Celebrating Providers of Great Norfolk Sausage Rolls

There’s nothing quite like a humble, freshly cooked gourmet sausage roll – a comforting blend of spiced sausage meat wrapped in golden, flaked pastry, enjoyed warm during the cooler months or as part of a great picnic day out in Norfolk. This British classic, dating back to the 19th century, has become a year-round go-to for those with a hungering appetite, loved at any time of day. From traditional recipes to inventive gourmet twists, sausage rolls offer a blank canvas for chefs and bakers alike. Forget the mass-produced chains in the UK, The East’s independent vendors or gourmet Norfolk sausage rolls elevate this savoury treat, giving it a locally sourced, artisanal touch. Below, we’re looking to celebrate a selection of excellent Norfolk eateries, each with a unique take on the succulent sausage pastry and local links.

The Old Rock Shop Bistro & West Street Deli, Cromer, Norfolk

The Old Rock Shop Bistro in Cromer is a well-known place for locals and visitors alike to venture. It is known for its delectable sausage rolls baked in-house by a dedicated team. Their iconic “Signature Norfolk” Sausage Roll has been a best-seller for over two decades, made with sausage meat sourced from The Butcher’s Joint (formerly Icarus Hines Butchers) which can be seen from the front door of the café, resulting in food steps rather than food miles and ensuring quality, fresh ingredients. 

Regularly changing specials include Marmite & Pork, Cheddar & Leek, Tandoori Spiced and Christmas Cranberry with Sage & Onion Stuffing, which features prominently on the Rock Shop’s annual Christmas Afternoon Tea! There’s also a popular vegan Roasted Sweet Potato & Chickpea roll for plant-based fans.

The Spring 2023 acquisition of West Street Deli as a production kitchen & takeaway has allowed for hand-rolled sausage roll production to more than double and now includes the provision of wholesale to a small number of local businesses and organisations.

Archer’s Butchers, Norwich, Norfolk

Archer’s Butchers, located on Plumstead Road in Norwich and trading for over 90 years, has a long tradition of crafting beautiful savoury pastries suitable for any gourmet palate such as their award-winning sausage rolls made from outdoor-reared pork sourced from Morley Farm. These delicious sausage rolls are a firm customer favourite, best served warm, by their recommendation, with a dollop of Stokes Chilli Jam. 

Archer’s Butchers is known for sourcing all its meats locally, specialising in high-welfare and free range meats. Their sausage rolls are made with outdoor reared pork from Morley farm, Tim Allen aka @humblepigfarmer of South Creake, North Norfolk. They have a selection of savoury pastries including award-winning Norfolk sausage rolls, sausage plait, scotch eggs and pork pies. They also make a variety of filled pies including steak and ale, minted lamb, chicken, ham hock and leek (their current most popular pie) and many more.

Their sausage rolls are available not only in their shop but also at various local outlets across the country of Norfolk:

• Bare Food Deli, St Benedicts, Norwich
• Alchemista Coffee Shop, St. Gregory’s Alley, Norwich 
• St Giles Pantry, Upper St. Giles, Norwich
• River Green Pantry, Yarmouth Road, Norwich
• Hoprocket Pub, Unthank Road, Norwich
• Brewery Tap, Lawson Road Norwich
• Blue Boar, Wroxham Road, Norwich
• Bewilderwood, Hoveton, Norfolk
• Little Plumstead Walled Garden, Old Hall Road, Norwich

Green Pastures, Bergh Apton, Norfolk

According to the team’s mantra at Green Pastures, about 10 minutes south of Norwich, “Sausage meat makes the sausage roll”. Green Pastures in Norfolk has long been dedicated to crafting generously filled sausage rolls using sausage meat from Lane Farm in Brundish, a trusted supplier for over fifteen years. They believe their gourmet offering simply can’t be bettered and “you’d struggle to find a sausage roll anywhere to rival the amount of meat that we pack into ours”. Freshness is also key, with their sausage rolls crafted and baked every single day.

This devotion to quality results in a hearty sausage roll brimming with flavour and texture. Head Chef Brandon Allison is constantly exploring seasonal “sausagey” twists to serve in Green Pastures’ award-winning afternoon teas. Brandon’s current sausage roll variation for his forthcoming festive afternoon tea is his “Sausage, Leek and Sage Parcel” which he creates using 7 different herbs and spices, folding into a dreamy creamy cheddar and cider mix. Each stage of the process is taste-tested by Brandon himself to ensure perfection. Not only do they taste the business, but they look mouthwatering too with a super-golden lattice surround ready to be served (warm from the oven) in Santa’s sack!

This award-winning spot comprising of a plant nursery, farm shop and restaurant, recently won “Afternoon Tea of the Year 2024” in the Garden Centre Catering Awards, making Green Pastures a can’t-miss Norfolk destination for gourmet sausage roll lovers and afternoon tea enthusiasts alike.

Where else can I find a tasty range of gourmet sausage rolls in Norfolk and Suffolk?

