Restaurants and Bars

From burger and fries with the kids, to a cordon bleu meal in a top restaurant—from a quiet drink in a traditional pub, to a loud as your eardrums can stand experience in a heaving fun pub—if you want an evening out eating or drinking, then Newcastle city centre has the lot.

If you are looking for a meal that is quick and simple, then the usual burger, chicken, and pizza franchises are represented, as well as traditional fish & chip restaurants, and fast food takeaways. But if you want something more formal, then many types and nationalities of cuisine are on offer in the city.

Chinese restaurants are mainly concentrated in Stowell Street, Newcastle's China Town, and with fifteen outlets varying in style and price there is bound to be something to suit everyone. However, there are a number of other Chinese restaurants around the city which are also worth a visit, such as the highly regarded Waterside Palace in Forth Banks.

Many of the city's Italian restaurants are to be found in the Quayside and Dean Street areas, although once again there are others elsewhere. The whole spectrum is covered, from inexpensive pizzerias like Don Vito's, to more upmarket cuisine in restaurants like the Ristorante Roma.

There are many Indian restaurants covering all the varying traditions of sub-continental cuisine. Among the most highly rated are Sachin's in Forth Banks (a little difficult to find, but worth the effort), and Asha Raval, and Vujon in Queen Street just behind the Quayside.

Many other tastes are catered for with restaurants serving food from Mongolia, Japan, Mexico, America, Spain, Greece, Thailand, France, and of course Britain, and others specialising in such things as seafood and vegetarian food.

There are a number of bistros, brasseries, diners, and cafes, offering everything from a cup of cappuccino to a three-course dinner. Most of the city's pubs also serve food, some just at lunchtime, and some all day, many having fairly extensive menus which offer much more than simple snacks.

For a night out drinking there are three main party areas to head for: the Quayside, Bigg Market, and Haymarket.

The Quayside, and the area around it, contains dozens of pubs and restaurants. The variety of drinking experiences is huge; from a genuine old-fashioned pub like the Crown Posada, to modern, so-called lifestyle bars like Chase, and Pitcher & Piano. The area is popular with locals, students, and tourists alike. Drinks prices are on average greater than in other parts of the city. Be prepared to queue to get into certain bars at busy times.

If you like your pubs loud, brash, and in your face, then the Bigg Market is the place to head for. With fifteen pubs and several restaurants and fast food outlets in a small area you do not need to walk far to have a good night. Most of the pubs have very loud music, and some feature live DJs. Liquid is probably the loudest, Yel the liveliest, and places like Bewicks and the Old George offer a slightly more sedate experience. As with the Quayside, be prepared to queue at busy times.

Haymarket is especially popular with students, being close to both of the city's universities. There are fewer pubs than in the Bigg Market and the Quayside, and they are more spread out. There are theme bars, such as Bar Oz, and the Cajun and Creole bar and restaurant Old Orleans.

If you are looking for cheaper beer, then the area around the central station is worth a visit. The JD Wetherspoon pub at the Union Rooms is the cheapest place in the city centre overall, and Yates Wine Lodge just around the corner has selected cheap beers at all times. Places like the Forth Hotel, the Head of Steam, and the Bridge Hotel all have unique characters and attract loyal regulars.

Many areas outside the city centre have lively drinking and dining scenes. Gosforth High Street, and Whitley Bay are two of the most notable.

A couple of years ago Newcastle was declared to be the eighth best party city in the world. Try it. Find out why.