Newcastle is well known for a good night out, however, even that has competition with their up and coming food scene. The town offers traditional seaside eats, hearty pub grub, innovative fine dining and hipster hang-outs for craft beer and gourmet burgers. But where are the best places to eat in Newcastle?
Mike, our business solutions consultant is Newcastle based, so we asked him to give us his favourite go to spots in the city.
WARNING: May make you hungry!
Babucho
Babucho is nestled between Newcastle’s shopping district and the river front in the heart of the Quayside, a New York style brasserie and bar.
The bar menu has been crafted purely by the Babucho team of bartenders and mixologists each bringing their own style.
With this, it reflects the personality that Babucho wants to elicit throughout the business. The staff are friendly, highly professional and always out to impress.
They are truly passionate about their roles and this is evident when you go to visit!
They work closely with their suppliers at Heineken and Bacardi Brown Forman so they can deliver high quality products even at house level.
Their passion goes even further as they rummage around the globe to bring rare and special products to Babucho, bringing with it, a unique experience.
The bar at Babucho is Newcastle’s social hub and the most welcoming of places, by day it’s a cosy place to meet friends, entertain for business or escape for a quick coffee.
By night, the vibes change and everything comes alive. The menu offers unique flavours, fused with some splendid local favourites.
A friendly team who remembers your name, cocktails just the way you like them. A bustling cafe and brasserie during the day, a hip restaurant and lounge bar by night, transforming into a playground for the city’s movers and shakers to enjoy till the early hours. Worth the visit!
Cafe 21
A home from home where hospitality comes first.
Café 21 is a sociable and effortlessly stylish space, serving crafted comforts, lunch bites and sweet treats.
The perfect place if you want to go for breakfast, lunch or an early evening bite to eat. And certainly the place to stop for a mid-shopping trip lunch, business meeting, afternoon tea, or a quiet cup of the good stuff.
Cafe 21 cares about putting time aside for you, it is a place where ‘me time’ matters.
House of Tides
Opened in February 2014 by Kenny & Abbie Atkinson, House of Tides is located on the historical Newcastle Quayside and set within the beautifully restored Grade 1 listed 16th Century former merchant’s townhouse.
House of Tides is a casual, informal fine dining restaurant which is set over two floors. The rustic ground floor entrance level with its original 16th century flagstones and exposed beams, provides an excellent venue whether you’re settling-in for a drink, pre-dinner aperitif or a leisurely nightcap.
Kenny is Chef Patron of the one Michelin-starred restaurant, House of Tides in Newcastle.
Born in Newcastle, Kenny is a born & bred Geordie who has spent the first 12 years of his career training in some of the best restaurants in the UK.
Kenny’s bold and ambitious cooking has brought him critical acclaim, awarded Hotel & Caterer Cateys Chef of the Year 2009.
More recently, he has appeared alongside James Martin on ITV Saturday Morning with James Martin, ITV islands to highlands and BBC1’s Saturday Kitchen, UKTV Foods Market Kitchen & Sky TV’s Perfect series.
Awards won this year;
Michelin Guide, One Michelin Star, 2015 – 2022
AA Restaurant Guide, Four AA Rosettes, 2017 – 2022
Ranked Number 4 In The UK Top 100 National Restaurant Awards 2022
One to check out if you want a spectacular fine dining experience and views over the River Tyne.
Blackfriars
Blackfriars Restaurant, the time-honoured traditional British restaurant in the heart of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and the oldest dining room in the UK.
Blackfriars was opened in 2001 by Andy and Sam Hook following on from the success of the critically acclaimed Sidney’s Restaurant in Tynemouth.
The restaurant is now run by a team of exceptional staff headed up by Group Operations Manager Ruth Terrington, Manager Rebecca Blackith and Head Chef Chris Wardale.
Offering a truly traditional British experience, Blackfriars uses seasonal produce from the local farms and producers to bring you the freshest tastes off the menu.
They were voted Taste of England by the North East England Tourism Awards. If this is the kind of grub you’re after, it’s one to add to your list!
Aveika
AVEIKA is a contemporary Japanese Restaurant, Sushi Bar, Grill and Late Bar nestled in the heart of Newcastle’s iconic quayside.
Playfully innovative, AVEIKA chooses to differ from the traditional Asian dining; reworking classics you might recognise and putting on a modern, innovative twist.
The team at Aveika take great pleasure in offering a uniquely creative menu. Food is served in a relaxing, comfortable and stylish atmosphere.
They say their style of food is ‘authentic yet not traditional’, a modern interpretation of traditional Japanese cuisine, where the emphasis is centred on creating a harmony of flavours. I mean, what’s not to love?
Signature cocktails are expertly crafted by their staff, with a twist of creativity, fusing premium products with fresh ingredients.
Passion for the industry excels at AVEIKA, if you’re looking for a contemporary twist on Asian food, it’s the place to go.
Peace + Loaf
Peace & Loaf is a restaurant unlike any other in the region, headed up by Head Chef Dave Coulson, who has over 13 years of experience in the industry.
Dave is well known for his passion around food and for creating flavoursome and innovative dishes, which is evident through the diverse menu and delicately decorated food they have to offer.
Proud owner of two AA Rosettes and with a mention in the Michelin guide, Peace and Loaf promises fine dining without the fuss.
They pride themselves on using fresh and locally sourced ingredients. Dishes on the menu are of traditional British cuisine, all with a modern and creative twist.
They also do their bit for the community. Sourcing ingredients from local, community building suppliers.
They have suppliers of oyster mushrooms, Urban Mushrooms, grow their produce in recycled coffee grounds and hire disadvantaged young people to work on their farms, helping to create jobs within the North East Newcastle community.
Geisha
Geisha offer exquisite pan-Asian food in a uniquely modern, inviting, Japanese garden-inspired restaurant and bar.
The restaurant encompasses exciting Pan-Asian food, delicious sushi you can’t resist with impeccable presentation and unique cocktails that create an exceptional dining experience.
The interior is exquisite and loud, and their upstairs terrace allows you to relax, taking in the beautiful surroundings.
Their covered and heated outdoor area is the perfect spot for a late-night cocktail or meal during summer evenings!
If you want to experience the taste sensation of Asian food, Geisha have it all!
So there you have it, the best places to eat in Newcastle straight from a local, now it’s just deciding which to try out first!
