Gem of Norwich — Restaurant in Norwich

I have truly loved Gem and have always recommended it to all my friends with great pleasure. So, naturally, when the question arose of where to celebrate my birthday with my closest girlfriends, the choice was obvious — only at your place.

I had booked a table for 5 people in advance for the 2nd of August 2025 at 6:30 PM. In the “special occasion” field, I specified that it was for a birthday.

Three of my friends and I arrived exactly on time, ordered drinks, and started waiting for two more girls who were running late due to a train delay. After about 20–25 minutes, a waitress approached us and asked whether we were ready to order food or if we would wait for the rest of the group, since “we’ll need the table to be free by 8:30 PM.” We responded that we completely understood the time limit — we still had an hour and a half ahead and assured her we would stay within that time.

Once the other friends arrived, we ordered food. Everything was fine at first, but the celebratory mood began to fade when we were subtly (though the tone of the waiter wasn’t exactly subtle) reminded that we didn’t have much time left at the table. Later, while we were still finishing our meals, the waitress came again and asked: “Are you done or still picking at your food?” (once again, with that same tone), followed by a reminder that we’d soon need to vacate the table. We replied that we were finished — even if we had wanted to continue enjoying our meal, it wouldn’t have brought the same pleasure anymore. The table and cutlery were cleared away hastily and anxiously, again reminding us that we had very little time left.

Shortly after, we were handed the dessert menus with the words, “You can order dessert if you eat it really quickly, because the table needs to be free by 8:30.” At that moment, the festive mood completely disappeared, and we were left feeling puzzled and disappointed. Of course, we refused dessert, quickly paid the bill, and left what used to be my favorite restaurant.

It’s worth noting that we still paid the service charge included in the bill — but it begs the question: was the service really worthy of that tip?

Please, don’t talk to guests as if they’re clueless — we know how to count too. One timely reminder about the time limit would’ve been more than enough, while still maintaining the positive atmosphere of the evening. I’m not asking for any extra special treatment, but perhaps it would help to check the occasion when a booking is made and be just a little more tactful. For your guests, it’s not just another dinner out — it’s a special moment in a lovely place with dear people, one that should leave behind beautiful memories.

That’s what we thought too — until the repeated reminders...

Despite it's usual high reviews and the beautiful food, we have never felt so uncomfortable in a restaurant before.

On a weekend we booked the table on the website for 9 pm, which we thought was a little late but checked and they closed at midnight and that was the only time available so we got it. It was abundantly clear to us throughout our entire time there that they did NOT want us there at that time. From arrival we were rushed to order all of our food and drinks, even when one of us was using the facilities and not at the table (she was only gone 5 minutes!). Before we'd really finished our starters they were cleared away to make space for the mains, even though we were assured we could keep them in advance. And from the time we had our mains we had 4 different servers doing the dance around us for us to hurry up, eat and get out. U-turns, eyeballing, leaning over when walking past, gossiping whilst glancing at us and to be clear, this was more than once a minute PER SERVER. It was highly uncomfortable and I'm polite and have worked in hospitality and catering for over 10 years but I was close to snapping. It was embarrassing and I rushed my food and even checked the website again for their closing time. When we finished our mains, which was over a hour before their stated closing time, no desserts were offered, a server came to us politely asking us to leave and suddenly within less than 5 seconds the music was turned off, lights fully on and our table had a line of staff in their regular clothes waiting for us to get out. I'd like to remind at this point that we checked closing times, the website allowed us to book this time and yet we felt like we'd insulted the place.

Here's my feedback to the restaurant: The food was delicious, there's no denying that, huge well done to the chefs there. The service needs so much work. One server per table. They should not be aware you're there but oh my goodness were we feeling unwanted. If you don't want tables booked at 9 pm, don't allow your website to do that. If you're not closing at midnight, update your website and your opening times at the door. If that table is booked, trust me, it's far nicer to apologise or call them to rebook than...

Disappointing... We have dined here many times because the food never fails to impress and have always had an enjoyable experience whether I have been with friends, with my husband or taken my children. However after our recent meal I am not sure I would choose to return.

We turned up to the restaurant 10 minuets prior to our booking and from the very first moment we felt uncomfortable. They took our name as we had booked, then had a hushed conversation looking around the floor we were on with many empty tables to then with a huff be taken upstairs to the furthest point with no persons in the room, we very much got the impression we were not your desired clientele. When other tables were sat in the area they were so close that it was hard to hear persons on your own table.

Our server than came over and asked if he could take our drink order where we pointed out we were waiting for one other. At this point we were informed we only had an hour and half as he was busy, even though your booking system states 2 hours. We were not even at our booking time at this point. He then proceeded to have a very loud conversation with a collage about how we were disrupting his tables and didn't want the hassle. As soon as our friend arrived we felt so uncomfortable that we were asked for her order before she had even sat down and taken off her coat. We finished in plenty of time and were even offered desserts. My party, including myself have worked in restaurants for many years and were absolutely applauded by the level of service.

Our server seemed to have issues with his tables in general as I watched him approach the table behind us and comment quite rudely how they had put their cutlery in a bread basket. I understand that this might not be something you like to see happening but to confront the table is incredibly rude.

As I have mentioned before the food was outstanding as always but you cant get by on just...