Savour the flavour at the 5 best restaurants in Newcastle
There are nights when nobody wants to cook, but everyone wants to eat something good. The group chat lights up, opinions fly, and suddenly we are debating cuisines as if it were a serious committee meeting.
Finding the right restaurant in Newcastle always feels like discovering a new go-to spot for celebrations, catch-ups, or random weekday cravings. Good food has a way of turning ordinary evenings into memorable ones.
So we compiled a list to make choosing your next table a little easier and a lot more exciting.
1. The French Quarter
Address: Arch 6 Westgate Rd, upon Tyne NE1 1SA
Contact Details: +441912220156
Business Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday: 12 PM – 11 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 12 PM – 11:30 PM
The French Quarter opened in 2017 and is run by Cédric and Catherine Boc-Ho. It blends Loire Valley culinary heritage with Northumberland roots in a way that feels genuinely grounded.
The wine list is a highlight, focusing on French regions. Staff are knowledgeable and offer helpful wine pairings, with wine flights available for those who want to explore more.
There’s also an on-site deli selling French cheeses, charcuterie, and wines, adding a retail element that complements the dining experience.
The restaurant itself has a cosy vibe, housed under a railway arch near Newcastle Central Station. The exposed brick and wine shelving give the space character. And the service’s pacing was just right, leaving us satisfied with the experience.
The only downside is the price. It’s a bit higher than other spots in Newcastle, so you might not come here as often, but it’s definitely worth it for a special occasion.
The only downside is the price. It’s a bit higher than other spots in Newcastle, ranging from £26 to £40 for dinner. Meanwhile, the formule du midi offers a more affordable two-course option for £22.95 or a three-course option for £27.95.
Excellent wine list
“It’s a wonderful restaurant with an excellent wine list and a short menu of French dishes, charcuterie and cheeses that is of very high quality. I will warn that portions may be too dainty for the more voracious, but I found it just nice. I could say I polished off my dishes without feeling bloated. Good veggie options in case age old prejudices about French insistence that meat is essential surface. I had the put lentil stuffed courgette main and it was delicious.”
– W Wong, Google Review
Ambience is amazing
“The most amazing find. From start to finish we cannot praise this beautiful restaurant enough. The staff are incredible the ambience is amazing. We sat at the Bar and I think that made our French dining even more of an experience. The drinks are fantastic, and both myself and my husband agree it has been the best meal of our lives. Its not hard to see why this quirky French quarter is rated no.4 in the top 10 of Newcastle resturants. We can’t wait to return.”
– Nycola Melvin, Google Review
2. Turtle Bay Newcastle
Address: 117 Newgate St, upon Tyne NE1 5RZ
Contact Details: +441912304002
Business Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 10 AM – 10:30 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 10 AM – 11:30 PM
Turtle Bay Newcastle is located at 117 Newgate Street, near The Gate and Theatre Royal. This prime location makes it a popular spot, especially before shows and on weekends.
The menu offers a variety of Caribbean soul food, including jerk chicken breast and curry goat, priced around £15 each. Rice bowls are between £10 and £14, and the mains are generally priced between £14 and £18.
The dishes stand out thanks to the 24-hour jerk marinade and coconut rice with peas, giving them a distinct flavour. Drinks are a big draw here, with rum-led cocktails like Reggae Rum Punch and Coconut Espresso Martini to try on.
However, with their 90-minute Beach Brunch or 2-for-£13 cocktail deals, service can slow down, affecting the overall flow of the meal.
Nevertheless, the venue is wheelchair accessible, has dog-friendly areas, and offers delivery via third-party apps.
The reggae soundtrack and colourful interior set a lively, festive atmosphere, ideal for group bookings or celebrations. The variety and pricing felt fair for the city centre, and the energy made Turtle Bay one of the more dynamic casual spots in Newcastle.
Very friendly and attentive
“We loved this place! The interior is amazing, great music, and the food was delicious. There is a lot of choice on the menu. The service was also great! Very friendly and attentive. We really enjoyed our time here and will definitely come back when we visit Newcastle again! ❤️”
– Zainis, Google Review
Attentive service
“Had a lovely lunch yesterday for my sons 30th birthday. Nice and clean. Attentive service. Great choice of food and drink. Lots of great offers. 2 cocktails fir £13, a brunch menu which had lots of choice. You can choose hiw many drinks 2, 4 or unlimited with your foid. Or an peruse thestandard menu. Server was lovely.”
– Stephanie Fawell, Google Review
3. Moku
Address: 90 Side, upon Tyne NE1 1PR
Contact Details: +441912221088
Business Hours:
- Wednesday to Saturday: 10 AM – 10 PM
- Sunday: 10 AM – 7 PM
Moku brings a unique fusion of Hawaiian, Asian, Latin, and Portuguese flavours to Newcastle. The menu runs all day, with breakfast served until around 3:30 PM.
What stands out here is the island-inspired fusion dishes. You can enjoy charred huli huli chicken for around £19, or go all out with the £58 Hawaiian feast board for two or more.
Just a heads-up: the atmosphere feels more like a lively cocktail bar than a quiet dining room, which may not suit those looking for a more formal experience.
Even so, brunch offers variety, from full breakfasts at £14 to Turkish eggs around £9, and poke bowls priced at £10.
They also offer a 90-minute bottomless brunch for about £39 per person. It includes a dish and unlimited spritz, fizz, or lager, with optional cocktail upgrades.
Cocktails are a major highlight, with tiki-style drinks and early-bird deals like £7 cocktails during selected hours. Plus, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are integrated directly into the menu, rather than set apart.
