We’re not even halfway through the year but Newcastle city centre has already undergone a number of changes.
New restaurants and cafes have sprung up offering customers everything from Argentinian cuisine to Robusta coffee, while many of our favourite haunts have transformed themselves inside and out. Quayside restaurant and bar Aveika is one such venue to have undergone a total revamp and invested an impressive £300,000 in the city to attract more diners. And the popular Teahouse cafe that shut its doors more than two years ago has reopened with a name and look. Meanwhile, Leila Lily’s has created a stunning private dining room that makes for an ideal location to celebrate special occasions or host parties. While the North East may have been hit with flurries of snow in recent weeks, it might be hard to believe that spring and summer are just around the corner. However, while we dare to dream of those warmer days we take a look over the places that have opened or changed in Newcastle city centre so far in 2023.
Gaucho
Stylish new Argentinian steak restaurant Gaucho has taken over the Grade II listed building on Market Street, which was once the home of Virgin Money. The venue opened on March 11 offering diners 100% carbon-neutral steaks” from Black Angus cattle as well as a modern range of Argentinan dishes. The Newcastle restaurant is the chain’s first in the North East and can sit around 120 people. The inside has been decorated in an Argentinian style featuring pampas grass along with an orange, blue, and gold colour scheme. It also makes for a great place to grab a drink, with a large bar in the centre of the restaurant, while those looking to celebrate a special occasion can book one of the venue’s two private dining rooms.
Claremont Teahouse
A popular Newcastle tearoom that shut its doors more than two years ago also opened on March 11 with a new name and totally transformed interior. The former Teahouse on Eldon Place has been brought back to life as the Claremont Teahouse after being taken over by The Northumberland Restaurant Company. The business was better known as the Quilliam Brothers’ Teahouse before it was sold in 2019. The Teahouse then opened at the premises under different owners but closed in 2020 after falling into administration. Now the venue has undergone a total refurbishment and sells a range of teas, coffees and bakery items from both DotBagel and Kennedy and Rhind. It also serves brunch and lunch, as well as a wide selection of vegetarian and vegan products. Meanwhile, work is continuing to revamp a cinema that sits underneath the café, which café bosses plan to hire out for events.
Black Sheep Coffee
Newcastle’s former L’Occitane store has been transformed into a new coffee shop offering stunning views of the city centre. Black Sheep Coffee opened on Grainger Street on February 8 promising drinkers “a proper cup of coffee” and a stylish place to relax. The unit stands on the corner with Nelson Street and features huge floor-to-ceiling windows with great views of Grey’s Monument. The venue is the London chain’s first branch in the North East and offers an extensive range of Robusta coffee, smoothies and shakes. it also serves a variety of food including bagels, toasties and its “signature” Norwegian waffles.
Ngon
This Vietnamese restaurant and café is said to be the first of its kind in the city centre. Ngon is tucked away on Low Friar Street in Grainger Town and serves a range of tasty Vietnamese dishes that have already been a hit with students for its range of vermicelli bowls and rice dishes. The venue opened for the first time on January 27 and owner Long Phan told Chronicle Live it is “the first Vietnamese café and restaurant in Newcastle city centre.”
Aveika
This Japanese restaurant and bar on Newcastle’s Quayside has undergone an impressive £300,000 transformation inside and out. The venue, which is owned by the Gainford Group, has got rid of its nightclub and is now focused on its drinking and dining offering. Gainford Group Director, Imran Khaliq, told Chronicle Live that he felt the time was right to give the venue a refresh after eight years of trading and hoped the new look would attract more diners during the daytime. The new-look venue opened on Saturday, March 11 featuring stylish lighting and seating, an extended dining area on its mezzanine level and large windows offering great views of the Quayside.
The Centurion
The landmark boozer at Newcastle Central Station has unveiled a glamorous new private drinking area that’s set to be the perfect place for parties and events. Formerly known as the ‘secret bar,’ the function room is now called the ‘Stephenson Lounge’ and has undergone an impressive refurbishment over the last six months. The venue, which launched in January, can cater for up to 20 people and features its own private bar as well as a range of stylish velvet seating. Groups can contact the bar to book the room in advance and can also enjoy a range of meals there as well as buffet-style catering.
Victors
This glamorous restaurant on Newcastle’s Quayside has opened a stunning heated conservatory that diners can enjoy whatever the weather. The venue launched the picture-perfect new addition to its outdoor area in January which offers customers the chance to enjoy views of the Millennium Bridge without feeling the winter chill. The space is covered by a fully retractable roof and has and adaptable glass walls making it an all-weather setting for guests. Inside, it is decorated with hanging wisteria and sage green furnishings that Victors bosses believe will be a hit with diners wanting to capture “perfect Instagram photos.” The modern Asian and American-inspired eatery will be serving its full range of food and drink inside the conservatory which can sit up to 35 people and has standing room for 50. The space is now open to customers and is also available to book for special occasions such as birthdays, baby showers and corporate events.
Leila Lily’s
This Grey Street restaurant has amped up the glamour with the launch of a new private dining and event space. Leila Lily’s has created a stunning new bar and dining area on the lower ground floor called Eva Rose. Owners, Malhotra Group plc, believe that it will be the new “go-to” place for events ranging from family celebrations to corporate lunches. Inside features an “opulently decorated” bar and restaurant with bespoke wallpapers and intricately patterned soft furnishings set to delight Instagram fans. The bar can hold up to 60 guests and the dining area can accommodate up to 18 people. There is also a DJ sound booth and stage with the venue holding a late licence until 2am. Food is provided by Leila Lily’s team of chefs, who can cater for a range of events including children’s parties, wedding receptions and themed celebrations.
Mantra Thai
Mantra Thai, on Forth Banks, has undergone a stunning refurbishment inside and out as it looks to welcome new customers through the door. Owners Jeab and Sunye Prapunwong first opened the restaurant in 2014 and have built up an impressive reputation as being the place to go for special occasions. With room for around 150 people inside, the restaurant has now shifted its focus from fine dining to becoming a more relaxed place to enjoy good food in the hope of appealing to more diners. The revamped Mantra Thai features floor-to-ceiling glass windows, a stylish bar and dining room and a large outdoor seating area for the warmer months. The restaurant also offers a private function area with big screens for events and meetings.
Source: Chronicle Live
