Looking for somewhere to work between meetings, I stumbled into Lion’s Den City in Norwich. With excellent coffee, a relaxed atmosphere and a warm welcome for laptop users, it was a very happy accident.
Often, the best discoveries are completely unplanned.
After making a bit of a mess of my working arrangements one morning, I found myself with a couple of hours to spare between meetings and nowhere to work. In search of decent coffee and reliable Wi-Fi, I headed to Lion’s Den City, a wellbeing space with a café in the heart of Norwich.
Now, I should say that this isn’t a review of the sauna and wellness facilities at Lion’s Den. That’s a job for another day. This time, I was strictly there for the coffee and a spot of work.
But needless to say, I’m rather glad things didn’t go to plan.
From the outside, the stairs leading up to the café give very little away about what’s waiting at the top.
Step inside, however, and you’re greeted by a light and airy space. Blonde wood, plenty of plants and soft pink cushions and blankets give the place a relaxed, welcoming feel. Colourful artworks brighten the walls, while gentle music plays in the background.
There’s a lovely atmosphere, too. The gentle burble of conversation mingles with the clack of fingers on keyboards, and there’s a hint of freshly brewed coffee in the air.
It’s the sort of place where you immediately feel at home.
Coffee, cake and a spot of work
First things first: the coffee.
My decaf Americano cost £3, making it one of the more affordable coffees I’ve come across in Norwich city centre. As someone who regularly works from cafés, this pleased me enormously.
I also enjoyed one of the best chai lattes I’ve had in a long time. Creamy, spicy and not too sweet, it came served in a rather cute ceramic mug.
There was also a tempting selection of sweet treats on display. Somehow, I managed to resist, although I’ve already decided that cake will be on the agenda next time.
The baristas were friendly and helpful, too, which always makes a difference.
And, happily, this is somewhere that welcomes people working remotely. There’s good Wi-Fi and access to power sockets, along with some sensible guidelines to make sure laptop users don’t monopolise tables all day. I managed to get some work done and join an online meeting without any problems.
The café also hosts events and dedicated co-working days, so there are lots of ways to enjoy Lion’s Den City.
A handy spot in the heart of Norwich
A big plus for Lion’s Den City is the location.
Right in the centre of Norwich, it’s within easy reach of the bus stops on Castle Meadow and St Stephens Street. If you’re driving, Castle Quarter and The Forum car parks are both nearby.
And the opening hours are particularly handy. The café opens at 7am every day and stays open until late on most evenings, making it a good option whether you’re looking for an early morning caffeine fix, somewhere to work or a relaxed place to catch up with friends.
For me, what started as a bit of a working-day mishap turned into a new café to add to my list of regular haunts.
I’ll certainly be back. And next time, I’m definitely having cake.