For even more outlets of delicious sausage rolls across Norfolk and Suffolk, here’s a round-up of exceptional options that are keeping the tradition alive with high-quality offerings:

• Goodies Food Hall (Pulham, Diss, South Norfolk)
  Located in South Norfolk, Goodies Food Hall is known for its extensive deli range featuring locally sourced meats. Their generously packed sausage rolls are sumptuous and we highly recommend stopping by their restaurant for a brekkie or roast! There is lots of premium-quality, local produce on show here.
• Bread Source (Norwich, Norfolk) Bread Source first hit the streets of Norfolk in 2012 and has slowly grown over the years with new outlets opening across Norwich and Norfolk. Besides their huge range of artisanal breads free of additives, the team also produce a traditional sausage roll, packed with locally sourced pork from Archer’s Butchers, encased in a flakey pastry. One of the interesting and popular twists on offer is a delicious Apple & Leek Sausage Roll, which pairs the same pork with sweet leek and apple, topped with poppy seeds. Perfect served hot with a dash of mustard or brown sauce. 
• The Norfolk Deli (Hunstanton, North Norfolk)
  Situated in Hunstanton, this seaside deli serves up a vast range of beautifully crafted produce. Gourmet Pies and Sausage rolls are only a small part of the offering here and their commitment to showcasing Norfolk produce makes the whole deli a go-to for locals and holidaymakers drawn to the North Norfolk coast.
• Walsingham Farms Shop (Little Walsingham, North Norfolk)
  Nestled in Little Walsingham, this farm shop specialises in game pies and traditional sausage rolls using high-quality, locally reared meats. A must-visit for fans of farm-fresh, handmade treats. It’s well worth trying their beef and potato pie or picking up some Mrs. Temple’s Binham Blue cheese while there!
• Blofield Farm Shop (Blofield, Norfolk)
  Known for its hearty homemade sausage rolls made using locally sourced pork from Youngs, Blofield Farm Shop delivers freshness with each batch. Follow them on Instagram for updates on seasonal flavours and other rustic delights.
• Owl Tearooms (Holt, North Norfolk)
  This charming tearoom in Holt is famed for its gourmet giant sausage rolls made freshly with meat from the nearby butcher. Each roll is generously filled with a tearoom recipe that’s been used successfully for years. Also worth a try, if catering for Vegan pals, are their meat-free Spinach and Lentil rolls.
• Spurgeons Butchers (Brooke, South Norfolk and Norwich)
  Located in Norwich and south of the city at their farm shop in Brooke, Spurgeons Butchers brings high-welfare meats to their baked goods, including delicious sausage rolls. They’re proud of their produce including their sausages that they believe are the “best in Norfolk” and use a recipe from the family dating back 85 years! Judge for yourself, but supplying restaurants like The Harper Hotel in Langham and Roger Hickman’s in the city suggests a thing or two about the quality on offer.
• Amaretto Deli (St. Geroge’s, Norwich, Norfolk)
  This Norwich-based Italian-inspired deli serves unique, flavourful sausage rolls alongside delights like samosas, sandwiches, panini and pastries. Amaretto’s offerings are not only popular with the daily visits from local fans but also with those using them as outside events caterers. We can vouch for the positive comments and smiles on the faces of customers catered for at events and training days – especially those with alternative diets. Great feedback all around for high quality and affordability hand in hand.
• St Giles Pantry (Upper St. Giles, Norwich, Norfolk)
  Sitting within what was once the main medieval thoroughfare into Norwich, St Giles Pantry focuses on locally sourced, artisanal food all served up within their beautiful store. Their gourmet sausage rolls are some of the more expensive in the city (over £4 last time we passed) but are packed with flavourful ingredients, perfect for a satisfying treat on the go.
• The Ber Street Kitchen (Ber Street, Norwich, Norfolk)
  A cosy spot just a short walk from easy car parking in Norwich at John Lewis, Ber Street Kitchen is known mainly (to us at least) for its amazing brunches and Dirty Koffman Fries, but their freshly baked sausage rolls pair perfectly with fresh coffee and are, we believe, also available as part of their afternoon tea deals. It’s a popular stop for locals seeking quality in a welcoming setting.
• Two Magpies Bakery (Southwold, Suffolk – Plus others in Norwich, Norfolk)
  With 11 locations dotted around Norfolk and Suffolk, including Norwich, Two Magpies Bakery is renowned for its artisan baked goods and handcrafted gourmet sausage rolls. If you’re looking to sample their offerings, why not venture out to the bakery in Southwold where they first started back in 2012? Their use of seasonal, local ingredients results in exceptional produce which we are sure has helped them grow their small chain across The East.
• Tony Perkins Butchers (Attleborough, South Norfolk and Dereham, Norfolk)
  Located on the main drag through Attlebourough’s high street, Tony Perkins Butchers specialises in high-welfare meats featured in their hearty sausage rolls. Their deli counter is a first-rate gourmet sight first thing and they sell like hot cakes…. Well, sausage rolls. You can tell the dedication to quality in the flavourful and satisfying gourmet sausage rolls from here. Well worth trying the BBQ pulled pork sausage roll or scotch eggs here too!

This collection of purveyors represents the best of Norfolk’s sausage roll scene, offering hearty, delicious options that make it easy to support local businesses. Perfect for cosying up on chilly days, these sausage rolls showcase Norfolk’s finest local flavours with every bite.