Restaurants
Every palate is catered for here, from the recent explosion of a Japanese-dining scene to restaurants intent on sourcing the finest local produce.
At the high end of the market, look out for restaurants including Fisherman's Lodge and Jesmond Dene House (both located in the Jesmond Dene area), Cafe 21, House of Tides and, slightly further afield, The White Room at Seaham Hall Hotel. All offer fine dining at its most exemplary and come with a raft of awards and recommendations.
There's just as much choice in slightly more laidback surroundings and fans of Far Eastern food will thrive here. Japanese restaurants such as Fujiyama and Wagamama complement the plentiful array of Chinese restaurants in Chinatown. The city's West End offers a great choice of Indian restaurants, too. Meanwhile, Middle Eastern cuisine is becoming increasingly popular; try A Taste
of Persia or Flatbread Cafe.
Provenance is more than just a buzz word these days and many restaurants strive to make the best use of the wonderful produce grown and reared in North East England. A few such eateries which are highly regarded include Blackfriars, a 12th century monks' refectory, now serving modern British cuisine, Comfort Food Co, whose efforts in publicising local farmers are much lauded, and the simply elegant
Grainger Rooms. The region has become famed for its excellent local produce, from Craster smoked kippers to Northumbrian cheeses, not to mention the wealth of fresh fish delivered straight from the North Sea. These restaurants make the very best of the local catch.
On a similar note, Secco Ristorante Salentino is a three-story cafe-bar and restaurant which sources the finest produce from both Southern Italy, as well as closer to home in Northumberland with a policy only to use fresh and seasonal produce. The results are tremendous.
If you're on a budget, Italian is always a good option and you'll find some great little trattorias in the city; Pizzeria Francesca in Jesmond and Uno's on the Quayside are both hugely popular, inexpensive and full of life. Every night is a celebration here! Piccolinos is another stylish Italian, in the Trinity Gardens development on the Quayside, particularly popular straight after work.