The last few years have seen the restaurant and bar scene in Newcastle quite literally explode! Attracting top boutique hotels, restaurant chains and some of the biggest names in entertainment to Newcastle and its surrounding area, here’s the Luxe Bible round up of new restaurant and bar openings in Newcastle for 2025, including those set to open later in the year.
Fayre Play (opened August)
Fayre Play brings fairground games, food, cocktails and prizes to The Gate. The North East’s adults-only funfair which already pulls in the crowds in Scotland is perfect for a bit of competitive fun where games will include Track Star, Shots Fired, Tins on the Toon, Milk It and Plenty of Fish plus multiple chances to win their iconic giant ducks. Meanwhile you can enjoy big juicy burgers to re-fuel the fun from Burger Drop.
Assemble Newcastle (opened August)
This brand new wine bar and café which is a sister venue to House Bar Heaton and Town Mouse Newcastle offers up small plates, quality coffee and natural wine in a relaxed, welcoming space. Located near Monument, you can enjoy Assemble’s collab with Soku Kitchen Thursdays to Saturdays. Check out their Instagram here for updates and to hear about their latest collabs and pop-ups. Walk ins are welcome.
District, Whitley Bay (opened August)
We noticed that District – a neighbourhood wine bar and bottle shop on Park View in Whitley Bay has quietly opened. Pop down Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 12-9pm and Sundays 12-6pm to enjoy 12-15 wines by the glass in the bar, or take something home with you after perusing 400 bottles in the shop. This new venture from Philip Richardson whose grandfather was a wine merchant in London, even offers Bruno Paillard Première Cuvée Extra-Brut NV house champagne by the glass.
Lane 7 (opened July)
Lane 7’s ‘playground for adults’ has just opened at The Gate in Newcastle. Bowling, karaoke, darts and gaming are all on offer at this OG venue which has everything from beer pong to ping pong. It’s great for larger groups and they have a bar and restaurant on site with snacks, loaded fries, beers, wines and cocktails. Get planning your Christmas party here.
Angel’s Share in Jesmond (opened July)
Our new favourite hangout is self-serve wine bar Angel’s Share in Jesmond on St. George’s Terrace. Serving up a really cool concept, you can try wines normally available by the bottle at the touch of a button. Take a seat and peruse the wine list or head for the self-pour area and read the tasting notes on each which range from smooth to light and juicy, fresh and crisp or full bodied. Once you’ve decided what you’d like to try, select 50ml, 175ml or 250ml, tap your card or phone to pay and hit the button again to dispense. Pair with delicious small plates and enjoy! A fun and accessible way to enjoy a range of delicious wines.
Fire Leaf Tonic (opened July)
This Indian fusion restaurant on Waterloo Street near Newcastle Central Station has opened quietly with Fire Leaf Tonic offering up Hyderabadi cuisine as well as pizzas. From tandoori mixed platters to the Hyderabadi biryani, we’ve heard good things. Check them out here.
Maki & Ramen (opened June)
With outposts in all of the big cities, Maki & Ramen have finally opened in Newcastle’s Eldon Square. Specialising in ramen and sushi, this Japanese favourite with a flower covered ceiling handcrafts every noodle with care, while their broth is said to simmer for a whole eight hours to achieve an unrivalled luxurious flavour. From black garlic tonkotsu to chicken karaage, there’s also a great vegan offering. See the menu here.
Moku (opened June)
Strictly speaking, Moku is a re-launch (formerly Hula Co.) With a re-brand in June, Moku offers up an Hawaiian inspired menu ‘bringing island flavour to Newcastle’ with Asian, Latin, American and Portugese influences. From ono beef strips with hoisin and sesame to sticky pulled pork, this place knows how to bring the vibes. As well as the main menu, they do set menus and a bottomless brunch. Head to their website to browse and book.
Cantina (opened May)
Following an 8 month pop-up at Zerox on the Quayside, Cantina have opened new premises on Heaton Park Road. This contemporary Mexican restaurant offers up vegan friendly food ranging from tacos to totopos with a tasty brunch menu and innovative cocktails in a cool, relaxed setting. We’re loving the sound of their BBQ’d tenderstem with mole poblano, pepitas and macha.
Lubber Kitchen (opened June)
This cool little kitchen on Blandford Street features the best of European home cooking and natural wines as well as house infusions and seasonal ferments, while the menu changes frequently. Lubber Kitchen’s accessible space also doubles as Slack’s Studio – home to Slack’s Radio, while it’s also dog friendly with walk-ins welcome. Open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays both as a cafe and as a restaurant offering dinner service, we love the sound of the torched mackerel with pea, beetroot and creme fraiche. Check out their Insta here.
Dakota (opened March)
With hotels in Manchester, Leeds and Scotland, one of the biggest openings this year has been beautiful boutique hotel Dakota Newcastle which is situated at St. Anne’s Wharf at the Quayside and boasts gorgeous views of the Tyne from some of the biggest hotel rooms you’ll find in the city. There’s a 24 hour gym and excellent steak restaurant, as well as Newcastle’s only bar humidor and outdoor cigar terrace. They do great special offers which often include overnight stays, dinner and breakfast – book via their website.
