DeVecchio Bakery sits on Lobster Lane in the Norwich Lanes, tucked into a small, cosy space that glows with warm light. As soon as you step inside, you’re met with that unmistakable bakery scent. Fresh bread. Butter. Sugar. It’s comforting before you’ve even looked at the counter.
Lunch on the go at DeVecchio
I popped in just before midday on my way to an appointment, planning to grab something quickly and carry on. It was already busy, even ahead of the main working lunch rush. A steady flow of people were doing exactly what I was doing: scanning the display, weighing up savoury versus sweet, trying to make a decision without holding up the queue.
The savoury options were tempting. Flaky croissants filled with different combinations, alongside focaccia sandwiches with both veggie and meat fillings. In the end, I went for a focaccia with pastrami, cheese and pickles.
It was one of those lunches that quietly exceeds expectations.
The bread was super fresh and light, with enough structure to hold everything together. The pastrami had a subtle savoury depth rather than dominating the flavour. The cheese was creamy and rich. Then the gherkin cut through it all with a sharp lift that stopped it feeling heavy.
It was generous too. Properly filling without being stodgy. At £5.50, it felt like very good value for something that tasted this fresh.
Sweet temptation
Of course, it would have been rude not to look at the sweet counter.
The selection is impressive. Croissants, cruffins, Japanese toffee bread, cookies, cinnamon buns… It’s the sort of display that makes you pause for longer than you intended.
As a creature of habit, I hose a cinnamon bun and took it away with me. I just can’t resist.
It was large but surprisingly light. The dough had that buttery flavour that lingers without feeling heavy. Inside, rich spice and sugar ran through the layers. On top, a thick swirl of cream cheese icing added a slight tang, cutting through the sweetness and bringing everything together.
I don’t say this lightly, but it may well be my favourite cinnamon bun in the city right now.
They also serve coffee, matcha and tea, which I skipped in my rush to get to the appointment. That feels like a good excuse to return.
It may have taken me a few months to visit but I have a feeling it won’t take nearly as long for me to return.
Visit DeVecchio Bakery online.
