Where to go for top nosh in Newcastle

The city of Newcastle is packed full of great restaurants, and though it might not have any Michelin Stars on its mantelpiece, the standard of food is still exceptionally high.

Regardless of what you're looking for - whether it's a fancy-pants meal in a snazzy fusion restaurant, a cheap pizza in a high-street chain or the high-speed entertainment of a teppanyaki - the city has it all.

If anything, there is possibly too much choice, so to make it easier when you're staying in hostels in Newcastle, we've come up with a handful of our favourites…

High-street chains

Sometimes it is just easier to go to a place where you know what you're going to get for a price that won't break the bank. While there are loads of great value independents in Newcastle that are well worth visiting, most of the standard chains have got a presence.

Wagamama and Strada

A good place to start with is Eldon Square (the war memorial green that lends it name to the shopping centre). Overlooking the recently restored square are Wagamama and Strada, both of which offer good value food and great lunctime deals.

If you haven't eaten there before, Wagamama does great Japanese-style Asian food that is served super-fast and Strada next-door is your bog-standard Italian pizza and pasta affair. A meal for two including drinks and service will cost approximately £35.

Eldon Square, NE1 6JG
Wagamana: 0191 233 0663
Strada: 0191 261 6070

Pizza Express

Another crowd pleaser is Pizza Express - the Ronseal of restaurants. We have a little tip though – Google 'Pizza Express Voucher' before you go and you'll almost certainly find a code that will get you a big discount on your dinner. Meal for two: £30.

10 Dean Street, NE1 1PG
0191 221 0120

Wetherspoons

If budget is what you're after, you'll never find cheaper than Wetherspoons pubs and, given the price, the food isn't half bad. Deals are always on offer and they do Steak Club on Tuesdays and Curry Club on Thursdays. Newcastle city centre is home to two Wetherspoons establishments about 30 seconds away from each other at the bottom of Westgate Road and there is a third on the Quayside. Meal for two: £15.

Westgate Road, NE1 1TT
0191 261 5718      

Those are our favourites, but you'll also find a Slug and Lettuce, Frankie & Benny's,  two Nando's, Tiger Tiger and La Tasca dotted around the city.

Indian curry houses

If it's a curry you're after, then you've come to the right place. There are loads of great Indian restaurants all over the city, but we've picked out our two favourites.

Dabbawal Street Food Kitchen

​​Named after the Dabbawalas 'lunchbox men' who feed people on the streets of Mumbai, the laid-back eating experience at Dabbawal comes highly recommended and is just two minutes away from Eurohostel Newcastle. It serves street food-influenced dishes (not at street food prices!) through a tapas-style menu of traditional dishes that are snazzed-up and bursting with flavour. Meal for two: £40.

69-75 High Bridge, NE1 6BX
0191 232 5133

Thali

Thali is a fairly standard curry house in terms of decor, but is well priced and the food is great – covering all regions of India without just offering up the stereotypical masala, korma and jalfrezi combos. Meal for two: £35.

44 Dean Street, NE1 1PG
0191 230 2244

Vujon

For an up-market Indian, it doesn't get much better than Vujon. The restaurant's chef won the Newcastle Curry Chef 2011 award, but mains still don't cost more than £15 or £16. Vujon takes Indian cuisine and fine dining and creates a stunning experience that is well worth it. Meal for two: £55.

29 Queen Street, NE1 3UG
0191 221 0601

Italian Restaurants

Our two favourite Italians have been in Newcastle for many years and still offer the same great atmosphere.

Panis Cafe

A bit of a legend in Newcastle is Panis Cafe, hidden away on the narrow and cobbled High Bridge Street. Open seven days a week, it is a laid back Italian coffee bar that does brilliant Italian food informally and without a tricolore tablecloth in sight! Meal for two: £25.

61-65 High Bridge, NE1 6BX
0191 232 4366

Uno's Trattoria
 
For a classic Italian, Uno's Trattoria is right up there and is in a great location beneath the Tyne Bridge. It has been a staple of Newcastle's Quayside food scene for a quarter of a century and still does the same great Italian fare that it always has.

Pizza and pasta cost just £4.75 during happy hour, which between 12pm and 7pm from Monday to Friday and from 12pm until 5pm on Saturdays.

18 Sandhill, NE1 3AF
0191 261 5264

Marco Polo

​​Tucked in on Dean Street, Marco Polo is a distinctly more upmarket Italian that prides itself on fresh ingredients and traditional Italian food. The smart restaurant does the classics well, but if you fancy something a bit more adventurous than spag bol or a margherrita it could be the place for you. Meal for two: £45.

​33 Dean Street, NE1 1PQ
0191 232 5533

Asian cuisine

Newcastle really comes into its own with its selection of Asian restaurants, whether it's Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese or Thai. The city's China Town on Stowell Street is packed full of restaurants and is great for Dim Sum and all-you-can-eat buffets, but there are three that really stand out for us.

Nudo

We doubt there is anywhere in Newcastle that does noodles as well as Nudo, but its sushi is also great. A really informal restaurant, they are happy to take lots of little orders as you work your way through the menu, and their Asian beer is really well priced. Check out the jasmine tea too, which comes with a floating jasmine flower. Meal for two: £30.

54-56 Low Friar Street, NE1 5UE
0191 233 1133

Fujiyama

Fujiyama is Newcastle's number one teppanyaki restaurant and is great fun for anyone who enjoys Japanese food. Your own chef cooks your meal in front of you on an iron griddle, which gives the whole restaurant a real buzz of atmosphere and excitement. Meal for two: £40.

35-39 Bath Lane, NE4 5SP
0191 233 0189

Little Saigon

Located in the heart of the Bigg Market, Newcastle's notorious night club spot, the restaurant is as authentic a Vietnamese eatery as you will find and the food is always cooked fresh with top quality ingredients. Meal for two: £30.

6 Bigg Market, NE1 1UW
0191 233 0766

Contemporary cooking

For a traditional dining experience with a bit more of a price tag, Newcastle has plenty of choice, but here are our top three recommendations.

Six at BALTIC

On the sixth floor of the iconic contemporary art gallery at Gateshead Quays is Six at BALTIC. If you can drag your attention away from the stunning panoramic views of the city to look at the menu, you'll find a well-priced (given the surroundings) modern selection that is nowhere near as pretentious as it should be and does the important things very well. Service is friendly and the wine and cocktail lists are excellent. Meal for two: £50.

Gateshead Quays, NE8 3BA
0191 478 1810

Cafe Vivo
Owned and run by Terry Laybourne, the former owner of 21 Queen Street, the impeccable restaurant next to the Live Theatre offers crisp, contemporary Italian-influenced food. Lunchtime and theatre deals are offered, the service is good and the menu original. Meal for two: £45.

27 Broad Chare, NE1 3DQ
0191 232 1331

Pan Haggerty

Formerly the home of Mr Laybourne's 21 Queen Street - the only restaurant in Newcastle to ever hold a Michelin Star - Pan Haggerty is named after the traditional Geordie potato dish.

Naturally an expert in the local favourite, the restaurant is also particularly good at serving hearty meat dishes where portion size tends towards the large and the food is predominantly British with seasonal ingredients. A good wine and beer list is on offer too. Meal for two: £50.

21 Queen Street, NE1 3UG
0191 221 0904  

Lastly, if it's real budget-breaker, top-drawer stuff you're after, we suggest you have a look at Blackfriars, Jesmond Dene House or David Kennedy's Food Social.

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