The rate of new openings has slowed down a little. over the past few years, after the period before COVID saw dozens opening (and closing) each year. Sure, there has been some more, ‘better’, chains, and the usual shite with plastic flowers on the ceiling, but there’s not been as much of an influx in interesting new places as there has been recently, very telling of the state of the economy, and the hospotailtiy trade. Maybe the back end of this year will be different, so these are the new places coming to Newcastle in 2025. See also, Newcastle’s old and closed restaurants.
Updated 15/05/2025:
Opening / opened in 2025.
Alan the B In Gosforth looks like a semi-interesting cafe, drinks from Room for Fishes(?).
25 Station Rd, South Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 1QD
Babucho took over the site that was Loch Fyne a while back in Gosforth on the HIgh Street.
The Old Church, West Ave, Gosforth, Babucho NE3 4ES
Blacks Corner is the latest popup to appear in Fenwick, alongside Colmans.
Cantina is a veggie taco unit currently residing in Zerox bar of all places – looks canny though. Closed after a short residency. BUT! Opening on Heaton Park Road in Q2 2025.
107 Heaton Park Road
Crust Social in Tynemouth, opened a fully-fledged restaurant, after the Land of Green Ginger popup(ish)
14 Percy Park Rd, Tynemouth, North Shields NE30 4LP.
Daveys is taking over the Cafe Flore site on 26 Market Street. Offering a sit down service as well as the usual breakfast bits etc. I shall give it a go when it opens.
26 Market St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6EQ
Fentimans are the latest pop up in Fenwicks, replacing what was similar but different Barbour cafe.
The former OG Longhorns is having a second go with Bubba’s BBQ ‘coming soon’.
Flower Cafe is opening another site in Whitley Bay. Yawn.
Fluffy Fluffy is another Japanese pancake place on Grainger St, opened Jan 2025.
Freight Island is taking over Debenhams unit in Eldon Square and is gonna be a huge site.
Fuochi is opening a second site in Sandyford.
House Brown is a coffee shop in Old Eldon Square, looks alright. Opened Q2 2025.
Laneway is opening where Toast was in Tynemouth.
Lobo Rojo is taking over the Ophelia site, its third or fourth now.
Luckie’s isn’t a restaurant, but a good bar that’s taken over The Patrica site.
Popular chain Maki & Ramen is coming to Eldon Square this summer.
Mother Mercy continued their expansion to Heaton on Chillingham Road in Feb 2025.
Pick Thai is a new Grainger Market option. Along with The Forest Boost, Crepes Gourmet, and others.
Pho is coming to Newcastle’s Grainger Street after Yo! Sushi closed that prominent location.
Roma is another coffee shop in Heaton. Decent though, from the owners of Elder (Jan 2025).
Soku looks great – opened as the first pop up in the lockup, home for temp restaurants but really looks like a great menu and already a sucess.
Savour Bakery is on Coatsworth Road and is doing some good things with pastry. Been popular since opening.
Sunshine is a new Eritrean and Ethiopian restaurant that’s opened near Gallowgate. Something a bit different from another Chinese buffet at this site at least…
This is Doner is a followup to Burger Drop on Westgate Road.
Tilia is somewhere that opened on Osborne Road, continuing a fine tradition of bang average brunch places in Jesmond. Students and shitty bloggers alike will love it.Wingstop is getting a site in Eldon Square, should fit right in. Opened in Feb 2025.
Opened in 2024 (and some earlier than that)
40 Ounce is one of those burger vans that does well on social. It’s on the Team Valley.
A series of Indian restaurants have opened recently, with big PR openings, including Chakhdoom in Jesmond. They seem to be very flashy, so time will tell if the food is any good or not, but they’ve all been influencer central.
Abajo is in the Grey St location that no-one else wants, downstairs formerly La Vina and more. Weird ‘bar & grill’ with burgers and sports and fried stuff.
Acropolis keeps opening places all over the shop, with one in Aberdeen and another more recently early 2024 in the Metrocentre if you can’t get enough gyros. Blue Mall, Metrocentre, Gateshead.
