The Anchor Cafe

The Anchor Cafe looks directly out across the harbour at Wells-next-the-Sea, making it one of the most scenic places on the north Norfolk coast to stop for a bowl of chowder after a morning on Holkham beach. It's a small, friendly place with the sort of no-fuss approach to dogs that keeps regulars coming back — bowls of water appear on the terrace without needing to ask, and there's never any awkwardness about bringing a sandy retriever inside.

What to Expect

The menu leans into local seafood: crab sandwiches made with Cromer crab, samphire in season, fish finger butties, smoked mackerel pate, and a chalkboard of daily specials that changes with what the boats bring in. There's also proper breakfasts, good cakes from a local bakery, and the coffee is a cut above standard seaside fare. The seating mixes indoor tables with a large harbour-side terrace that's the obvious choice in good weather.

Dog-Friendly Facilities

• Dogs welcome inside and on the terrace
• Water bowls set out at the entrance
• Treat jar on the counter
• Shaded outdoor tables with harbour views
• Sand-tolerant attitude — nobody minds a beach dog

Visiting with Your Dog

The cafe is five minutes' walk from the main Wells-next-the-Sea quay car park and a short drive or bus ride from Holkham beach, making it a natural stop either before or after the signature coastal walk. During tern nesting season (April to August) parts of Holkham beach require leads — it's worth checking the signs before heading out. The harbour path alongside the cafe gives dogs a chance to stretch their legs if you arrive before opening. If you want a proper unhurried East Coast day out, combining the pinewoods walk with lunch here is as good as it gets on the Norfolk coast.