Waterstones in Norwich

Lovely cafe but can get very busy with table blockers. Good value pot of tea and earn stamps on your loyalty card. Friendly staff who carry teay for customers that need help. Really nice touch. Thankyou

I was keen to find somewhere for a cup of tea and something to eat, and already two places I saw had not opened by 9.45 am. Seeing Waterstones and the reference to the café, I entered to find three people in the queue ahead of me. Unfortunately it took so long to make the drinks ordered by the first two people that I decided to leave. I have often found this an issue with the multidrinks machines. Later in the day, and passing the same shop, I tried again and was served promptly and efficiently. . The environment was pleasant and relaxing and was pleased I had tried again,

It's a nice space but the toasted sandwich was appallingly bad. Highly processed ('Cheese and ham' apparently) . The girls service was friendly and excellent but led by a surly male manager. Will try another place next time.

I was wondering round town in the afternoon around 4pm and lots of cafes were shutting early. I popped up to water stones and ordered a pot of loose tea and a small sweet treat. It was perfect! Just what I needed and didn't cost the earth either. Very happy with the customer service too, there is a lovely calm and clean atmosphere here and it's all down to their hardwork

Siempre voy al café cada vez que llevo a mi novia a la universidad, siempre compro un deink y la mayoría de las veces un artículo salado de su selección. Hoy hice eso, compré una tetera y un pastel vegano de chocolate y plátano. Los comimos y los bebimos y luego nos sentamos durante unos 40 a 50 minutos leyendo, teniendo en cuenta que el café en este momento no estaba muy ocupado. Entonces precedí que un miembro del personal preguntara repetidamente si había comprado algo. ¡Este es el mismo miembro del personal cada vez y también el que limpió mi bandeja en primer lugar! Ahora entiendo que si estuviera ocupado, entendería que podrían necesitar el espacio para más clientes (¡también obtengo esto porque he trabajado en pubs y cafeterías antes!), Pero no estaba ocupado en absoluto. Me hizo sentir bastante desagradable y en el acto, lo que finalmente me irritó lo suficiente como para publicar esta crítica. Fue una lástima ya que siempre tengo una experiencia agradable aquí, pero hoy me arruinó un poco.

Called in for a quick cup of coffee & a tea. Cappuccino was not very pleasant to drink, the loose leaf tea was good. Wouldn’t eat their pastries on display as they’re on the counter right next to the area customers would get their orders, uncovered. Any cough, sneezes etc would land in these. Would I return?, not for the coffee - or pastries. Seating area quite pleasant, early in the day - peaceful.

We called in early in the morning for a coffee and toast/tea cake. It’s a great little space and very peaceful and quiet considering the proximity to the busy road with many buses chugging by. The coffee was really good, plus you’re surrounded by books so can have a good old browse. Highly recommended.

Good place to take a break. They are open well after many of the other food outlets in central Norwich. Pleasant staff and some delicious toasted sandwiches and paninis.

so love this place and was stuck in avoiding the heavy rain so decided to treat myself. Service was OK-ish but it is too expensive for just a snack. Could have got a meal from one of the restaurants that offer cheap lunch options. Still.. was surrounded by books so kept me happy.

Popped in today for a quick snack...cafe was pretty full but not a great deal of choice. Ciabattas were very tasty. Although I realise Waterstones is primarily a bookshop not a restaurant. Service was good but, handy place to pop into if you was waiting to catch a bus in Castle Meadow.

Simply fantastic range of books, neatly organised, friendly staff. I can walk in and easily find 50 books I would love to read. My favourite shop in Norwich. I visit at least once a fortnight.

The staff are helpful the food and drink is excellent it’s good value and accessable for those that have mobility issues

Had coffee and sandwich whilst visiting Norwich. Very tasty seasonal sandwich, turkey,stuffing and cranberry very reasonably priced. Nice surroundings amid the books and centrally located close to castle and market square.

Nice little find. Good choice of food, especially cakes, teas and coffee. Very reasonable. I had the Thai chicken soup and a roll for £3.70. 😊

For us this is probably the best bookshop in the area with a multitude of subjects to look through including maps etc.

excellent choices for a small cafe, great coffee and good selection of both food and drinks. a haven for book lovers, very peaceful.

Visit here frequently to read and have a coffee. Staff are friendly. It has a nice atmosphere, even when it’s very busy. Haven’t eaten but food looks good.

Good food and drink and friendly staff who go out of their way to provide great service even when they are understaffed. The bins are emptied at the end of the day and hygiene standards are always observed. A great place for book and coffee lovers.

Guy works here, really doesn’t quite grasp customer service...

I’ve been here a few times, and though the food and drink isn’t particularly inspired and service can be slow when the team is understaffed, I always come here when I’m in the city centre to read/write and relax. The staff are friendly and I’ve often had a wee chat with other customers sitting nearby, which is how I found out about the book club which takes place here every month and I now attend.

Had a Sunday snack of toasties. Only 1 person there and he was rushed off his feet but did a magnificent job. Even though it was not much after mid day many of the items were sold out so what was there was very limited.

Good coffee, incredibly slow service. Seems understaffed but even so the few staff have a very laid back attitude and customers seem an inconvenience. The tables are rarely cleared and the place feels quite dirty. The toilet door is sticky and probably hygienic.

Nice food & drink but service is terrible. Twice now my food order has been COMPLETELY forgotten!!! How do you do that!!! Then when my crumpets eventually arrived they weren't cooked properly!! How can you muck up crumpets in a toaster?!! Too hungry to complain, will just vote with my feet. Sorry, too many other better cafes to go to with far better service.

Laid-back atmosphere; friendly helpful serving staff. Can get very busy...I had to wait quite a while to be served. Maybe more staff needed...quite a few tables needed to be cleared. Need more of a variety, and 'real' gluten free options, please.

Situated at the back of the bookshop this cafe has a good number of tables and a lovely selection of cakes and sandwiches. Unfortunately on a busy Saturday afternoon the staff seemed to have difficulty juggling orders and so it took a while to get through the queue. Toilets were a bit grubby, but overall a decent enough place to go, especially if you like the bookshop ambiance.

Nice coffee, served by friendly polite staff. My only criticism is that it was hard to find a clean table.

Whenever I'm in Norwich I always visit this little cafe, the service is always amazing and I'm never disappointed, can safely say it is one of the best cafes in Norwich, easily!

As an ardent book lover I am really taken with the concept of sitting down with a coffee and a bun while I look over my prospective purchases. I spent a number of pleasant hours here over the Xmas period while choosing some language books for my evening class. The ambience is excellent and customers use it as a meeting place so there is always plenty of animated chat. Comfortable chairs add to the experience. More shops should copy this format.