Speedy Eats: 10 Best Places for a Quick Lunch in Newcastle
In a rush? Head to these venues for a quick, delicious lunch.
As much as we’d love to luxuriate over a long lunch every day, our calendar meetings don’t always get the memo!
So in true NE1 fashion, we’ve rounded up the best venues to get a speedy food fix. Whether you’ve got ten minutes or twenty, these city centre eateries have your cravings covered.
Snackwallah, Grainger Market
First up, we’re in Grainger Market and paying a tribute to Snackwallah (pictured above), where you’ll find plenty of mouth-watering authentic vegan Indian street food. If you’ve got a little longer, then take a seat in their colourful venue and dig into their curry of the day (served with rice and naan of course) – but if you’re against the clock, then pick up a Mumbai sandwich or bhaji wrap to go.
Frankie & Tony’s, Ridley Place
And speaking of sarnies, Frankie & Tony’s on Ridley Place is the stuff of foodie folklore! As they say themselves, “bread is just the beginning here”, with a myriad of fillings and sides to please even the pickiest of eaters. And if you swing by for one of their breakfast rolls too, well… we won’t tell anyone!
Shijo, Haymarket
Or, if your nipping into Toon via the Metro, why not head to Shijo? Next-door neighbours with Haymarket station, they offer shedloads of Japanese cuisine at budget-friendly prices, including the likes of chicken katsu curry and yakisoba noodles. There’s a small seating area if you have a little longer to linger, but their take-out tubs are handy for bringing back to the office.
DoughDaze, Ridley Place
Ridley Place residents DoughDaze are bringing a slice of New York to Newcastle with their neighbourhood pizzeria! Grab a slice for just a few quid, or treat yourself to a 12” pizza from £7. For the full Big Apple aesthetic, grab a tub of their very own ranch sauce and some loaded buffalo mac ’n’ cheese to tide you through the afternoon.
Tortilla, Eldon Square, Greys Quarter
Over in the Greys Quarter of Eldon Square, Tortilla is all about fresh, tasty and authentic Mexican food – served just the way you like. From burritos and quesadillas, to tacos and salad bowls, all their options are easy to grab and go, but there’s plenty of space to sit down and watch the world go by too. Arriba!
King Baby Bagels, Grainger Market
For bagel brilliance, you can dough no better than Grainger Market’s King Baby Bagels. Each portion of their lunchtime loveliness is wrapped up in their signature pink packaging, so it’s easy to throw in your bag and be on your way. Make it a meal deal with a can of pop and some crisps too for just £9 - you’ll be grateful for it come the 3pm slump!
Saltwater Fish Company, Fenwick Food Hall
So Saltwater Fish Company might not be the first place you think of when it comes to a speedy lunch, but did you know they actually offer an express lunch menu? With two courses for £26 or three for £29.50 from Monday to Friday (12pm-4pm), it’s an absolute catch! Besides, some Lindisfarne oysters and lemon sorbet sounds like a pretty good way to kickstart the afternoon.
Priory Press, Nelson Street
Tynemouth legends Priory Press opened their first city centre store earlier this year, and the hype (understandably!) has kept up since. Their super smoothies and juices offer a much-needed energy burst, while their pressed sandwiches and acai bowls offer a healthier lunchtime option – without you needing to race against the clock.
Redheads Mac ’N’ Cheese, Grainger Market
Since 2019, Redheads Mac’N’Cheese has been bringing glorious cheesy goodness to the city centre, and their Grainger Market venue is no exception! Expect proper classic comfort food here with varieties like BBQ brisket, sticky rib and chorizo spicing things up. One thing’s guaranteed; your colleagues are going to be jealous when they see that irresistible cheese pull!
Greggs, City Centre
And how could we write about quick lunchtime eats without mentioning Greggs! With ten venues across the Toon, you’re basically guaranteed to always be a stones throw from one. Whether you pick up some sausage rolls, pizza slices, or tasty baguette sandwiches, you don’t need us to tell you that there’s really something for everyone here. Plus, their app has some super tasty features that makes it worth downloading before your next visit!
So whether you’re trying to beat the lunchtime rush, or just need a quick food fix to see you through the rest of the day, these ten venues have you sorted with some gorgeous good grub. We’ll text you our order, yeah?
We get it, sometimes you just need to grab and go. If that’s the case, then check out our top picks for takeaway lunches in Newcastle!
Main image: Snackwallah
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