Ad Gefrin is not strictly Newcastle but it looks ace. Distillery and huge site near Wooler which I’ll visit soon.
Akbars took the site of Luigikhans which closed during the pandemic.
Another Little Lobo is coming to Whitley Bay, where they continue to be popular.
Axis is an awesome little craft beer/wine outlet in the Gateshead arches, taking over the mantle from Block & Bottle. See also, Microbus Gateshead, very similar but different. 16 Wellington St, Gateshead, NE8 2AJ.
Banh Mi Ngon does what it says on the tin – opened in December 2023 with legit-ish banh mi serving out of Ridley Place. Didn’t market it enough and it already closed after about six months which is a shame as it was canny. 11a Ridley Place, NE1 8JQ.
Bawn was born out of Eleven. Slight change of concept towards small plates, natty wines and pizza. Love it! April 2023.
Birria Bella is a birria‐themed concept doing… just birria in Jesmond. It’s in the old Papa Ganoush gaff. Update — it moved to the Punchbowl site early this year. Same thing though.
Be at One took over The Waiting Rooms location – more of the same, just a refurb really.
Beer Drop is an offshoot from The Rare Drop beer/bottle shop. Crafties in the ‘Heed, opening end Sep 2022. 529-531 Durham Rd, Low Fell, NE9 6HX.
Bijoux Burger took over when Longhorns finally fully kicked the bucket. Looks grim. Already closed and replaced with something equally awful looking — Native Cave. 10 Mosley St, NE1 1DE.
Big Fat Donut Co. has taken a full site in the Gateshead arches by Microbus and Axis above. Vegan doughnuts. Arch 14 Wellington St, Gateshead, NE8 2AJ.
Black Hack Coffee is an old converted London Taxi selling coffee out of the back. It’s in the church by St. James. Update: moved to by The Helix!
The Bonny Comet is a cafe/bar/restaurant in Low Fell, the likes of which Gateshead sorely needs. Update: closed already and reopened under new ownership as more of a bar I think – Comet Social in last 2024. 490 Durham Rd, Low Fell, NE9 6HU.
Cafe Andaluz is an extension of a tapas venue we first visited way back in about 2008 in Edinburgh and has taken over the old Carluccios. Really not bad at all, for a chain. 87-89 Grey St, NE1 6EG.
Castros opened in mid-2021 but didn’t get any other mention here. Old Beeronomy site which had numerous problems, is now Cuban bar and restaurant. 3-5 Hood St, NE1 6JQ.
Chart House rebranded to focus more on food (I believe) and less of a bar for oldies. On the Quayside. Already closed! Dood is the latest venture from Dabbawal Group, which opened in its spot. Persian twist on the Khai Khai formula, opened in November 2024 and is pretty good. 63 Quayside, NE1 3DE.
Cafe Flore opened late 2021 and is a brunch-y venue with everything Instagrammable… Closed shortly after.
Cinnabon seems to have had a queue since it opened in August 2023 in the old Patisserie Valerie unit.
Coarse have opened in Durham city centre after their crowdfunding. Great value set menu, should be awesome, and a very welcome addition to Durham. Reform Pl, North Rd, Durham, DH1 4RZ.
Isla – (the same team is opening a brunch/lunch cafe-type restaurant in Durham city centre, expected to open Summer 2024, with an additional wine bar across the road).
Cosmo World Buffet replaced Lau’s 202 which closed sometime during the pandemic. More of the same (shite).
Dakwala opened on Grainger Street, clearly taking inspiration from Dishoom, but I’m not so sure if it’s more style or substance. Will get there soon. Update: not too bad!
Deli Churros sells – guess – and opened on Ridley Place near Zapatista, and others. Huge unit, just for churros(!?). Opened in August.
Del Archo is a Mexican restaurant opening on The Side – don’t know too much about this. Update – think cancelled and is now Hula Co. which looks very average at best.
