Food glorious Food: Where to eat in NewcastleGateshead for specialist diets

If you have dietary restrictions, you don’t have to miss out on all the fun when visiting NewcastleGateshead!

Whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, gluten free or perhaps you’re giving clean-eating a go NewcastleGateshead boasts plenty of interesting and appetising venues to suit all diets.

Whet your appetite with our menu of dietary-inclusive hot spots, all in NewcastleGateshead and find a grazing spot which will ensure that all of your special dietary needs are met.

Vegetarian and Vegan

Shed your predispositions of bland veggie options; plant-based dishes are quickly changing from an afterthought at North East restaurants, to the star of the show. There’s a wide range of vegetarian and vegan restaurants in NewcastleGateshead that you’d have to be pea-brained not to try.

We’ve listed a few of our favourite vegan, veggie-inclusive and vegetarian menus that are the (dairy-free) cream of the crop - although you can see our list of Top 10 Vegan Restaurants in Newcastle and Gateshead here.

Fat Hippo Underground

Who says burgers are just for carnivores? Fat Hippo’s veggie burgers are among the best burgers in the North East. You’ll need no excuse to pull up a stool and tuck into Fat Hippo’s juicy Veggie Gastro topped with mozzarella, rocket and pesto!

Or, perhaps the vegan spicy bean burger with sweet chilli sauce is for you? Fat Hippo pride themselves on burgers ‘you can’t eat nicely,’ which makes its inconspicuous location a fitting setting! Nestled underground on Shakespeare Street, Fat Hippo’s exposed brick walls, neon lights and rustic furniture make an atmospheric setting for vegetarians and vegans on the (figurative) hunt for a mouth-watering treat. Fat Hippo also offer other specialist dietary menus, including gluten-free options!

Dabbawal

Between 20% and 40% of India’s population are vegetarian, so it’s no surprise that Indian restaurant Dabbawal is pulling ahead as one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Newcastle. Think recipes that have been passed on for generations under the guise of street food for this delectable spot! Inspired by the Dabbawalas of Mumbai who deliver authentic Indian dishes; Dabbawal’s mission is to offer food that feeds the body, and comforts the soul. This mantra is certainly reflected in the aromatic, carefully balanced flavours of their vegetarian Indian dishes. Why not stop by and indulge in their vegetarian and vegan options? From the Masala Dosa Wrap to their veggie ‘Proper’ thalis that are brimming with an assortment of grills, daal, raita and more; Dabbawal’s menu doesn’t scrimp on flavour. Why not indulge in their rich Paneer with a side of Sweet Potato Chaat? We’re sure it won’t disappoint!

Kiln

If you’re in the mood for some hearty vegetarian or vegan Mediterranean food, then perhaps the Kiln bar and kitchen is for you. Located on Hume Street, Ouseburn, Kiln not only serves great food ideal for any veggies in the market for something a little different, there is also its very own pottery and ceramics workshop on site. From a warming vegetable stew, fresh, detoxifying salads and irresistible cake, this restaurant is the perfect pit stop to recharge and unwind. Why not finish off your meal with a piping hot loose leaf tea, for a veggie meal that’s great for your health and your taste buds?

Gluten Free

Dining out on a gluten-free diet can be tricky; however, coeliacs and others who opt for a gluten-free (GF) lifestyle can rejoice in the knowledge that Newcastle offers plenty of immersive restaurants equipped with mouth-watering menus to nourish your health and tantalise your taste buds. If you’re on the lookout for GF restaurants in Newcastle, then look no further; all the below restaurants offer gluten-free menus that you can truly trust.

Central Oven and Shaker

Central Oven and Shaker's prime location precedes an equally prime menu. This Neapolitan pizza restaurant offers up full-flavoured dishes to suit all palettes, but their gluten-free menu is why they’ve earned a growing reputation as one of the best gluten-free pizza restaurants in town. Few can resist sampling their succulent Braised Beef pizza, or savouring their Game Bolognese before tucking into a baked chocolate brownie with Heather Honey ice cream. Veggies are also catered for with a range of delicious meat-free toppings and vegan cheese. With buy-one-get-one-free offers available on their wide range of cocktails, what more could you want?

Clean Eating and Paleo

Diets don’t mean your social life has to suffer! In NewcastleGateshead, there are plenty of options for paleo and clean-eating connoisseurs to keep their healthy lifestyle in check. Here’s a few of our favourite restaurants who offer healthier options for those looking to change their dining habits.

Dobson and Parnell

Named so after the North East Victorian architects who were responsible for its design, Dobson and Parnell lines the Quayside and boasts an ethos that centres on fresh, locally sourced seasonal food with all natural flavours. In fact, so seasonal are its flavours that the menu changes daily depending on the freshest ingredients available. So diners at Dobson and Parnell are guaranteed to leave feeling both nourished and satisfied. Also, its carefully designed Victorian interiors make for a luxurious blast from the past. Fortunately, stopping by for fine dining doesn’t have to break the bank with a Set Menu served weekdays for both lunch and dinner, as well as the option to cut out unwanted extras from your dish, allowing you to enjoy a delicious hearty meal that will still leave you feeling satisfied rather than starved.

Whatever your diet, NewcastleGateshead have a buffet of options to suit your needs. Don’t forget to try out some of Newcastle’s other dietary inclusive restaurants, such as veggie friendly Sky Apple Cafe, Aurora Kitchen or clean eating pioneers Naked Deli which can be found in Fenwick Food Hall, nearby Heaton and Gosforth.

Or, perhaps you’d prefer tucking into some gluten-free pasta at Gusto, as you overlook the River Tyne. In NewcastleGateshead, your dietary restrictions don’t mean restrictive dining! Do you have any dietary-inclusive picks that we’ve not included? Tweet us your personal favourites at @altweet_pet!