great location, great coffee, great servers.

My favourite coffee in the city. Staff are very friendly and its always busy no matter what time you go in. Love the sharing tables and cosy atmosphere. Look forward ot trying their beers one evening when I'm in the city.

Such a hidden gem, absolutely love this little spot. Coffee is great, staff super friendly, and really nice ambience. Great for an evening cup as open late - hard to find spots like this that are open in the evenings! Great prices too, very reasonable. Love to pop in for a little hot chocolate treat. Would 100% recommend!

Nice sandwich, coffee OK, friendly, noisy

Had a great experience, only popped in for a drink, which was a very nice craft beer and a mulled cider. Staff were very pleasant and informed me of the types of drinks available. The atmosphere was very warm and welcoming, comfortable seats and tables not too close together. Will be back in the future.

I've been coming to Merchants a few times a week for nearly 3 months now, and its absolutely wonderful. I love their matcha vanilla latte, and their hot chocolate. Great environment to relax and get uni work done. And the staff is really nice!

I utterly adored this place! Totally recommend visiting it for an easy morning or a chill beer ☺️

The loveliest and cosiest coffee place you will ever visit. The staff is warm and friendly and the atmosphere is always the best for reading and studying. Totally recommend 🤍

Wow! What a stunning find on our visit to the city Coffee house-come-bar with the most amazing chilled vibe to it Easily walkable from the city centre and overlooking the river, there is a wide range of (delicious) hot drinks and sweet treats available. Dig a little deeper and there’s a range of draught beer and cider to suit everyone’s tastes Staff were amazingly friendly and welcoming and I could have very easily spent many, many hours just soaking up the atmosphere in this place I would highly recommend a visit if you are in the area, a worthy edition of a ‘must visit’ venue

I went to The Merchant for coffee and a freshly made sausage roll this morning - probably the best SR I’ve ever had - the sausage was great and it was likely that the fresh pastry was the hero!

The Merchant's House in Norwich holds a special place in my heart. I find myself here nearly every week, and it's more than just a coffee shop for me; it's a sanctuary of warmth and community. First and foremost, let's talk about the coffee. The dedicated team at The Merchant's House takes their craft seriously, and it's evident in every sip. Their coffee is a masterpiece, and I'm always in awe of the flavors they create. Their passion for brewing perfection shines through, and it's a delight to experience it with every visit. But what truly makes this place exceptional is the people – the incredible staff and the fellow patrons. I often come here to read my Bible, and during busy times, I find myself sharing tables with strangers who, like me, appreciate the sense of togetherness this place fosters. It's heartwarming to be a part of a community where people are so open and friendly. The ambiance of The Merchant's House is a testament to their creativity and attention to detail. The decor exudes warmth and character, making it the perfect backdrop for those quiet moments of reflection and connection. I also want to applaud the staff for their commitment to cleanliness and safety. It's reassuring to know that, even in the busiest of times, they maintain the highest standards to ensure a clean and comfortable environment for everyone. Lastly, the location is simply perfect. Nestled in the heart of Norwich, it's a convenient and inviting spot to recharge, reflect, and explore this beautiful city. To the remarkable team at The Merchant's House, your hard work, dedication, and welcoming spirit have created a haven for people like me. Thank you for making every visit a memorable experience. I look forward to many more weeks of coffee, community, and connection at this wonderful café.

Came here with the missus for a Sunday bite, super chill place with a surprising amount of room inside and out. Staff are wonderful, makes service with a smile look like the bare minimum, and the coffee and toasties are excellent too

Friendly staff and a nice place to study with the free WiFi. Only downside is that it's quite small so there's limited seating but still very cosy and has some books and games to borrow.

Fantastic place. This was my first visit, the lemon cake was fantastic as was my latte. The atmosphere was friendly and warm. The whole ambiance of the place great. There is an art gallery attached which I didn't have time to visit. There are books and plenty of comfy seats and nice tables. The whole place is just top class. I cannot recommend highly enough.

