Golden Star

Walk into the Golden Star and you've landed in exactly the kind of pub Norwich needs more of. It's tucked away on Colegate, that stretch that's quietly become one of the city's better drinking streets, and the vibe is refreshingly unpretentious. The ales rotate properly—this isn't a place where Carling is the main event—and they actually know what they're doing with cask beer. Food-wise, expect proper pub fare that doesn't try too hard: the sort of thing that tastes good because it's made well, not because someone's deconstructed it. It pulls locals and visitors alike, which says everything about how they've struck that balance between being a neighbourhood spot and somewhere worth seeking out.