The Best Newcastle Quayside Restaurants To Visit
The Newcastle Quayside is one of the most popular parts of the city, especially for visitors looking for good restaurants, bars and a Geordie atmosphere. The view of the bridges is what makes the city so recognisable, and the hospitality you’ll receive while you’re here is the friendliest in the UK. So if you’re looking for Newcastle Quayside restaurants to enjoy during your visit, here’s a list of some of the best.
There’s all sorts of cuisine to enjoy down by the river Tyne, everything from Italian or Indian, to Asian, steak and Michelin star dining experiences. Not forgetting family friendly and casual settings too. The Newcastle Quayside restaurants cover all bases.
Italian Restaurants On Newcastle Quayside
Italian is always a favourite and caters for many tastes, and the Italian restaurants on Newcastle Quayside are no exception. Some of the best Italians in Newcastle can be found along the river, with views to match the quality of food.
Babucho
Babucho is a popular choice, a New York style Italian brasserie with plenty of tables, a good bar area and an outside terrace that has a cover. It has a good atmosphere and a varied big menu, with food that gets no complaints. It’s often a good one for families, graduations, groups, work nights or occasions as they cater for bigger groups.
They often have deals on their cocktail menu, which you can enjoy even if you aren’t eating, and other menus include a designated Sunday menu, a kids menu and plenty for vegetarians. Find Babucho on Side just up from the Quayside, and you can see the full menu here.
Gino’s
Gino D’Acampo’s restaurant is one of the newer restaurants in Newcastle, and can be found along the quayside as part of the INNside by Melia hotel that opened in 2021. Gino’s restaurant is excellent, it became one of the most sought after places to eat as soon as it opened, so you often have to book in advance.
The menu is excellent, with so much choice and always great quality. Despite being part of a hotel it doesn’t feel like that, with a lively buzzing atmosphere and a modern bar to enjoy a drink before or after your meal. The glass front means it’s one of Newcastle’s Quayside restaurants that really makes the most of the view.
Read my full review on Gino’s here.
Other Italian Restaurants on the Quayside
Sitting just behind the quayside is Gusto, in a lovely building with a terrace for sunny days, and they serve a varied menu that features favourites as well as seasonal choices, in a lovely setting.
Just behind the riverfront sits a number of beautiful old streets, including King Street which is where you will find Sabas. This is one of the oldest Italians in Newcastle as it’s been there for over 25 years, and they serve Italian tapas or Cicchetti.
Uno’s Trattoria is another old favourite, having sat in their fabulous location under the Tyne Bridge since 1989. It’s traditionally Italian inside, and they serve a typical menu that people return for time and time again. They also do a pasta and pizza happy hour.
Steak Restaurants on Newcastle Quayside
Although you can get a steak at a number of Newcastle Quayside restaurants, you can’t get better than Tomahawk. They may be a chain, but the meat is always fabulous, delicious and served with some of the tastiest side dishes.
On the top floor of Tomahawk is Rio Steakhouse, which is a Brazilian traffic light system where they carve various meats at your table for as long as your light is on green.
Fine Dining Newcastle Quayside Restaurants
If you’re looking for some fine dining options on Newcastle Quayside, there are a few to choose from that are often voted as some of the best restaurants in Newcastle.
House of Tides
House of Tides is Newcastle’s only Michelin Star restaurant, as well as the many other awards that adorn the walls of the Grade I listed building on the quayside. It’s a beautiful spot with river views, serving exceptional food as part of their tasting menu created by Kenny Atkinson.
It’s obviously not cheap, with menus at £125 per person and £70 for the wine pairing. Find out more and book your table in advance here.
Dobson & Parnell
Another award winning restaurant with exceptional food in a sophisticated setting is Dobson & Parnell, in another unique building this time on Queen Street. The menus here are always changing with the seasons, and they also offer a tasting menu.
They do excellent cocktails, and host a BYOB night once a month. Again it’s not the cheapest but you’re paying for the quality, and they do have offers on lunchtime deals and pre theatre menus.
Find out more and view the menus of Dobson & Parnell here.
21
21 is the biggest jewel in the 21 Hospitality Group crown, owned by Terry Laybourne with restaurants all across Newcastle, this is one of the best on the quayside. Their food is delicious, and there’s a lovely atmosphere in the restaurant, ideal for an occasion.
Indian Restaurants on Newcastle Quayside
There are three Indian restaurants on Newcastle Quayside worth mentioning, Simla and Rasika are both modern casual restaurants, and as everyone loves a curry they’re always busy.
Khai Khai is the newest in a beautiful building on Queen Street, and their smoke play menu is hugely popular, with tables booked up weeks in advance. They aim to serve authentic, but natural flavours from different regions.
See more on Khai Khai here.
Pub Restaurants on Newcastle Quayside
There are three stand out pubs to visit for good pub food on the quayside…
Broad Chare
A traditional ale house in a beautiful spot on Broad Chare, the Broad Chare pub and restaurant are my personal favourite in Newcastle. The food is hearty, and delicious, they have a good range of bar snacks that you can have on their own or as starters, and the staff are all very friendly and welcoming.
Dogs are welcome downstairs, and their Sunday lunches are the best you’ll have in Newcastle. They are part of the 21 Hospitality Group, and although 21 is fine dining, this place is up there with it.
The Redhouse
One of the most striking looking buildings on the quayside, The Redhouse fills the Grade II listed building, and is a very traditional pub. They are famous for their home made pies, which they serve with mash as well as a selection of real ales. A locals favourite.
Bridge Tavern
The Bridge Tavern is right underneath the Tyne Bridge, and is a welcoming pub with pub grub on the menu, a good atmosphere, and an outside terrace that can get very busy on warmer night in Newcastle.
Other Restaurants in Newcastle
These Newcastle Quayside restaurants don’t really fit into any of the other categories but are very much worth a mention.
Aveika
Aveika is an Asian restaurant and bar that can get pretty lively but the restaurant is fabulous. The sushi is the best on the quayside, fresh and delicious, and the mains, meat skewers and truffle edamame are highlights. Ask for a table by the window to watch the world go by, and enjoy the view. You’d be silly not to sample a few of their cocktails too, they’re worth it!
Hard Rock Cafe
The rock n roll themed American chain arrived in Newcastle not too long ago, and is already a family favourite. They’re right on the quayside by the Tyne Bridge so views are unbeatable, and they serve their range of different burgers.
Mantra Thai
Further along the Quayside up on Forth Banks you will find Mantra Thai, an authentic Thai restaurant with experienced chefs and lots of flavoursome dishes. The sizzling garlic prawns are amazing!
There’s plenty of choice when it comes to Newcastle Quayside restaurants, whatever your preferred taste and whatever the occasion. Make sure you book especially for weekends as it gets busy and you don’t want to be disappointed.
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