How To Spend A Weekend In Newcastle
WHERE TO EAT
In recent years, Newcastle’s food scene has gone from strength to strength, partly thanks to chefs returning north after cutting their teeth in the capital. For fine dining, book a table at House of Tides, which has retained its Michelin star for nearly a decade. Headed up by chef Kenny Atkinson, diners can enjoy a tasting menu of modern British dishes that showcase the best produce from the region. The restaurant is housed in a former 16th-century inn by the quayside, with rustic interiors and cosy lighting. It’s a particularly good idea to visit on Sundays, when the team serve a three-course feast, including a roast dinner with all the trimmings, for just £45pp. Atkinson’s other Michelin-starred restaurant in the city is Solstice, which opened two years ago to rave reviews. Just a few minutes down the road from the chef’s original outpost, the restaurant is even more modern in its approach, offering delicately plated dishes in its bright dining room.
Elsewhere in the city, Cook House offers beautifully presented plates, but in a more relaxed setting. Founded by restaurateur Anna Hedworth (who also owns bar Long Friday), the restaurant is spread across two shipping containers, with corrugated walls and simple décor that adds to the rustic feel. The menu changes daily in line with the seasons, but current highlights include scorched asparagus with brown crab aioli and cured egg yolk, crusted hake with bacon crumble and summer veg, and strawberry and elderflower pavlova with lemon chantilly. Diners also book in for its famous roast chicken Sundays – served from the pan and accompanied with all the trimmings. Rebel, has a similar feel, but dishes are served in its narrow dining room, which is home to chic interiors and interesting artwork. Here, it’s all about delicious dishes comprised of just three or four hero ingredients – think beef cheeks with kohlrabi and lovage. There’s also an interesting wine list featuring organic and biodynamic bottles.
Over in Jesmond, one of the city’s upmarket suburbs, Loveage is a neighbourhood restaurant serving Mediterranean food. Open from Wednesday to Sunday, it offers excellent value for money – the set lunch course costs just £30 for three courses. Lunch could include burrata with peaches, tomatoes and, unsurprising – lovage – followed by gnocchi with lamb ragu, and pistachio tiramisu. Then there’s its sister restaurant, Osters in Gosforth. The cooking is also excellent, but there’s more of a focus of seafood and veg-centric dishes. Just a short walk away is another upmarket eatery: Ophelia. The French bistro headed up by chef Nick Grieves offers unpretentious French classics, from steak hache and steak frites to Toulouse sausage with potatoes. There’s a great selection of cheese for afters, as well as a cellar full of low-intervention wines, inspired by the team’s love of France.
Unsplash/Ross Sneddon
For something more casual, book a table at Miso, a small Japanese restaurant at Ouseburn, the cool residential development home to galleries, cafés and more. What started as a street food stall is now a restaurant with an open kitchen and a long bar, where diners can watch the mixologists create interesting Japanese-inspired cocktails. The otsumami menu features sharing plates of tempura, karaage, gyozas, bao and cold dishes. A great spot for a date or a relaxed Sunday evening. Then there’s Khai Khai, one of the city's top Indian restaurants, serving comforting dishes inspired by the team’s family recipes from Delhi and Lucknow. The ‘smoke and fire’ menu means that everything is cooked over open flames or hot grills, from chargrilled meats to flavourful curries. Highlights include minced lamb with petit pois, saffron paneer tikka, achari tiger prawns, tandoori broccoli and its signature Old Delhi butter chicken. Be sure to add on sides like black lentils, Bombay aloo, spinach poriyal and butter naan.
You’ll find plenty of small neighbourhood restaurants run by friendly locals in the city, but one of the best is Small Canteen in Sandyford. Created by Sam Betts (loved by foodies for his no-nonsense approach to cooking), the restaurant is a tiny dining room, serving affordable and hearty dishes, like confit pork belly, roasted cod with spring greens, and beef shin with polenta. Elevated school dinner-style desserts include plum crumble cake with custard, and cherry Bakewell tart. For all-day dining, head to Kiln, a café and ceramics shop known for its Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food. The dog-friendly restaurant serves baked eggs, shakshuka and Turkish breakfasts, followed by giant sourdough sandwiches, mezze platters and pints in the afternoon.
Another great brunch spot is Ernest in Ouseburn. Expect classic breakfast grub, as well as hash bowls filled with crispy potatoes and finished with savoury toppings. Alongside burgers and other dishes from the evening menu, diners can take advantage of its Margarita Monday offer, when cocktails are £12 for two. Other casual options in the city include Pranzo Trattoria & Deli, which serves tasty focaccia sandwiches, pizzas and pasta, as well as Chucho's, a lively Mexican-inspired restaurant and bar serving everything from breakfast through to dinner. Expect tacos topped with zingy and spicy salsas, cheesy quesadillas, tortillas and guacamole, and spicy Patron margaritas.