Doppio Malto is taking a site in the Metrocentre in Q1. Italian brewery + restaurant.
Dot Bagels went from expanding quickly, to closing, and re-opening. They’re back in Chilli Road and soon to be Acorn Road mk2 as well.
Dot Bagels have been through some bother and consolidated its brand with Brew & Bite, leaving them out of Backyard Bike Shop. Dots loss is By the River sub-brand Knead & Favor’s gain – selling legit focaccia looking sandwiches. Look very good.
Dough is a new place in Whitley Bay that opened May 2025. Seems like just another cafe, but we’ll see.
Dough Daze is a new pizza restaurant – 20″ers in the old Manny’s Site. Looks alright, if not a saturated market these days. There’s a second site which opened in May/June in Middlesbrough, somehow. Dick’s in Whitley Bay is doing similar, but look more like traditional dollar slices.
Donzoko is opening a taproom in Ouseburn sometime in Q3 2024, likely next to be a banger.
Fab Bakery is opening a second site for the residents of Gosforth, on Ashburton Road – very convenient.
Faru is a restaurant of former House of Tides alumnis, opening in Durham and launching with a £98 menu. One to watch.
Firestone Pizza opened in the Haymarket, offering pizza by the slice.
Flight Bar – (stepping in as Ouseburn Coffee’s Milk Bar never really took off; a similar wine bar concept from the Nest guys on Heaton Road, with a seasonal cocktail bar Layover nearby, July 2023).
Franco Manca might be taking a spot on Grainger St – also very much needed in terms of Grainger St. Not sure about another pizza restaurant though (even if it is genuinely superb).
Rapidly expanding chain Friez & Burgz looks like it’s opening across from the Haymarket. Don’t really rate it, but I know many do.
Gaucho is opening opposite where STACK was. Argentinian grilled meat place that’s popular in other cities in the UK. Generally well regarded (for a chain restaurant).
George’s Fish Kitchen is now open again in place of whatever was there with a very similar name, but is actually a different business. Not really bothered enough to know if it’s any good or not…
Greggs continue to take over the world, if not Primark at least – with a pop-up cafe promised this year.
The Grey Owl is a followup to Hibou Blanc, more of a cafe/bar format, might be interesting. It’s on the corner of Grey St and High Bridge.
Heavenly Desserts is another dessert cafe place just off Newgate St. Looks pretty unremarkable?
House Bar is The Town Mouse part 2 – in Heaton. Very nice! September 2023.
Hugo’s took over the Big Mussel site, looks to be a standard bistro type affair. Need to go here to see what the craic is. Rated highly but I’m taking IG posts with a huge pinch of salt so far. Update: closed after less than a year!
Horticulture – (Little further afield but Horticulture is opening in Whitley Bay.)
Horticulture – (Ever popular Horticulture is getting a sister site next door, in the old Intermezzo — it’s called Pepo.)
Irish Bars — because they’re just what Newcastle needs, aye? TWO of them opening this summer, The Dubliner at the old Julies on the Quayside, and Katie O’Briens (of course). Somewhere to corral the stag and hens, maybe…
Island Poke opened its first branch outside of London in May 2023. Poké bowls by the monument, very bougie. I like it! Update: Didn’t last six months 😢 – closing in December 2023 was replaced by hot chocolate shop Knoops just in time for the colder weather in December 2024.
I Scream for Pizza is joining Sunderland in the Sheepfold development with pizzas and ice creams.
The Ivy – (isn’t taking over the old Byron site but seems set on opening in Newcastle, possibly in the old bank at the top of Grey Street).
Karen’s Diner is a restaurant ‘concept’ whereby the waiting staff are apparently all ‘Karen’s’ and is intentionally rude. I can’t believe this is A) a thing, and that B) anyone would go more than once, but hey. Surprise me.
Kennedy & Rhind + Dot Bagels was a collab I didn’t see coming, but the two businesses are now under the same parent after the Dot Bagels drama of 2022 – meaning the Jesmond site closed and the old Quilliam Tea place by the University is now taken over. Should be better for all involved!
