It may only have a population of a couple of thousand, but a peaceful Norfolk village is making a big impact on the food scene.

The upmarket Stoke Holy Cross is located just four miles south of Norwich, offering the perfect mix of countryside living with easy access to amenities in the city. 

But those looking for top-notch food and drink should be driving into Stoke Holy Cross rather than away from it.

This week, Store Restaurant inside Stoke Mill was the newest Norfolk recipient of a coveted Michelin star.

Norwich Evening News:

The accolade is only held by three other places in the county - Morston Hall, The Neptune Inn in Hunstanton and newly-added in 2022 was Meadowsweet in Holt. 

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But Store is now shifting the fine dining focus towards the Norwich area and it is headed up by Liam Nichols, who has previously worked under Tom Kerridge, and rising star sous chef Hazel Youll.

It serves a seasonal seven-course tasting menu with an open kitchen and just five tables.

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Norwich Evening News: The main Stoke Mill restaurant also features in The Michelin Guide 2023The main Stoke Mill restaurant also features in The Michelin Guide 2023 (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Stoke Mill owners Andy Rudd and Ludo Iaccarino are also business partners in Store and the main restaurant in the building is one of 17 Norfolk spots in The Michelin Guide.

The building is also of historical significance as it was previously used to store the seeds for Colman's Mustard. 

Norwich Evening News: Daniel Smith, head chef of The Wildebeest in Stoke Holy CrossDaniel Smith, head chef of The Wildebeest in Stoke Holy Cross (Image: Supplied)

Elsewhere in Stoke Holy Cross, award-winning restaurant The Wildebeest, headed up by Daniel Smith, features in The Michelin Guide too and it holds two AA Rosettes for culinary excellence.

As well as all three of the village's restaurants being Michelin-recognised, just a stone's throw away along the A140 at Swainsthorpe, The SugarBeat Eating House serves everything from breakfasts to burgers utilising local produce.

Stoke Holy Cross now rivals Norwich and north Norfolk for fine dining and is becoming a destination for foodies.