There are restaurants you visit once and remember fondly, and there are restaurants that become part of your rotation — places you return to because they're consistently, reliably brilliant. The King's Head Blofield has always been the latter. But something has shifted with their 2026 menu reboot. It's not just good. It's very good.

Sitting just outside Norwich on the Yarmouth Road in Blofield, the King's Head holds 2 AA Rosettes and features in the Good Food Guide — accolades that reflect a kitchen run with genuine ambition. The Hogg family have built something special here: a proper family-run pub that happens to serve food of genuine distinction.

What We Ate

We visited on a Tuesday evening and the place was quietly buzzing — a mix of locals and people who'd clearly driven in from further afield. The room is warm, unpretentious and comfortable. You feel immediately at ease.

🍩 Starter: Baron Bigod donut, apple chutney, pickled golden raisin, black olive caramel

Yes, it's a donut starter. And yes, it sounds slightly unhinged. But it works magnificently — the rich, funky Baron Bigod cheese tempered by the brightness of the apple chutney and the sweet-sharp raisins. It's playful without being gimmicky, which is exactly the tone the new menu strikes throughout.

🐔 Main: Norfolk black chicken supreme, gratin dauphinois, chicken leg croquette, king oyster mushrooms, tenderstem, shallot crumble, mushroom ketchup, tarragon oil, Madeira jus

This is a dish that could easily feel overwrought — there are a lot of components — but it's beautifully balanced. The chicken is perfectly cooked, the dauphinois is luxuriously creamy and the croquette adds a wonderful textural contrast. The mushroom ketchup sounds odd but is actually a quietly brilliant condiment.

🍮 Dessert: Rhubarb & custard mille-feuille, rhubarb gel, rhubarb & custard ice cream

Technically accomplished and genuinely delicious. The pastry is shattering-crisp, the custard is properly rich and the rhubarb has real sharpness to cut through it. A fitting end to an exceptional meal.

The Verdict

The King's Head Blofield was already one of the best restaurants near Norwich. The 2026 reboot has elevated it further. This is confident, creative cooking that respects its ingredients and trusts its diners. At these prices — mains typically £20-28 — it represents outstanding value for the quality on the plate.

Book ahead. This one fills up.

📍 King's Head Blofield, 39 Yarmouth Rd, Blofield, NR13 4LE
⭐ Rating: 5/5
💰 Price: £££
📞 01603 336095