White Lion in Norwich

Lovely country pub in the heart of the city. Recently named CAMRA Norwich pub of the year for 2023. Excellent selection of beers and cider, terrific service and first rate Sunday lunch. Update: since I wrote this more than a year ago, the White Lion has introduced a Thursday schnitzel evening. Possibly the best schnitzel I have ever eaten at a truly great price!

I doubt you'll find a better or more reasonably priced Sunday roast in Norwich then here. No frills but a cosy, atmospheric pub with enthusiastic, friendly and welcoming staff. And a very good range of ales. A pub you feel very much at home in.

Friendly service with a smile, family and dog friendly, good beer and exceptional cider

Live music Thursday evenings. Billiards table.

Went for a Sunday roast and it was delightful. Very flavourful

Best roast I've had in Norwich. Roast potatoes, creamed leeks, and Yorkshire pudding were particularly good and generously topped with thick gravy.

Fabulous service and ambience every time!!!

Great time with a few friends, great atmosphere, excellent beers,good service,well worth a look.Sunday roasts! Now CAMRA POTY for Norwich & District, for the second time.

A really comfortable and relaxing pub with excellent ale.

Nice and old-fashioned feel but in a friendly, low-key way. Let's put it this way, you could come in here on your own as a woman and you wouldn't be harassed! Cider was good and interesting, I enjoyed the care they gave to their expensive drinks menu. Although if you're not a beer or cider drinker, this is possibly not the pub for you...

Great selection of real cider and the Bratwurst was a nice surprise.

A dozen traditional cyders very well kept plus 6 real ales. Highly recommend it

Wow. What a stunning establishment. The White Lion is my church and Oscar my minister. I've had a spiritual awakening from coming to this place every Thursday for folk night, dancing and singing and experiencing radical joy. I have also had and a gastronomic awakening from the roast dinners that have me ravenous. They do Friday/Saturday night dinners that MUST NOT be missed. Lots of veggie and vegan choices too! Everything is freshly cooked from scratch and you get a really good amount of food for the price. The selection of ales is ever changing and they have a huge range - and a good range of alcohol free too. The staff are super friendly and welcoming - I feel like I am welcomed into the White Lion Society of friends with each visit. So happy to have this divine pub as my local. IT IS REALLY HARD TO FIT IN MY LOVE FOR THIS PLACE IN A GOOGLE REVIEW! Also shout-out to the yellow pleco chilling in the fish tank who is cooler than I'll ever be.

Great food, wonderful staff, proper pub interior and the first Belgian beer I've actually liked - brewed in Japan!

Great beer kept well, good choice of cider, and a cracking roast.

Haven't been to the White Lion for a while. It was always a good pub for beer, and still is, but the food on offer was particularly unusual (see photos). I had Mojo Pork with Deep Fried Okra & Macaroni Pie, with a Lime, Coriander and Jalapeno sauce - delicious.

The CAMRA pub of the year is so much more than it's excellent selection of drinks. This is a prime example of how a British public house should be run. Along with the aforementioned excellent drinks , visitors can also expect to encounter an escape from the modern world as the Lion maintains its wonderfull, almost rustic charm brilliantly. The menu is sensational - good luck trying to get a walk-in Sunday roast which has to be a contender for the best in the city. There's also a wide selection of games, bar billiards can be played in the back room and there is a garden area at the side of this inner city hidden gem. It's slightly out of the city, but well worth the stroll. Pubs as good as this should always be celebrated and a visit always brings a hearty, homely experience.

Great food and lovely atmosphere

lovely pub good selection ok alcohol free beers friendly bar person nice pub unfortunately couldn't eat there but menu looked good and a good price

Proper pub, cabbage Condiments arrived on time Maybe that’s all folks

We really enjoyed Sunday roast, including vegetarian option. Plenty of fresh vegetables and homemade Yorkshire pudding, delicious. Good value for money. Spoilt with variety of beers and ciders available. Will definitely go again.

