Breakfast:
Starting off strong, The Dispensary - located right next to St James’ Park, is one of my favourite places to eat in Newcastle. I’ve taken multiple trips there, and it always delivers delicious food. The Dispensary is an all-day, science themed, brunch restaurant with a range of menu items that will leave you wanting more. We’re talking pancake stacks, French toast, full breakfasts, avocado, chicken and waffles … the list goes on. Furthermore, the restaurant is fully halal and has gluten-free and vegan options, so there really is something to suit everyone! They also regularly bring out specials, including a menu just for pancake day, which I’m already looking forward to trying out next year!
Lunch:
Dot Bagels. These aren’t just any bagels. They’re fully loaded, and New-York inspired, with some of them also having a North-East spin. They include ‘North-East Parmo’, ‘Salt on Chilli Rd’, and the ‘All Dayers’. Dot regularly updates their menu too, bringing out exciting, and even more incredible (if that’s possible…), flavours three times a year, with a choice of both sweet and savoury options. They also offer a range of sides, dips, and drinks and there’s a good vegan selection too. Dot currently has five locations dotted around Newcastle … trust me when I say you NEED to try it out.
Tea:
If you like handrolled, fresh pasta, you should go to Zucchini Pasta Bar. With one restaurant located in Newcastle city centre, and another in the Metrocentre, it’s never been easier to get amazing pasta! With dishes like 'Pappardelle 6 Hour Beef Shin’, ‘Fettuccine Black Truffle Cream & Chestnut Mushroom’, ‘Vegan Spaghetti Midnight Pasta’, and ‘Fettuccine Spicy Sausage, Tomato & Nduja Ragu’, as well as a range of sides: ‘Twice fried truffle potatoes & garlic mayo’, ‘Zucchini shoestring fries & chilli mayo’, ‘Italian pork belly bites’, and desserts, including ‘Tiramisu’, ‘Cinnamon Sugared Pasta Snaps’, and more! Of course, no trip to Zucchini Pasta Bar would be complete without ordering ‘The famous garlic ciabatta garlic bread and pizza dip’, which having tried and tested it myself, I can confirm it lives up to the hype.
Gyros. Halloumi. Souvlaki. Moussaka. If these words sound appealing, you should try out Kafeneon, a Greek restaurant located on Bigg Market. Serving a wide range of food, as well as a huge cocktail menu, this Greek restaurant is one to visit. Aside from the tasty food, the inside has a cosy vibe, the staff are very attentive, and the service is super-fast - what more could you want?! Plus, it has a popular outdoor seating area, which makes it perfect to visit all year round. It’s no secret between anyone that’s visited before, Kafeneon is a great restaurant, and I think we can all agree that the chips are insanely good!
Honorary Mention:
Although it’s not technically a restaurant, it only felt right to include an honourable mention of Greggs, since you’ll find at least one on just about every street in Newcastle – and we wouldn’t want it any other way!