NORTH EAST LIFESTYLE

Housed in a signal box and old train carriage, the multi-award-winning Valley Junction 397 is the most unique Indian Restaurant in Newcastle, and for more than 27 years, they have been proudly serving deliciously authentic Bangladeshi cuisine that is first class.  The team prides itself on the flavour and presentation of its food, with each dish designed to take you on a culinary journey. The Chicken Roshun Kora and Lauri Mangsho come highly recommended.

Dining at Kamal is a sensory experience for your eyes and your tastebuds. Everything is presented to the highest possible standard. When it comes to flavours, the highly skilled chefs use locally sourced ingredients to create authentic dishes (plus spices from a little further afield!). Everything is cooked to order, to ensure maximum freshness and taste, and they are happy to accommodate specific requests or requirements.

The Sunday Lunch by Meet Me at the Corner at the Whitley Bay Golf Club is tremendous. The club house offers a relaxed, yet refined dining experience where guests enjoy a classic Sunday Lunch menu with uninterrupted views of the fairway. The menu boasts traditional favourites like roast beef, chicken, pork, lamb, and a vegetarian options, along with a good children’s menu. The lunches are all served with generous sides, Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, and seasonal vegetables.

For Indian food that goes beyond the familiar, make Char Mausum your next stop. A Northumberland favourite for more than 20 years, the restaurant celebrates the flavours of India, with a menu built around authentic recipes and seasonal ingredients. Highly recommended are the Shahi Machli and Tandoori Mixed Kebab.

Tucked away on Ilfracombe Gardens, Onda is Whitley Bay’s newest gem. This vibrant cafe-deli is effortlessly cool, confident, and already a firm favourite with locals. The café’s name, meaning wave or vibe, perfectly captures its relaxed energy. The menu is built around beautifully crafted sandwiches.With its friendly owners, local ethos, and refined yet unpretentious food, Onda is riding high - a must-visit coastal café.

Turknaz brings a touch of contemporary elegance to the North East’s dining scene. Framed by sweeping sea views, the restaurant celebrates the vibrant flavours of Turkey with a menu blending tradition and refinement. Expect beautifully presented mezze, expertly grilled meats, fresh seafood and indulgent desserts, all crafted using quality ingredients and authentic techniques.

King Neptune is located on Stowell Street in the heart of Newcastle’s China Town, and has been welcoming diners for more than 40 years. With a reputation for serving delicious Chinese food, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a relaxed lunch or evening meal.

Liosi’s Sicilian Cafe Bar brings the authentic taste of Sicily to the banks of the River Tyne. This wonderful eatery is a family-run business that has Sicilian culture and food at its heart. Liosi’s food can be enjoyed in the cafe or to take away, or diners can enjoy this authentic food al fresco style whilst taking in the uninterrupted views of the River Tyne. During the winter months they are open Monday to Wednesday 8am-4pm, Thursday to Saturday 8am-7pm and closed on Sunday.

Dosa Kitchen has always been the go-to destination restaurant for South Indian flavors, and the new menu just raised the bar. Think Chettinad Lamb, Garlic Butter Naan, and the sizzling Sutta Kari selection: seven grilled dishes, each packed with bold, unforgettable flavor. Don’t miss the Nigirli Lamb Chops, Sea Bass Pollichathu, Western Ghats Chicken, Curry Leaf King Prawns or DK’s Paneer Tikka - all stars of the lineup. Of course, the classics are still there.

Café Spice is an award-winning neighbourhood Indian restaurant that effortlessly blends the vibrant flavours of Indian cuisine with contemporary flair. Their dishes are spiced to perfection and packed with flavour, which keeps guests coming back for more. The popular Thali Night is held on the first Wednesday of every month, and for £16.95, diners can enjoy a choice of meat or vegetarian thali. Plus, happy hour is every night between 5pm and 7pm. The much-awaited new menu is now available.

Salparo is a wonderful Greek restaurant that nestles underneath the Tyne Bridge and is set slightly back from Newcastle’s historic Quayside. It draws its inspiration from Greek cuisine and serves a selection of Grecian-inspired small plates. This unique way of dining is a great way to try different flavour combinations and textures from this much-loved region of the world.

Saathi is a family-run restaurant located in the picturesque market town of Hexham. The emphasis at Saathi is on delivering freshly prepared food that tastes amazing. All the ingredients used are as fresh, but the real shining beacon that sets this restaurant up as one of the best in the region is the spices. The team grind and blend their own spice cocktails for each dish. This unique approach ensures that the spices used in every dish are blended to perfection.