The Belgian Monk

Name: The Belgian Monk
Address: 7 Pottergate, Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom, NR2 1DS
Telephone: 01603 767222
Price range: £25 and under
Rating: 4.1

4.1

340 Reviews

£25 and under

Belgian

Top tags:

The Belgian Monk opened in December 2000. The main objective was to create something different yet to fit in with the way drinking and dining is changing. It has become a successful and established bar and restaurant, offering customers a choice of a regular selection of some 45 beers together with a selection of special beers. The menu is based on serving only the best products available freshly prepared daily, at realistic prices, in an informal relaxed "friends and family" atmosphere. It provides more than just the meal or drink but a whole Belgian experience. Now owned and run by Wursty Four Biers Ltd the new owners hope to take this fantastic venue to new heights and enhance the service style and offer. Sincerely not to be missed!

Make a booking

No. of diners

2 people

DateTime

15 Aug 2022

19:00

Booked 7 times today

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Belgian, Seafood, Beer Garden
Hours of Operation
Mon–Sat 12:00–23:00
Phone number
01603 767222
Website
http://www.thebelgianmonk.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, MasterCard, Visa
Dress Code
Casual Dress
Executive Chef
Rhys Lilley

Location
7 Pottergate, Norwich, Norfolk NR2 1DS
Area
Norwich
Cross Street
St Johns Alley
Parking Details
None
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, Wine

Popular dishes

Lindemans, Apple – 3.5% ABV
A refreshing modern apple beer using a natural white beer base infused with crisp green apples
Lindemans, Cassis – 3.5% ABV
AA sharp, yet slightly sweet, spontaneous fermented blackcurrant beer. Full of flavour and very refreshing
Lindemans, Framboise – 2.5% ABV
A delicate fruity aroma, dark pink in colour, with powerful raspberry notes and a hint of caramel
Floris
Peche / Mango / Passion / Kriek / Fraise

Belgian Regional Specialities

Some unique regional beers known as "Streekbieren" in Flemish

Dekoninck – 5% ABV** (Half Pint)
Antwerp's favourite beer, a very easy drinkable ale. Just ask the server for a bollekje, they won't be offended
Ter Dolen Armand – 7% ABV* ** (33cl Bottle)
A blond fruity beer with hints of grapefruit and citrus. This beer combines 3 types of American hops to produce a lager-like taste with a bitter finish. Unfiltered cloudy and hoppy, easy drinking. Gold medal winner 2012 and 2019
Ter Dolen Donker – 7.1% ABV* **
This dark Abbaye beer with its mellow taste and full body is fruity and slightly sweet. Winner of the Bronze medal at the Brussels Beer Challenge
Ter Dolen Wit – 5.1% ABV
A recently added white beer brewed with a nod to tradition, by using malted and unmalted wheat amongst other grains. The coriander and orange zest gives the beer its refreshing character with a fresh and mildly herbal finish
Saison Dupont – 6.5% ABV* **
Classic among the seasoned Belgian beers. A coppery blond beer with the finest of aromas and strong bitterness which transform this beer into a thirst quencher with no equal
Grimbergen Blond – 6.7% ABV
Ochre coloured, with a balanced fruity-malty, light taste
Gulden Draak – 10.5% ABV* **
This is a beer that is in a class of its own, a dark heavy beer that is very easy drinking, so rich in flavour the English call this a barley wine. The Belgians? Well they simply ask.... is there a better beer than Gulden Draak in this world?
Jupiler Red Pils – 5% ABV* **
Three carefully selected hops and malt infuse this Pils with a full malty flavour adding a refreshing aroma and a nicely balanced bitterness
Bersalis Tripel – 9.5% ABV*
This exceptional beer is a blond triple with great character. The full bodied taste of wheat and malt evolves during drinking from a fruity bitter flavour to a round sweetness with a hint of citrus
Kasteel Barista Chocolate Quad – 11% ABV* **
This exceptional quadruple beer unites the worlds of coffee, chocolate and beer in one glass. A rich dark beer that's smooth, sweet yet bitter at the same time
St Bernardus Abt 12 – 10% ABV* **
The pride of the stable, this dark quadruple beer is packed full of fruity aromas. A perfect equilibrium between malty, bitter and sweet. Full bodied with a long bitter sweet finish
Kwak – 8.4% ABV**
Strong amber ale served in a miniature yard-of-ale glass supported by a wooden plinth. Legend has it that this bizarre vessel enabled it to be passed to coachmen without spillage. This beer offers much more than novelty value
Delirium Nocturnum – 8.5% ABV**
A rich deep coloured beer with notes of caramel, mocha and chocolate combined with spices such as liquorice and coriander. A nice balance of bitterness, sour and sweet. Please be aware of the pink elephants!
Rochefort 10 – 11.3% ABV* **
One of only 6 Trappist beers. This excellent brown beer with a hint of chocolate is fermented in the bottle. Although easy drinking should always be drunk with respect
Kasteel Rouge – 8% ABV
This is the fruit beer from the excellent Kasteel range. Its unique dark red colour is obtained by mixing Kasteel Bruin that has matured for six months, with sour cherries. It's an outstanding real ale, but be careful - it's tasty, easy drinking but strong
Bush Amber – 12% ABV* **
One of the oldest Belgian "special" beers, pride of the Debuisson family. Brewed using malt, hops and natural sugars leaves this beer with a bitter sweet caramel taste
Tripel Karmeliet – 8.4% ABV**
A blond robust fruity 3 grain beer from the House of Kwak
La Chouffe – 8% ABV* **
An exceptionally unfiltered blond beer. Pleasantly fruity and nicely spiced with coriander tinged with hops. Great with white meats and meaty fish dishes
Brugse Zot Blond – 6% ABV* **
A delicious blond beer with a fruity yet spicy bouquet. Brewed with four different kinds of hops which gives the beer its inimitable taste

