14 Must-Visit New Venues in Newcastle
Our round-up of some of the city's newcomers, from bars and restaurants to shopping destinations
Newcastle is a swiftly-changing city full of new developments and exciting new businesses springing up all over the place. Even if you live and work in the city, you can miss things – a new burger joint, gym or shop can suddenly appear on your walk to the office.
To keep you up to speed with the changes, here’s a guide to some of the most exciting new venues that have set up shop in the city over the past few months.
Salparo, Side
Offering next level Greek cooking from a Greek chef with some big ideas, Salparo has appeared under the Tyne Bridge with a mission to provide food and wine that is both traditional and forward-thinking. Its stylish atmosphere and fine ingredients combined with a commitment to sharing plates rather than courses and chef Isaak Tsopouridis’ inventive dishes, mark Salparo out as somewhere new and exciting. A look at the menu will convince you that Salparo is worth a visit: fava octopus, pork tigania, loukoumades feta and zucchini balls join the daily specials on a concise but tempting menu.
Beaverbrooks, Eldon Square
Beaverbooks is a well-regarded family business that has had a big injection of investment and moved to a new premises in Eldon Square. Now a much larger store, the quality jewellers also has a Tag Heuer outlet next door. Selling items like bridal jewellery, luxury watches and several exclusive diamond brands (from its dedicated diamond room), this new store is bigger and better than ever.
Tactical Transformations, Close
Newcastle's newest gym is a specialist venture run by ex-forces staff along military lines - in fact, it’s ‘the only fully veteran owned and operated gym facility in the whole of the UK’. Using training programmes based on those implemented by owner Ryan Hall in his days as an army PT instructor, the gym isn’t just about showing up for a session on the weights – it can guide you on nutrition and personal well-being, offer social opportunities and build team spirit. Find out more in our recent feature on Tactical Transformations.
Olive Coffee Company, Close
After a gruelling session in the gym, you probably need a caffeine boost which is why it’s handy that Tactical Transformations also incorporates a new coffee shop! Olive Coffee Company offers great coffee – obviously – with carefully sourced ingredients, as well as a varying selection of sweet treats, pastries, sandwiches and more (that might well see you needing to go back to the gym!). They’re dog friendly too.
Manahatta, Collingwood Street
Manahatta opened up in the nightlife hub of Collingwood Street late in 2023 and is already making waves. The venture has transformed a lovely old bank building into a vibey bar and club with everything you’d expect – cocktails, bottomless brunches, DJs, private spaces, some tempting bar food – spread across several floors and aiming for a trendy New York City vibe. Find out more about the brand-new bar in our Manahatta article.
Tender Hooligan, Grainger Market
It’s amazing how many Newcastle residents bought their first Dr Martens boots in the old Scorpio Shoes shop in Grainger Market, and there was much sadness when they finally closed. But praise be, because some of its employees are behind Tender Hooligan, a new outlet for all sorts of subcultural needs – shoes, vintage and specialist clothes, accessories and more for the skin, goth, mod or just very stylish shopper. The shop grew out of a popular Tynemouth Market stall and carries all sorts of Fred Perry, Ben Sherman style clothing and – of course – plenty of Docs.
Friki Tiki, Nelson Street
Brought to you by the same team behind No28, Friki Tiki resides in the space below the popular Nelson Street bar and - as its name suggests - is the city's only tiki bar. It certainly brings a tonne of tropical vibes to the Toon with a Polynesian-inspired, bamboo-bedecked interior (plus tiki totems and a huge fibreglass shark!) that sets the scene for sampling its show-stopping cocktails and a tempting food menu that draws on a range of global flavours.
Tonkin, Clayton Street
The latest addition to Newcastle’s Asian street food scene is Tonkin, a Vietnamese joint that offers a riot of flavours in its brief but very appealing menu. There’s pho of course (in three varieties), noodle soups and Vietnamese salads with plenty of veggie options too. Delicious food for fans of authentic Asian flavour.
Sunglass Hut, Eldon Square
Sometimes it’s best to focus on one product and do it well, something Sunglass Hut has very much taken to heart. They sell sunglasses - a vast range of sunglasses. From all the biggest and most exclusive names – RayBan, Versace, Prada, Swarovski. Their new Eldon Square branch offers advice and fittings, let you virtually try on any pair available and will send you away with a cool new pair of shades.
Deep North, Dean Street
A new bakery/coffee shop is always cause for celebration, especially when they’re as good as Deep North. Working from a Tynemouth base, this new Dean Street outlet emphasises fine ingredients and freshly baked goods, plus coffee made by proper baristas. The doughnuts are inventive and exemplary (like Orange & Clove, Baileys & Espresso and Brown Butter), the coffee is from Allpress and they’ll even sell you the beans. There’s some fun merch available as well.
JK Newcastle, Northumberland Road
A bright and distinctive Japanese/Korean convenience store, JK is the kind of place you visit to buy a soft drink and come out with a bag full of noodles, snacks and intriguing goodies. There’s a cornucopia of new flavours on offer – from melon frozen dessert bars to sliced radish pickles, smoked pancake balls to a very big range of noodle dishes, some of which you can eat in the store. A home away from home for visitors or a source of culinary excitement for the unfamiliar but curious, JK is a winner all round.
Prezzybox, Eldon Square
A new outlet for this big and inventive gift chain (that is affiliated to near neighbours in Eldon Square, Menkind), Prezzybox offers all the gifts you’d think of and lots you really wouldn’t. If your girlfriend would appreciate a teddy, a personalised message in a bottle or a cheese and wine hamper; or if your husband would be thrilled to open a cheesemaking kit, an engraved hammer or a personalised face cushion, Prezzybox has got you covered.
El Guapo, Pilgrim Street
An exciting new addition to Newcastle's cocktail scene, margarita bar El Guapo brings a slice of Mexican sunshine to the heart of Pilgrim Street. Dubbing themselves the 'masters of agave', El Guapo boasts the biggest selection of tequila, mescal and margaritas in town alongside a buzzy Mexican-inspired interior and a food menu full of mouth-watering tacos that'll no doubt see it cement itself as a new favourite hangout in no time.
Dream Burger, Clayton Street
New to Clayton Street is Dream Burger, a burger and chicken shop that keeps it simple and tasty. There’s a big range of Angus beef burgers like the Fiery Angus and the Dream Nacho burger, chicken burgers, kebab boxes, sides and a range of tasty mocktails, plus sider waffles if you’re still hungry! They deliver too.
From madcap gifts to a challenging exercise regime, fine coffee and doughnuts to somewhere to cut loose in the evening, these new city venues are bound to appeal. Newcastle is a constantly evolving city just waiting for you to get out and experience what's on offer, so hop to it and visit these newcomer venues - you might just even find your new favourite hangout.
