Just like the county of Essex will forever be associated with the gleaming veneers of the TOWIE cast, the city of Newcastle’s reputation has eternally been tainted by the success of controversial reality show Geordie Shore. Trust us when we tell you though, that there is far more to this exciting city than just bad fake tans and buckets of cheap hair gel.
Firstly, for history buffs there are plenty of historical sites to visit in Newcastle, including the 12th century castle which gives the city its name and a shopping arcade that dates back to the Edwardian era. A visit to Newcastle wouldn’t be complete without stopping off to admire the Angel of the North either, while fans of architecture and engineering will delight in a visit to the Quayside, where you can spy all seven of the bridges dotted along the River Tyne.
Of course, another thing that Newcastle is famous for is its hospitality and friendly residents. When the sun goes down, the city comes alive with its famous nightlife scene that sees the streets often abuzz with partygoers strolling in and out of trendy nightclubs and fun cocktail bars. Remember the importance of lining your stomach though, so after you have done all of your daytime exploring and before you head out on the toon, it would probably be wise to fit a meal into your Newcastle schedule.
Luckily for you, there are a whole host of vibrant, delicious and great value Newcastle restaurants for you to choose from. The city’s diverse collection of casual restaurants, cafes and fine-dining haunts means finding somewhere to enjoy a good meal is easy as pie (with extra lashings of gravy, please). There are some awesome Italian restaurants and lots of excellent afternoon teas, and then there's this lot: our pick of the very best Newcastle restaurants right now. Take a look, and don’t forget to book ahead where you can to avoid any disappointment.