The Copper Kettle is a place Tom and I hold close to in our hearts. Back in first year, we were both struggling with insomnia and I was violently craving an English breakfast all throughout the night, but I didn’t want to go into my kitchen to make it nor did I even have the ingredients for one. After one sleepless night, I asked him if he wanted to go out in the morning. I wanted an excuse to buy more mangoes and get breakfast but I didn’t want to go alone.

We got my mangoes, and walked around for a while to decide where to eat. We initially were going to a different cafe, but the wait time was too long. Given we were sleep deprived and a thirty minute wait was unappealing to the both of us, we decided to “give it a think” and went elsewhere. Not any fault of that particular cafe, I was dealing with hunger pangs and sleeplessness. I really just wanted something that would put me straight to sleep as soon as I got back into my room.

We walked around until we found The Copper Kettle on Lower Goat Lane. I’m normally that type of person to look up a place at least two months in advance, memorize the menu, and recite what I would like to order to myself until I get it right, and then go. But with this cafe, I didn’t have to do that. The menu is simple, consisting of classic and comforting British food. And my personal favorite thing: they didn’t try to gentrify, or hipster-fy, whatever term you want to use, the food (if baked beans are in a little pot, it’s a sign). Plus, the meal was so good that we went to sleep as soon as we got back to our rooms. 

It was kind of unspoken between us that we decided this place would be like “our designated place.” We would routinely come to The Copper Kettle over the years whenever we (more like me) wanted a breakfast (or brunch) fix. I would order the same thing: a deluxe breakfast with toast and grilled tomatoes, a latte with two sugars, and maybe some ketchup on the side if I was feeling it. Tom would normally switch his up, going for the deluxe breakfast as well, or American style pancakes with an apple juice.

Recently, we paid another visit to The Copper Kettle and I had my usual order: the deluxe breakfast with a latte. It tastes just as good as the first time I had it. I always look forward to the best sauteed potatoes that feel like you’re eating thicker crisps with a soft crunch, deviating from hashbrowns you normally get at other places. The bacon and sausages are locally sourced from farmers around Norfolk, so you really do taste the quality. The coffee is freshly brewed and with some sugar, it hits the spot.

Tom ordered American style pancakes this time around with some apple juice. The pancakes are thick and fluffy, in a nice stack of about four pancakes and drenched in maple syrup. Although he thought the pancakes were slightly chewy, it was made up for with the perfect balance of sweet and salty from the blueberry compote, maple syrup and bacon.

We spent about £35 total between the both of us, with the deluxe breakfast coming in at £15.95 and the American style pancakes at £12.95, plus the drinks. The portion sizes are pretty generous and the quality is there, so you do get value for your money. Plus, you’re helping support local farmers around Norfolk!

We loved, and still love this little cafe. The atmosphere is modern cozy, with warm toned furniture and perfectly bright lighting to draw you in. There’s a nice playlist of background music, ranging from soft jazz to classic hits that doesn’t blast all throughout the place, so you can actually have a conversation with the people around you at an inside voice, while still enjoying the music with your food. Seriously, there’s nothing I hate more than having to shout my sentences multiple times only to sit in awkward silence with techno music blasting my ears. Not to mention, the staff and the owner are absolutely lovely and will make you feel right at home. The overall vibe is like you’re just getting a warm hug every time you come here, like you’re at your gran’s house for dinner.

Overall, I would highly recommend The Copper Kettle to anyone. It’s perfect for a casual hangout, or even a casual date. The food and vibes are nostalgic, perfect for anyone who needs a nice pick me up.

Picture credit: Lin Vu