Where to Eat in Jesmond, Heaton and Sandyford
There's always something new to discover in Newcastle's chicest neighourhoods
Jesmond Dene House
Jesmond Dene Road, Newcastle NE2 2EY
0191 212 3000
jesmonddenehouse.co.uk
Home to Fern, the popular neighbourhood dining room and bar, at Jesmond Dene House you’ll find the team of chefs producing contemporary, flavour-packed dishes that reflect the seasons. A relaxed and welcoming environment, it’s a great meeting place, with an enticing range of cocktails, beers and spirits, and a newly introduced evening à la carte menu of changing seasonal dishes. This summer, keep your eyes peeled for their monthly Neighbourhood BBQs in The Secret Garden.
Arlo
36–38 Brentwood Avenue, Jesmond NE2 3DH
0191 281 4838
arlojesmond.com
This daytime café and evening bar and bistro is much loved by locals who enjoy the pavement-side seating (with heaters and blankets) and the great food. The breakfast menu (served until 3pm on Sundays) has all the classics alongside more unusual offerings like their Hangover Hashbrown Hash. The lunch menu includes a chermoula roast vegetable salad and a tempura cod katsu, or catch up over a selection of small plates in the evening (Wednesday to Saturday).
Chakh Dhoom
127 Osborne Road, Jesmond NE2 2TB
0191 307 7300
chakhdhoom.co.uk
This sophisticated restaurant serves authentic Indian street food in the heart of Jesmond and the carefully-curated menu is inspired by the diverse flavours of India. It’s popular with locals, and they also offer a special Indian Sunday roast – be sure to check out their wine list when you visit too.
Tantara
105 Osborne Road, Jesmond, NE2 2TA
tantaradining.com
This is the newest place to head for exceptional Indian dining in Jesmond. There’s a range of influences, from the cuisine of East Bengal and Bangladesh to the cafés of old Calcutta. Inside, enjoyed sumptuously moody interiors.
Long Friday
46 Brentwood Avenue, Jesmond NE2 3DH
0191 281 5626
longfriday.co.uk
Simple and relaxed dining from the people who brought you Cook House, this popular neighbourhood restaurant specialises in imaginative small plates using the best local ingredients, wines by the glass and creative cocktails.
Lovage
115 St George’s Terrace, Jesmond NE2 2DN
0191 429 3750
lovagejesmond.co.uk
There’s limited opening at this Michelin Guide-recommended restaurant in the heart of Jesmond but it is worth booking to try the Mediterranean-inspired menu of small, sharing and large plates all accompanied by an extensive wine list, beers and cocktails. Sunday lunch here is something of a must.
Burts
208 Heaton Road, Newcastle NE6 5JT
07768 950 285
burtsburgers.co.uk
This is the cool younger brother of Flint pizza, offering retro vibes and excellent burgers. The menu is a simple, split between burgers and snacks, but the choices are elevated beyond what you might expect. Think anchovy and hot honey toast, cheddar and jalapeño cornbread, and green chilli burgers.
Flint Pizza
218a Chillingham Road, Heaton NE6 5LP
07858 149970
flintpizza.co.uk
This restaurant and takeaway on buzzy Chillingham Road might be compact, but their delicious and authentic wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas deliver big on flavour, keeping loyal customers coming back time and again. Take your pick of toppings and be prepared to be wowed by their delicious dough. They have recently added a few more tables inside, but be prepared to wait for your order (it’s worth it). We’d also recommend looking out for their changing menu of natural wines, charcuterie and seasonal small plates.
Cantina
107 Heaton Park Road NE6 5NR
0191 250 9160
cantinancl.com
This laidback restaurant may be small but its plant-based menu packs a punch. Expect a selection of tacos alongside small plates influenced by contemporary Mexican street food and a great selection of sweet and savoury cocktails.
Aidan’s Kitchen
11 Starbeck Avenue, Sandyford, Newcastle NE2 1RH
0191 261 6852
aidanskitchen.co.uk
The brunches and lunches in the Sandyford café proved so popular they had to open another branch, Little Aidan’s, in Gosforth. Customers make a constant beeline for their brunch classics and fluffy pancake stacks, you’ll find options like a Korean short rib sando, Moroccan eggs and Biscoff French toast. Make sure to head over on the first Friday of every month for their head chef’s Drum ’N’ Thigh fried chicken pop-up, but be aware it sadly isn’t open in the evening.
Nest
258–260 Chillingham Road, Heaton NE6 5LQ
0191 276 1112
nestinthenorth.com
As cosy and comforting as the name would suggest, the focus here is on seasonality and locality. This is fine dining with the warmth of a neighbourhood restaurant – expect tasting menus at lunch and in the evening, a separate vegetarian menu and Sunday lunch.
The Small Canteen
17 Starbeck Avenue, Newcastle NE2 1RH
07816 524826
Instagram @smallcanteen
It might be small, as the name would suggest, but we prefer to call it intimate, and the food here is reliably good. Expect seasonal produce and classic flavours cooked exceptionally well, with a constant rotation of dishes on the streamlined chalkboard menu, accompanied by organic and craft beers.
Dabbawal
1 Brentwood Mews, Jesmond NE2 3DG
0191 281 3434
dabbawal.com
Inspired by Mumbai’s famous dabbawalas, Newcastle’s Dabbawals bring an authentic take on Mumbai’s vibrant street food to the North East. Both restaurants are always busy and the buzzy kitchens serve up Indian snacks and chaats, tapas-style grazing plates, classic curries and signature street combos, served alongside great cocktails, wine and beer.
Burds
The Gatehouse, Fleming Business Centre, Jesmond,
NE2 3AE
instagram @burdscafe
Tucked away in a Grade II-listed gatehouse on Burdon Terrace, this all-day brunch spot serves imaginative dishes created with ingredients from local producers and has a sun-trap terrace that is the perfect place to head for some sweet or savoury treats on a sunny day. Open Wednesday to Sunday, it’s Jesmond’s go-to for a chilled-out start to the day.
Smoke & Sear
182 Heaton Road, Newcastle
NE6 5HP
0191 276 3081
smokeandsear.co.uk
A popular spot for locals, this restaurant serves smoking hot takes on our favourite brunch and lunch dishes. They do have vegetarian options – their smoked aubergine and halloumi sandwich is a great combo – but in-house smoked sausages and strips of bavette steak are the show-stoppers here.
