- Play Hard
- 26th Jun 2026
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27 new openings to know about in the North East
Your local explore list just got longer…
Introducing the newest North East hotspots to get on your radar.
The Crescent, Metrocentre
Upper Green Mall, Metrocentre, Gateshead
Metrocentre is getting a brand-new destination for independent retail, and we’re so here for it. Formerly known as The Forum, The Crescent has been transformed into a beautifully designed, village-like space with up to 10 independent retail units, a central artisan coffee hub, Victorian-inspired shopfronts and lush greenery throughout. Think boutique shopping at a slower pace, right in the heart of one of the Metrocentre – and with local favourite Café Filto already confirmed as taking a spot, it’s shaping up to be something special.
New Greek Bakery
Clayton Road, Jesmond, Newcastle
Newcastle has long had a love affair with Greek food, but the bakery side of Greek food culture has never quite had its moment, until now. New Greek Bakery on Clayton Road in Jesmond is bringing authentic Greek pastries, sandwiches and desserts to Jesmond, alongside proper Greek coffee the way it’s actually drunk in Greece. Expect warm bougatsa dusted with icing sugar, flaky spanakopita, honey-drizzled loukoumades and freddo espressos, all made with imported Greek ingredients including PDO feta and Kalamata olives. Slow down, sit in and take your time with this one.
Café Vault
29 Newgate Street, Morpeth
Morpeth’s hidden gem has arrived – and the clue is very much in the name. Nestled in the heart of the town on Newgate Street, Café Vault serves up exceptional freshly prepared breakfasts, brunches and lunches made from locally sourced ingredients, all within the atmospheric surroundings of a former bank vault. Dog-friendly, warm and wonderfully cosy, it’s exactly the kind of independent café the North East does best. They even do tapas.
Hollister
Lower Red Mall, Metrocentre, Gateshead
The Californian lifestyle brand has officially landed at the Metrocentre, and it’s bringing its signature laid-back aesthetic with it. Whether you’re after easy-going denim, cosy hoodies or their iconic fragrances, Hollister’s new Lower Red Mall home is a solid addition to the shopping lineup at the region’s favourite retail destination.
Hickory’s Smokehouse
Low Fell, Gateshead
Texas-style BBQ has come to Gateshead, and if the buzz on social media is anything to go by, this one is already a serious hit. Hickory’s Smokehouse brings its legendary slow-smoked meats, epic sides and famous southern hospitality to Low Fell, delivering the kind of bold, no-fuss food that makes you want to go back before you’ve even finished your plate. Get yourself booked in.
HakuHaku Matcha Bar
Newcastle
Matcha lovers, this one’s for you. HakuHaku is a brand-new matcha bar coming to Newcastle, with the adorable dinosaur-branded spot generating serious excitement ahead of its opening. Expect speciality matcha drinks, a carefully curated menu and the kind of aesthetic that’s going to look very good on your grid. Watch this space for the venue reveal.
Tyne Cruises
River Tyne, Newcastle
There’s never been a better time to see the Tyne from the water. Tyne Cruises is offering scenic cruise experiences along the iconic River Tyne, giving visitors and locals alike a fresh perspective on the North East’s most famous waterway. Whether you’re looking for a date-night idea, a memorable group outing or just something a bit different on a weekend, this is one worth getting on your radar.
Mother Mercy Durham
19 Silver Street, Durham
The award-winning cocktail bar that’s taken Newcastle by storm has arrived in Durham, and the city has absolutely earnt it. From the team behind Mother Mercy, this new Silver Street venue brings the same exceptional cocktails and warm, table-service hospitality to the heart of Durham. Expect fan favourites like the East 8 Hold Up and Hot Honey Margarita alongside seasonal specials and alcohol-free serves. No queues, no fuss, just brilliant drinks.
Miso House
High Street West, Sunderland
Sunderland’s food scene continues to go from strength to strength, and Miso House is one of its most exciting new additions. Set on High Street West, this dedicated Japanese restaurant is filling a long-standing gap in the city for fresh, authentic sushi and sashimi, with everything hand-rolled to order in house. The menu also features ramen, curries, gyoza and more, with the team behind popular sister restaurants Bar Shu Impression and Korean Spoon bringing the same commitment to quality and authenticity to this new venture.