Caulier Brasserie

We are delighted to be awarded the special honour of being the only bar in the UK to be named as an ambassador for this brewery and specifically for the beer Paix Dieu

Paix Dieu – 10% ABV* ** (Half Pint)
This superb triple is brewed only when there is a full moon. This beer is smooth, strong and full of character. It never disappoints

75cl Bottles

Perfect for sharing or "But darling I only had one bottle"

La Chouffe – 8% ABV* ** (75cl Bottles)
An exceptionally unfiltered blond beer. Pleasantly fruity and nicely spiced with coriander tinged with hops. Great with white meats and meaty fish dishes

Low Alcohol and Gluten-Free

Jupiler (25cl Bottle)
A blond 0% alcohol version of Belgium's best selling Pilsner
Mongozo Gluten-Free Pilsner – 5% ABV (33cl Bottle)
A light and delicate floral bouquet, refreshingly light and malty, all ingredients are verifiably organically grown with no compromise to taste whatsoever

Cidres / Belgian Ciders

33cl Bottle

Strongbow Gold Appel Cidre – 4.5% ABV**
A crisp Belgian Cider that's slightly sweet with a refreshingly crisp bite
Strongbow Elderflower Cidre – 4.5% ABV**
a Cider with the added sweetness of elderflower
Strongbow Red Berries Cidre – 4.5% ABV**
A refreshing Cider with a combination of red berries

What 340 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.1

4.1 based on recent ratings

4.2Food
4.1Service
4.1Ambience
3.9Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Norfolk/Suffolk
Vibrant Bar Scene
Norwich
Vibrant Bar Scene

