King Arthur Baking Company — Restaurant in Norwich

If you go to the King Arthur Flour headquarters, you are going to see a place that can act as many functions for a community that borders Vermont and New Hampshire. While this place is relatively close to an Ivy League university, it is still in an area that has a lower population density. Simply put, there are a lot more trees out here than people.

And this is why this building is so crucial to a community like this. It acts as a multi-role Third Space. It's first purpose is to draw people in to the building to discover the fresh baked goods and the various flours that are made from an amazing company. There is seating enough for families, and parts of it are also designed to have a cafe-like feel where you can bring a computer and do some remote work.

Another component of the building is the retail space, which sells a diverse variety of flours and cooking tools. You can find cookbooks, too. Other parts of the building show the the bakery area, where a MASSIVE oven cranks out loaf after loaf. A really cool monthly schedule displays when the different loaves come fresh out of the oven.

Outside is a social area, where there is seating and lawn games for families and more. Parking is ample enough but be prepared to be driving around if it seems busy. Street parking may be available.

The menu for foods were amazing, and foods were labelled as gluten-free. One employee we spoke to was diligent in informing us that, while the bakery area uses gluten-free flours and ingredients, it is baked in an oven that is absolutely caked in gluten ingredients. This means that nothing can be said to be gluten-free. The employee was kind and steered us towards the gluten-free flour section of the retail store.

The cafe menu offered sandwiches, coffees, and teas. I settled for a flourless Almond Cloud Cookie. DELICIOUS and light. It had a wonderful almond flavor and almost melted in my mouth.

Did you know that, in addition to everything just listed above, that the King Arthur Flour building also has baking and cooking classes? I didn't look at what was listed, but this building provides the community with a tourism anchor, and a dynamic space where many people can come and feel welcome to share the space and their ideas. I will be stopping by here again. It is a very welcome...

I had wanted to go for a long time, sorry I did. There was a 20 minute to order. The menu is small with only 4 sandwiches, two of which were vegetarian. Again not a problem but it limits choice. I ordered the turkey sandwich except that I figured the tie up was because they were making the sandwich with fresh bread. I also order a water and a chocolate croissant, which is what I really wanted. The cashier asks me if I want a box of water or sparkling? It was a long drive, she was behind plexiglass and wearing a mask. I ask her if I heard correctly about a box of water and she suddenly has an attitude. "We're trying to save the planet so only used boxed water, meaning a carton not a bottle. Nothing has prices on the menu so my step daughter asks for a pice of lemon marainge pie and is told they only sell whole pies! My wife, who was going to get a piece of apple pie decides to order a whole lemon marainge and a knife. The cashier disappears and returns to say that they only have key lime pie. We pass on the pie. I go to get my box of water and step out of the way, looking to see if there's anywhere to eat inside. I'm tersely informed that all food must taken out to be eaten. Fine. That's when my wife is frantically trying to get my attention. Apparently they don't have any chocolate croissants but I can pick anything they do have since we've already paid. I choose a regular croissant which my wife ate. After there reprimand about saving the planet, I'm annoyed that my turkey sandwich comes prepackaged in plastic, was not made fresh and is soggy to boot. Maybe they do have awesome pastry, I couldn't say, but I thought it was overpriced, rude and mediocre. It got two stars because I was told that the coffee was very good. I wouldn't know, I wasn't going to back in the 20...

February 22, 2024 Update - I hate having to downgrade my rating of King Arthur, but I have no choice. They changed the way to order lattes, for one. You can't order custom lattes anymore. For two, they changed their latte machines last year and the new machines really suck. I can no longer get a hot latte there. They are luke warm at best and go cold within 10 minutes. I emailed them in December about this issue and they claimed they were aware of it. They offered me a $20 gift certificate but I felt there was no point in redeeming it. I gave them 2 months to sort it out but they didn't do it. I have started going elsewhere for my latte and found a place that makes them as hot as I want. The cafe staff are still great, but coffee and lattes are supposed to be hot and stay hot for at least 20 to 30 minutes. Great staff doesn't compensate for poor lattes

King Arthur Flour is an excellent place to grab a coffee, lunch or dessert or all of them! The prices are reasonable. Get it to go and use the free reliable WiFi. The staff is wonderful. They know just how I like my lattes of the seasons and they never question my oddities. They always have a smile on their faces and it's really great that they take the time to remember a name. Great atmosphere and they even have a shop in the same building as the bakery. Ample parking. Outside dining. Highly recommend KAF. Enjoy! In these times if Covid, face masks are required and dining in is not currently allowed. Still the best place for lattes, lunch and dessert!! I love KAF!

Update as of 5/6/2022 - they have limited indoor seating now and face masks are optional...