- Play Hard
- 26th Aug 2026
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- 0 minute
Where to eat, drink, shop and watch on Sunderland’s coolest street
Sunderland’s city centre has undergone quite the transformation over the past couple of years, but one thing has never changed: High Street West’s reputation.
Older locals remember the stretch for its luxury shoe shops, department stores like Binns, and its hustle and bustle. These days, you’ll find cool homeware shops, stunning food and drink spots and plenty of entertainment.
MACKIES CORNER
This little corner sits on High Street West and Bridge Street and has seen many shop fronts over the years. Sweet Home Alabama once resided there, remember going for a pick ‘n’ mix before seeing something at the pictures?
Now it’s been transformed into a hub for locals, bringing a new generation to Sunderland’s city centre.
Here’s our guide to some of the names that make up the corner.
Fat Unicorn
1A Bridge Street, Sunderland SR1 1TA
Fat Unicorn is an Iberian-inspired deli built around its cheese and charcuterie counter, stacked with artisan cheeses, crisps, crackers, chutneys and spreads. If you’re looking for an excuse to make a cheese board or have picky bits for tea, this is the perfect place to stock up.
Ashbrooke Home
1 Bridge Street, Sunderland SR1 1TA
This homeware shop is like something out of York or Edinburgh, dainty and full of charm. Here you’ll pick up your next lamp, rug or home fragrance, plus a gift for every occasion. This trove of trinkets isn’t just about homeware either, they also serve cakes, coffee, matcha and spritzes, with lovely outdoor seating for those sunny days.
Pablo Eggsgobao
1 Bridge Street, Sunderland SR1 1TA (Courtyard)
A well-established name here in the North East, now based in the centre of Mackie’s Corner, not in one of the shop fronts like you may expect, but in its courtyard. A Pablo Eggs-Go-Bao trailer surrounded by benches, string lights and people popping in and out for a bao.
Wildfire City
104 High Street West, Sunderland SR1 1TX
Brought to you by the same team who created the much-loved Wildfire, they’re expanding their prospects one Sunderland business at a time, and we’re not complaining. Expect small plates, their signature pizza slices, cocktails and specials you can’t ignore. Step inside and you’re greeted by a wall of vinyl records, and on Fridays they have a DJ spin a few. If you’re into a proper nice meal with real music, this is your place.
The Sweet Petite
103 High Street West, Sunderland SR1 1TX
Cakes and bakes that look too good to eat. Sweet Petite know how to make a sweet treat, whether you like a cheesecake piled high with fruity toppings or chunky cookies with surprise centres, this is a must-visit when in the city centre. They also offer a very popular afternoon tea, with stands packed with sandwiches, mighty scones and plenty of sweetness from the counter. Keep an eye on their Instagram for afternoon tea dates, blink and you’ll miss out.
Crave
105 High Street West, Sunderland SR1 1TX
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard about Crave, and you’re probably obsessed with it too. Run by a husband-and-wife duo, here you can build your own sandwich on a choice of breads, including proper homemade focaccia, alongside a stocked salad bar and Biscoff cinnamon rolls you didn’t expect to find but are so glad you did.
NAMES YOU SHOULD KNOW
There’s much more than just Mackie’s Corner on this humble street. It stretches from one end of town to the other and is packed with incredible finds. Check out these names you’ve probably walked past without realising, because they definitely deserve your attention.
Biz-R
99–100 High Street West, Sunderland SR1 3BY
Biz-R has lived on High Street West for over 20 years, and the customers just keep coming back for more. The draw with this coffee shop is its community, a family-owned and run business with friendly staff and on-site baked treats. Pop in, chat with the regulars and grab a muffin, it’s the place to people-watch.
The 3 Stories
92–94 High Street West, Sunderland SR1 3BY
A fresher find on Sunderland’s pub scene, and one you must check out. Sarah, her dad John and her husband Blaine spotted a gap in Sunderland’s evolving centre and wanted to bring something with Irish heritage, while staying true to Sunderland and its people. Inside are three floors, one dedicated to live music, one with a nightclub vibe, and one for chilled cocktails, plus a lush rooftop for when the weather behaves.
Miso House
97 High Street West, Sunderland SR1 3BY
Brought to you by the same faces behind The Korean Spoon and Bar Shu Impression, this recently opened restaurant is dedicated entirely to Japanese cuisine. You can count on fresh hand-rolled sushi, a variety of sushi and sashimi, alongside classic ramen and curry dishes.
Aperitif
7 High Street West, Sunderland SR1 3EX
Fancy an Italian before a show at the Empire? Aperitif is right on the theatre’s doorstep, serving up Italian tapas and signature cocktails. Their seafood risotto is a crowd-pleaser, and it would be rude not to pair it with an Aperol Spritz, the perfect stop before or after seeing something on the big stage. It tends to fill up fast, so be sure to book a table.
Little Shop
313 High Street West, Sunderland SR1 3ET
Small but mighty, this may look like your average coffee shop from the outside, but it’s so much more. Stocking sandwiches, freshly baked doughnuts and plenty of bakes, with exceptional coffee made by people who genuinely know their craft. What sets it apart is its fridge packed with beers and wines you won’t find anywhere else in the city.
Mexico 70
314 High Street West, Sunderland SR1 3ET
Tacos and tequila, is there a better combo? Another restaurant with an ideal location for a pre or post-Empire visit. Mexico 70 brings moody lighting, great music and even better food, with meat and seafood tacos alongside veggie and vegan options that don’t skimp on flavour. It makes for a great date night spot too.
ENTERTAINMENT
We’ve shopped, eaten, drunk, and now we need a little entertainment, luckily, Sunderland has plenty of places to catch a comedy show, piece of theatre or an up-and-coming indie band. Check out our events page for the latest happenings in the city.
Pop Recs and Sonny’s Coffee & Kitchen
172–175 High Street West, Sunderland SR1 1UP
Pop Recs isn’t your average music venue, it’s rich with history. Founded in 2013 by indie band Frankie & The Heartstrings, it had a couple of homes before relocating to the former Binns site in 2021, where it is today. It’s a music venue that embodies Sunderland’s DIY creative spirit, hosting up to 250 people alongside a huge range of community projects and art exhibitions.
Next door, you’ll find Sonny’s Coffee & Kitchen, named after one of the band members’ sons, serving up excellent coffee, house-baked sarnies and must-try Turkish eggs
Omniplex
4 Lambton Street, Sunderland SR1 1TP
A corner turn from High Street West and once the city’s Empire Cinema, has recently been transformed into a luxury destination for moviegoers. Inside, the food offering is Joe’s Fried Chicken, with plenty of sweets for a pick ‘n’ mix and a real retro cinema feel. The seats in the screens recline, with the option of beds too, though probably not a good idea if you actually want to watch the film, since you’ll be out like a light before the trailers roll.
The Fire Station
9 High Street West, Sunderland SR1 3HA
The Fire Station is a vibrant performance venue in the heart of Sunderland, housing a state-of-the-art auditorium alongside a cracking bar and bistro. It frequently hosts music acts, comedians, dance and theatre, packed with entertainment throughout the year. Upstairs are rehearsal spaces, teaching rooms and studios from Northern Academy of Music Education, who pride themselves on nurturing the city’s next generation of performers.
Sunderland Empire
4–5 High Street West, Sunderland SR1 3ET
Whether or not you’re from the city, you’ve heard of the Sunderland Empire. It’s sat proudly on High Street West for over 100 years and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. A piece of history that once hosted names as big as The Beatles and Charlie Chaplin now brings us spellbinding shows and musicals.
Molly Ferry
CONTENT ASSISTANT
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