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Best Restaurants in Newcastle Upon Tyne

Best Restaurants in Newcastle Upon Tyne

Newcastle Upon Tyne Northeast England, England Travel Guide

Culinary Overview

Local Flavors & Customs

Its industrial past and local produce shaped its cuisine. Hearty, comforting meals nourished working communities. As a major port, it welcomed diverse populations. Early international influences appear in its food offerings.

Traditional British ingredients form a strong base: root vegetables, robust meats, and fresh North Sea seafood. Flavors are generally rich, comforting, and savory. Modern cuisine in Newcastle, however, includes a wider palate, with spices and techniques from Asian, Mediterranean, and other global cuisines.

Dining Etiquette

  • Reservations: For mid-range to fine dining, especially weekend evenings, a reservation is highly recommended.
  • Tipping: 10-15% for good service in restaurants is common if a service charge is not already added.
  • Pubs: Order food and drinks at the bar. Find a table after ordering. Table service for food is becoming more common in gastropubs.
  • Queuing: As elsewhere in the UK, queuing politely is an important social norm.

Regional Dining Experiences

City Centre

A vast array of options, from quick bites and budget eateries to chain restaurants and some upscale dining. Find everything from Italian to Asian, and traditional British pubs.

Quayside

Known for its upscale restaurants, many with river views. Seafood restaurants are common, alongside modern British and international fine dining. The Sunday Quayside Market also has diverse food stalls.

Jesmond & Ouseburn

Jesmond: A hub for trendy dining, with independent cafes and stylish bars. Ouseburn Valley: A creative quarter for independent eateries, craft breweries, and quirky cafes.

Meal Times

  • Breakfast: Typically 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM in hotels and cafes. Many cafes offer all-day breakfast.
  • Lunch: Generally 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM or 3:00 PM. Pubs often serve lunch menus all day.
  • Dinner: The main evening meal, usually from 6:00 PM onwards, with peak times 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Many restaurants stop serving food by 9:30 PM or 10:00 PM.

Must-Try Dishes

Local Specialties

The Stottie

An iconic local item. A large, flat, round loaf with a soft, dense texture. Used as the base for hearty sandwiches, often with ham and pease pudding, or bacon and egg. Find it in local bakeries and sandwich shops.

A truly unique Newcastle bread.

Pease Pudding

A savory, thick, typically yellow pudding from boiled split peas. It has a distinct earthy flavor and a smooth consistency. Traditionally with ham or bacon in a stottie, it appears as a side dish in traditional butchers or sandwich shops.

A classic accompaniment to the Stottie.

Saveloy Dip

A classic takeaway and true Geordie staple. This hot sandwich features a saveloy sausage in a stottie, dipped in hot gravy. Sometimes with pease pudding and stuffing. A comforting and hearty snack or light meal.

A must-try Geordie comfort food.

Local & British Favorites

  • Craster Kipper: From the fishing village of Craster, these oak-smoked herrings are a local delicacy. Find them in good fish restaurants and markets throughout Newcastle.
  • Pasty/Pie: The North East has its own tradition of savory pies and pasties, with meat and potatoes filling. Look for them in local bakeries.
  • Fish and Chips: A British takeaway. Find a good local chippy for freshly battered fish (cod or haddock) with thick-cut chips. Add salt and vinegar to taste.
  • Street Food Specialties: Grainger Market offers diverse food stalls. Pop-up food markets on the Quayside feature international and local street food vendors.

Beverages & Desserts

Newcastle Brown Ale

An iconic amber ale, "Broon Ale" or "Newky Brown." This sweet, nutty brown ale is widely available in pubs.

Scones & Empire Biscuit

Scones: Classic British baked good, with jam and clotted cream. Empire Biscuit: Two shortbread biscuits with jam, topped with icing and a glace cherry.

Dining Options

Fine Dining

For a special occasion or a refined culinary experience, Newcastle holds excellent choices.

  • House of Tides: Michelin-starred, modern British tasting menus on the Quayside.
  • Restaurant Pine (nearby): Michelin-starred, hyper-local ingredients for an extraordinary dining experience.
  • Peace & Loaf: Modern British cuisine with creative flair, a relaxed fine dining atmosphere.

