There are a number of criteria that will be on your 'good restaurant' check list, with excellent food arguably at the top of the list. Other criteria that might make your checklist for a must-visit restaurant could include friendly staff and great service, or maybe even Instagrammable toilets for that all-important selfie!
Location is also an important factor for many restaurant goers and in Newcastle, we pride ourselves on having a stellar variety of restaurants and eateries to choose from which tick your boxes as well as providing the best views. After all, a meal out - especially in a post-pandemic world - is about the whole experience.
Savour a leisurely lunch or elevate your celebration with great food and great views from the rooftop of a sophisticated bar and restaurant. Experience Newcastle and Gateshead's finest views and iconic landmarks while sharing a meal or grabbing a drink at some of the best restaurants in the region.
Above, Newcastle
One of Newcastle's most recent additions, the much talked about ABOVE bar and restaurant sits atop the fabulous Vermont Hotel in Newcastle. With spectacular views both day and night across the seven bridges of NewcastleGateshead Quayside, ABOVE also provides a closer look at neighbouring heritage landmark, Newcastle Castle. What more could you ask for from a restaurant with a view? The history of Newcastle's namesake on one side and romantic views of the Quayside's twinkling lights on the other. With panoramic views of the city, visitors will be able to test their local knowledge and spot the spire of Newcastle Cathedral as well as the distant seahorses that crown the tower at Newcastle Civic Centre.
ABOVE is the ideal place to book an exclusive evening meal - choose from their eclectic menu which spans a world of flavours and small plates from sushi to flatbreads or sip a cocktail surrounded by the art decor-inspired glamour of its interior. What better choice to accompany your rooftop views than their signature cocktail, ABOVE the Clouds, which is impressively served with a cloud!
ABOVE joins a growing number of rooftop bars and restaurants in Newcastle which provide the ultimate dining experience accompanied by glorious views from your rooftop vantage point.
Chaophraya at Eldon Square, Newcastle
Providing a bird's eye view of Grey's Monument and Newcastle's bustling city centre, Chaophraya's floor-to-ceiling windows, outdoor terrace and position above Eldon Square shopping centre means you can enjoy your Thai cuisine whilst getting a closer look at Earl Grey himself.
Mastering the tricky combination of being a sophisticated but relaxed restaurant, Chaophraya is a great choice for lovers of Pan-Asian flavours and excellent cocktails.
SIX at BALTIC, Gateshead Quayside
For unrivaled views of NewcastleGateshead Quayside - whizz up in the glass lift to the top of BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art to experience an evening meal or treat yourself with a Sunday Afternoon Tea in their rooftop restaurant, SIX.
BALTIC has also got a impressive riverside terrace perfect for alfresco lunches or lazy brunches overlooking Gateshead Millennium Bridge.
Gino's, Newcastle Quayside
Gino's at INNSiDE Melia Hotel sits away from the main hustle of Newcastle Quayside but still serves up views of the Tyne Bridge from its riverside location. Sample cocktails or indulge in their Italian menu whilst watching the ebb and flow of the River Tyne.
Visitors wishing to eat out in Newcastle with a view are spoilt for choice along NewcastleGatehead Quayside so check out our checklist of must-visit Quayside restaurants for more inspiration.
The Treehouse at Alnwick Garden, Northumberland
Dine amongst the trees at award-winning restaurant The Treehouse at The Alnwick Garden in Northumberland. From within a fairy-tale wooden treehouse, experience a truly unique meal out from hearty Sunday Lunch to a la carte evening meal beside a roaring log fire. The rustic setting is a popular choice for wedding so check their website for any closures at the point of booking.
Riley's Fish Shack, Tynemouth Beach
A visit to Riley's Fish Shack is a fully sensory experience. Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the seaside while you settle down on Tynemouth's beachfront seafood shack. The highly-acclaimed street food kiosk has evolved into a true foodie highlight in the North East. Pull up a deck chair on the sandy beach of King Edward's Bay or cosy up with the seafront shack and sample the freshest of lobster, Craster kippers and surf n turf dishes while you watch the changing tide of the North Sea.
The Botanist, Newcastle city centre
Add The Botanist Newcastle to your bar-hopping schedule if only to soak up the vibrant atmosphere and take in the views. Under a vast domed ceiling, star-studded with thousands of twinkling lights, The Botanist is a popular venue. The central bar is beneath an elvish tree which looks like it belongs in an enchanted forest. Head out to the roof terrace and take in unrivalled views overlooking Newcastle’s famous Grey Street. Regular acoustic nights and live performances ensure that The Botanist masters both the chilled atmosphere for early evening catch ups and a livelier soundtrack for the party-goer’s night in Newcastle.
Spanish City, Whitley Bay
Spanish City is found within a dramatic pavilion on Whitley Bay's seaside promenade. Watch the world go by from the outside seating area at Valerie's Tea Room or the award-winning Trencher's Fish and Chip shop. From within Spanish City - perch at the window of stylish champagne lounge or pick the ultimate window seat in 1910 and choose from a menu of steak and seafood dishes while you admire the popular beach front and stare out across the big blue sea.
The Free Trade, Ouseburn
The Free Trade has an enviable position at the point where the edge of Ouseburn flows into the far reaches of Newcastle Quayside. Pull up a stool at the window and watch the sunset while you sip a pint of craft ale or enjoy a whatever is on offer at the visiting local street food traders who frequent the bar.
Eslington Villa, Gateshead
The Angel of the North - one of Gateshead's most iconic landmarks and a recognisable symbol of home for many Geordies - deserves a spot on our list. Eslington Villa in Gateshead is an excellent restaurant a 2-mile drive from the momentous sculpture. Not strictly a restaurant with a direct view of the Angel, but a lovely restaurant close by! Visit for Sunday lunch or a classic menu featuring steak, bacon loin or North Sea fishcakes and then take a stroll to stand at the Angel's feet.