Last minute decisions are sometimes the best ones 😊 Outstanding Sunday roasts at the White Lion. Washed down with a very well kept beer🍺 (for me) and a cheeky red wine 🍷 (for Mrs B). Highly recommended, and book if you plan on going as it is understandably popular and busy 🍽

A great selection of beers and a warm welcome.

One of the best real pubs you'll find in Norwich!

Excellent busy popular pub six real ales. Friendly Excellent bar staff. Highly Recommended

The White Lion is a very friendly pub with a good atmosphere and great choice of beer. I’m told the Sunday is excellent too.

Never tried the food but beers are excellent, a little pricy but great atmosphere

Proper pub! Extensive alcohol-free beer list!

Really enjoyed my early Sunday afternoon here - exceptional beer selection for a small, fairly quiet back street pub of cask and keg of various styles and ABVs, quite the Cider selection served from boxes, very friendly knowledgeable staff, and the Sunday roast (Gammon in cider and maple with all the trimmings - I had with Salopian’s hazy Sabotage) was absolutely superb, and good value at £15.95 for the roast I thought. Very few spaces available for walk ups on Sunday which speaks volumes. Many CamRA awards on its walls as well, and quite right too.

Always a favourite, old building with good vibe. Good beers Regularly cider pub of the year

Living In Essex coming to Norwich on an ale trail is a treat. I came here for the third time last week . I had been here previously on the City of Ale trails, this time it was on our own bespoke trail. As well as really enjoying Mr. Winters' Vanilla Latte I was delighted with the friendly and informed bar service. This pointed us in the direction of which pub to visit next.

It's a really nice place for drinks at a friendly pub

A very nice old school pub With great selection of real ales and ciders. Food is good too but not a huge selection

Top notch food and a fantastic vibe. One of.. if not the best pub in norwich

Proper Real Ale pub... lovely spicy Caribbean style food ...

I'm dissappointed to be writing this review but feel it's neccessary. Visit 12.11.23 The Sunday Roasts - great 9/10; the beer selection - great 9/10: overall experience 3/10. Even though we booked well in advance the table allocated had unsuitable low seating (by fish tank). We were unfortunate that a large party had booked the rest of the bar billiard room, very noisy. Contrasting with the warm convivial atmosphere of front & rear bars as we left. We will come again but will stipulate not to be seated in the Bar Billard table room.

A great selection of alcohol free drinks, this makes me very happy, the food is amazing and the staff are friendly and accommodating. I love any excuse to go to the white lion.

Best gravy in Norwich 9.6/20 well worth visit

Amazing selection of beers and ciders.

First visit to this pub, driven past many times but was always in the car so drinking was out the question. Yesterday however I walked in to be met by the Landlord and what a great reception, very welcoming and it was quickly established he is very knowledgeable on his beers. Stayed for a couple of pints and very much enjoyed it there. Will 100% be going back. It would be very hard to find fault with this pub as everything was spot on its like a country pub in the city. I understand they are also multiple awards been given to the pub each year. Absolutely worth a visit.

Couldn't of given this place a better grading tbh, as soon as you walk in its so cozy and welcoming it feels like home and that's what a proper pub is all about, brilliant selection of ales and beers, also had some of the best food I've had in a long-time, the Pork belly roast was supreme, all the staff were very friendly and helpful at all points of being there, will definitely be going again and spreading the word!!!

Fab food, beer and staff. Homely pub. Kid and dog friendly... What's not to love. Will always come back

The selection of real ciders is exceptional!

Great food, beer and service and is our go-to place for Sunday Roast in Norwich. They serve Schlenkerla beer too 🍻

I went to the pub with friends specifically for the German menu they were doing for Oktoberfest. We ordered food as soon as they started serving but waited nearly an hour for the food, and when it came 2 of the orders hadn't been plated properly and contained items different to what was ordered. These were quickly put right though. I ordered schnitzel with some sides but also wanted to try the Bratwurst so I ordered that as an individual item. The schnitzel was quite dry and appeared to have been overcooked a little in places. As for the Bratwurst, the sausages on the plate were definitely not Bratwurst, see photo. They appeared to be just normal sausages with a meat and herb filling. I'm not sure if they had run out of Bratwurst and substituted these instead, if so we weren't advised of this when ordering. In hindsight I wish I had complained and asked for a refund but having waited so long, we were all very hungry and ate as much as we could. I can't speak for my friends but I certainly won't be eating there again.

