Colourful chairs on the Thorpe Ferry Café deck overlooking the River Yare

Norfolk · River Yare · Est. on the water

Open Thursday to Monday

A little riverside café on the Yare.

Coffee, cake and authentic Thai cooking, served beside the river, a five-minute ferry from Whitlingham Country Park.

01, A tranquil spot

Away from the hustle, closer to the water.

Our little riverside café is a beautiful and tranquil spot to stop for a drink and a bite to eat, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Come by foot, by cycle, or arrive by water, paddle boards, kayaks and small craft are warmly welcomed and encouraged.

We serve a selection of hot and cold drinks, baguettes, cakes and sausage or vegan rolls - alongside an authentic Thai dish of the day with real Thai flavours. Many of the fragrant herbs and spices are grown right here on-site.

Behind it all is Jaa and her wonderful team, the warm welcome, the careful cooking and the easy chatter that keep regulars coming back week after week. Everything we do comes back to three simple things: great food, great coffee and great service.

Always
Great food
Always
Great coffee
Always
Great service

03, On the river

A front-row seat to Yare wildlife.

The river edge here is rich with birds and creatures. Bring binoculars, or just keep an eye on the water while your coffee cools.

  • 01

    Kingfishers

    Electric-blue flashes along the bank, our logo bird.

  • 02

    Herons

    Patient sentries waiting in the reeds at dawn.

  • 03

    Little egrets

    Snow-white, golden-footed visitors on the shallows.

  • 04

    Cormorants

    Wings spread wide, drying on the pontoon posts.

  • 05

    Otters

    A nesting pair holt nearby, early risers will spot them.

The Thorpe Ferry pontoon and moored boats at golden hour on the River Yare

05, Hop the ferry

A five-minute cruise to Whitlingham Country Park.

Tie your visit in with a trip across the Yare on our on-site ferry. The crossing opens easy access to Whitlingham Country Park and the quaint village of Trowse, bring the bikes, bring the dog, bring everyone.

Zelda the springador and Jet the ferry dog on the deck by the river

Meet our house dogs Zelda the springador and Jet the ferry dog.

Fares

Thorpe Ferry ticket prices: Single £3, Return £5, Family Single £10, Family Return £3, Dogs +£3, Bicycles +£2

07, Yours for the evening

Hire the café for your day on the water.

Birthdays, wedding receptions, anniversaries, work do's, the whole riverside is yours. We'll work with you on food, drinks and the little details.

Covered riverside deck set up for a private eventChampagne flutes laid out for a celebration on the deckRiverside table set with Thai decor and a Buddha figure, overlooking the moored boats
Get in touch
A warm Thai welcome on the deck at Thorpe Ferry Café

Private events

Birthdays, milestone celebrations, wedding receptions and gatherings of every shape.

Special evenings

A handful of curated supper-club nights a year, Thai feasts, summer parties, riverside socials.

The whole site

Decks, lawn, garden and pontoon. Mooring for boating guests included.

Tailored menus

From relaxed grazing tables to a full Thai banquet, built around your guests.

06, Saturday wellbeing

Slow breath, river light.

On selected Saturday mornings our friend Barley brings Yoga and Qigong to the deck. Birdsong, water, and a soft start to the weekend.

A quiet extra to what we do here. Stay on afterwards for coffee, or simply drift home.

Saturdays · 8:30 to 9:30am

£10 · book or drop in

Beginners welcome

Timetable and bookings at barleyyoga.co.uk

A gentle Saturday morning yoga class on the deck above the River Yare
Class standing in stillness beneath the deck bell
Barley leading a quiet pose beside the river

Summer 2026, Move on Deck

13 JunYoga

20 JunQigong

27 JunYoga

4 JulQigong

11 JulYoga

18 JulQigong

1 AugYoga

8 AugQigong

15 AugYoga

22 AugQigong

29 AugYoga

5 SepQigong

12 SepYoga

19 SepQigong

26 SepYoga

No class on 25 July.

Zumba Fiesta Specials · Bank Holiday Mondays, 5 to 6pm · 25 May and 31 August

08, When we're open

Opening hours

Monday
10am, 5pm
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
10am, 5pm
Friday
10am, 5pm
Saturday
10am, 5pm
Sunday
10am, 5pm

09, Find us

We'd love to see you.

Down the end of bumpy Bungalow Lane in Thorpe St Andrew, or arrive on the river and step straight in from the bank.

Address
3a Bungalow Ln, Norwich NR7 0SH
By paddle
Paddle boards, kayaks and small craft welcome at the bank
By bike
Cycle route nearby, bikes welcome on the ferry

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