Cool Places
Pinocchio’s
11 St Benedict’s Street Norwich NR2 4PE
This happy-go-lucky Italian restaurant in what was once a general store is a bit of a Norwich institution, and very popular. It's deliberately bright and simple inside, with big, blowsy mural and an open, relaxed vibe. The menu is admirably short and changes seasonally and is more of an inventive take on Italian food than a purist's delight, with mains like pan-fried calves liver and pancetta and pan-roasted lamb with gnocchi alongside crispy duck and steak sandwiches with creamy mash – though purists can opt for pasta classics like lasagne and carbonara, and their homemade pizzas are pretty decent. They host live music evenings too, when the place is packed to the gunnels.
