2023 didn’t see a huge number of all-singing, all-dancing restaurant openings of any value in Newcastle. Sure, there were 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 over the past five or so years. Maybe 2024 will be different, so these are the new places coming to Newcastle in 2024. See also, Newcastle’s old and closed restaurants.
Previous lists of new openings in…
Updated 28/8/2024 — A-Z list:
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.
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!
Popular chain across London and the rest of the UK, Black Sheep Coffee opened on Grainger Street on 8 Feb 2023. Great location, and better than the vacant units blighting that part of town.
The Bonny Comet is a cafe/bar/restaurant in Low Fell, the likes of which Gateshead sorely needs.
490 Durham Rd, Low Fell, NE9 6HU
Buddha Beat is a second take on River Beat. It’s in Sunderland! It’s at the loss of the OG site, which has now sadly closed. Already also closed, and I believe the owner is now cooking at Ellisons in Low fell.
Burger Shake Sleep Repeat is yet another burger place on Dean St — already not loving the rainbow themed bagels… (March). UPDATED: Already closed!
Butakan is a ramen and Asian-fusion place on Gallowgate which looks great to be fair.
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
Cantina is a veggie taco unit currently residing in Zerox bar of all places – looks canny though. Closed after a short residency.
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
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.
Chart House rebranded to focus more on food (I believe) and less of a bar for oldies. On the Quayside. Already closed! And soon to be Dood, by the Dabbawal/Khai Khai team, though don’t know too much about it yet.
63 Quayside, NE1 3DE
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
Similarly, the same team is opening a brunch/lunch cafe-type restaurant Isla, in Durham city centre, expected to open Summer 2024. Should be really good. Make it three, there’s a wine bar opening across the road from the same team too.
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!
Italian chain 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.
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.
Deli Churros sells – guess – and opened on Ridley Place near Zapatista, and others. Huge unit, just for churros(!?). Opened in August.
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.
Ouseburn Coffee’s Milk Bar never really took off, step forward Flight Bar, a similar wine bar concept, but this time from the Nest guys. More of the same, but hopefully does better. Same spot, on Heaton Road.
See also, Layover, a seasonal themed-cocktail bar nearby from the same team – 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).
Cafe Flore opened late 2021 and is a brunch-y venue with everything Instagrammable… Closed shortly after.
Flower Cafe is another NE1 place that is based around suspended plastic flowers from the ceiling. Not sure if this is a bar-cum-cafe, we shall see.
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).
The WC got a second venue just next door, The Gin Closet — presumably the smallest bar in Newcastle.
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 it 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!
Little further afield but Horticulture is opening in Whitley Bay. It also rebranded pepo very quickly into more of spin on Horti’s espresso martini take, with El Guapo – the same thing but with a Mexican twist.
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 and soon to be replaced by hot chocolate shop Knoops just in time for the colder weather.
I Scream for Pizza is joining Sunderland in the Sheepfold development with pizzas and ice creams.
Speaking of which, the Sheepfold Stables development opened in August 2024, and also has:
Street food from The Calabash Tree, small plates at Vito’s Osteria, fusion food Ember, another outlet for Deep North doughnuts, same for Mother Mercy, whiskey specialist Spey Snug, and probably more as the site evolves.
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. And that means Kennedy & Rhind closing the Jesmond site, and taking over – the old Quilliam Tea place by the University. Should be better for all involved!
Kimchi Planet moved into Newcastle Uni’s SU, away from Sandyford.
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.
Koji is a take on Miso but in Sunderland. Next door to Mexico 70 and opened in November 2023.
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.
Another Little Lobo is coming to Whitley Bay, where they continue to be popular.
The Little Dumpling House expanded into Jesmond which makes complete sense – on Brentwood Ave. with a slightly larger menu,
Lovage is a restaurant/bistro in Jesmond – family-run, neighbourhood style, and deep within Jesmond. Opened late-September and looks decent!
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 has 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.
Chain-but-good Mowgli is (I believe) taking the Cafe Royal location off Grainger St. Works underway, maybe end 2023?
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.
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 areas eating in general.
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.
Ever popular Horticulture is getting a sister site next door, in the old Intermezzo — it’s called Pepo.
Ouseburn Coffee have opened The Milk Bar on Heaton Road. Small plates, wines, coffee, good vibes, you know the sort of thing. 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.
See also, behind this Pablo’s, Leave Me Alone, Lisa an extension to Pablos, offering natty wine, margs, and small plates. Nice!
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. One relaxed bistro dining, think Patricia-lite, and the other breakfasts and cafe vibes, a la Normans’c Cafe. In Gosforth — Ophelia opened in Jan 2023. Cafeteria was ahead of its time and didn’t last too long which is a shame.
As if Lovage wasn’t enough, the team are also opening similar-ish restaurant Oster in the old Pizza Express location on Gosforth High Street. Opened late November 2023.
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. Very good! Also opened a bar across the road in November 2023 which is great called ro. Which happens to be home to popup Patty Melts – does what it was on the tin but one of the best burgers in all of the NE.
Rockcliffe Hall is getting the entire Raby Hunt team given that is packing in January 2024. Should be exciting, and very £££. The initial popup ‘for now’ is called Terra by James Close. Very £££.
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.
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.
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. Looks like a good 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 of a day, I don’t know too much more about it. Opened in March 2024ish.
The 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. More of the same, surely?
Souffle Baby, is a souffle pancake specialist on Clayton Street
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.
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.
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.
The Ivy isn’t taking over the old Byron site (which END snapped up) but seem set on opening in Newcastle as per all other major cities in the UK.
Thirteen – little detail on this one other than it is a viennoiserie opening in Heaton! Which could be great.
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.
Wendys 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. Opens mid-2024.
Wok India is a fusion take on MyDelhi (from the same team) – opened off the Coast Road in a takeaway-only guise.
Zinc is an interesting second venture from the guys at Route. It’s gonna be in Sunderland(!)
40 Ounce is one of those burger vans that does well on social. It’s on the Team Valley.
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