The Unthank Kitchen
A family-run cafe on Unthank Road, celebrated for its hearty, locally sourced breakfasts and accommodating options for vegans and vegetarians.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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The Unthank Kitchen
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A family-run cafe on Unthank Road, celebrated for its hearty, locally sourced breakfasts and accommodating options for vegans and vegetarians.
"Best breakfast we have ever had out!"
Weekday leisurely mornings
Visit on weekdays for a more relaxed breakfast or brunch experience, as they are open early until late afternoon.
Try the specials board
Discover unique dishes like potato wedges with veggie chili and cheese, offering a taste beyond the standard menu.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
British Cafe
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+44 1603 663863
Address
117 Unthank Rd, Norwich, NR2 2PE, United Kingdom
Website
theunthankkitchen.com/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Hearty Full English Breakfast
Generous portions of locally sourced bacon, sausages, eggs, and all the classic fixings make for a satisfying start to your day.
Quirky Courtyard Ambiance
Enjoy your meal in a charming, family-run cafe with a small courtyard providing a relaxing outdoor dining option during warmer months.
Vegan and Vegetarian Delights
A wide array of plant-based options, including vegan sausages and hash browns, cater to diverse dietary needs with delicious results.
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Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Weekday leisurely mornings
Visit on weekdays for a more relaxed breakfast or brunch experience, as they are open early until late afternoon.
Try the specials board
Discover unique dishes like potato wedges with veggie chili and cheese, offering a taste beyond the standard menu.
Courtyard dining
During summer, explore the small courtyard at the back for an enjoyable and quaint dining experience.
Dietary awareness
Be mindful of shared grills if you have strict dietary restrictions; some items might be cooked on them.
Tips
from all over the internet
Weekday leisurely mornings
Visit on weekdays for a more relaxed breakfast or brunch experience, as they are open early until late afternoon.
Try the specials board
Discover unique dishes like potato wedges with veggie chili and cheese, offering a taste beyond the standard menu.
Courtyard dining
During summer, explore the small courtyard at the back for an enjoyable and quaint dining experience.
Dietary awareness
Be mindful of shared grills if you have strict dietary restrictions; some items might be cooked on them.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
The Unthank Kitchen is lauded for its hearty, locally sourced breakfasts, with many highlighting the satisfying portions and delicious flavors. The cafe also receives praise for its welcoming atmosphere and accommodating staff, particularly for those with dietary needs like gluten-free or vegan preferences. However, some reviews mention inconsistent food quality and instances of poor customer service, leading to a mixed overall experience for a few patrons.
"Simply amazing! Had the full English and American breakfasts which were great. The best is the bacon. Came back the next morning for a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich."
Emilee Andrew
"I’ve heard so many good things about The Unthank Kitchen over the years and was excited to go for breakfast the morning after our wedding. The coffee was brilliant, and the menu looked good. My breakfast was a little disappointing, so I didn’t eat much at all. This is really unusual for me- I’m a big eater and hate food waste. I ordered the vegan breakfast with egg. The hash browns were delicious and super crispy, and the mushrooms were good, but the rest disappointing. There was no vegan spread on the toast (this was listed on the menu) and the toast was a slice of crust (the piece I use at home when I’ve run out of proper slices). There was a hair in my egg yolk and the vegan sausage was made of claggy mashed potato. The icing on the cake was when a man who worked there came to get our plates. He asked me if I hadn’t liked it, gesturing at the leftovers, and I honestly explained. He was rude and defensive “we’ve run out of vegan spread” “it’s still a slice of bread”. There was no acknowledgement of the hair and no apology. He walked off before I felt we’d concluded our interaction. I’ve never experienced a lack of customer service like it. I would recommend spending your money elsewhere, anywhere they actually act like they can be bothered."
Daisy Bentley
"Absolutely amazing. I had the large Gluten Free breakfast and the sausages and bacon were really nice, locally sourced too.
Highly recommend this place. They serve strangers coffee too.
The owner is hilarious, very honest but a real nice chap and the kitchen been in his family since 2015. He has a lot of passion for the place since taking over from his mum 4 years ago and whilst it looks a bit like a greasy spoon (it serves breakfasts, not sure how else it should look!) you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how good the food is"
Jason Shelton
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The Unthank Kitchen opens at 8 am on weekdays and 8:30 am on weekends, serving food until 2:30 pm.
Yes, they offer a dedicated vegan and vegetarian breakfast with various plant-based ingredients.
Yes, the cafe has a small courtyard at the back that's enjoyable during summer months.
Yes, The Unthank Kitchen provides a gluten-free full English breakfast, which is highly recommended.
The cafe is known to be student-friendly and affordable, often catering to students after a night out.
The Unthank Kitchen is noted as a dog-friendly establishment.
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Featured in these publications
Eight student-friendly eateries in Norwich
Found on Unthank Road, Unthank Kitchen is a family-run business that serves a variety of yummy brunch dishes such as pancakes, a traditional full English and bubble and squeak. It’s student-friendly, affordable, has quick service and serves the thickest bread slices you’ll ever see!. Alongside having a takeaway option, the cosy venue is perfect for that post-clubbing hangover, for a catch up with friends and definitely worth a visit if you are in the area!.
A chef's guide: where to eat in and around Norwich
My first choice for a big brekkie,' says Shun Tomii of this spot tucked up in Norwich’s residential Golden Triangle area, south-west of the city centre. Expect British café food and a full English that is generous and familiar, with the Bumper version big enough to satisfy the super-hungry. American pancakes, plenty for vegan and vegetarian diners, and children’s portions add to the appeal.
15 Best Breakfast Spots & Cafes In Norwich: Picks for 2025
How many exactly is hard to say, but I’d wager that most University of East Anglia students have taken down one of Unthank Kitchen’s generous full English breakfasts to settle a post-night out stomach. Though, Unthank is not just for the local university population. The family-run operation should definitely be a stop for everyone passing through Norwich.
Seven places to get a great fry-up in Norwich
Unthank Kitchen promises traditional British food – including the full English. Its breakfast includes one sausage, one rasher of bacon, one egg, beans, two hash browns, half a slice of fried bread and a slice of toast. If you feeling hungry, you can upgrade to the bumper size breakfast for an extra £2.
7 of the best vegan and vegetarian brunch spots in Norwich
Alongside their regular full English, they also serve a vegetarian version with a veggie sausage, eggs, beans tomato, mushrooms, fried bread and toast and a vegan version which swaps the eggs for hash browns and both have the option of adding vegan bubble and squeak.
Dog Friendly Norwich - UK Pet Guide
A cafe along the busy Unthank Road, about half a mile from the city centre, Unthank Kitchen specialise in breakfast, brunch and lunch with a menu full of perennially popular choices. Uncomplicated, hearty and filling.
3 of the best breakfasts in Norfolk
Breakfast can be a leisurely affair at the Unthank Kitchen which opens at 8am on weekdays and 8.30am weekends, but serves a range of very fine breakfasts right through until 2.30pm.
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