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RB
RonnieB
Norfolk
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
overall4food5service3ambience3
Superb food and incredible beers. Couldn't recommend enough
T
Terry
Norfolk
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
overall4food4service5ambience5
Food as expected. Staff excellent.
MT
MartynT
Norfolk
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great selection of beers, coupled with a super rustic meal; just what we wanted👏👍
TG
TristanG
London
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on 6 August 2022
overall3food5service2ambience5
Being a Saturday night the restaurant was very busy. The food was good, portions large and great ambience. Though being so busy, the waitresses were unattentive, we asked they attend our table for additional drinks, they then became busy and didn't return to the table to place an order. There seemed to be a lack of organisation. I realise the service charge is "optional" though being placed straight on to the bill makes it uncomfortable to challenge. I'll be back, though most likely for drinks and not food.
SJ
SarahJ
Norfolk
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 6 August 2022
overall4food4service5ambience5
Lovely food, great beer. Very helpful service. Great courtyard garden.
JW
JaneW
Norfolk
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 5 August 2022
overall4food4service5ambience4
Good meal choice in the double deal Friendly staff upstairs room has good air conditioning
T
Twopeasinapod
Norfolk
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on 5 August 2022
overall4food4service5ambience4
Very impressed with the staff and how quickly and efficiently they served us hence why we were happy to pay the service charge included on the bill. Food was delicious and all served hot and quickly. I had the main course of the bucket of modules and had a job eating them all as they came with a baguette and fries which were all delicious but think next time the starter option would leave me room for a sweet and shared starter as they looked lovely. Our first visit and we are looking forward to trying out other menu items. The other main meal we had was the trout fillet which was also delicious and cooked really well but only had one fillet and would have expected to have both nonetheless didn’t spoil our meal and will be back. First time ever trying the cherry beer which was also very nice.
M
Matisse
Norfolk
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on 5 August 2022
overall2food4service4ambience4
One reason I like the Belgian Monk is for the good selection of beers. I ordered 5 different beers on the menu and none were available. Had to ask the manager to come to the table and tell us which beers on the menu were available. The selection was very very limited. I was told the reason of the shortage was the Pride weekend, which was a week before. The waitress was wonderful but overworked.
JB
JaneB
Norfolk
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 30 July 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
Delicious food and great selection of Belgian beers.
DJ
DebbieJ
Yorkshire
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 30 July 2022
overall5food3service1ambience3
Disappointing since change of ownership Staff unaware of what was not available on menu until we ordered Very frustrating xx
SB
SarahB
Norfolk
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 30 July 2022
overall4food5service4ambience4
Great food, generous portions and lovely beers. I had the mussels as a main dish and they were very tasty.
SB
SuzannahB
London
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on 29 July 2022
overall2food2service2ambience4
Have visited many times but was informed it has changed management and felt the food quality has been effected by this. Smaller portions, poor quality (over cooked pork and pudding). Bit disappointed as used to really enjoy it.
J
Josh
Norfolk
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 26 July 2022
overall5food5service4ambience5
Fantastic food and drinks as per usual, a perfect place to have my university graduation meal!
AB
AnuB
Norfolk
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 23 July 2022
overall4food5service2ambience5
Drinks were great as usual and staff were friendly, however I understand it was a Saturday around 7 but the service was still slow, no drink menu on table and had to wait for long to be served
JR
JessR
London
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 19 July 2022
overall5food4service5ambience4
Great service, food always decent and of course the best beer selection around
MS
MikeS
Norfolk
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on 16 July 2022
overall4food4service5ambience4
Another visit to the Monk, food and service good as ever
a
aland
Norfolk
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on 14 July 2022
overall3food3service3ambience4
Out of fish, all sold at lunchtime. No cider available. The liver and bacon were well cooked, but quite small portions on a lot of mashed potato.
MM
MarinaM
London
5 reviews
4.0
5 reviews
Dined on 14 July 2022
overall4food3service5ambience4
It was not as nice as I remembered it. There used to be more interesting sauces with the mussels including a Thai-inspired one. Wish we could have sat in the garden. Upstairs was a little dull.
GB
GB89
Norfolk
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 10 July 2022
overall4food3service5ambience4
Very enjoyable, good atmosphere, good food and friendly staff. Only downside was a real lacking of vegetarian options (unless you really love mushrooms, which sadly I don't at all!)- but perhaps that was my confusion over the Sunday menu rather than the fault of the restaurant.
SW
SarahW
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on 9 July 2022
overall2food2service2ambience2
Took my husband for his birthday meal as I have for the past 5 years, what a disappointment! We had not realised the premises had changed hands and had new owners. The menu had been halved, removing some of the most popular dishes and left very little choice or variety. More importantly the food was very bland and lacked flavour. This is the first time we have visited the Belgian Monk and left feeling very disappointed and unsatisfied. The choice of beers has also been dramatically reduced, it seems the things the pub was renowned for have now been stripped away, very sad. When paying the bill, unlike the rest of the changes, an addition has been added! They now automatically add a 15% service charge to the bill. This is, in my opinion, unacceptable. They know many people will find it difficult to challenge this and feel awkward in asking for it to be removed, probably why it has been done. Sadly we will not be returning as the place unfortunately no longer offers excellent food, variety or service but instead charges expensive prices for substandard, mediocre food.
OT
OldTom
Norfolk
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on 9 July 2022
overall2food2service2ambience2
