- Play Hard
- 18th Jun 2025
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9 top lunch spots in Newcastle
Let’s be honest – we’re all guilty of wolfing down a soggy sandwich between meetings or shovelling salad in front of a laptop.
But what if your lunch break could be, well, an actual break?
Newcastle’s thriving food scene is full of indie gems and a few bigger names that make sitting in for lunch not just worthwhile, but something to genuinely look forward to. Here’s our pick of the best spots to slow down and savour.
Kaltur
19 Dean St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1PQ
Lunch deal: Two tapas per person, £20 | Three tapas per person, £25
Small plates, big flavours. Kaltur’s Spanish-inspired menu is made for grazing, even during a lunch hour. Their set lunch menu is a delightful way to sample their tapas-style dishes without committing to a three-hour siesta. Sit at the bar or tuck into a window seat and let jamón and Manchego transport you straight to Seville.
Meat:Stack
41-43 Groat Market, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1UG
Express lunch deal: Burger, beef dripping fries, dip and a can of soda, £10
Burgers done brilliantly. Located in the vibrant Bigg Market (with another venue at Grainger Market), this independent smashburger joint serves up juicy, charkissed patties, beefdripping fries and outrageous loaded concoctions. It’s fast – but not fast-food – so you can take a seat, savour every bite, and still make it back to the office.
Olive and Bean
17-19 Clayton St, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 5PN
A cosy Clayton Street independent café and deli serving hearty sandwiches, fresh salads, soups, and in-house baked cakes alongside top-notch coffee – ideal for a relaxed sit-down lunch or a slower-paced treat midday. With generous portions and a friendly, bustling vibe, it’s the kind of place where locals queue up – whether you’re after a savoury baguette or a slice from their epic cake counter.
Gino D’Acampo
The Quayside, INNSiDE by Melia Hotel, Bridge Court, Riverview, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BE
Lunch deal: Two courses, £26 | Three courses, £31
For when you want to up your lunch game, Gino D’Acampo on the Quayside serves up Italian classics in a bright, stylish setting with epic Tyne views. Their lunch menu strikes the perfect balance between indulgence and quick service – think king prawn bruschetta and tender chicken scaloppine, all with that warm, welcoming vibe that makes it feel like a mini escape from the office grind.
Social Bird
2/8 Fenkle St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5XU
New on Newcastle’s foodie scene, Social Bird brings laid-back vibes, next-level chicken dishes, and slick cocktails to Fenkle Street. From brunch to schnitzels and everything in between, it’s the perfect spot to perch for a bite with friends or colleagues.
Pitcher & Piano
108 The Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3DX
Lunch deal: Selected dishes available from just £9.75
Pitcher and Piano’s ‘Let’s Lunch’ deal offers a speedy selection of tasty lunch items, so you can fuel up with iconic views of the Tyne. Think rump steak, BBQ chicken strips, fish and chips, and posh fish finger sandwhiches. You’ll be heading back to the office fully fuelled and ready to go.
MOKU
90 Side, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1PR
Lunch deal: Any lunch dish and a drink, £9.50
Formerly Hula Co, MOKU serves up the best Hawaiian-inspired food in Newcastle – think poke bowls, tacos, curries and fried chicken. On Wednesday – Saturday between 12noon – 3.00pm, you can enjoy any lunch dish and a drink for just £9.50. In a rush? Call ahead to pre-order.
Mowgli
8 Nelson Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 5AW
Not strictly reserved for lunch, but we can’t recommend Mowgli’s Street Food Sharer highly enough if you’re looking for a tasty lunch in the city centre. For two people or more, pay £25 each for a table full of Mowgli’s iconic dishes, including yoghurt chat bombs, fenugreek kissed fries, sharing curries, roti bread and salted caramel ice cream to finish. Client lunch? Sorted.
Uno’s Trattoria
18 Sandhill, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3AF
A Newcastle classic since 1989, this family-run Italian sits snug under the Tyne Bridge and delivers warm, welcoming meals – from hearty pasta and stone-baked pizza to fresh salads. With weekday lunch ‘Happy Hour’ deals and a friendly dine-in vibe, Uno’s is the perfect place to park yourself for a well-paced, indulgent midday break.
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