Moving to university is a big experience and you’ll want to find out a lot about your new city once you’re settled. One thing about Newcastle that really sets it apart is its constantly growing food scene that caters for all tastes With several hundred restaurants and cafes squeezed into a compact city like Newcastle, you could likely eat dinner in a different restaurant every week and never eat in the same place twice, but it’s still wise to have a few ideas about where to start.
First thing’s first, we all need a few ideas for quick lunch places to grab something between lecturers that’s a bit more exciting than a sad egg and cress sandwich. Just off Northumberland Street, Ridley Place offers two budget-friendly student favourites - Zapatista and Frankie and Tony’s. Zapatista offers a selection of popular Mexican dishes like fajitas, burritos and quesadillas which you order like you would at Subway, with a wide choice of fillings for whatever meal you choose. Lunch here won’t set you back much more than a fiver. Frankie and Tony’s provides a wide selection of sandwiches made to order, and it’s common to see the queue out the door and down the street. If you’re feeling adventurous or live nearby, the award-winning Dene’s Deli in Jesmond is worth the trip for the outstanding selection of sandwiches as well as homemade cakes and biscuits. However unusual and quirky your perfect sandwich is, Dene’s Deli is almost guaranteed to be able to make. Nudo, a chain selling Japanese small eats like dumplings and sushi, is also worth a try.
Going out for dinner is a great way to treat yourself when you’re a student and get to know your new friends better. Newcastle offers an impressive array of cuisines from Korean to Peruvian as well as exciting developments in vegan dining. If you’re wanting to make your money go further there are a handful of buffets that are excellent go-to choices for eating out. Laus 202 covers pretty much all bases when it comes to Chinese food and also offers sushi and made to order desserts. Aneesa’s on the Quayside will satisfy if you’re looking for Indian food, and if you just can’t decide, Za Za Bazaar in the Gate offers international cuisine with student discount. Watch out for offers during freshers’ week.
And finally, a couple of tips for foodie success. Make sure to check out Chinatown, which includes a fantastic supermarket, two buffets and Dojo, an outstanding Japanese restaurant that even has a Hello Kitty karaoke room. Newcastle also has restaurant week, occurring both in January and August, in which many restaurants offer two- and three-course meals for £10 or £15. Not only is it a great chance to see what is on offer, but it can also mean savings on the regular menu price, so make sure to try out some new places then.
Newcastle really is a foodie’s dream so eat well and enjoy yourself!