Arigato
Frederick Street, Sunderland
Tucked away in the basement of a beautiful old townhouse on historic Frederick Street, Arigato is a bit of a hidden gem – but one well worth seeking out. Owner Sachi Kotake, a nurse-turned-chef originally from near Kyoto, has been building a loyal following with her Japanese street food van for years, and has now opened her first sit-in restaurant in Sunderland city centre. The focus is on traditional Japanese street food rather than sushi and ramen – think steamed rice bowls, yakisoba noodles, curry udon, gyoza dumplings and more, all at prices that won’t break the bank.
The Pink Rose Café
Sea Road, Fulwell, Sunderland
Pretty in pink and proud of it, the Pink Rose Café has given Sea Road in Fulwell a gorgeous new addition. Owner Lyndsey Tye has transformed the former Rosemary’s Café into a floral, feel-good space serving up full breakfasts, waffles, loaded crumpets, pancakes, colourful matchas, ube lattes and fresh-baked cakes made entirely in house. There’s even a cosy library corner for those who fancy a slower start. With its vibrant aesthetic and warm community spirit, this one’s a real joy – and Sunderland is very lucky to have it.
The Confidence Coach
Stocksfield, Northumberland
North East fitness is about to get a new home in Northumberland. The Confidence Coach, a coaching-led fitness business founded by Newcastle entrepreneur Aaron, has signed the lease on a new site in Stocksfield, set to become the brand’s fourth gym when it opens later this year. Known for creating supportive, community-focused clubs particularly popular with people aged 40 to 60 looking to feel stronger, fitter and healthier, this is one to bookmark for the end of 2026.
LJ’s Mexican Street Food
Alley 3, Grainger Market, Newcastle
The Grainger Market has a brilliant new resident, and they’re serving up some seriously tasty tacos. LJ’s Mexican Street Food is the new venture from Dean Eccles, a North East chef with a career spanning stints working for Gary Rhodes and Richard Branson, LJ’s is named after his two children Lottie and Jacob. Expect traditional tacos and quesadillas made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, a regularly rotating seasonal menu and Dean’s now-legendary signature sauce: a fresh blend of green chilli and tahini. Family-run, passionate and rooted in real Mexican food culture, this one is a Grainger Market gem in the making.
TYDE Sea View Sauna
Lower Central Promenade, Whitley Bay
Wild luxury has arrived on the Whitley Bay coast. TYDE Sea View Sauna is bringing a premium, health-focused sauna experience to the North East seaside, combining the restorative benefits of heat therapy with breathtaking sea views. Whether you’re after a post-swim wind-down, a stress-busting solo session or a unique experience to share with friends, TYDE is delivering something genuinely special to the region’s wellness scene.
Designer Exchange
141 Grainger Street, Newcastle
Pre-loved luxury is having a major moment, and now Newcastle has its very own destination for it. Designer Exchange – the UK’s largest preloved luxury retailer, born in Knightsbridge in 2013 – has brought its curated edit of authenticated designer handbags, clothing and accessories to the city. Whether you’re looking to buy a dream piece or sell something from your own wardrobe, their in-house authentication experts have you covered. Sustainable, accessible and seriously stylish.
Sereniti Scan
No. 33 Business Hub, North of Tyne Industrial Estate, Benton
Founded by two experienced Tyneside midwives with 40 years of NHS experience between them, Sereniti Scan is a new private clinic in Benton designed to give expectant families the time, space and reassurance they deserve. Offering everything from early pregnancy scans and 4D imaging to gender scans and non-invasive prenatal testing, the calm and welcoming space was created so that wider family – grandparents, children, partners – can all share those special moments together without feeling rushed. A truly lovely addition to the North East.
Alpacly Ever After Lake Cabins
Alongside the A66, Lake District
OK, so technically this one sits just over the border, but hear us out. The Basecamp Lakeside Cabins at Alpacly Ever After are a new collection of eco-led glamping cabins set on a working farm and wetland reserve, overlooking a private lake with open views of Mell Fell and Blencathra in the Lake District National Park. With easy access from across the North East and bookings opening from July 2026, this is the perfect escape to pencil in for the rest of the year.
Slice, Roker
Roker Pier, Sunderland
New York-style pizza. Roker seafront. Unbeatable views of the lighthouse. If that sentence doesn’t have you reaching for your keys, we don’t know what will. Slice – the homegrown Sunderland brand behind the beloved Seaham and city centre venues – has taken over the former Pier Fish and Chips site at the top of Roker Pier, and it’s set to be their biggest and best yet. A large terrace seating around 150 people, plans for alcohol and events, loaded fries and pizza slices to grab and go, Slice Roker is going to be absolutely unreal this summer.
