Small but tasty
6th October 2025
Small plates, Norfolk tapas, picky bits – call them what you will but they are the current hot foodie trend, says Sarah Hardy
Pick and mix dishes – that chance to try several so-called small plates – are all the rage as we love to sample different flavours. Here’s our round up of where to try
Suffield Arms, Thorpe Market
This achingly trendy place, run by the team behind the nearby Gunton Arms, is a cool spot for exciting tapas dishes which take their influences from Spain, Italy and the Middle East. The menu changes regularly as it is very seasonal, but padron peppers feature often and you usually see a harissa lamb with flatbread on the menu. Seafood is a key feature (there’s often octopus) and patatas bravas crop up, too. Cocktails are delicious – the seasonal Margaritas are great – and do inspect the artwork as the place is owned by art dealer Ivor Braka who displays some pretty edgy pieces – the loos are always worth a look!
Socius, Burnham Market
The grandfather of them all! Dan Lawrence and Natalie Stuhler opened this market leader in Foundry Place in 2018 and haven’t looked back since. Dishes are always seasonal and super fresh and, most importantly, just burst with flavour. How about home-cured salmon, beetroot, horseradish and dill, or mushroom arancini, sun dried tomato and parmesan? They’ve just started to work with the Raynham Estate, so expect some delicious dishes featuring their Aberdeen Angus beef on the menu, too. It’s a relaxed place, light and airy, with very good cocktails and everything is cooked from scratch.
The Victoria, Holkham
The dog friendly Victoria, at the heart of the Estate, makes the very best use of its produce, from fruits and vegetables from the Walled Garden to its legendary venison. Head chef Michael Chamberlain has achieved two AA Rosettes for his endeavours, and the small plates menu is a very welcome addition to the entire foodie offering. Think mussel fritters with citrus mayonnaise (we’ve tried these and they are delicious!), prawn and chorizo skewers with red onion and chilli salsa, and patatas bravas’. Service is impeccable here, and don’t forget that you can stay over – there are 20 bedrooms available – plus those new super luxury shepherd huts!
M’s of Aylsham
This fun, funky place was opened by Emma Payne in 2022 to offer cocktails and tapas. Emma (who is handily married to local butcher Johnny Payne of Coxfords) says she uses Norfolk produce wherever possible, with dishes including classics such as patatas bravas, scallops with bacon lardons and a butter sauce, and tiger prawns cooked in chilli and garlic. So it’s a case of mix and match and tuck in! Add in an extensive wine list with tipples from Winbirri and Chet Valley and beers from Moon Gazer and Duration – plus those ever-popular grazing boards (the cheese one is a winner) which are great to share, too.
The Pigs, Edgefield
Look out for Iffits on the menu at this popular pub/spa/restaurant – the Pigs’ Norfolk version of tapas. They are pretty hearty – think Norfolk rollmops, a ham hock, burnt leek and Colman’s mustard terrine, crispy whitebait and the Pigs’ pork and black pudding sausage roll. There are also Piggy Pieces to share which might include proper crackling, cornichons and mini farmhouse loaves but one thing is for certain – you won’t go home hungry! There’s a friendly, family feel to this popular place and, just whisper it, but the puddings are great, too.
