Best Restaurants Newcastle

If you’re out and about in Newcastle, chances are you’ll want to grab a bite to eat. From street food stalls to restaurants – we’ve got you covered as we bring you top food destinations in the city.

The people of Newcastle are fantastic at hospitality. And if you’re in one of the best restaurants Newcastle can offer, you’ll enjoy that fabulous feeling of good food, a good atmosphere, and an afternoon or evening very well spent.

Dining is one of my favourite pastimes – so here’s my pick of the best places to eat in Newcastle.

1: Peace & Loaf

Peace & Loaf is one of the coolest, most surprising restaurants I’ve ever been in. Fine dining usually feels stuffy and a little bit… pompous. Here though, they’ve created their own environment that’s relaxing to be in, with food that is absolutely sensational and beautiful to look at, too.

Even though restaurants aren’t about the décor, it does matter – and this place feels trendy, smart and comfortable all at once with exposed brick and styling touches. We were sat on a mezzanine which gave us a lovely view across the restaurant which was bustling with diners.

The menu leans into British food with a twist, without creativity hampering the taste. Flavours were full and felt familiar but always with an interesting addition to it. Staff were genuinely friendly and knew the menu inside out, always happy to chat about ingredients or offer a recommendation.

I never felt rushed, which is a huge plus. Booking ahead is a good idea as it does get busy. I saw a mix of other diners here – it works perfectly for anyone, from date nights to work meetings and celebrations.

Absolutely loved it here. Fantastic restaurant.

Location: 217 Jesmond Rd, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 1LA, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 191 281 5222

2: The French Quarter

The French Quarter sits tucked under the railway arches, and it’s got this cosy, simple Parisian style. Soft lighting and friendly staff made it easy to relax.

In line with France being one of the most prestigious wine producers in the world, the wine list here is really impressive, with many French bottles you’d unlikely find anywhere else in Newcastle. Our wonderful waitress knew her stuff too, as the crisp white she’d suggested paired perfectly with the food. (Or you can get a mixed wine flight if you want a little tasting session with your meal.)

Talking of which, of course the menu is French inspired and was served very promptly. All the portions were a great size and the food was succulent and beautifully prepared. French classics done perfectly.

The atmosphere and hospitality here were excellent. I’d definitely like to return, and I overhead the table next to us commending the staff for continuously good food and service on their multiple visits.

Location: Arch 6 Westgate Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1SA, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 191 222 0156

3: Turtle Bay Newcastle

Turtle Bay Newcastle greets you with a lively Caribbean vibe and soft reggae music that always make it feel as though you’re actually abroad. Like all their restaurants in the Turtle Bay chain, the island-inspired décor creates a warm, laid-back vibe, which is perfect for catching up with friends or grabbing a bite before a show. It’s also a really good shout for bottomless brunch.

I hit Happy Hour and tried their 2-for-1 cocktails – they serve these every day until 7pm and then again from 9pm. The bar was busy but it didn’t affect service – we never had to wait too long.

Staff were quick to recommend drinks, and the cocktails packed plenty of tropical flavour. The menu goes big on Caribbean-inspired dishes with rich spices.

I didn’t get to try brunch, but the colourful plates going past my table looked generous and inviting. Turtle Bay also runs a Late Night Beats and Eats deal – small plates and cocktails for a good price if you’re out late.

It’s right in the city centre, just a short walk from the train station, O2 Academy, and Theatre Royal. Super handy, whether you want a full meal or just drinks before heading out.

Location: 117 Newgate St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5RZ, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 191 230 4002

4: Blackfriars Restaurant

Blackfriars Restaurant sits inside a medieval friary from the 13th century. I love this place. The old stone walls and heavy wooden tables create such a wonderful setting, especially at dusk when the lights add a bit of a glow against the stone.

The menu sticks with traditional British dishes, focusing on fresh, seasonal ingredients. The food is hearty and honest – no flashy tricks, just solid flavours. The starters were wonderful. The mains weren’t quite as good, but still a lot of care had gone into the presentation.

We’d visited on a bank holiday and the staff were working so very hard to meet demand. We weren’t waiting anywhere near as long as I’d expected considering how busy they were, and our waiter still made time for some light conversation and professionalism.

Blackfriars is more than just a restaurant though. There’s a Banquet Hall for events, a Cookery School, and a Tasting Room. For example, they recently did a Beer and Bait tasting evening, which I heard was a huge hit.

The newly done-up Cloister Garden is great if you want to eat or drink outside, and they even welcome dogs. Considering it’s also in the city centre, this place really is a great find.

Location: Friars St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4XN, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 191 261 5945

5: House of Tides

House of Tides is a gorgeous restaurant from outside, in – exposed beams in a bright dining room, and most importantly, a warm welcome when we first arrived. The restaurant was busy, but in an atmosphere that felt like everybody there was having a good time either celebrating or just enjoying being there.

The tasting menus are very good here, and highlight seasonal ingredients. Each course showed real attention to detail with absolutely immaculate presentation – I really did feel quite guilty tucking into it. Service was attentive throughout, though we were also left alone and certainly not rushed.

I’d heard complaints that it was expensive, but I honestly believe their prices for fine dining are on par with others, and clearly a lot of hard work went into the creation and presentation of every single dish. I loved all of them.

House of Tides is ideal for anyone after fine dining without the stuffiness. Classic dishes get a fresh upgrade, and the atmosphere makes it easy to relax and just enjoy the food.

