Nestled on the outskirts of Newcastle, Heaton has transformed into a tasty hot spot for food and drink from some of the region’s best-loved independents.
Discover a diverse mix of cool coffee stops and cafes, fine dining restaurants, unbeatable brunch destinations and more.
For breakfast…
It’s been around for years, but there’s a reason why the region’s foodies still queue around the corner to bag a table at Butterfly Cabinet. Its all-day breakfasts – which stretch from inventive variations of the full English, eggs every which way, French toast and towering pancake stacks – are legendary.
Home to fabulous flowers and breakfast to match, Fork in the Rose is a weekend must-visit. Baked eggs and feta, avocado toast, Turkish eggs and breakfast stotties are all on offer after you’ve picked out your blooms.
For lunch and brunch…
The always-busy Smoke & Sear favours live fire cooking – over wood and charcoal – to take its brunch and lunch options to the next level. Enjoy fire-roasted red pepper shakshuka, flat iron steak and eggs, loaded burgers, surf and turf and more – all showcasing quality produce from local butchers, bakeries, fishmongers, farm and coffee-makers.
For brunchtime carbs, look no further than Dot Bagels. Handmade and inspired by the kind you find in New York, its much-loved bagels are filled with unique flavour combos taken from around the globe.
For grab-and-go comfort food, Redheads Mac ‘n’ Cheese is a winner. Served street food style, expect gourmet spins on the iconic pasta dish, with toppings such as Philly cheese steak, carbonara, chilli beef and more.
When nothing but a sandwich will do, head for Zees. Think deep-filled baps and toasties stuffed with fresher-than-fresh fillings, complemented by freshly-brewed coffee.
Plant-based goodness can be found at Veganatomy, which opened earlier this year. In only a few short months, it’s become a destination for vegan sushi, authentic bento box lunches and mouth-watering banh mi.
For coffee…
For speciality beans that even the pickiest of coffee-drinkers will enjoy, head over to Neighbourhood. This no-frills corner caffeine stop is always busy thanks to its good-priced and varied drinks men, joined by plenty of freshly-made sandwiches, bread and sweet treats.
A visit to Heaton Perk is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. The personality-packed, dog-friendly café has been around for nearly 20 years and provides the perfect, feel-good backdrop for coffee-drinkers. Think vibrant vintage interiors, great music and drinks made with love.
You’ll be hard-pushed to find anyone with a bad word to say about The Canny Goat – and for good reason. Here, sustainability and locally-sourced produce are the focus, with a commitment to serving up traceable and superb quality coffee, alongside Insta-worthy traybakes, toasties and more.
For drinks…
Flight Bar is still in its infancy and yet has already earned itself a reputation as one of the best date night spots in the Newcastle area. The brainchild of the owners of nearby fine dining restaurant, Nest, this intimate-yet-buzzy bar is a go-to quality wines, cocktails and a variety of beers in an elegant, non-rowdy environment that only holds 31 people. Expect table service and unbelievably-good bar snacks.
Ro is proof that good things come in small packages. Passionate about locality, quality and community, this welcoming little bar and kitchen serves up inventive signature cocktails (all made in-house with locally-sourced ingredients), alongside craft beers and specially-selected wine from all corners of the globe.
Inspired by the beer and bars over in Germany and Belgium, Elder Beer is a favourite for international bottles and lagers. Sit back and enjoy inside, head to its heated beer garden (furry friends are welcome) or take your favourite picks home with you.
For evening meals…
Head to Boquerones for an authentic taste of Spain. Expect traditional tapas – with a few modern twists here and there – done right, made with fresher-than-fresh ingredients every time. Dinner is served Tuesday to Saturday and includes meat, fish and veggie options, along with generous sharing boards.
Discover hand-stretched, wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas and Flint Pizza. The small-but-mighty restaurant is known and loved for its authentic flavours and pillowy dough, as well as its mouthwatering, made-to-order side dishes and desserts.
Punto Italian Kitchen has been dishing out quality Italian cuisine for over 40 years. The family-owned restaurant is a destination for fresh pasta, handmade Italian breads, traditional desserts made from scratch (even the gelato) and more.
Do like the Spanish do and kick back with a glass of vino, pintxo or even a few sharing boards post-siesta at Sobremesa. This small, deliciously laid-back bar excels in authentic Spanish meats, cheeses and other tapas dishes and makes for the perfect date night and after work spot.
Fancy going Greek? Paros is your answer. Named after the beautiful Cycladic island, the young restaurant is well-connected to a number of Greek suppliers and promises traditional dishes, made completely from scratch and inspired by generational recipes. Promising bold flavours and warm Greek hospitality, it’s an all-round winner that transports you to warmer climes in minutes.
For fine dining…
Nest is a neighbourhood restaurant that manages to find the sweet spot between serving up fine dining plates of food without a single slice of pretension or fussiness. Perfect for all occasions, its creative (and non-daunting) tasting menus, Sunday lunch options and vegetarian dishes favour local produce and hit the spot every time.
For a meal to remember, it has to be Rebel. Its bold and ever-changing tasting menu, which has earned it a Michelin star, celebrates the very best in local, seasonal ingredients and lucky guests can even pull up a chair at the chef’s table to make their visit extra-special. Opt for five or 10 courses, or indulge in the a la carte menu on selected mid-week evenings.
