For The Love Of Food & Community: Why NE1’s Restaurant Week Is Vital For Independent Hospitality
For independent restaurants, January can feel like the longest month of the year. After the festive rush, footfall slows, budgets tighten, and many venues face one of the toughest trading periods in hospitality. For Dakwala Bombay Canteen, events like NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week are not just welcome, they are a vital lifeline.
Now taking part for the fourth time since opening in April 2024, Dakwala sees NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week as an opportunity to open its doors wider to the city. It is a chance to welcome new guests who may not have discovered the restaurant yet, while allowing regulars to enjoy their favourites at a more accessible price.
Owner Rajiv Tiwari believes the impact goes far beyond discounted menus. “January can be challenging for everyone,” says Rajiv. “Restaurants feel it, but so do customers after a busy December. NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week gives people a genuine reason to come into the city centre, meet up with friends and family, and enjoy something special without the pressure of spending more than they planned. For independent venues like us, that support makes a huge difference.”
Restaurant Week allows Dakwala to showcase the breadth of its Bombay canteen-inspired menu, encouraging diners to try dishes they might not usually order. From small plates and street food classics to rich, comforting curries, the event creates a low-risk, high-reward way for people to explore new flavours and cuisines.
“It introduces us to new audiences who might never have booked otherwise,” Rajiv continues. “We see guests who come in curious, try something new, and then often come back again. That long-term relationship is priceless for us.”
Beyond individual businesses, Dakwala also highlights the wider impact on Newcastle’s city centre. NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week brings energy back to the streets at a quieter time of year, with people moving between venues, discovering new favourites and supporting local hospitality together.
“There’s a real sense of the city coming together,” says Rajiv. “You feel the buzz. You see people excited to try new places, share recommendations, and support local businesses. The work NE1 does to make that happen is second to none.”
For Restaurant Week 2026, taking place from 12th to 18th January, Dakwala will offer two specially curated menus designed to reflect its bold, vibrant approach to Bombay street food.
Guests can enjoy a £15pp Restaurant Week lunch menu, available Monday to Sunday from 12:30pm to 4pm, featuring a selection of small plates and sides. In addition, Dakwala will also offer a three-course Restaurant Week menu for £20pp, available all day throughout the week, giving diners the flexibility to visit whenever suits them.
For Dakwala, Restaurant Week is more than a date in the diary. It is a reminder of the power of community, collaboration and accessible dining in keeping independent hospitality alive through the quieter months.
As Rajiv puts it, “Restaurant Week helps make sure January is not silent. It keeps the lights on, the tables full, and the city moving.”
Those keen to try something new this January can book a table at Dakwala Bombay Canteen here and find their restaurant week menu here.