Location: 28-30 Close, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3RF, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 191 230 3720

6: 21

I stopped by 21, a modern British spot on the Quayside. The dining room is stylish and rather quirky with its coloured hanging lights – I love any restaurant that likes do to their own thing and I feel like they’ve made this place well and truly their own.

The image above looks as though everything is all very uniform, but they actually have some booth-like half moon areas, which I quite prefer.

The menu changes weekly and offers fixed prices for two or three courses, which is great if you want to try a few things without an eye-watering bill. The kitchen focuses on Modern European bistro dishes, and every plate I tried was spot on.

Staff were standout here – how lovely is it when an entire team of individuals genuinely wants you to have the best time? That’s what it’s like here. We were made to feel very welcome as soon as we arrived, and were thoroughly looked after throughout.

There’s also a private dining room, separate from the main space, which looked perfect for work dinners or small parties. Overall, great location, excellent food, and the staff stole the show.

Location: One Trinity Gardens, Pandon, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 2HH, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 191 222 0755

7: Dobson and Parnell

I didn’t realise this until I was just about to leave, but Dobson and Parnell is the sister restaurant to Blackfriars, which I recommended earlier on. Which makes sense actually, as they are both very similar in what they aim for in terms of dishes, décor and hospitality.

Dobson and Parnell also has a great location, and sits on the Quayside with its refined yet kind of cosy feel about it. The dining space manages to be both elegant and welcoming.

This place was also busy, and clearly very popular. The menu focuses on modern British and European food, with plenty of choice for lunch or dinner.

Weekend roasts are a big deal here, and the set menus are solid value for the quality. Dishes looked great – presentation clearly matters to the kitchen – and it tasted just as good.

Their cocktail list stands out, with some smart little changes on the classics. Staff stayed attentive even when the place got busy, and I always felt looked after.

Location: 21 Queen St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3UG, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 191 221 0904

8: Simla Restaurant

Simla Restaurant sits on the Quayside and has recently been renovated, and they’ve done a great job with the décor – warm and traditional, with modern and elegant touches.

This is a family-run restaurant, from way back in 1861 – testament to their commitment and clearly a very strong reputation. When we arrived, a couple in front of us did not have a reservation, and were asked if they could return in 20 minutes (indeed, they did, and were seated straight away). But I do recommend you book, as this place is often very busy.

The menu sticks to Indian classics, made with care and fresh ingredients. There aren’t any unnecessary twists – just traditional flavours, presented beautifully and prepared to perfection. I heard a gentleman close by saying he’s from India, and how authentic the food was here, and that it reminded him of home. Now that’s a decent review!

They serve wine, beer, and their own gin cocktails which, as a gin fan, I can confirm they were delightful enough to ask for one more than I’d planned to have.

Staff here were so friendly and kind, extremely knowledgable of the menu which is always appreciated, and happily spent time recommending dishes and drinks.

Location: 39 Side, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3JE, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 7917 391319

9: My Delhi Newcastle

Now, another Indian, but presented in a very different way. My Delhi is a Indian street food restaurant that’s won a number of awards, including Britain’s Top Takeaways. But it’s not all takeaways – you can dine in, and I recommend you do.

It’s vibrant and upbeat in here, and clearly very popular. Seems as though the staff were used to it being so busy, though – they were so chilled and welcoming when we arrived, and talked us through some menu highlights so we had a good idea of what to go for.

The menu mixes classic curries with unique plates like roasted mutton and signature chicken dishes. I went for a chicken curry and one of their roasted specials. The flavours really popped and every dish tasted so rich and authentic. It was absolutely divine.

I also loved how they were presented, mostly in trayed dishes. Which sounds casual, and I guess it is – but it felt quirky, and there was nothing casual about how perfectly the dishes had been prepared.

If you’re into cocktails, the bar here deserves a nod. They’ve got a surprisingly good selection here.

Takeaway and delivery are available if you’re in a rush. I loved eating in for the atmosphere, but I’d soon rush to order a takeaway if they were fully booked. It’s that good.

Location: 87A Clayton St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5PY, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 191 230 2302

10: Miller & Carter Newcastle

Now, many of us know Miller & Carter – they have over 120 restaurants up and down the UK. One thing I’ve found though, is that you always know what you’re going to get, generally speaking.

That being said, I have been in some better locations than others, so I was interested to see what Newcastle’s was like. And if you’ve never been to a Miller & Carter, well you need to try it – they are masters at what they do.

Stepping into Miller & Carter Newcastle, I noticed the familiar theme of reds and dark browns, with candlelit tables, and art nodding towards their infamous bull logo. I quite like a dark décor with lighting – it always manages to set the mood, no matter how early your reservation.

Staff are always brilliant at Miller & Carter. I’m sure they’re all highly trained on their menu before they attend tables. Food and drinks were all delivered promptly.

I didn’t have a starter, as I know they’re always good and I wanted to save space to try some big main menus. Between us we tried a 30-day aged steak and a lobster, and both were absolutely spot on. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever had even a mediocre steak here. Every time, they’re exactly how you asked for it.

Talking of which, staff walk you through the different cuts and how it best tastes, just to help you along. Kids are made very welcome here too, and the menu offers them some classic kids’ favourites as well as the opportunity to try new things, like Calamari.

As expected, I had a great time at Miller & Carter. You can’t go wrong here.

Location: 26 Mosley St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1DF, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 191 261 2028