I've been going to Biddy's in Norwich for years because the cakes are quite unique and high quality, and the staff are friendly and trying so hard so I feel bad saying anything negative about it--- ---but since it's been redecorated a few years ago...it's gone so downhill. It used to have so much whimsical memorabilia on the walls but most of it has disappeared somehow? And now the things that are left look plain old rather than vintage. The plants in the windowsill used to be plentiful and green but they're mostly dead now and haven't been replaced. Like most people who leave Biddy's one star, my main problem is with the hygiene. Everything is dusty and smeared and there's crumbs in the floor. It smells odd and it's pretty dark and unventilated so you feel like you're breathing in the grime. The bathroom is the worst. It smells strongly of mould, the toilet roll and walls are always damp and it just feels gross to a point I avoid using it. There's a room towards the back you have to sit in if there's no other tables. It's full of sofas and the tables are wooden army-like chests. I think the owners think this is fun or whimsical or something but it's actually so difficult to eat a full afternoon tea leaned right over a knee-high box??? On a squashy, deep sofa. You spill things. Old people physically can't sit like that. You have to balance your (very small) plate on your lap which makes buttering scones very very difficult. Just give us tables!!! You could fit so many more people in as well!! You're always turning away customers because there are no tables available but honestly if you replaced that sofa set up you could get 5 tables in rather than 3. Plus I don't know if this is relevant but the whole atmosphere of that back room is really off-putting because it is just SO dark. And there's a sheet nailed to the ceiling?? It feels like dust is falling from it into your food. And the wallpaper makes it look more dingy; it's yellowed with age and peeling. Some nice paint and a proper light would really clean that room up. Maybe just turn that whole area into the kitchen? You need a proper kitchen. I see the staff bustling and dodging around each other trying to make sandwiches squashed up on the same single counter as the cash register. That's unhygienic and it means the staff are always in the way of each other and having to shove through customers to bring out the food. They are obviously understaffed and over worked. It takes ages for orders to come and be taken, and everyone looks in a rush---which isn't a complaint, I just feel sorry for them. Drinks often arrive cold; every hot chocolate and milk-based coffee I've had has been luke warm. Why can't you heat up the milk? And why does the hot chocolate powder taste like that cheap Cadburys stuff you get at Sainsbury's? You're charging quite a bit, and your food is so nice, why not try a bit harder with the drinks? You have chocolate and caramel sauce you put over the cakes, why not drizzle some over the drinks, make them seem worth the money/a bit special? Idk. You used to put chocolate sauce around the cup but you haven't given me one like that for about 2 years. Just plain old stuff I could make at home. Um yeah so love the food, love the IDEA of Biddy's, the staff are trying so hard, but please just: - Keep the place clean - Re-do the whole bathroom. Sort out the damp. - Put tables in the back room. Just re-vamp the whole dark, cramped little back room, it looks like a murderer's basement with that sheet on the ceiling honestly. - Turn it into a proper, clean, organised kitchen. The staff will thank you for it. - Try harder with drinks. Serve. Them. Hot. Please. Thank you for letting me say my piece, again I absolutely love the homemade food, and the staff are so friendly and really trying their best with quite a difficult work situation. I know money is tight but just rearranging some furniture and having a good clean might really help. Sorry I've been so harsh, I just love coming here and want to see it succeed! It's so unique and got so much potential. Thanks again.More

So lucky to find this quaint little place. Gorgeous hot chocolate. Staff were lovely helpful and polite. We were visiting Norwich for just a few hours in the rain. The young lady saw us looking at our map and came over to help us. Recommended...it to others.More

My son & I booked up for afternoon tea & we were seated in this nice tearoom upstairs. I had the traditional afternoon tea & my son picked the high tea which he enjoyed. The staff were good & friendly but when I was asked...which type of tea I wanted they suggested breakfast tea & i said so long as it’s strong & both members of staff said o yes definitely! But I left it in the pot to brew for ages but couldn’t get any strength at all, I tried stirring it but it was very weak & not enjoyable. The food was very good & nice that you can pick from a selection of food for afternoon tea but you can only have one filling for the sandwich one scone either sweet or savoury & one huge piece of cake, so although the food was good I prefer a selection of finger sandwiches, a mini savoury & sweet scone & two or three mini cakes which is usual for an afternoon tea elsewhere. Prices were ok. Nice atmosphere & got quite busy.More