Kimchi Planet moved into Newcastle Uni’s SU, away from Sandyford.
Leave Me Alone, Lisa an extension to Pablo’s, offering natty wine, margs, and small plates. Nice!
Lagom is a coffee bar which looks ace where The Canny Goat used to be by Blackfriars.
My Delhi opened a site in Sunderland, must be doing well!
Miso is a restaurant in the Ouseburn theme on Japan’s izakaya bars. Looks really good actually – will get along soon enough for a proper run-down. Unit 1 Ford St, Byker, NE6 1NW.
Missy Milieu’s is an ‘all-day relaxed bar & bistro’ which opened up on the Side. Bit of a doomed location, but we’ll see how they get on. Update: closed pretty quickly. Replaced with Hula Co, a Hawaiin vibe with poke and bottomless brunch, from The Twenty Twenty team.
Mexican is flavour of the year apparently – Bijoux gave way to Motel Mexicana, with tacos and margs, obviously. Remains to be seen if either are good, or if this is Bijoux with a facelift. Tacos look shite to be fair – opened in March 2024.
Mowgli – (chain-but-good Mowgli is taking the Cafe Royal location off Grainger St. Works underway and has taken a very long time, but is penned to open in March 2025.)
Mr. Bao does what it says on the tin, as baos continue to grow in popularity. It’s by the Tyneside Cinema, and seems to do just baos. I’ll check it out soon. Opened Q1 2024. Closed not long after!
Native Cave is an African/Carribean seafood and grill restaurant that has opened in the former site of Longhorns. Looks… not great.
NQ64 is a games/bar in the old Intermezzo site — untapped market in Newcastle (no food, just drinks).
Nori in Jesmond/Acorn Road is a ramen house, menu tbc but should feed the Jesmond students quite happily. Opened end-Sep.
North is a small plates / wine destination in Seaburn, looks OK especially given the low-ish quality of the area’s eating in general.
Nudo Malatang is the rebrand of Nudo Noodle House — same owners etc. but this time is do you own bowls.
Oki Poke is a new poke bowl/sushi gaff from the people that ran Stixs when it was in STACK. Chinatown/Gallowgate area.
Oodles is a pretty awful takeaway unit on Grainger Street which appeared in June 2023 – see also, Chili Flame on Newgate.
Oster – (as if Lovage wasn’t enough, the team are also opening a similar-ish restaurant in the old Pizza Express location on Gosforth High Street. Opened late November 2023.)
Ouseburn Coffee (Milk Bar) – (opened on Heaton Road; small plates, wines, coffee and good vibes; update: already closed).
Pablo Eggs-Go-Bao thankfully opened an NE1 site late last year giving more of us access to dreamy breakfast baos.
Parmorama did the Chilli road thing of opening up following some good success on the street food circuit. Taken over the site formerly occupied by Big Banh, who have done the reverse and went back to mobile only. Actually really good parmos. April 2024.
North Shore Coffee opened on Chilli Road – very welcome. (As did The Canny Goat – another NE1 transplant also welcome!)
Ophelia and Cafeteria are the two next ventures from Nick Grieves of The Patricia. In Gosforth – Ophelia opened in Jan 2023; Cafeteria was ahead of its time and didn’t last too long (ophelia followed in November 2024; sad for the region).
Pho is taking over the Yo! Sushi site on Grainger St, opened in February 2024.
Popeye’s is a chicken fast food-er popping up in the Metrocentre in August/September.
Ramen on Front Street is a pop-up happening in Gareth James’ chocolatiers that looks to be fiiiiine.
Rebel is a proper restaurant from former House of Tides geezer Lindsay Rushton. See also Motus Dining, a popup from some of the same team. Also opened a bar across the road in November 2023 which is great – called ro, home to popup Patty Melts (one of the best burgers in all of the NE).
Rio / Tomahawk / I don’t understand the branding is opening in the Metrocentre, yawn.
