No.Twenty9, Burnham Market

Burnham Market’s darling, No.Twenty9 Bar & Restaurant

Burnham Market. A pretty village with a stream that runs through it; quiet country pubs offering gourmet food, and independent boutiques selling unique and locally-crafted items. Pretty Norfolk stone houses overlooking the village green. You can see why this place is a firm favourite with tourists and locals alike.

And set in a Georgian Grade II listed townhouse you’ll find No.Twenty9 Bar & Restaurant. It’s been beautifully restored to retain its original features on the outside, including the Farrow & Ball paint on the door and sash windows. The interior however is a different story. Whilst the walls and floors have been stripped and lovingly renovated and restored using owner Tim Roberts’ experience in the construction industry, there’s nothing quaint or coastal reflecting its location in North Norfolk.

It’s an eclectic mix of chesterfields re-upholstered in Union Jack leather and portraits of Hollywood icons all over the walls – some in rather risqué poses. And comfy leather armchairs with mashtun tables in front of a huge roaring double-sided fireplace. There’s reclaimed vintage pieces rubbing shoulders with modern storm lanterns housing softly flickering candles and simple floral stems lingering on mantlepieces. It’s charming and alarming and it surprisingly works. It oozes sophistication. But you can expect a warm welcome, friendly banter and the odd pooch snuggled up in the bar area.

The vaulted conservatory to the back of the building houses a fabulous open-flame grill (you have to visit just to see this alone) and the stunning orangery restaurant which makes for a raucous evening with friends or a cosy dinner à deux.

But that’s not all. In the summer, the doors open into a courtyard boasting its own outdoor Green Egg and pizza oven bar – perfect for lazing about during balmy summer evenings (they really do exist in this part of the world!). And when the evening comes to an end you can stay in one of the nine stunning dog-friendly rooms, all with ensuite bathrooms featuring underfloor heating, your very own selection of cocktails, and even more quirky interior design. The rooms all open out onto a private garden for residents only – a peaceful secluded space to share a glass of vino and breathe in the refreshing Norfolk air. They really have thought of everything!

Fresh and local is the motto for the food

Mrs HB and I have been here a number of times – for lunch and dinner, in all types of weather – and we’ve always had a consistently great experience. Whilst the bar is a fabulous way to spend a few hours with the hum of cheerful conversation and a few dangerously quaffable cocktails, you should experience both of the dining areas at some point as they each hold their own unique charm. Making your way upstairs past the glass wine cellar boasting at least 60 references of wine and the two private dining rooms (each seating around 8 people for that intimate celebration or occasion), the dining room overlooks the front of the building and the village green. It’s a pleasant space with plenty of light and old school charm (and doors leading off in many directions which make you wonder what’s behind them!). However, our preference is for the conservatory downstairs, simply because you have more of the general hubbub from the kitchen – and we like people watching!

As for the food, the talented team whips up classic dishes with special twists, using almost exclusively local ingredients. Whether it’s oysters and mussels from Brancaster Staithe, Binham Blue from Walsingham or fresh bread from its own bakery next door at No.Thirty3, No.Twenty9 takes ‘local’ literally. There’s also plenty for vegetarians, as well as dairy and gluten-free options. And for the summer months, there’s the Coals in the Courtyard menu where Julian cooks up a storm using the Giant Green Eggs; think oysters and shellfish over coals, chilled white wine and, coming in summer 2022, the big screen TV to share that sport renowned for strawberries and cream…

Whether you’re a seasoned local or a newcomer to the restaurant, you must try the oysters. They’re super-fresh, and huge! You can choose whether to have them plain or with a selection of garnishes – try them all 😉

The menu – whether it’s lunch, dinner or a Sunday roast – is unfussy and manageable. Starters are priced from around £8 and mains from £25 for dinner and servings are well-proportioned and worth every penny. But forget the cost, it’s the flavours of the dishes that shine through over everything else. You can have classic Moules Mariniere but I would urge you to try one their different combos – whether that’s ham hock, leeks, cider & cream or Thai-style with coconut. Chicken wings pack a punch with subtle spice and oodles of stickiness. Seafood bisque that’s rich with huge chunks of fresh fish and prawns, and steaks that combine tangy chargrill with piquant peppercorn sauce. Even though the menu is small, you might struggle with choosing what to have!

If you’ve got room for pudding after all that, then the cheese board is an excellent choice. Expect a good-sized selection of soft and hard cheeses with little homemade melba toasts, chutneys and gels, that pair beautifully with either a glass of icewine from Ontario or a 1999 vintage Sandeman port to round off the meal. The rest of the desserts change regularly and we’ve found them all very satisfying.

Retire to the bar after dinner for another cocktail or two and, if you’re there on a Friday night, to take in the live music. It’s a great way to finish off an evening – full bellies and plenty of cheer.

The staff at No.Twenty9 are friendly, knowledgeable and actually possess a sense of humour. I’ve been to so many ‘grown-up’ places only to find that the staff lack character or the ability to have a conversation, so it’s refreshing to be able to chat and share a joke with these guys and gals. Or a drink – invite them to ‘have one for themselves’ and they’ll happily take a perch and chat away into the small hours with you. It’s all just part of the experience and one that makes No.Twenty9 evermore personable.

This place might possibly be one of my favourite places in the UK to eat. Whilst it oozes sophistication and quality, it’s so far from being stuck up and pompous. Come in your jeans and muddy boots to thaw out after a walk in the nearby countryside, or don your blazer and brogues for fine food with friends; it makes no difference to the type of service you’ll receive. The food (and the Old Fashioned cocktails) keeps me coming back here, but it’s the relaxed atmosphere and sense of assuredness that makes it feel like a home from home.