Good Food Guide names three Norfolk restaurants in top 100

The Good Food Guide’s 100 Best Local Restaurants of 2024 have been revealed and three spots in Norfolk feature.

This year, a record 60,000 nominations were submitted and inspectors then tested out all the main contenders across Britain.

Three restaurants in the top 100 are located in Norfolk - Benoli and L'Hexagone Bistro Francais in Norwich and The Gin Trap Inn in Ringstead.

Sunday roasts from The Gin Trap Inn Picture: Root Social (Image: Root Social)

The chef-patron of Benoli is Oliver Boon, a finalist on MasterChef: The Professionals in 2012.

The guide said: "Oliver Boon's menus reflect his lifelong love affair with Italian foodways and highlighted names on his classy CV include Gordon Ramsay and Michel Roux Jr.

Benoli in Orford Street, Norwich Picture: Newsquest (Image: Jamie HoneywoodArchantNorwichNorfolk)

"Expectations are high and you won't be disappointed, with thrills turning up in every corner of the menu."

L'Hexagone Bistro Francais, owned by couple Thomas Aubrit and Gemma Aubrit-Layfield, also features.

In 2022, the French restaurant received a glowing review from renowned food critic Jay Rayner in The Observer.

Gemma Aubrit-Layfield and Thomas Aubrit own L'Hexagone in Lower Goat Lane, Norwich (Image: Supplied)

The pair said: "Opening two months before lockdown in 2020 we could never have imagined this, but here we are with the very best regulars we could have wished for."

The Gin Trap Inn in Ringstead, a pub with rooms near Hunstanton, is another Norfolk gem in the prestigious list.

It was awarded three AA Rosettes for culinary excellence earlier this year and chef-patron Gareth Rayner was named 'Chef of the Year' at the Norfolk Food and Drink Awards 2023.

Gareth Rayner, chef-patron of The Gin Trap Inn in Ringstead (Image: The Gin Trap Inn)

In a post on social media, they said: "We are over the moon to be recognised by The Good Food Guide.

"Congratulations to our incredible team for their unwavering dedication and a huge thanks to everyone who nominated us."

The Greyhound Inn in Pettistree, Suffolk, was named the overall best local restaurant in the Central & East of England and Bavette in Horsforth, Leeds, was selected as Britain's number one.