Food Influencer with More Than 1.5 Million Followers Gets a Taste of Newcastle’s Grainger Market
Popular food influencer Only Scrans has been sampling some of Newcastle’s best-loved food spots – including four independent traders inside the Grainger Market.
Creator Jono Yates, better known as Only Scrans, visited the historic market as part of a recent trip to Newcastle, where he was shown around by local TikTok ambassador Rebecca Batey, known online as Rebeebee.
The pair ate their way around the market, stopping off at four independent food businesses and sampling everything from a hand-rolled bagel and locally made sausage to handmade Chinese dumplings and freshly baked sweet treats.
First on the menu was King Baby Bagels, where Jono ordered an everything bagel filled with smoked salmon, fresh tomato and its ‘pimped schmear’ cream cheese, made with red onion, capers and dill.
The independent bagel shop has built a loyal following among locals and visitors since opening five years ago, maintaining a five-star rating on Google from more than 300 reviews.
After taking his first bite, Jono said: “That cream cheese is so sensational. Like he said, you’ve got to respect the schmear, so it’s a thick layer. So much flavour bursting.
“This place on Google has five stars. Over five years they’ve been open and they’ve got over 300 reviews, and they’ve still got five stars – that is an insane accomplishment.”
The next stop was Dumpling & Bun, where owner Hongli and the team have been handmaking traditional Chinese dumplings and buns in the Grainger Market for the past 12 years.
Jono opted for the three dumplings and one bun combination, choosing from the range of freshly prepared fillings on offer. The award-winning trader has grown significantly in popularity over the years and can now serve as many as 1,000 buns on a busy Saturday.
Impressed by what he found, Jono said: “I love little places like this. Quietly in the corner of a market, going about their business making really simple food, really good food. They’re just excelling at it.”
For stop number three, Rebecca introduced Jono to a North East market favourite: a sausage on a stick from Geordie Bangers.
The family-run business produces its sausages locally and has become a familiar sight at markets and events across the region. Jono gave the sausage his seal of approval, describing it as “class” and a “really, really good sausage”.
The food tour finished at Pet Lamb Patisserie, which has been serving freshly baked treats from its Grainger Market unit for 14 years.
Jono and Rebecca picked up a strawberry cheesecake cupcake alongside a pistachio and chocolate cookie, both freshly baked at the market.
The pair described their choices as “dreamy”, while Jono also praised the cosy, homely feel created by the best friends behind the independent bakery.
Throughout his visit, Jono highlighted Newcastle’s sense of humour, community spirit, and the down-to-earth character of the people he met along the way.
The Grainger Market was one of several stops during his food tour of the city, which also included Big River Bakery, Riley’s Fish Shack, JJ’s Cafe and Meat:Stack.
The visit was shared with Only Scrans’ audience of more than 1.5 million followers across social media, putting some of Newcastle’s independent food businesses in front of food lovers across the UK and beyond.
Lewis Smith, Senior Surveyor at Newcastle City Council, said: “It’s great to see a national creator shining a light on our city. Our small, independent businesses are the backbone of the local economy, and traders in the Grainger Market represent the very best of our city’s creativity and culture.
“We’re proud to see our city’s small businesses getting the recognition they deserve.”
