Destination NIPO: Newcastle’s New Japanese-Brazilian Dining Experience Prepares to Land

The countdown is on as NIPO, Newcastle’s new Japanese-Brazilian dining experience, prepares to land on the Quayside this September, with the announcement of new General Manager Goran Natev ahead of its exclusive VIP Launch Party on Tuesday 22 September, followed by its official opening to the public on Wednesday 23 September 2026.

NIPO will welcome invited guests to an exclusive VIP Launch Party on Tuesday 22 September, before opening its doors to the general public on Wednesday 23 September. With the VIP launch welcoming invited VIP guests, influencers, media, local business leaders and key figures from Newcastle’s food and hospitality scene for a first taste of NIPO ahead of its official public opening. 

Created by the team behind RIO Brazilian Steakhouse, NIPO brings together Japanese precision and craftsmanship with the energy, warmth and generosity of Brazilian hospitality. The result is a new dining experience for the city, combining exceptional ingredients, a sushi station, Japanese technique, Brazilian fire, considered wines and cocktails inspired by both cultures.

Joining NIPO as General Manager, Goran Natev brings extensive experience from London’s premium hospitality scene. His career includes helping to open Sophie’s Steakhouse on Fulham Road in Chelsea, more than 10 years at Elistano in Chelsea, a year at Camilla Fayed’s exclusive Farmacy, and helping to open the first Ocean Basket restaurant in London. 

Having worked extensively with high-profile and VIP clientele, Goran brings particular expertise in guest relations, leadership, team development and delivering exceptional service standards. His experience will play a key role in shaping NIPO’s service, atmosphere and overall guest experience.

Goran Natev, General Manager at NIPO, said: “NIPO is something genuinely different for Newcastle, and I’m incredibly excited to be joining the team at such an important stage in its journey. My experience in London has given me a real appreciation for restaurants that understand every part of the guest experience, from the food and drinks through to service, atmosphere and attention to detail. 

There is a huge amount of energy around NIPO already, and our focus now is on bringing the team together, investing in training and making sure every element of the experience is where we want it to be. We’re looking forward to welcoming guests and showcasing what NIPO is all about.”

NIPO takes its name and inspiration from Nipo-Brasileiro, meaning Japanese-Brazilian, reflecting the deep cultural connection between Japan and Brazil. São Paulo is home to one of the world’s largest Japanese communities outside Japan, creating a unique meeting point between Japanese craftsmanship and Brazilian warmth, flavour and hospitality — the cultural connection at the heart of NIPO. 

The menu will bring that meeting point to life through a combination of delicate Japanese technique and Brazilian fire. Guests can expect premium, seasonal ingredients, precision-cut sushi prepared at a live sushi station, Japanese-inspired dishes, robata-style cooking and flame-cooked Brazilian specialities including picanha, alongside generous dishes designed to be shared.

Rodrigo Grassi Duarte, Co-Founder of NIPO, said: “Now, with the opening date confirmed and Goran joining us as General Manager, we’re entering a really exciting final stage. 

We already have a wealth of experience within the NIPO team and a strong understanding of what it takes to create exceptional hospitality. Goran brings another level of expertise from London’s restaurant scene, and his experience and reputation for delivering outstanding customer experiences will elevate what we have already built as we bring NIPO to life.”

The drinks offering will extend the Japanese-Brazilian identity across the bar, with cocktails shaped by Japanese techniques, distinctive ingredients and Brazilian infusions, alongside a carefully curated wine selection designed to complement the food. 

Howard Eggleston, Co-Founder of NIPO, said: “NIPO has been created with a very clear ambition to build a distinctive hospitality brand that can stand on its own and ultimately travel well beyond Newcastle.

Opening in Newcastle is an important first step for us, it’s a city with a strong and increasingly ambitious food and hospitality scene, and we see the Quayside as the perfect setting to introduce NIPO to the market. September 23 is not just the opening of a restaurant; it’s the beginning of the NIPO journey.” 

NIPO naturally builds on the story of the existing RIO Brazilian Steakhouse brand, taking the energy, theatre, generosity and hospitality that have become synonymous with RIO and reimagining them through a Japanese-Brazilian lens.

With its first guests preparing to board for the VIP launch on Tuesday 22 September, NIPO will officially open to the general public on Wednesday 23 September, marking the arrival of Newcastle’s newest Japanese-Brazilian dining destination on the Quayside.

The restaurant is now inviting guests to join the NIPO waitlist and be among the first to experience the new concept: https://nipobraza.co.uk/#vip.