Back to the Garden in North Norfolk

Arrived late in afternoon. Coffee and cheese scones were lovely. Friendly service. Nice clean rest rooms. Good shopping experience of unusual food.

I love farm shops. Farm shops are my happy place. The start of PYO season is one of my favourite times of the year. And I have no reservations about paying extra for seasonal, organic, local veggies. Back to the Garden is the exception to the rule. I've never been disappointed in a farm shop til now. For a place that is brimming with veggies, there wasn't one to be seen in the cafe. The provision for vegans and vegetarians is so poor, I decided to skip lunch rather than have chips. Its probably been ten years or more since I've been in a place that was so limited in its veggie options. Not even the children's juice was a portion of fruit. And it was VERY expensive. It totally looks the part and my Carnivores said the sausage sandwiches were nice enough but three people still left and went home to eat cake as the rest of the experience was so unpromising. We actually couldn't get out of there quick enough. Poor show.

Really nice looking establishment in a great position, initially inviting but in reality a very disappointing experience - Zero recommendation.Came here on route to Cromer on the first day of a long-delayed holiday. Stopped based on the websites clear suggestion that this was an organic farm shop and cafe. And whilst the farm shop sells some organic veg and the occasional branded organic product (at highly inflated prices), don't be deceived because everything else isn't - Unless the staff are wrong ofcourse, as they made us feel stupid when we queried some of the ingredients in the deli and cafe.We arrived later in the day when the lunch service had ended and they were only serving cakes and coffee, which was perfectly fine as that's all we were really after today, although at the time we were considering coming back for a proper family meal next week. Unfortunately, by this point the cakes didn't look too appetizing or fresh.We opted for a couple of coffees and a tea and then grabbed a couple of pastries from the deli.This is where it went really downhill. The deli girl was cleaning the counter, so we weren't sure if they were still selling. She said she could serve us but clearly was in a mood about doing so. We asked if the pastries were fresh and organic - In a sarcastic voice, she said they were fresh but nothing on the counter was organic. We asked if the counter pastries were cold or warm. She said cold. We asked if they could be warmed up and she said no. We asked if the cafe had a microwave and VERY rudely she said "THERE IS NO MICROWAVE AVAILABLE and in any case, there would be a 45% VAT charge to serve warm food!" - For a start, totally unnecessary attitude and 45% VAT?! Please....We grabbed three pastries anyway and went to sit in the garden to wait for our drinks.... a good 10 minutes later they were served. Lukewarm. We were the only people in the establishment and they knew we were out there. While we were waiting for what felt like ages we decided to have a nibble of the 'fresh' pastries... well, turns out they had bagged something not requested and charged it as something else as well. And... they were frozen cold - literally crunchy ice inside... one of our group went back inside to politely ask if there was any chance of warming and they were harshly reminded that we had already been told there was no heating facility for 'us'. Amazingly, where we were seated outside was close to the kitchen and we could clearly hear them talking about us, swearing and jeering - This is completely unacceptable.I honestly feel so disgusted by the way we were being treated that I don't know why I have wasted yet more time writing this review, but having felt so belittled by these rude people I had to!I am 100% behind supporting local, I don't expect to be treated in a special way, but when you are polite and courteous to others, you don't expect to be treated so badly. This occasion has left a really sour taste which hopefully isn't representative of the rest of Norfolk.If I could give zero stars I would, but if I have to find 'something' positive to say then I guess it was discovering that there was a 'free to customer' Tesla destination charger here, but not worth the £20 spent. We only charged for about 20 mins, couldnt wait to leave and wont be coming back.

Amazing food, you can really taste how fresh it is. The restaurant has a lovely open feel, under exposed brickwork. The farm shop has a great selection of produce and treats.

Back to the garden restaurant was always good since I have discovered it a while back. Always seem to have good food. However, the service is strange. Sometimes is very efficient and your food comes in good times and sometimes, like today it took forever. Only after mentioning that we are waiting for the soup for the past 25 minutes, the soup suddenly was served immediately. As it happens, when one is in hurry then it gets the slowest service! You would think that they have the soup already done, just to warm up and that the sandwich won't take that long to make! My ham on hock was not OK. Very greasy, everything was floating in melted butter( see photo) I couldn't eat much of it. However the chips are perfect. The lady who served us asked me how it was and I told her as nicer as I could about the ham on hock, but she was just happy that I didn't complain that much about it. Perhaps someby from the restaurant reads the reviews and hopefully correct the issues as I would like to enjoy my food there and give them a 5 star review. I know they are capable but today....more like 2 stars....

Very nice location in rural location and an impressive old barn conversion. Lovely Team members too. But OMG let down with zero vegan choices. We asked and basically had to have say soup without the cheese add ons at the same (high) price and even when that came (having said we were vegan) the bread came with dairy butter portions!Wife who didnt want soup had side salad and chips only..Really, why wouldn't you even on a basic menu in 2022 not have at least one vgn option let alone during what is flippin Veganuary?We asked re their (lovely looking) range of cakes too and again told nothing vegan.Later for info we went to a somewhat basic cafe in nearby Sheringham which had 8 vegan choices and 2 different vegan cakes.Hoorah!I respect BTTG is a proper local independent respected and loved farm based establishment - but just not for us as they seem not to give a hoot at all about vegans.If you too dont give a damn about vegan food / vegans/ veganism etc then fill your boots here as its somewhere you'll love and is otherwise fine.

We have a great visit to this super place in September - the shop and restaurant are great! We look forward to visiting again!!

Had a great lite lunch & cake with lashings of tea with Mrs and the outlaws. Good service 👍. Recommended. Deli shop is sensational, albeit a tad pricey, but quality foods don't come cheap at anytime.

Nice coffee, limited menu when we visited in late September but good quality food. Has Tesla destination chargers x 2 and 1 general EV point with plenty of other parking so spots don't get taken. Nice gardens to sit in with large covered area.

Very good selection of fame stuff. From meats to fruits, cereals etc. Also a great cafe , very spacious.