Rockcliffe Hall is getting the entire Raby Hunt team given that it is packing in January 2024. Should be exciting, and very £££. The initial popup ‘for now’ is called Terra by James Close. Very £££.
Roost took over the Coop site and, though on first glance looking very similar, seems to be more of a bar than a restaurant.
Rudy’s is a pizza chain originating from Manchester which has expanded quickly across the UK and has chosen Durham for a site in November 2023. Still as good as ever. Opened on Grey Street in December 21 2024.
Salparo opened in the old Route location on the Quayside, Greek/Mediterranean vibes.
Sanskrit is a new Indian restaurant neighbouring Pizzeria Italia. Very rustic, decent food; it opened in May 2024.
Six by Nico is popular in tons of other cities, and seems to be giving Newcastle a go – Grey St / High Bridge. Possibly mid 2025.
Societe Cafe Bar opened on Grey Street (top end, opposite END) and is a cafe with some French-inspired… pizzas? Have to check this out sometime.
Slice is a pizza joint in Seaham which has joined Vaux brewery. Is an alright slice!
Social Bird is in the Hotel Indigo which was formerly Marco Pierre White. As the name suggests, it’s all chicken but apart from the buzz around the opening lasting all day, I don’t know too much more about it. Opened in March 2024ish.
Sheepfold Stables development – (opened in August 2024, and also includes street food from The Calabash Tree, small plates at Vito’s Osteria, fusion food Ember, an outlet for Deep North doughnuts, the same for Mother Mercy, whiskey specialist Spey Snug, and probably more as the site evolves).
Sofia in Sunderland is a small plates & wines place from the Wildfire / Little Shop team and should be pretty good.
Solstice is the new gaff replacing the now-closed Violets. Aiming for two stars, surely.
Souffle Baby, is a souffle pancake specialist on Clayton Street.
Stack has a dedicated St. James Park location now for those who like that.
Stixs moves out of Stack into a permanent site near Gallowgate for fried chicken, dumplings, and more.
Tasty by Greggs is a pop-up cafe in Primark because OF COURSE IT IS.
Thali Tray got a second site in Sandyord, operating as a coffee shop ‘Kaapi Coffee’ through the day. Expect more of the same. Update: Already closed Q2 2025 – opened as a new restaurant concept without the thalis, ‘Tadka’.
Tsujiri is a matcha tea specialising venue on St. James Place, if you’re into that kinda thing. Nice looking desserts, too.
Toast at the Coast is the latest venture in the Riley’s domination of Tynemouth – looks very good. See also Riley’s Fish Shop. If Toast is about croissants & coffee, the fish shop is halibut steaks and natty wine. Superb.
Thirteen – little detail on this one other than it is a viennoiserie opening in Heaton! Which could be great. Update: not happening, though there is the imaginatively named The Bakery in Heaton which looks pretty good!
Twenty Twenty is a bar/pizza concept on the Big Market. Pizza looks: not very good, we’ll see.
Two by Two Brewing are opening a taproom in Hoult’s Yard, v excited for this one! Mid-August 2022.
Veganatomy have taken their HWKRMRKT stint over to Heaton and are opening a full-time do. Always highly-rated, and a loss for vegans given the not-looking-good future for By the River given the Tyne Bridge repairs.
Vampire Rabbit is a cocktail bar that occupies the space of the Continental. Should have left it as is, IMO.
Wendy’s is the latest of the US chains to give it a pop over here. They’re taking over the corner of the Bigg Market I believe, which… is just a bit grim.
Wildfire Pizza are moving out of their current location and into a dedicated space — Hanover Place, Deptford. It will be ace, surely. Opened mid-2024 and is ace.
Wok India is a fusion take on MyDelhi (from the same team) – opened off the Coast Road in a takeaway-only guise.
Zaap Thai opened a site in Durham in Sep 2024.
Zinc is an interesting second venture from the guys at Route. It’s gonna be in Sunderland(!) Update — doesn’t seem to be happening now that Sheepfolds is up and running.
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