Mowgli (opened March)
Celebrity chef Nisha Katona clearly has great taste choosing Newcastle as the latest location for her chain of authentic Indian restaurants. This Instagrammable eaterie which occupies a prime spot on the old Café Royal site on Nelson street is popular for its Indian street food concept. Their £40 feasting menu is filled with yoghurt chat bombs, fenugreek kissed fries and tiffin boxes of classic curries, while rope swings, wooden tables and twinkling lights adorn the space. Book here.
Pilgrim (opened January)
Formerly Hoochie Coochie, this well-loved Newcastle bar re-opened as Pilgrim back in January with a fabulous makeover. With artwork murals from North Shields artist Pete Manning, the new venue showcases top artists featuring jazz, soul, funk, house and disco.
Opening Soon in Newcastle
Flight Club Newcastle (November)
Coming to Eldon Square on 7th November, this winter is a one-of-a-kind bar and social experience made for gathering all your mates and doing something a little bit different. With interiors inspired by fairground nostalgia, Flight Club combines the adrenaline rush of darts with sourdough pizzas, signature cocktails and a dash of competitiveness. Forget Jim Bowen Holness, this is immersive, re-vamped, 21st century darts using clever tech and auto scoring for groups of up to 12 per oche.
The Green Room, Theatre Royal (opening Autumn)
The Green Room at Theatre Royal will soon be open to the public, but currently you can visit an hour before your show and during the interval. The bar has a gorgeous modern look with rustic green tiles but the overall feel is inspired by centuries of Theatre Royal History. Exposed pipework, slick lighting and a beautiful grand piano complete the look.
Pablo Eggs Go Bao, Pilgrim Street
It’s hard to describe just how good a bao bun is from Pablo, but if you know you know! They’ve already sprinkled the bao dust across Whitley Bay, Sunderland and Newcastle, but rumour has it there’s a flagship opening on Pilgrim Street. Does this mean they’re expanding the menu further? Keep an eye on their Instagram page for deets.
Hotel Gotham (opening September)
Set to open in September, Newcastle’s opulent new hotel which has transformed the old fire station will boast 57 beautifully designed rooms with a theatrical edge. Featuring a private bar called Club Brass for hotel guests and VIPs, the old police station next door is also currently undergoing renovation and will be ready to welcome guests in early 2026. Siren Restaurant with Exec Chef David Kennedy at the helm will offer up honest farm-to-fork food, while Fire Bar’s cocktail list is set to be one of the hottest in the city, served with bar bites and live music and DJs on their courtyard terrace. You can book in advance here.
Sanco
The Sanco opening has been set back by a few snags but will bring authentic wood-fired Neopolitan pizza to The Forge on Forth Banks. Serving up margs and martinis and hinting that their menu will include the humble margherita and a meat feast extravaganza, keep an eye on their progress here.
Six By Nico
Six By Nico’s food concept has gone down a storm in every one of the cities it has opened in so far. Their value for money set menu which changes theme every six weeks has included Chippie, Childhood and Fairground. They’re currently running a crowd funding opportunity, and we’ve no word at the moment on when or if Six By Nico will be heading to Newcastle.
Freight Island (opening Autumn)
Opening this Autumn, Freight Island will launch in Eldon Square towards the end of the year with a huge multi-experential entertainment venue. With their successful Manchester venue having opened in 2020. Freight Island is hoping to bring the same vibes to our city with family friendly fun, street food, entertainment and DJs and nightlife events. Read more about the opening here.
Davey’s (opening September)
Opening this September on Market Street in Newcastle, there’s a load of hype around Davey’s and if you’ve tried one of their burgers from Gateshead or Sandyford, then you’ll know why! Offering up its usual grab and go takeaway concept, Davey’s will offer an eat in restaurant with table service for the first time, opening for brekkie and all day dining. The menu is likely to include pancakes, burgers, fries and their famous shakes – keep an eye on the exact opening date via their Instagram page.
STACK Worswick Chambers
If you’re a local you’ll already be familiar with STACK St. James, while there was outrage when their first site at Pilgrim Street shut up shop! Well, STACK is back and the new one at Grade II listed building Worswick Chambers will include eight bars, seven street food vendors, two cocktail bars and a roof terrace, plus their famous shipping containers. Set across three floors, and featuring the big screen and stage which STACK is famous for, there’ll be an interactive gaming area as well. We can’t wait to see it.
Fuochi Sandyford
Fuochi is branching out with a second location on the cards for 2025. Said to be taking over the old Geisha site in Sandyford, Fuochi has made quite the name for itself on the quiet, offering up wood-fired pizzas using 48 hour fermented dough. These pillow-like pizzas with delightful toppings (we love the Diego with San Marzono tomato and salty anchovies), are served in a stripped back modern setting and have gained them a cult following. We can’t wait to see what they do next…