Good Food Guide
Our recommended eating guide for this month
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.
Shukran means “thank you” in Arabic, and there is a lot to be thankful for when you visit. Its menu draws influences from India, Mongolia, Bengal and Afghanistan.They offer authentic, classic Indian dishes, but you will also find dishes such as lamb, chicken or king prawn done in an Afgani Style, a North Bengali style, or a style typical of the Sylhet region of Bangladesh.
The Valley Junction 397 was recently named one of The Telegraph’s top 20 curry houses in Britain! This ever-popular restaurant offers the finest Indian cuisine. You can dine in either the old signal box or the railway carriage, and enjoy fantastic starters, marvellous main courses and delicious desserts. When you order a meal at The Valley Junction, you can rest assured everything is freshly prepared and cooked to order.
Nestling on the outskirts of the lovely market town of Bellingham is the Riverdale Hall Hotel - a gorgeous, traditional country house hotel that is renowned for serving delicious cuisine in a stylish setting. This Les Routiers Gold Plate award-winning restaurant prides itself on the They lovingly create their own spice blends, and this is what makes their food extra special. The menu is extensive and the chef’s special Keema Chicken Tikka and the Chicken Tikka Malayan come highly recommended.
The Imperial is a delightful family-run restaurant that was established nearly 30 years ago. In that time it has built up an excellent reputation for serving deliciously authentic Cantonese dishes without the fine dining price tag. With a stunning oriental interior and authentic recipes, diners are transported to China in the heart of the North East.
rebel is the story of a lockdown pop-up finding its own bricks-and-mortar home in an old Heaton tobacconist. Born in 2022, rebel is an immersive fine dining experience which champions local produce and practises fierce seasonality and sustainability. Their 10-course tasting menu is focused on showcasing the finest produce from the area they call home. Uniquely to rebel, they offer the North East’s only British Wine flight which can be enjoyed alongside the menu.
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.
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.
Bilash has been part of the vibrant Cullercoats food scene since 1990 and has built a reputation for serving nutritious Indian food that has flavour and authenticity at its heart. All the dishes are freshly prepared to order, using the finest ingredients and spices. The interior of Bilash is contemporary, and the customer service is second to none. Guests can enjoy a range of dishes - from classic curries to the Chef’s Specials. The Chom Chom starter is a dish that is unique to Bilash.
Lal Qila opened in 1986 and has become a firm favourite with residents and visitors to Cramlington. This popular restaurant serves deliciously authentic Indian dishes created using the freshest ingredients and spices. Their extensive menu represents the many different regional variations and styles of Indian cooking. The Chicken Jal Roshum - a medium spiced dish prepared with onion, peppers, and garlic is delicious.
Since opening its doors in 1999, Cafe Spice has built a first-class reputation for serving authentic Indian food in the heart of Heaton. The choice of dishes is abundant at this wonderful restaurant, from popular and well-known curries to regional specialities and the Chef’s Specials. Early evening diners can take advantage of the 3-course happy hour. It is served every night, 5pm till 7pm, and at £12.95 it is good value for money.
Paros is a family-run restaurant owned by Aldo and Nikos that serves deliciously authentic Greek food. This wonderful restaurant has Greek authenticity at its heart, and it brings the flavours and aromas of the Island of Paros to all its customers. All the dishes on the menu are lovingly created from traditional family recipes and made using only the finest and freshest ingredients.