Belstaff
Dalton Park Outlet, Murton, County Durham
British heritage brand Belstaff has come to Dalton Park, and it’s a welcome one. Famous for its iconic waxed-cotton motorcycle jackets, premium outerwear and quality casualwear, Belstaff is the brand for those who invest in pieces built to last a lifetime. If you’ve been waiting for a reason to head to Dalton Park, this is it.
Fleur de K
Forest Hall, Newcastle
Fresh, feminine and full of heart, Fleur de K is bringing a modern independent florist to the heart of Forest Hall. This family-run shop offers beautiful blooms and thoughtful gifts for every occasion, with a focus on the personal touch you just can’t get from a supermarket bunch. Their gorgeous pastel shopfront alone is worth making the trip for – and with more exciting news promised in the pipeline, this is one to follow.
Ouseburn Event Space
9 Lime Street, Ouseburn, Newcastle
The Ouseburn Valley has a brilliant new addition, and it’s set to become one of Newcastle’s most exciting new cultural hubs. Ouseburn Event Space is a converted warehouse venue hosting live music, art exhibitions, wellness events, community gatherings and major sporting occasions – bringing together the best of the city’s independent community in one atmospheric Lime Street space. With Smoove & Turrell already confirmed for a live show this summer, the programme is shaping up to be a real treat.
Dolce Vita
21 North Terrace, Seaham
Set inside the beautifully restored former Armoury building on North Terrace in Seaham, Dolce Vita is bringing an authentic slice of Italy to the Durham coast. Part of a wave of exciting new openings in the area, this Italian restaurant is the kind of neighbourhood gem that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled across something special – warm, characterful, and serving up the real thing. Seaham is on quite a run right now, and Dolce Vita is a big part of why.
Paddy’s Irish Bar
Bridge Street, Morpeth
Morpeth now has its own Irish sports bar, and Paddy’s is promising good times and great pints in equal measure, with live sports on the screen and all the warmth you’d expect from a proper Irish bar. Whether you’re catching the match or just stopping in for a pint, Bridge Street is about to get a very lively new regular haunt.
Northumberland Haunted Museum
Amble, Northumberland
Something haunted is coming to Northumberland — and it sounds brilliant. The Northumberland Haunted Museum is an immersive experience bringing the region’s ghost stories, haunted artefacts and chilling folklore to life in a one-of-a-kind permanent museum, set to open in Amble. Think cursed objects, forgotten tales and real-life paranormal investigations, all in a historic building that’s guaranteed to give you goosebumps. The crowdfunding campaign is live now, so get behind it and be among the first through the doors when it opens.
Deep North
Yarm High Street, Yarm
The North East’s cult artisan doughnut brand is heading to Yarm, and the High Street is about to get a whole lot sweeter for it. Deep North – the by-scratch bakery beloved for its outrageously good crème brûlée doughnuts, brown butter glazes and homemade jams – is taking over the former Hobo Coffee House on Yarm High Street, bringing its signature artisan doughnuts and speciality coffee to the town. Founded by schoolfriends Phil King and Tom Clark, who launched their first site in Tynemouth in summer 2022, the brand has quietly built one of the most devoted followings in the region. With signs already up and an opening promised very soon, Yarm’s doughnut era is incoming.
Norse
26 Market Place, Durham
Durham’s wine scene just got a seriously exciting new addition. Norse is a brand-new Scandi wine bar from sommelier Daniel Jonberger – whose CV spans Rockliffe Hall and the former two-Michelin-star Raby Hunt – and his wife Donna. Inspired by Daniel’s Swedish homeland, expect small sharing plates, from smoked venison on dark toast to sirloin steak tartare, alongside over 100 wines you won’t find on the supermarket shelves. Pull up a seat at the central bar and settle in.
Brasserie Quartier
Prince Bishops Place, Durham
Another new opening in Durham is this brilliant new independent French brasserie, and it’s filling a gap the city didn’t quite know it had. Family-owned Brasserie Quartier on Prince Bishops Place serves up classic French fare. Think French onion soup, poulet au poivre and crème brûlée, alongside great wine, brunch and cocktails, in a warm, brass-lit space just moments from the Market Place.
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