Great cake. Great vibes. Great games.

Fabulous lunch, beautiful garden. Wonderful atmosphere.

Great cafe, hidden away abit but a true gem. Nice interior with a variety of hard working and enthusiastic staff who will be friendly and welcoming. From Manchester and had a visit today and had a great sit down inside. Thank you for the great service 👍

Delicious coffee at this lovely, friendly venue by the river. Can't wait to go back!

Always friendly service and a buzzing atmosphere. The coffee is very tasty and fairly priced, especially the student discount on filter coffee. A good place for meeting up, and foreign language groups happen throughout the week.

Lovely atmosphere. Very busy and lively. Awesome cakes and dog friendly too.

This place is lovely ! It is spacious, comfy and cosy. There's plenty of seating and the music is very relaxing. The decor itself is very pretty. I recommend going there, the coffee is very good and the staff are friendly, thank you!

Love this place. Great courtyard too and perfect for a coffee or beer. Only thing is lots of laptops especially during the day so hard to get a spot

This place has a really great energy, laid back and cool. Great for an early evening wine.

Great coffee, cheerful service, and a very beautiful yard at the back! Nice little gem discovered today in Norwich .

Great atmosphere, fantastic beer

Great beer and great coffee. Microcosm of Norwich where you can meet a wide range of people.

Lovely relaxed meeting place with excellent food and beer.

Really lovely place, lots of friendly staff, locals and dogs. Great selection of drinks, snacks and lunchtime bites - all reasonably priced - lovely indoor seating and outdoor courtyard with variety of games, books and blankets throughout.

Went for a mid afternoon pint. Almost everyone else on the bar was on coffee and a few where tapping away on laptops. So it was a slightly surreal atmosphere. But the beer was excellent and the staff were friendly. So all good.

Excellent hospitality & cocktails

Always a nice place to visit. Alas, the chap did not make an oatmilk cappuccino with a dollop of biscoff. And not the first time they have the milk wrong ... The ginger tea was great though.

Lovely gem. A rare place where tea/ coffee/ food/ beer/ wine/ games/ chat/ laptop/ ambience all have equal importance and open all day. Like a British Tapas bar? Tea is even a pot of tea and wine is good and not overpriced. Feels like you're at home. Perfect

Wonderful. Come on Sunday at 6.30ish

Love relaxing boho vibe, friendly staff and patrons.

Very good stop off for lunch. Simple, no-fuss, but delicious sandwich options. Nice courtyard to sit in. Efficient friendly staff. Lovely interior. Nice location. Clean toilets. What’s not to like!

Walking the riverside walk we came across this cafe, stopped for coffee, lots of options. Staff helpful and friendly. Husband uses a mobility scooter and yes there are lots of stairs in the cafe, the staff kindly opened the side entrance which led to a lovely, charming courtyard area, lots of tables and chairs and a sun trap surrounded by history.

What a gem of a find! Great quiet spot with a lovely ambience for a cheeky drink and light bite (toastie!) Rate the choice of craft ales to choose from and impressed with the iced chai latte! But the real stand-out for us, was the cute little courtyard seating area outside - perfect spot for my wife and I to take a couple of hours to rest and read a little! Highly recommend this place!!!

Popped in here for a coffee on a warm Saturday afternoon. Coffee was excellent and the little courtyard was a great spot to sit and relax. Friendly staff. Will definitely be back.

Sat in a sunny window seat, eating toasties and cake with my family, listening to music and relaxing, heavenly after a hard nights camping! The warm and friendly staff made us instantly welcome, a really special cafe I felt compelled to say thank you!

Having just moved to Norwich, I have visited most coffee places- Merchants House is one of the friendliest places, staff are great as well as the coffee They also stay open late if you’re passing for a non pub atmosphere for hot drinks & alcohol

We popped in after the Beer Festival to try it out as it looked so inviting. I’d been here when it was North. We were greeted very warmly by the staff and they tempted us to a cake as well as a tea. It was lovely as they even went and got the pumpkin cake out of the fridge with no prompting. Tea cups were lovely and big and a teapot each. Lemon and Almond cake was moist and tasty. On that visit we’ll definitely be back and so lovely to have somewhere nice to go to finish off the evening with a cuppa.

