12 places to eat great barbecue in Norfolk and Waveney

And while, if the sun shines, plenty of us will dust off our own barbecues, others will opt to leave it to the professionals.

So whether it's a pub that always puts on a good show or a popular smokehouse, here are just a few places to visit in Norfolk and Waveney for a barbecue.

If customers bring in a toilet roll at The Station Smokehouse they will get money off the entire bill. Picture: Tim Ridley (Image: Archant)

1. Station Smokehouse, Hoveton

Based at Hoveton and Wroxham railway station, the Station Smokehouse is inspired by Stateside barbecues.

There are pit boss trays on the menu, which include sliced brisket, pork sausage, wings, charred corn and pit beans, as well as burgers, steaks and ribs.

Chicken yakitori and salmon yakitori with grilled asparagus, aubergine, and courgette, cooked on the Japanese barbecue newly launched at Ciscoe's sushi restaurant. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant 2021)

2. Ciscoe's, Norwich

For a barbecue with a twist, Ciscoe's, on Ber Street, has recently launched Japanese grill nights.

Running on Thursdays and Sundays, it sees a specialist ceramic Japanese barbecue and binchotan charcoal - white charcoal popular for its long cooking time and minimal smoke - fired up for dishes including duck breast and lamb chops.

Beef brisket at Ormesby Smokehouse. (Image: Ormesby Smokehouse)

3. Ormesby Smokehouse, Ormesby St Margaret

Inspired by a southern-style American diner, Ormesby Smokehouse is popular with both locals and tourists.

It has its own smokehouse lager, and most recently launched an outside smoke yard with a line-up of live music planned throughout summer.

Dishes from Shish Go on Plumstead Road in Norwich. (Image: Lauren Cope)

4. Shish Go, Norwich

Shish Go, on Plumstead Road, is a Turkish restaurant and takeaway which cooks most of its dishes over coals.

Its menu includes grilled sea bass and authentic kebabs such as yogurtlu, where meat is served on top on a warm pita bread and drizzled with a cumin-flavoured tomato sauce and yoghurt.

Head chef James Barnes at the Ten Bells. (Image: Copyright: Archant 2020)

5. Ten Bells, Norwich

In December, the Ten Bells, on St Benedicts Street, reopened as a barbecue restaurant run by Frances Chisholm and Pete Harvey.

Its menu of grazing plates are grilled Argentinian-style and the restaurant concept is based around 'asado', the technique and event of going to a barbecue in various South American countries.

6. Georgian Townhouse, Norwich

If you like being in charge of the grilling but fancy a change of scenery, the Georgian Townhouse, on Norwich's Unthank Road, has a charcoal barbecue in its converted Stables room.

It hires the space out for celebrations and events, and it has access to a garden bar.

Toby (left) and Dominic have run Sir Toby's Beers for 3 years on Norwich market, but it was always their dream to own their own pub (Image: Sir Toby's Beers)

7. Stanford Arms, Lowestoft

The Lowestoft pub was reopened by Toby Westgarth and Dominic Burke, of Sir Toby's Beers in Norwich, in May.

Since then, they've run quiz nights, fired up the pizza oven and put on regular barbecues.

Ribs at the Jolly Sailors. (Image: Archant)

8. Jolly Sailors, Brancaster

The north Norfolk pub has its own smoker, with smoked hickory, apple and maple wood flavouring many of its dishes, including its Jolly smokehouse pulled pork burger.

It's overseen by head chef Nick Ramsay, who has family links to Texas and favours a low and slow approach.

Sisters and business owners Simone Hopwood and Leona Gard at Welly's Smokehouse in Cromer, part of the Wellington freehouse on Garden Street. Picture: Neil Didsbury (Image: Archant)

9. The Wellington, Cromer

The pub houses a smokehouse restaurant, which uses its smoker to cook dishes including pulled pork and 12-hour beef brisket.

It's run by sisters Simone Hopwood and Leona Gard and kicked off 2020 with a revamp.

The mixed seafood platter at the Angel at Watlington. (Image: Angel at Watlington)

10. The Angel, Watlington

The Angel has a Big Green Egg barbecue in its kitchen.

Rather than being used for special occasions, it's incorporated into their day-to-day cooking, including for dishes such as whole fish and steaks.

Beef brisket, slaw, pickled cucumber, deep south wedges and spicy ketchup from Urban Eatery in Norwich. (Image: Urban Eatery)

11. Urban Eatery, Norwich

The Urban Eatery has grown a reputation for big flavours and clever dishes since opening last year.

It has a residency at the Fat Cat and Canary, on Thorpe Road, and its recent dishes have included miso lime pork belly.

The Fox Steakhouse smoked tasting board. (Image: The Fox Steakhouse at Hevingham)

12. Fox Steakhouse, Hevingham

The Fox does baby back ribs in its smoker, as well as a smoked tasting board, flame-grilled burgers and hanging skewers.

It also has a large beer garden and plenty of outdoor tables.

Is your favourite not listed? Leave recommendations in the comments below.

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