23 Things You Need To Eat In Newcastle Right Now

Because no one loves their scran quite like Geordies. And there's more to our region than a Greggs sausage roll.

1. Indian street food at Dabbawal.

instagram.com

Your eyes will immediately be drawn to the Dabbawal grill (chicken tikka, lamb chop, citrus prawn, seekh kebab, and salmon tikka all on one plate), but make sure you order the vada pao (which Dabbawal likens to a Bombay burger) to go alongside it.

2. The full English breakfast at The Butterfly Cabinet.

instagram.com

Warning: You will have to queue to get inside this tiny cafe in Heaton, a short walk outside the city. But there's a reason: Its breakfasts can conquer any hangover, and it's a lovely family-friendly place to spend a weekend morning.

3. The salmon sakura set at Nudo Sushi Box.

instagram.com

Quick, fresh, and easy to eat on the go, Nudo's two branches in Newcastle serve up freshly prepared sushi that tastes way better than the chains.

4. Burgers at Jam Jar in Jesmond.

instagram.com

Jam Jar is one of the newest additions to Osborne Road in the studenty suburb of Jesmond, and one of the best. Their locally sourced meat gets piled high inside freshly baked brioche buns to make their eponymous Jam burger, and is served with regular or sweet potato fries. (Plus you may want to wash it down with a cocktail or two.)

5. Something fancy and seasonal at As You Like It.

instagram.com

With an ever-changing menu and glamorous decoration, there are plenty of things to eat at As You Like It, a bar just a short walk outside the city centre.

6. Soup and half a pizza at the Settle Down Cafe.

instagram.com

The Settle Down Cafe is known throughout Newcastle for its fresh food, made on the premises. The quirky cafe also has a sister bakery nearby, where, if you're quick enough off the mark, you can get warm cinnamon buns before they sell out.

7. Pie, mash, and mushy peas at Redhouse.

instagram.com

Nestled underneath the span of the Tyne Bridge, this small pub in one of the oldest buildings in Newcastle does one thing, but does it well: pies. The stout, ale, mince, and onion is superb.

8. Afternoon tea at Jesmond Dene House.

instagram.com

For celebration events when you want to push the boat out, there are few places better to go than Jesmond Dene House for the afternoon tea produced by their pastry chefs, which starts at £19.95.

9. The Winner Winner Chicken Dinner burger at Burger Stop.

instagram.com

You may have to dislocate your jaws to wrap your gums around it, but the fried chicken burger at Burger Stop on The Side is one of the city's best.

10. Grilled polenta at Scrumpy Willow & The Singing Kettle.

instagram.com

One of Newcastle's best vegetarian places just so happens to be slap-bang in the middle of Newcastle. Convenient, that. People rave about the grilled polenta, and for good reason: It's delicious.

11. Enormous plates of pizza, pasta, or both at Francesca's Pizzeria.

instagram.com

This Italian restaurant tucked away in a residential area of Jesmond is the cash-strapped student's best secret. A plateful of carbs, split half pizza, half pasta, costs £6.95.

12. Bar snacks at The Broad Chare.

instagram.com

A foodie pub, The Broad Chare is slightly too costly to be your local, but with traditional English pub snacks like pig's ears and Scotch eggs available, you'll have to visit every so often.

13. Literally any pizza at Cal's Own.

instagram.com

Aside from having the most puntastic name in all of Newcastle, this Brooklyn-style pizza joint – which recently celebrated its second year in Heaton – does some great pie.

14. Pad Thai at The Old Siam.

instagram.com

Thai street food has never tasted better than at The Old Siam, which also has a branch in York. And you can get your food to take away, too, if you'd prefer.

15. Cupcakes from the Pet Lamb Patisserie.

instagram.com

With four cupcakes on sale for £5 at this patisserie in Newcastle's iconic Grainger Market, it's all too easy to gorge on food here. The Ferrero cupcake is a particular favourite.

16. The Fat Hippo burger at the Fat Hippo Underground.

instagram.com

This burger joint has managed to spawn a small empire around Newcastle, with a branch in Jesmond as well as an accompanying deli. This city-centre restaurant is the group's latest addition, serving delightfully greasy burgers. Its Fat Hippo burger is a meaty monstrosity you'll not quickly forget.

17. ALL THE CHICKEN at COOP Chicken House.

instagram.com

If you're still hungry after that, get the crumble. They serve it to you by bringing out the tray and spooning it into your bowl until you say "stop".

18. The vegetarian volcano at the Sky Apple Cafe.

instagram.com

The Sky Apple Cafe's menu changes every six weeks, which means you're never going to get tired of the vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free food on sale in this Heaton eatery. Pictured above is the volcano, a monstrosity of sweet potato gratin, refried beans, cheddar cheese, and mozzarella encased in a deep-fried tortilla.

19. Cheesecake at Olive & Bean Cafe.

instagram.com

Olive & Bean offers breakfast and lunch options plus plenty of cakes for those with a sweet tooth. The brownies are great, as are the cheesecakes – and the options change daily.

20. Eggs Montreal at Quay Ingredient.

instagram.com

Because the only thing better than ham on eggs Benedict is smoked salmon. Go here for breakfast or lunch: It's a stone's throw away from the Quayside, where you can walk off the food and take in some culture at BALTIC across the River Tyne.

21. A plateful of smoked meat at Longhorns Steakhouse.

instagram.com

Slow-cooked barbecue meat is the dish of the day at Longhorns – every single day. If you're feeling particularly daring, they do a Man v. Food-esque challenge to eat seven pounds of meat within an hour.

22. A Sunday roast at Blackfriars.

instagram.com

Blackfriars has quite a history: Set up in 1239 as a Dominican friary, it's now one of the city's best restaurants, offering classic British food. And though the surroundings are austere, the prices are as palatable as the food.

23. Mexican street food at Zapatista Burrito Bar.

instagram.com

Zapatista's burrito bar recently expanded from its first location on Ridley Place to one on Grainger Street, just across the road from the Central Station. It's ideal for a snack on a train journey that's more exciting than the buffet car can offer.