Norfolk, 259 Ipswich Rd, Norwich NR4 6DX

About This Pub

You know, when I popped into The Marsh Harrier, it really gave me that warm, inviting country pub vibe – it's tucked away near the River Yare, making it a lovely spot to unwind after a stroll. The staff are just ace; they're polite, efficient, and bring a bit of fun to the table, which makes the whole experience feel personal and enjoyable. The atmosphere is another highlight, with those crackling log fires and pretty gardens that are perfect for a sunny day or a rainy evening. They've got a solid menu of hearty classics and a good selection of drinks, like cask ales and gins, that pair nicely with the setting. But honestly, it's not all roses – a few folks have mentioned the food falling short occasionally, like some meats being a bit dry or not up to scratch, which could put a dampener on things if you're after a flawless meal. Still, with its high marks for service and that welcoming charm, it's a great choice for a casual get-together, as long as you keep expectations balanced and maybe skip it if you're in the mood for something fancy.

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • The staff are absolutely brilliant – they're friendly, attentive, and always up for a bit of banter, making you feel right at home.
  • The atmosphere is spot on, with cosy log fires, beautiful gardens, and a warm, welcoming vibe that's perfect for relaxing after a walk.
  • Food options are generally hearty and well-presented, offering classic pub favourites and seasonal dishes that hit the spot most of the time.
  • It's dog-friendly, which is a real plus if you're out exploring the countryside and fancy a pit stop.
  • Great location near the River Yare, making it an ideal spot for a leisurely meal or drink in a tranquil setting.
Cons
  • Food quality can be hit or miss; some dishes, like certain meats, have been reported as dry or tough, which is a bit disappointing.
  • Service might feel a tad overwhelming at times, with staff checking in too frequently before you've even decided on your order.
  • It can get quite busy, leading to waits for food or tables, especially on weekends, so it's worth planning ahead.

Contact Information

Norfolk, 259 Ipswich Rd, Norwich NR4 6DX
+441603507513
Pub
Open Now

Opening Hours

Monday12:00 - 22:00
Tuesday (Today)12:00 - 22:00
Wednesday12:00 - 22:00
Thursday12:00 - 23:00
Friday12:00 - 23:00
Saturday12:00 - 23:00
Sunday12:00 - 22:30

Location

Recent Reviews

My friend and I went here for our lunch today. We thought that the food would taste good because of the good reviews online and the pictures. But we were very disappointed. We arrived and were seated quickly, the waitress came to us many different times, before we'd decided what to order which stressed me out. And it made me order without really looking at the menu. I ordered some scallop, crab, and prawns with bread and mash mixture, which didn't taste very nice. The bread was a little stale, the mash was dry, and the fish that I did receive was very little and disappointing. My friend had the Calamari, which was rubbery and had no flavour. For our main, we both had the Katsu curry and rice. It looked tastey, but I couldn't even eat it all. The chicken was dry and not crispy like it said it would be. There was no flavour and the meal was very disappointing. I was not impressed 😕 I paid around £46, for both dishes, a latte, a pot of olives and some chips, and a soft drink. The chips had a weird aftertaste and were dry to the taste. It's definitely not worth £46. The only things I enjoyed were my soft drink and the olives. My friend had food from the lunch deal, but still, it was not up to standard. The atmosphere was OK, but it didn't feel like a place I'd come back and eat from again. After we'd left, I looked further on the reviews to see that there were many bad reviews. I kicked myself in not looking further into the reviews before choosing the place because that was a complete waste of time, money, and effort. I was still very hungry after. The plates, cutlery, and glasses were dirty. I would NOT recommend going to this place to eat, drink, or even chill out in. The staff were OK, the lady we had was nice enough. But the other waiters that served our meals seemed a little grumpy. I have been in many pubs over my time, and I know what to expect from them, but this place was the worst.
BO
Bjørk O'hara
No faults here. Great service, the staff were ace. On their game, worked like clockwork with each other. Friendly and polite. The food was perfect, we had three courses. The service was in good time, not rushed and far from slow. Very impressed with the lovely atmosphere. A busy Saturday night visit, yet we still felt like we had a private dining experience for 2.
JF
Joanne Fensome
Always amazing honesty can not describe how lovely the staff were tonight! To be fair every time the staff are lovely tonight they were rushed off their feet but still so lovely. Even a bit of time for banter/playfulness which is brilliant. Should be proud of these staff!
RK
Rebecca Kerin
First of all arrived at 6:30pm on a Friday night (didn’t book) Great experience, I didn’t get the names of people who served us, but there was a lady on entrance who said there would be a wait on food but tbh not really a wait considering how busy it was. There were 2 people who brought the food out, a young person with short blonde hair, who had a great vibe and so friendly. They were attentive and were not shy. Food was spot on, I had the lasagne and added chips on, and my partner had the hunters schnitzel. Really enjoyed I’ve not been in years, and will definitely return now. Thanks guys
LG
Lauren Gardner
Staff were very attentive and polite, there was a nice atmosphere to the dining area with a warm log fire burning. Food was ok, very well presented but the pork belly meat was dry and tough - maybe I just had a bad one. Drinks were great, good selection and the London Pride on draught was spot on.
JW
Joe W

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