We sat outside in what looked like a temporary shack with broken benches around us, various other items stacked up and with a fairly noisy air-conditioning unit providing background noise. The wooden bench type seating not very comfortable. Good choice of Belgian beers to drink although £10+ a pint may take the edge of your enjoyment. My tartiflette (cheesy potato bake) was OK but the potatoes should have been slightly more yielding and there wasn't much in the way of chorizo and bacon as promised in the España version. Service was perfunctory; the food came quite slowly. 12.5% service charge added - a practice I deplore. I might go again but next time I would sit inside where the ambience seemed cosier.
RB
RobertB
Norfolk
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 8 July 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The 12.5% service charge was worth it. We had 4 different people check on us, and all were as polite as if they were your only server.
TW
TerryW
Norfolk
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on 8 July 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Made our date night very special , my favourite restaurant in norwich keep up the good work
GH
GrahamH
London
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on 5 July 2022
overall2food2service2ambience3
It wasn't great, I'm sorry to say. The good news is that it has a fantastic range of beers but, since they are Belgian, most are strong and served in small glasses. However, the inside and the garden are both very basic and attracting someone's attention for service was difficult as the staff seemed to disappear for a time. I enjoyed the mussel dish I had, however my wife's chowder was inedible and we had to leave it. Strongly in the Monk's favour, though was that they didn't charge for the dish or even for the alternative dish they offered, so we did leave at the end with a better overall feeling. I don't think I'd go back though.
S
Steve
London
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on 2 July 2022
overall3food3service4ambience4
The food is not as good as it used to be, unfortunately. The big selection of mussels has gone and there are just 5 kinds now. I had the fruits de mers mussels which was decent but everything was a bit overcooked. The beer is fantastic however and the BM is the only place in the city you can go for a good selection of Belgian beers so it's worth it for that
S
Sophie
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 26 June 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Really excellent food and drink here, very friendly and accommodating service, food came really quickly, servers were very attentive! The outside area is nice, but sadly we were surrounded by smokers and the smoke hangs around a bit because the outside area is quite enclosed, can't be helped though - we generally have to sit outside everywhere these days as we have a busy, exploring toddler who needs to be able to wander around.
OT
OpenTable Diner
London
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on 26 June 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
Have eaten here many times and the food was tasty as always. Friendly staff, great service and great selection of beers.
LC
LindenC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 25 June 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Lovely food as ever. Had the mussels...of course.....and the Trout. Also love the cherry beer. Always enjoy coming here, my husbands favourite restaurant
JB
JeanetteB
London
8 reviews
4.0
8 reviews
Dined on 25 June 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
Really good meal and very good service, will definitely go again
G
Garry
Norfolk
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 25 June 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing food, the taste of Belgium in the centre of Norwich. Love the draught cherry beer
AC
AmyC
Norfolk
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 23 June 2022
overall5food4service3ambience4
Lovely food, and good vibe. Service was mostly great, and everything was done very well
SH
ShirleyH
Norfolk
10 reviews
3.0
10 reviews
Dined on 22 June 2022
overall3food3service3ambience2
Uncomfortable seats,had to ask to order, Only five variety of mussels, Our meal was mixing chilli in it. Very disappointed
RE
RachelE
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 21 June 2022
overall4food5service4ambience4
Friendly service, great drinks, delicious food. Will definitely be back!
KF
KarenF
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 21 June 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
A great meal of mussels! Sat outside, there were just the right amount of people there to make it enjoyable, but not too busy. Staff Lovely. Will be returning for sure - even when it is in another county to where we live! Thank You : )
N
Nchpretheatre
Norfolk
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on 20 June 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
Lovely tasty food , attentative staff , peaceful and stress free pre theatre meal apart from one issue. Do not sit on the table across from the downstairs toilets , this is the 2nd time we have been put there and we were told the issue which ruined our last meal there, is no longer a problem, but it is.
JW
JulieW
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on 19 June 2022
overall3food4service3ambience2
The food was excellent and piping hot. Unfortunately though even though I booked a table and we arrived on time we were made to feel an inconvenience to one of the bar staff
VD
ValerieD
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on 18 June 2022
overall2food1service2ambience2
We have been coming to the BM for years and never had a bad experience. This time the choice of food was very limited especially the mussels. When our order arrived my trout was overcooked the potatoes and broccoli were not cooked fresh and it was overall very dry. My husband had a fish dish with cream very little fish in the dish was mostly the same potatoes as I had in my dish. Our table was next to the toilets so asked to move and were put in the bar next to the door. It was like sitting in a corridor. Won't be back sadly it was one place we really loved.
SP
SteveP
Norfolk
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 18 June 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
This place has always delivered. These days eating out can be risky but never here. Top notch food and flavours every time.
V
Victoria
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on 18 June 2022
overall2food3service1ambience3
A cold welcome at the door, three sets of people came in and left again before the waitress even acknowledged us stood there at the front. She warmed up a bit once she found we had booked and seated us. Menu really scaled down. Food was ok but not amazing and we’ve been going for years so had the same expectations. We were only just starting to eat our desert and asked if we needed anything, I said not at the moment and the waiter then said I’ll get your bill then! Never, ever have I been handed a bill without even finishing, or offered the option of coffee. Have all manners gone out of the window? Terrible customer service and having the card machine thrust in our faces before we’d put our spoons down certainly left a bitter taste. Ive always previously recommended B.M to visiting customers and we’ve frequented lots over the years, so disappointed.
HG
HecticGreenEyes
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 17 June 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food, service and atmosphere were brilliant. My Mum fell ill while there and the staff were extremely helpful and attentive.

