Nest Farmhouse on the North Norfolk Coast is a multi-purpose space offering luxury rooms, a cosy reading and cocktail (or coffee) snug, and the chance to try an inventive farm-to-plate menu in its stylish Scandi-style restaurant—essentially all the ingredients for a soul-enriching weekend away. Lauren Kate Hughes checked in for a restorative evening of fine wine, delicious food, and an excellent night’s sleep.

When the team behind the Michelin-starred restaurant St Barts launched a new venture on the spectacular North Norfolk coastline, there was already a strong inkling that it would be special.

Following on from sister restaurant Nest in East London, famed for its seasonal tasting menus showcasing the best flavors of the British Isles, Nest Farmhouse offers a farm-to-plate a la carte experience, lunch, and indulgent Sunday roasts, with menus that showcase the same high standard as its predecessors.

Nest’s cosy countryside restaurant is nestled within a converted barn on a 1,000-acre working farm in Docking. It offers fine dining in a more relaxed, countryside venue that feels wonderfully remote. Norfolk-born and bred chef Grant Cotton, a long-standing employee of Nest, is at the helm, serving up an ever-changing seasonal menu utilising the rich offering of produce in the region.

Some of my favourite restaurants feel more like a friend’s living room (albeit one with impeccable taste). Thoughful décor, stripped-back wood, elegant glassware and flickering candles: it’s a combination that sends me straight into a relaxed state. The restaurant at Nest Farmhouse taps into this mood effortlessly and creates the perfect ambience for enjoyment.

The overall concept of Nest Farmhouse is enticing; out-of-towners can book into one of the charming rooms—Nettle, Elder, Damson, Sorrel, or Pippin—so there’s not far to travel after dessert. Of course, if you’re in the area or are lucky enough to live in this picturesque corner of the country, you can also just come for lunch or dinner.

There’s no doubt that the restaurant scene in London is one of the most diverse and impressive in the world, so for the team behind one of its premier restaurants to take their next venture to the sticks certainly intrigued this London food fan.

So why Nolfolk? Co-founders Luke Wasserman, Toby Neill, and Johnnie Crowe each have a connection (and great love of) North Nolfolk. And it’s not their first rodeo. In July 2022 and 2023, the trio ran a pop-up eight miles from Docking in the seaside village of Burnham Overy Staithe. The pop-up was a huge hit, leading the trio towards a bigger project—Nest Farmhouse.

Nest Farmhouse: The review

On a minibreak from busy London, we checked into our generously sized room, noting the sleek interiors reminiscent of a New England coastal hideaway and the free-standing bath, complete with personal favourite Austin Austin toiletries for later.

An abundance of thoughtful touches make a stay at Nest Farmhouse feel homely yet sophisticated—it’s clear a great deal of thought has gone into the interiors, which were designed in collaboration with the Lulu Carter Interior Design team.

But the real star of the property is its 40-cover restaurant downstairs, with a casual dining room next to an open kitchen. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer a panoramic view of the surrounding fields and wildflowers in the spring and summer months. It’s a picturesque place for dinner that beautifully complements its countryside setting.

Head chef Grant Cotton’s knowledge of Norfolk shines through in the selection of dishes, which pays homage to Norfolk’s land and sea ingredients.

The menu is simple and ingredients-driven, with specials scrawled on a blackboard. Head chef Grant Cotton’s knowledge of Norfolk shines through in the selection of dishes, which pays homage to Norfolk’s land and sea ingredients.

We started with a cocktail to kick things off—him, an Old Fashioned, me, a Martini. As Martinis go, it was a good one—served in a pretty glass, short, strong, and crisp. First tick. We enjoyed our cocktails at the table, but I’d advise a pre-dinner tipple (or perhaps a nightcap) in the cosy snug adjacent to the restaurant and huddle around the wood burner.

I chose a seasonal salad with radicchio, blackberries, butternut squash, and blue cheese to kick things off. I later tried to recreate this dish at home for a dinner party, but alas, despite my investment in ingredients, it wasn’t quite the same.

Of course, I would never measure up to a chef this talented. But the fact that I even tried it points to how the dish’s simplicity makes it feel more attainable—and also that I just had to eat it again.

It was the pie of the week—chicken and leek—that swayed me. Comforting, balanced, flavourful and generous—it was everything a pie should be.

For the main dish, despite some tempting-sounding specials, such as skate for two with capers, parsley and cafe de Paris butter, and Herefordshire ribeye, it was the pie of the week—chicken, leek and mushroom—that swayed me. Comforting, balanced, flavourful, and generous, it was everything a pie should be.

Alongside our meal, we drank a 2022 bottle of Bourgogne Rouge wine—’Escargot’ by Damien Martin, a winemaker at Domaine de la Denante in Davayé, Burgundy. The wine list here is serious, with thoughtful choices and a well-briefed team that can advise on pairings.

Our recommended bottle, with its ripe cherries and raspberries with a slightly spicy finish, accompanied the dishes perfectly. As a red drinker, I can’t often be swayed towards white, and this wine was light and crisp enough to work well alongside my creamy chicken pie.

Both the drinks and food menus reflect efforts towards sustainability and a focus on seasonal, local produce. The restaurant considers its location and community for the drinks list, with local wine, courtesy of Cobble Hill and beer from Woodforde’s nearby.

For those who stay over at Nest Farmhouse, there’s one last treat in store with breakfast, with another simple menu that champions local produce. The French toast with dark fruits and crème fraîche was a delight.

Foodies visiting the North Norfolk coast, you’ve found your next staycation destination. You can book dinner or an overnight stay at Nest Farmhouse via its official website.

Address: Fakenham Rd, Docking, King’s Lynn PE31 8PX

Contact: 07487553194

Looking for more restaurant recommendations? Check out our guide to the best Sunday roasts in London, best seafood restaurants in London and most romantic restaurants in the capital.