Norwich has welcomed a new addition to its food, drink and nightlife scene, with Las Gidi opening at 114 Timberhill in the Castle Quarter in August 2026. The two floor Afro Modern lounge, bar and restaurant brings together African cuisine, cocktails, music and culture in a stylish new city centre setting.
Created by the team behind AfriFest East, Las Gidi has been developed as a permanent home for the energy and community that the festival has built in Norfolk. The team behind the venue has combined experience in hospitality, events and entrepreneurship to create a destination designed to showcase African culture throughout the year.
The opening marks a new chapter for the team behind AfriFest East, which launched in 2024 and has grown into a major Afrocentric summer event in East Anglia. After seeing the response to the festival, the team wanted to create somewhere people could experience African food, music and culture on a more regular basis, rather than waiting for an annual event.
Las Gidi’s location at 114 Timberhill places it firmly in the heart of Norwich’s Castle Quarter, an area that has become increasingly popular for leisure, entertainment and socialising. The venue occupies two floors, with its layout designed to move naturally from dining and drinks into a more lively evening atmosphere.
The ground floor features an open plan kitchen and main dining area, alongside a dance space and DJ booth. Upstairs, an elevated bar and lounge provide a more relaxed setting for cocktails and conversation. The contemporary interiors are complemented by subtle African influences, creating a polished environment that still reflects the cultural identity at the heart of the concept.
Food is one of the main attractions. Las Gidi’s menu covers flavours from across the African continent, bringing together influences from West, East and Southern Africa. Dishes such as Jollof rice and Suya sit alongside other plates designed to introduce diners to a broad range of African flavours.
The menu also supports the social nature of the venue, with dishes and tapas style options that can be enjoyed with friends and shared around the table. It is an approach that fits naturally with the wider Las Gidi concept, where food is intended to be part of a larger social and cultural experience.
The bar takes a similarly modern approach. Guests can expect premium spirits, bold infusions and African inspired cocktails, with drinks drawing on heritage while being presented in a contemporary style. This gives the venue an appeal beyond dinner, whether visitors are stopping by for an after work drink or settling in for a longer evening.
As the day progresses, Las Gidi changes character. What begins as a restaurant and lounge develops into a more energetic social space, with Afro Rhythm, DJs and live performances becoming an important part of the evening.
Music is central to the identity of the venue, helping create the lively atmosphere associated with the African cultural influences behind Las Gidi. The combination of food, cocktails and live entertainment gives the venue a format that sits somewhere between restaurant, lounge and nightlife destination.
For Norwich, the opening adds another distinctive option to the city’s increasingly diverse food and entertainment scene. The team behind Las Gidi has created a dedicated Afro Modern venue that combines sophisticated dining with music, culture and hospitality.
There is also a strong community element behind the project. Las Gidi has been designed to bring people together through food, music and culture, welcoming both those familiar with African cuisine and those looking to experience something new.
The venue’s connection with AfriFest East gives it an established cultural foundation, while its year round presence creates an opportunity to build on that audience. The team also plans to continue developing cultural events, collaborations and entertainment in Norwich.
With its opening in August, Las Gidi is now bringing that vision to life from Timberhill. Its combination of African inspired cuisine, cocktails, contemporary design, DJs and live performances gives Norwich a new destination for dining and nights out.
For anyone looking to discover a different side of the city’s food and nightlife scene, Las Gidi offers an experience built around flavour, music, culture and connection, all under one roof.
Location: 114 Timber Hill, Norwich NR1 3DD
Website: https://lasgidi.co.uk/