Kelling Reading Rooms - North Norfolk

Returning to this charming family-owned restaurant is always a pleasure. The warm greeting upon arrival makes you feel like a long lost friend. The service is top-notch, the tea and cakes are delicious, and the safety measures in place for COVID protection are impressive. I am thrilled to see this lovely tea room and gallery survive the challenges and reopen its doors.

I have been coming to this area for 20 years, and this place has always been a favorite of mine. It offers a unique combination of books for sale, antiques, and a cozy tea room with the option to take out as well. The cakes, sausage rolls, quiches, pastries, and pies are all delicious and freshly made. The aroma of jacket potatoes cooking is delightful. This time, we opted for a takeout of cakes, but I was happy to see that the place is still open and busy as ever.

After finishing a 10 mile walk at 3:30 pm on a Bank Holiday Sunday, we stopped by for tea and cakes at the restaurant, only to be told that they were closed. Two more cars pulled into the parking lot after us, which seemed odd on a warm afternoon. It was surprising that they could afford to close so early.

One of my favourite tea rooms in the area, first visit this year, felt totally safe all staff wearing visors, entry and exit doors, plenty of outside seating, taking contact details for track n trace, usual great cakes, sandwiches and friendly service, gets my vote every time, dogs welcome outside, water bowls provided.

We often drive passed Kelling Reading Room, promising that we’ll call in 1 day, today was that day. Late afternoon drive back from Hillside Animal Sanctuary. Carpark was full- good sign, but 1 left so room for us. Outside seating available. Entered into the first seating area, also the food display, cakes, the counter. Greeted with a smile from the gentleman there, when asked he confirmed: we can sit where we like, order pay at the counter. A sign informed us: credit card payments accepted over £10. We sat at a table in the next room. It’s true- you’re seated in amongst books, pictures paintings, collectables, nick-nacks, things you haven’t seen in years, things you didn’t know you needed! There were a few subtle Christmas decorations. We enjoyed looking around as we enjoyed our Tea, cheese scone and slice of Victoria sponge cake. Tea: served in a pot for 2; plenty for us, with cups saucers, milk jug, a pot of hot water for topping up! Cheese scone: warm, light fluffy inside, tasted really good, with more than enough butter. Looking back, some chutney on the side would have made it even better- just a personal suggestion. Sponge cake: tasty, light, fluffy a nice sized portion. Bill: £9.25p. Service was really friendly quick. We heard customers referred to by name, real, proper, conversations between staff customers. No,there are no lattes/cappuccinos/etc., but actually that was nice, the Tea really was good I’m a latte/cappuccino drinker! .