Finally, just outside the city, you’ll find one of the region’s most popular eateries: Riley’s Fish Shack in Tynemouth. With a string of five-star reviews from critics, the shack has become synonymous with excellent seafood you expect up north. Open daily during the summer months (before its sister restaurant takes over in winter), guests can sit inside the small shack or around the fire during its firepit feasts. Expect dishes like hand-dived scallops, crispy John dory with capers and lemon, and homemade crumpets with poached eggs and smoked trout. You can also book workshops to learn how to fillet and cook fish to perfection and visit its online shop to order at-home seafood curry kits.
WHERE TO DRINK
You’ll find excellent wine and cocktails at most of the above restaurants, but if you’re after a cool wine bar, there are a few worth knowing. French Quarter has a relaxed vibe and, as you’d expect, a great selection of French wines, from biodynamic bottles to classic burgundies, as well as organic wines from small European producers. You can enjoy a selection of small plates alongside a bottle, or cheese and charcuterie boards. Long Friday in Jesmond (from the team behind Cook House) is another good spot for a glass or two. Open Wednesday to Sunday until late, its cocktail list includes all the classics, as well as signature drinks like the ‘Pear Spritz’ made with Ratafia Champenois, poached pears and brandy; and the ‘Theft & Shrubbery’ made with Cachaça, raspberry eau de vie and blackberry shrub. These are served alongside a selection of seasonal plates, from bar snacks to seafood dishes and boozy puddings.
Finally, for pints, cocktail pitchers and Sunday roasts, make a beeline for The Tanners Arms at Ouseburn. DJs and live musicians set the vibe most days in its dining room and courtyard, and there are regular sports screenings. The roast dinner is award-wining, partly thanks to its huge Yorkshire puddings and hefty gravy boats. You can also pop in for pub quizzes, activities for kids during the holidays and vinyl sessions.
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VISIT & DO
Newcastle-upon-Tyne is home to a cool cultural scene, pretty parks, and fascinating museums. For a culture fix, the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead is a must-see. Housed in a former flour mill on the banks of the River Tyne, this free gallery showcases ever-changing exhibitions of modern art. Nearby, you’ll find The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, an iconic music venue offering everything from classical concerts to big-name performances, all housed in an impressive glass structure overlooking the river. Afterwards, a trip to Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle’s creative quarter, is essential. The Biscuit Factory, an independent art gallery, is filled with contemporary works from local and national artists, while little ones will love Seven Stories, the National Centre for Children's Books.
History buffs and children will also love the Discovery Museum, which delves into Newcastle's industrial past, with exhibits on the city's role in shipbuilding, science, and engineering. Don’t miss the impressive Turbinia, once the fastest ship in the world, which takes pride of place in the main hall. The city is also home to some of the most iconic landmarks in the northeast. Tyne Bridge, the city’s most recognisable symbol, dominates the skyline. This steel arch bridge, completed in 1928, links Newcastle to Gateshead and offers sweeping views of the Tyne. A walk along the Quayside is a great way to take in the views of the landmark, along with several other bridges that span the river, including the innovative Gateshead Millennium Bridge, which tilts to allow ships to pass underneath.
During the summer months, head to Leazes Park. Just a short distance from St James’ Park stadium, the green space offers boating on the lake and wide lawns for soaking up the sunshine. Plus, over in Jesmond, there’s Jesmond Dene, a leafy park that feels like a countryside retreat within the city. This peaceful green space is perfect for a leisurely stroll or picnic, with its winding paths, waterfalls, and the pets' corner for kids.
SLEEP
You won’t find an abundance of upmarket hotels in the city, but there are a few good options to choose from. The most luxe is Jesmond Dene House, a boutique hotel in the park of the same name. This historic property combines interesting period features with modern comforts – think inglenook fireplaces and oak panelling against a backdrop of contemporary interiors. Its AA Rosette restaurant (with prices to match) serves classic British dishes, and guests can enjoy drinks and snacks on the terrace.
For something more affordable, INNSiDE by Meliá Newcastle, located along the quayside, has recently been renovated with colourful décor and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Tyne. Ideal for LuxeGens, or those staying for just one night, there’s a rooftop bar and restaurant where you can order crowd-pleasing dishes and cocktails. Lastly, Roomzzz Newcastle offers serviced apartments in the city centre. Each apartment is spacious and equipped with kitchenettes, ideal for longer stays or families.
GETTING THERE
By train, Newcastle Central Station serves as a major hub on the East Coast Main Line, with direct services from London (around three hours) and Edinburgh (90 minutes). If you're flying, Newcastle International Airport offers flights from various European cities and domestic routes, with a 20-minute drive or direct Metro link to the city centre. Plus, DFDS Seaways operates a ferry service between Newcastle and Amsterdam – if you’re after a double city break.
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