My husband and I found this when we were visiting Norwich. The staff were lovely and we sat outside in the courtyard surrounded by loads of greenery. When I popped in to the loo I noticed how beautifully done out it is ibside- interesting features on the walls, lively tile work round the counter. The cheese toasties and coffee were very good. If we lived less than 200 miles away we'd be back regularly! Thanks, guys.

Tea brewed from loose leaf, which perhaps we should be grateful for, but by the time if came to the table was not particularly hot and far too strong to be enjoyable. Americano coffee was also far too strong, and although water was added, it still, according to my partner "tasted like sludge". Member of staff taking the money showed no interest in our comments about the quality.

We popped into The Merchants House twice today, before and after canoeing on the river. Good coffee and cake and a beautiful courtyard garden to enjoy it. The staff were friendly and helpful and it made a lovely change from somewhere like Costa coffee.

Stumbled across this lovely place while visiting family close by. What a great find. Really friendly and attentive staff. Great atmosphere which was relaxing and cosy. We had tea and cake and both were perfect. Highly recommend and would definitely seek out next time we visit.

A great coffee house, with a surprisingly large courtyard out the back. Great coffee and very friendly service.

Superb cake and coffee (choice of milks too) in gorgeous sunny terrace garden. Lovely menu and wines and beers available. Great service and very reasonably priced. Quirky interiors with a funky, friendly and comfy feel.

Alone, with friends or on a date, this is the place! Always a relaxed atmosphere and equally good during the day for a pot of tea and a slice of cake (vegan options too!!) or in the evening for a glass of wine. Can't wait to get back here when restrictions allow.

Lovely chilled place for coffee cake or a sneaky G&T. Discovered this place just round the corner from our hotel on a trip to Norfolk. Loved it so much visited everyday of our trip. Staff lovely and friendly. Would recommend to everyone. Fantastic tunes. To suit all ages. Carry on doing what you are doing 😊

This is a thoroughly pleasant place to spend some time after exploring the City. It’s within easy ambling of the Anglican Cathedral. What is not evident from the front is that there is a beautiful secluded courtyard to the rear that is very quiet. Usual...

Lovely interior with a little secret courtyard out the back. Good coffee and beer! Unfortunately didn’t get his name but the guy who was working was incredibly helpful and went out of his way to help us as we were not local to the area....

Great place to stop for coffee along the river. We only had coffee but I spied a very tempting board with toasties and another with a good selection of scrumptious cakes!!!! Service was prompt and friendly - def recommend you try this place!!!! The courtyard...

Quite unassuming from the outside, this is a great little place not only for an afternoon stop but also in the evening too. We had tea and cake in their lovely plant filled courtyard , filled with the aroma of a stunning jasmine in full...

Visited here on a Friday afternoon as where I wanted to go was closed so happy this was open welcomed by staff and ordered a brie and cranberry toastie on granary bread with a hot chocolate and a lovely bit of cake. Found a seat...

For more than 20 tears a group of retired office workers have held an annual informal meeting at what is now Anteros in Norwich. Over the years we have experienced several caterers, and as Organiser I was apprehensive about this latest change. I need not...

Well slap my face and poke me in the eye - this was a rollercoaster of an experience. Except I love rollercoasters and perceive no part of them to be disappointing. If I went to heaven and this pub wasn't there I'd know something was...

In Norwich for a weekend away with my wife. Found this place just down from the Cathedral. Lovely staff and does good selection of alcoholic drinks as well as fantastic coffee. The courtyard is amazing.

This place has changed hands a few times over the years and is in the process of being refurbished by the new owners but it is open and still very relaxing to have a coffee in the lovely courtyard listening to the fountain gurgling and...