Friendly service
“Delicious brunch spot with very reasonable prices and generous portion sizes! I can vouch for the French toast: a beautiful brioche-style piece of fluffy eggy bread topped with a bright, tart berry compote and rich vanilla ice cream, all complemented by a liberal pour of maple syrup. Highly recommend getting an order of the dirty hash browns for the table! A delectably crispy textural dream with a cheesy bottom and spicy Japanese flavour palette. A beautiful interior, friendly service and gorgeous food — this is definitely one I’m going to be frequenting myself and recommending to visiting friends!”
– Reinders, Google Review
Extremely good value
“From the moment we walked in we felt completely welcome. I’m a coeliac and Andy and Dani explained the menu and I felt reassured by their knowledge around cross contamination. I’d been walking around Newcastle trying to find coeliac safe hashbrowns and they saved me! Highly recommend the hashbowl and the smoothies were to die for. Extremely good value and a beautiful setting. If we’re back in Newcastle we’ll definitely be returning. Thanks for looking after us so well.”
– Rhiannon Hughes, Google Review
4. My Delhi Newcastle
Address: 87A Clayton St, upon Tyne NE1 5PY
Contact Details: +441912302302
Business Hours: Monday to Sunday: 12 PM – 9:30 PM
My Delhi Newcastle has been serving Delhi-inspired street food since May 2019. Located near St James’ Park and Eldon Square, it offers small plates like Gol Gappa, curries, and biryani.
The menu goes beyond traditional curries, featuring dishes like Aloo Tikki Chaat and Butter Chicken 1950s, as well as tandoori grills. The Delhi-native chefs bring authenticity to the food, with a great balance of spice and depth.
Recognition for My Delhi is strong, having won the UK Best Street Food Restaurant title at the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards. And, being featured on the BBC’s Britain’s Top Takeaways adds extra national credibility to that.
Service runs daily, with dine-in options, delivery through Uber Eats and Deliveroo, plus private catering for events.
All meat is halal, and vegetarian and vegan dishes are integrated across the menu. The kitchen is nut-free, with trace warnings.
Moreover, their dining room has an energetic, colourful vibe that resembles the lively markets of Delhi more than a formal Indian restaurant.
Just note that a 10% service charge is automatically added here, regardless of the service experience.
Plenty of tasty food and drink
“Plenty of tasty food and drink, my friends and I thoroughly enjoyed them. Lucknow’s Royal Briyani was fantastic, wish I had more gravy. Amritsari fish was savory and I like it. The paneer my friend ordered was delicious. The Emperor’s Rose was sweet and refreshingly cool. On top of these, Charlotte helped make my friend’s birthday extra special by giving her a slice of cake! Thank you for the amazing experience, she was very full and happy for the remainder of the night as well as the rest of us. I highly recommend this restaurant for not only it’s fantastic food, but excellent service too.”
– Dan Stryker, Google Review
Authentic and tasty
“Wow! This is now my favourite restaurant. The staff, the food and the added little acts of service was amazing. We were served by the beautiful Eliana, who was so friendly (she even worked on her birthday)!! I’ve never tasted anything so authentic and tasty. Will be a new must 🥰 🤤 ❤️”
– Alana McGrory, Google Review
5. Miller & Carter Steakhouse
Address: 26 Mosley St, upon Tyne NE1 1DF
Contact Details: +441912612028
Business Hours: Monday to Sunday: 12 PM – 11 PM
Miller & Carter is a premium British steakhouse located on Mosley Street, near Grey Street and Theatre Royal.
All steaks are 30-day aged British and Irish beef. Popular cuts include the 8oz fillet, priced £38–£40, and the 12oz ribeye, priced £37–£41.
Their “Masters of Steak” recognition is well-earned. Staff guide diners through cooking levels and cut differences. Each steak comes with a signature steak sauce and seasoned fries, ensuring a consistent and structured experience.
Beyond steak, the menu offers salt-and-pepper calamari and pan-roasted lamb rump. Their plant-based options, grilled salmon, and indulgent desserts, such as baked cheesecake, make it a good choice for mixed groups.
The wine list includes pairing suggestions and themed menus, like the Thursday “Dates & Steaks,” which offers set prices for three courses.
Visually, you’ll appreciate the elegant interior with leather seating and warm wood that creates a sophisticated atmosphere, ideal for celebrations or date nights.
On the downside, pricing can add up quickly. With large steaks exceeding £40 and steak experiences for two ranging from £39 to £78, you might think twice if you’re considering this place.
Service was brilliant and fast
“Mark was our server this afternoon between 12-1:30 and all I can say is he was a charming person to be served by! He was happy and bubbly and very helpful when it came to the menu or getting us some take away boxes for our left overs. Overall the service was brilliant and fast! We’ve been served by mark before in October and he was just as brilliant then! He’s a credit to your team at miller and carter Newcastle!”
– Jessica Basford, Google Review
Friendly, efficient, and very timely
“I dined here on Thursday 13 th November with my niece who is attending Newcastle University. It was meant to be a treat for her but I also selected the restaurant as I am allergic to garlic and thought it was the style of cuisine that could cope with this . Absolutely it was . We arrived separately and there was a very warm and friendly welcome. I had made a reservation beforehand and the hostess instantly clarified my allergy . Our steak expert was Mark who advised on the menu very capably and was able to accommodate all our requests with ease . His service was friendly, efficient and very timely . This is difficult to achieve these days .We opted for the 3 course set menu which was delicious .”
– Wendy Mitchinson, Google Review