Stunning roast dinner with a wide selection of meats, one of the best treacle tarts and a fabulous range of beers and ciders. We’ll be back!

The White Lion is a really nice traditional pub. There is a good range of excellent hand pulled cask conditioned real ales. There is a really nice front bar and a cozy room behind it. There's also another room with a very popular bar billiard table. I was told there are two leagues in Norwich and there are about a dozen pubs with the tables. The staff are friendly and it is a very welcoming pub.

Fantastic pub. Lovely landlord and a nice selection of cider. You can never have too much dry local cider mind

Small friendly pub, with good selection of local ales. Didn't respond to my email requesting a Sunday lunchtime table but squeezed us in although had to sit outside. Didn't return as we found many better pubs in Norwich over the Water.

The best Sunday roast EVER. Heaven in every mouthful. Went with family for mums birthday and will definitely be returning. Brilliant staff, surroundings, value for money. Basically you’re mugging yourself if you live in Norwich and don’t give it a try. Designated driver, so unfortunately didn’t get to sample the lovely beer the rest of my family did, gutted ! You have to book due to popularity, says it all…..

Superb Sunday roast,I think it is probably one of the best pub roasts I've ever had. Backed up by a great selection of real ales and ciders. Very highly recommend, and we will definitely be back.

Fantastic pub within walking distance of the centre. Great selection of beers and cider. We went for the Sunday lunch after seeing it recommended online and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Very generous portions and all elements were very well cooked. The roast potatoes were some of the best I’d had. Would highly recommend.

Voted Pub of the Year (2023), a village pub in the city, definitely worth a visit

Brilliant staff, nice venue, decent beer

Such a nice and cosy pub. Great food offering that is constantly changing and the most amazing selection of interesting drink

Great pub with three rooms, good selection of well kept ales and ciders.

Really good pub, excellent beer, great range, and bar snacks too! 👍

I just popped in for a swift drink as I was parched, I haven't been here for many years but it was a welcoming atmosphere and peaceful. It had WiFi although I didn't use it neither did I use the loos so can't comment on these. The only food I had was a packet of crisps so again cannot comment. If I was nearby and needed a drink then I would use it again.

Nice quiet city pub with quality selection of ales and cider. Nice to play a few boardgames and sup.

Excellent pub with a range of good traditional beers and a friendly landlord

We visited this pub as part of the ‘Norwich City of Ales’. From the moment we walked in we were greeted by a very friendly lady who immediately made us feel comfortable. The beer and cider were the best we had tasted. We also had a meal. My wife had the pork roast dinner which she really enjoyed and I had one of the Jamaican specials. Highly recommended. Would definitely go back.

Sunday lunch was delicious. Friendly & helpful staff. Everything you want!

Best pub in Norwich. Food, beer, service and atmosphere are second to non.

Popped in for a quick beer. Was alright

Great pub in the heart of Norwich. Fantastic selection of ales and more and great atmosphere. Staff are wonderful and friendly. Most certainly worth a visit. Nice little are out side for smokers/vapers and a great bar billards table to pass the time. All in all amazing pub.

Useful open all hours supermarket in an area lacking in alternatives. Freshly baked bread available throughout the day.

Amazing pub! Has to the one of the friendliest welcomes of any I've been in. The Sunday roasts are also incredible, hidden gem in Norwich.

