Bure River Cottage Restaurant
Tucked away in the peaceful riverside village of Horning, Bure River Cottage Restaurant is one of those rare finds where charm, elegance, and fresh seafood collide beautifully. Located at 27 Lower Street, right beside the scenic River Bure, this restaurant offers a refined yet welcoming atmosphere that instantly sets the tone for an exceptional dining experience.
If you're a seafood lover, this place will feel like paradise. The Halibut with Brown Shrimps is a standout - delicately pan-fried, full of flavour, and paired perfectly with seasonal accompaniments. Their Lobster in Garlic Butter? Rich, buttery, and unmistakably fresh - it’s the kind of dish that lingers in memory long after the last bite. The Whole Roast Seabass and Grilled Seabass are also frequent favourites, served with precision and care that showcase the chef’s attention to both taste and presentation.
What’s immediately noticeable about Bure River Cottage Restaurant is how much thought goes into the menu. It’s not a massive list, but it’s curated to highlight quality over quantity. Dishes like the Pan-Fried Cod with Cromer Crab Dip or the Scallops with Kromer Crab and Samphire offer a delightful balance between local tradition and creative culinary flair. You’ll also spot some less-common items like Baked Cromer Crab with Chili, Ginger, and Lime, which adds a spicy twist to a regional classic. Vegetarians aren’t left out either - the Vegetable Ribbons with Creamy Celeriac and French Beans bring texture, freshness, and originality to the table.
Dessert is no afterthought here. Their Chocolate Brownie is the kind of rich, fudgy indulgence that earns its place on every dessert lover’s list, while the Panacotta and Cheesecake offer lighter, creamier options that still deliver on flavour. These are all beautifully plated - not overdone, just elegant - letting the ingredients shine through naturally.
The wine list is another strong point, and it’s not just about having a wide selection. There’s genuine thought in the pairings, making it easy for guests to choose the right wine for their meal, whether it's a crisp white with sea bass or a smooth red to accompany something richer. The restaurant also serves a good variety of cocktails, beers, spirits, and coffee, ensuring there’s something for every taste.
What elevates the dining experience even more is the ambience. The interior is cosy yet polished, perfect for everything from romantic dinners to quiet solo meals. Accessibility is clearly a priority - there’s a wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance, seating, and toilet - making the restaurant a welcoming space for everyone. It’s ideal for evening dining, with soft lighting and river views adding to the overall appeal.
While they don’t offer takeaway or delivery, the dine-in experience is the heart of what makes Bure River Cottage Restaurant special. The service strikes a perfect balance between attentive and unintrusive, and the staff are more than happy to guide you through the menu or suggest wine pairings based on your preferences.
For anyone visiting Norwich or exploring the Norfolk Broads, this is a restaurant that’s worth planning your day around. Whether you're coming for the Swordfish, the Mussels, or simply a glass of wine with a view, Bure River Cottage Restaurant delivers something far more personal and memorable than your average riverside spot.
Reviews
Awesome! We visited twice in the week we stayed in Horning and were not disappointed Grace, our waitress was amazing and looked after us so well The food is the best fish we have had in a long time and very well cooked and presented A MUST if you like fish We loved the anchovies, the cod, the baked crab, the halibut, the skate and the Sole! Small menu but would have liked to try everything Great chef!
Definitely our go-to fish restaurant in Norfolk. The fish is always fresh and in season, and cooked to perfection. It’s not cheap, but then I understand the produce is locally sourced. Definitely need to book well in advance, particularly in the summer months.
What a gem. Let the quality of the produce shine. The quality and freshness of the seafood is exceptional. I was raised in Norfolk and to see such a great, intimate and unpretentious restaurant find success here makes me very happy. The dishes don’t try and mess too much with the produce and simply complement. Perfectly cooked sides. Fantastic service. All female team. Just brilliant Chapeau.
We read the excellent reviews but our meal was disappointing. Dressed Cromer crab starter was delicious but my skate was overcooked till it was crispy on both sides. Portions were large and veg were lovely but boiled potatoes were underdone. Not the outstanding meal we had expected. The service team were excellent on a very quiet night.
Loved this restaurant & would highly recommend. All the dishes we had were perfectly cooked & tasted great! Don't often feel inspired to write a review but did on this occasion.