The Fox

Combining an easygoing atmosphere with likeable modern cooking, this pub is a deft conversion of a run-down boozer by the owners of the White Horse at Brancaster Staithe (see separate review). The Nye family have pretty much repeated their winning formula: fresh fish & shellfish is delivered from the north Norfolk coast, service is friendly & you can eat & drink in the bar or linger in the more formal dining room. There’s always something good on the menu, be it half-a-dozen Brancaster Staithe oysters (served au naturel or tempura battered with sweet chilli sauce), a robustly flavoured pigeon breast with beetroot mash and crispy pancetta or a fillet of cod on a coconut and lime linguine topped with tomato and onion relish. In the bar you can tuck into dressed Cromer crab, homemade pork & beef burgers, or traditional fish & chips. Superior puds, such as vanilla crème brûlée & passion fruit pannacotta with orange and mint compote are not to be missed &, with real ales on tap & a decent wine selection, it’s no wonder this has become the gastropub of choice for many in the area.