I love the white lion and come here fairly regularly. The staff are incredibly friendly and welcoming, always feels like there's a chilled out and warm atmosphere. They've got a decent selection of mostly local ales and the best range of real ciders anywhere in Norwich. I really rate the food too - it is hearty homemade and tasty pub grub. The homemade veggie burger is excellent, and the nachos are amazing (huge portion). Sunday roasts are also great, the homemade nut roast is incredible (I hear the meats are good too). All in all, this is an absolute gem of a pub. Definitely in the top 5 greatest pubs in Norwich (in no order probably would be: Artichoke, Kings Head, White Lion, Fat Cat, +another).

Busy local pub, friendly bar staff

Good beers and happy friendly staff. 👍

Incredible Sunday roast. The best in Norwich in terms of value for money

Really wonderful staff, lovely atmosphere. Tried to learn the pool game thing... Still trying to learn

What a sweet pub. Make sure to prebook as this place is booked up quickly. The food was incredible and the vibe is so welcoming.

Village pub feel, great cider and ales, friendly service.

Great little pub with a good selection of real ales and a basic burger menu. Good atmosphere and a warm welcome.

Top food.. top cider .. Great landlord and staff Best pub in Norwich

Great friendly place with really good food - kind of range from Beef stroganoff to spicy curries, all very nice. Plenty of seats although very busy on a Friday and Saturday, you can reserve a table. Plenty of beer chooses with knowledgeable staff. Nothing not to like.

Great Sunday lunch, with Pale Rider

Great food, dog friendly pub. Excellent service.

Great sunday roast. Very friendly staff. Nice atmosphere

Such a great pub . Very welcoming atmosphere.

Went here yesterday for Roast Lunch the meal was outstanding! Really delicious perfect roast potatoes along with everything else. I read the reviews and this did not disappoint. The best in Norwich without a doubt!

Fantastic first visit for a Sunday Roast, greeted with a welcoming atmosphere. Pub was full of regulars, families and the young discerning crowd. Lovely selection of real cask ales on offer. Exceptionally efficient and friendly service on top of that. Will be back in the near future for a bit of bar billiards. An underrated spot in what is often a forgotten but characterful part of the city.

Great service and food. The selection of ciders are amazing

Top notch on evert aspect; beer range and quality, friendliness, fantastic and good value menu, atmosphere...even the music . One of the best in Norwich.

Fantastic friendly village type pub in the heart of the City. Food was excellent. The team are very friendly.

Very busy on a Friday night and nice atmosphere.

A lovely warm welcome, friendly staff, and an amazing Sunday roast! Thoroughly enjoyed the food and also very fair pricing. Will definitely be returning!

Exceptional food. Spotted The White Lion on a top 12 places to have roast in Norwich and we were not disappointed. The tastiest slow cooked pork belly I've ever eaten. Delicious veg and gravy to boot. Highly recommended. So unsuspecting, it's made our Sunday. Great beer selection too.

Thanks to Emma! Awesome service. Friendly and welcoming. Locals make all the difference by making you feel part of the family!! Thanks to Emma, Jess and Oscar!

Brilliant cider and beer friendly knowledgeable staff and amazing food. Bonus being dog friendly. Never changes

Excellent selection of beer and cider. Friendly staff.

Such nice proper comfort tasty food definitely will be back for the banging roast that was served

Still a classic. Roaring out of this side of lockdown with some hot 🔥

Been coming here for years for the excellent beer (and cider if you are inclined) but I wanted to post this because I just had THE BEST roast chicken of any venue ever. Like DAMMMMNNNN. Not sure what they do but it so succulent and perfectly seasoned. Absolutely peerless. Get yourself in the White Lion for a perfect Sunday lunch.

The best Nachos I've ever had...a true taste explosion with every bite and a significant volume of them too! Would defo eat here again.

The burger I had was great. The patty was moist and flavourful and Oscar is the best host/bartender. So pleasant and welcoming. The chips that accompanied the burger was slightly underwhelming but otherwise, no complaints. Would come again.

The best Roast in Norwich, hands down. Also, some of the friendliest staff you can ever ask for!

Lovely little pub. Puppy friendly x

Always super friendly and warm. The food is amazing! Great pub.