Spanish food in Newcastle remains largely underrepresented, with a few true ‘tapas’ style places that really hit the mark when it comes to food from the continent.
But mostly, there’s places which ‘do tapas’ which amounts to just deep-frying just about anything, sticking it in one of those balti-style dishes, and calling it a day. I’m not including those here, but those which instead having a Spanish focussed menu, serious attention to paella (know what a socarrat is), something a bit more than patatas bravas and watered-down lemonade Sangria. If some more Spanish-food loving chefs wanna come to Newcastle and open up somewhere like Barrafina, there’s definitely a market for it here.
Kaltur (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
📍 19 Dean St, NE1 1PQ
Kaltur has been the flag bearer for true Spanish ingredients in Newcastle, stemming from its owners being importers of Spanish olive oil and wines. The cooking strays from ‘just bravas’ so expect pork secreto, tuna & avocado tartar, and some other more exciting dishes alongside the ones you’ll know and love. Great food, and even better wines and sherries — the bill can and will add up, though.
Cafe Andaluz (⭐️⭐️⭐️)
📍 87-89 Grey St, NE1 6EG
Spanish chain restaurants have had a tough decade across the UK, with many of them disappearing altogether, and certainly now absent from Newcastle. Cafe Andaluz seems to tick a lot of people’s boxes though. It’s one of those places that’s reliable for meeting friends – relatively well priced and those ‘expected’ Spanish dishes. If not much like you’ll taste en España itself, it’s still alright.
Kaltur Dean Street (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
📍 19 Dean St, NE1 1PQ
A second branch of Kaltur, the Dean Street site seats a few more than its sister High Bridge unit. Expect very much more of the same, however here they’re hosting more events such as Spanish wine tastings,
Really good, and in my view, the best purely Spanish restaurant in Newcastle. Mildly inconsistent, but what you’ll get is decent.
El Torero (⭐️⭐️)
📍 Milburn House, Side, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1PR
It may well be the Newcastle OG, but I wasn’t impressed at all by a recent visit to El Torero. Some still rave about it, but for me, it’s about twenty years too late, and needs a few new tricks if it’s to be up there with the more modern restaurants.
Fuego, Fenwick (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
📍 39 Northumberland St, NE1 7AS
Fuego is more of a Mediterranean-focussed menu, but its lofty position in the Fenwick food hall makes it another easy one for ladies who lunch, and meeting pals for an informal few dishes. Bit of a mixed bag, but most of what you’ll get here is of some quality, whether it’s large gambas, decent charcuterie, or pork belly pintxos which are worth your time.
El Coto (⭐️⭐️)
📍 21 Leazes Park Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4PF
See: El Torero — from the same owners. Been around a while, but things move fast, and these two longstanding Newcastle restaurants have failed to keep up.
The Continental (⭐️⭐️⭐️)
📍 29 Collingwood St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1JE
The Continental was sister bar to Dacantus, and everything I said about that bar applies here too. It’s a gin bar first and foremost, but if you wanna stay for food, you won’t be horrified. Just know that there are better choices in Newcastle for a sit down tapas experience.
La Casa Delicatessan / La Gamba (⭐️⭐️⭐️)
📍 Unit 39, Alley 1, Grainger Market, NE1 5QG
Again, not really a restaurant (especially as you’ll not be able to access it after about 6pm), but the sister component to Spanish deli La Casa, La Gamba is Newcastle’s first and only vermuteria, with classics like chorizo in cider, charcuterie, cheese, and croquettes. It’s simple, much like you’ll find in any bar on the Costa.
Selected Others
These might be a little further out, but are worth mentioning all the same.
Boquerones (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
📍 94A Heaton Rd, NE6 5HP
Not far from Newcastle but at least a restaurant having a real go, Boquerones is a bit of a gem of Heaton — decent cooking, well priced, it’s a good time. Even if it doesn’t invoke the strongest memories of nights in Malaga, it’s a fair tapas restaurant.
Sobremesa
📍 207a Chillingham Rd, NE6 5LJ
Update: Sobremesa was a great bar/restaurant in Heaton, but has recently changed hands so unable to comment.
Spanish restaurants that have been and gone
Tapas Revolution — had two pops at both Eldon Square as well as the Metrocentre but couldn’t make either work. A shame as I didn’t think they were too bad at all.
Dacantus — was more of a gin bar, but did tapa with drinks. it made way for Cafe Mercy in 2023.
Do you think I’ve included the best Spanish restaurant in Newcastle on this list? If there’s somewhere better that I’m sleeping on, do let me know.
Not including information on takeaways/home delivery services, and only those in Newcastle city centre (give or take!). Information last updated February 2024.