Mid-Range Options

This category holds the widest selection across the city.

  • Quayside: Numerous restaurants with riverfront views, diverse cuisines (steakhouses, gastropubs).
  • City Centre: Diverse choices, Italian chains (Zizzi, Miller & Carter), Asian restaurants (Wagamama, Chaophraya).
  • Jesmond: Hub for trendy restaurants and cafes, including burger joints (Fat Hippo) and steakhouses (Rio Steakhouse).

Budget & Markets

Affordable meals and unique food experiences.

  • Grainger Market: Historic indoor market with diverse food stalls (sandwiches, pies, international street food). An excellent spot for a cheap and varied lunch.
  • Supermarket Meal Deals: Boots, Tesco, Sainsbury's offer meal deals (sandwich/wrap, snack, drink) for a low price (£4-£5).
  • Pub Grub: Many traditional pubs feature affordable and hearty meals like fish and chips, burgers, and classic British dishes.

International Flavors

Asian Cuisine

Options for Chinese, Indian, Thai, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese cuisine appear throughout the city.

Many choices for diverse Asian flavors.

Mediterranean & Italian

Many pizzerias and pasta restaurants, from independent trattorias to well-known chains. A growing number of choices for Lebanese, Turkish, Greek, and other Mediterranean flavors.

Abundant choices for European and Middle Eastern food.

Special Dietary Considerations

Vegan/Vegetarian

Most restaurants dedicate vegetarian dishes; many label vegan options. Dedicated vegan restaurants also appear. Eating out as a vegetarian or vegan is relatively easy.

Halal/Kosher

Several restaurants, especially Indian/Middle Eastern, feature Halal options; confirm directly. Kosher dining appears less widely; self-catering for strict needs.

Gluten-Free/Allergen-Aware

Most UK restaurants know common allergens and must provide information. Menus are often marked. Inform your server about allergies for safe meal preparation.

Resources

Online search engines and apps (HappyCow for vegan/vegetarian, allergen directories) identify suitable dining spots. Review sites often show comments on dietary accommodations.

Culinary Experiences

Interactive & Immersive

  • Cooking Classes: Blackfriars Restaurant occasionally holds cooking workshops.
  • Food Tours: Local companies organize walking food tours, exploring delicacies.
  • Farm Visits: Opportunities exist in wider Northumberland to visit farms and artisan producers (day trip).
  • Food Festivals: Newcastle holds various food and drink festivals (summer, autumn), often on the Quayside or in Exhibition Park.

Unique Dining Concepts

Traditional Pubs

The city has a mix of traditional pubs with modern twists on classic fare.

Experience classic comfort food.

Innovative Restaurants

Find innovative restaurants in unique settings (historic buildings or with impressive views).

Explore the independent scene in Ouseburn for quirky cafes and pubs.

Culinary Highlights

Local Drinks & Desserts
Newcastle Brown Ale
Local Craft Beers
Traditional Tea & Coffee
Scones with Jam & Cream
Empire Biscuit
Seasonal Christmas Market Treats
Special Occasions

House of Tides, a Michelin-starred restaurant on the Quayside, delivers innovative modern British tasting menus in a historic 16th-century merchant's house.

  • For a refined experience.
  • Reservations recommended.
  • Sample local delicacies.
Grainger Market Bites

A historic indoor market with a fantastic array of food stalls. Find everything from traditional sandwiches and pies to international street food (pizza slices, curries, falafel).

An excellent spot for a cheap and varied lunch.

Dining Resources

General Booking
Local Information
  • NewcastleGateshead.com
  • Restaurant review sites (TripAdvisor, Google Reviews)
Special Diets
  • HappyCow (vegan/vegetarian)
  • Allergen directories

Helpful Tip

Do not leave Newcastle without trying a "saveloy dip." It is a truly local experience.

  • Found in smaller sandwich shops or takeaways.
  • A unique taste of Geordie comfort food.
  • A local classic for a quick bite.