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitising
- Surfaces sanitised between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitised menu provided
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Sanitiser or wipes provided for customers
- Contactless payment available
Physical distancing
- Extra space between tables

Protective equipment
- Waiting staff wear masks
Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

The Belgian Monk is rated 4.1 stars by 340 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

No. of diners

2 people

DateTime

15 Aug 2022

19:00

Booked 7 times today

7 Pottergate, Norwich, Norfolk NR2 1DS

Additional information

Cross Street
St Johns Alley
Area
Norwich
Hours of Operation
Mon–Sat 12:00–23:00
Cuisines
Belgian, Seafood, Beer Garden
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress Code
Casual Dress
Parking Details
None
Payment Options
AMEX, MasterCard, Visa
Executive Chef
Rhys Lilley
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, Wine

Website
http://www.thebelgianmonk.com/
Phone number
01603 767222

The Belgian Monk

Make a booking

Additional information

The Belgian Monk

Ribeye Steak

Chicken Schnitzel

House Beers and Pilsners

Hommelbier – 7.5% ABV* **

Fruit Beers and Lambics

Lindemans, Apple – 3.5% ABV

Lindemans, Cassis – 3.5% ABV

Lindemans, Framboise – 2.5% ABV

Floris

Belgian Regional Specialities

Dekoninck – 5% ABV** (Half Pint)

Ter Dolen Armand – 7% ABV* ** (33cl Bottle)

Ter Dolen Donker – 7.1% ABV* **

Ter Dolen Wit – 5.1% ABV

Saison Dupont – 6.5% ABV* **

Grimbergen Blond – 6.7% ABV

Gulden Draak – 10.5% ABV* **

Jupiler Red Pils – 5% ABV* **

Bersalis Tripel – 9.5% ABV*

Kasteel Barista Chocolate Quad – 11% ABV* **

St Bernardus Abt 12 – 10% ABV* **

Kwak – 8.4% ABV**

Delirium Nocturnum – 8.5% ABV**

Rochefort 10 – 11.3% ABV* **

Kasteel Rouge – 8% ABV

Bush Amber – 12% ABV* **

Tripel Karmeliet – 8.4% ABV**

La Chouffe – 8% ABV* **

Brugse Zot Blond – 6% ABV* **

Caulier Brasserie

Paix Dieu – 10% ABV* ** (Half Pint)

75cl Bottles

La Chouffe – 8% ABV* ** (75cl Bottles)

Low Alcohol and Gluten-Free

Jupiler (25cl Bottle)

Mongozo Gluten-Free Pilsner – 5% ABV (33cl Bottle)

Cidres / Belgian Ciders

Strongbow Gold Appel Cidre – 4.5% ABV**

Strongbow Elderflower Cidre – 4.5% ABV**

Strongbow Red Berries Cidre – 4.5% ABV**

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

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Cleaning & sanitising

Physical distancing

Protective equipment

Screening

FAQs

How is The Belgian Monk restaurant rated?

Is The Belgian Monk currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Additional information