Bon Appetit

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• Blake's Coffee House read more ›
  (53 Grey Street. Tel. 0191 261 5463)
  Jazz-inspired sandwich bar and eatery serving light meals. Blake's is where students mix with office workers tucking into the in-house treats on offer. Plenty of seating is available, along with free wireless internet connection.
• Blake's Coffee House read more ›
  (53 Grey Street. Tel. 0191 261 5463)
  Jazz-inspired sandwich bar that also offers light meals. Students mix with office workers tucking into the in-house treats, plenty of seating is available and there's free WiFi.
• Panis read more ›
  (61 Highbridge Street. Tel. 0191 232 4366)
  Stylish café run by an Italian family who are hot on service and good food. They serve authentic dishes and cakes from their homeland to a young crowd.
• Simply Shakes read more ›
  (22 Derwent Street. Tel. 0191 565 1804)
  Just a 20-minute metro ride out of the city and you're at Sunderland's first milkshake bar. There are some 120 milkshake flavours to choose from, including Aero Mint Bubble and Jelly Babies.
• Olive & Bean read more ›
  (17-19 Clayton Street. Tel. 0191 233 0990)
  Down-to-earth delicatessen serving some of the best sandwiches in town. Wash yours down with an organic, hand-picked and roasted coffee.
• Stateside Diner read more ›
  (37 Pink Lane . Tel. 0191 261 7370)
  A throwback to 1950s America, this kitsch diner serves up great burgers (try the Texan Burger) with a backing track of rock 'n' roll hits from Elvis and Bobby Darrin on the jukebox.

• The Raj Tandoori read more ›
  (Pudding Chare. Tel. 0191 232 1450)
  Long-established, family-run Indian restaurant hidden away down a cobbled back street in the centre of the city, but well-regarded by locals who enjoy the traditional curries in simple surroundings. No frills, just good-value food served by knowledgeable and easygoing staff.
• As You Like It read more ›
  (Archbold Terrace, Jesmond. Tel. 0191 281 2277)
  This new venture is a feast for the eyes and the belly. Packed with weird and wonderful artefacts, 'It' also serves up locally sourced comfort food.
• Wagamama read more ›
  (8 Eldon Square. Tel. 0191 233 0663)
  This branch of the award-winning noodle bar chain offers consistently high-quality, good-value food for a mixed, but hip crowd in the recently developed Old Eldon Square.
• Rumpolis read more ›
  (17 Sandhill, Quayside. Tel. 0191 232 6969)
  This traditional Italian restaurant is the perfect starting point for a bite to eat before a night on the town. It is home to a mixed, usually younger, fun-time crowd serving up simple Italian staples of pizza and pasta.
• Bruges read more ›
  (46 Brentwood Avenue, West Jesmond. Tel. 0191 281 8081 )
  A stylish bistro in eclectic Jesmond, Bruges specialises in light European dishes, served in tasteful modern surroundings.
• The Grill read more ›
  (Tiger Tiger, The Gate, Newgate Street. Tel. 0191 235 7065)
  Tiger Tiger is one of the city's happening nightspots for the younger crowd, but the venue's restaurant has recently relaunched and serves quality fare. The Grill's signature dish of sirloin steak and half a Canadian lobster is proving a big hit with diners.

• Malmaison Brasserie read more ›
  (Quayside. Tel. 0191 245 5000)
  This chic hotel-bar and restaurant has a great menu, including interesting 'home grown' regional offerings, including Lindisfarne oysters and Craster kipper tarts.
• Starter and Puds read more ›
  (2-6 Shakespeare Street. Tel. 0191 233 2515)
  The name gives the game away: this restaurant only serves starters and puddings. Housed in a former bank vault, you can pick and mix your dishes much like a tapas bar, only the emphasis here is firmly on English cuisine.
• Malmaison Brasserie read more ›
  (Quayside. Tel. 0191 245 5000)
  Chic hotel-bar and restaurant that has a great à la carte menu and serves interesting regional dishes, including Lindisfarne oysters and Craster Kipper tarts.
• Oldfields read more ›
  (Milburn House, Dean Street. Tel. 0191 212 1210)
  Housed on the ground floor of a listed building in the city, this up-market restaurant has retained many of the property's original features to allow its diners to eat in grand surroundings. Try the rainbow trout with gooseberry chutney.
• Fratelli read more ›
  (Bell Villas, Ponteland. Tel. 01661 872 195 )
  Modern Italian restaurant where a lively crowd can usually be found at the weekend. The pick of the dishes is the vitello saltimbocca (pan-fried veal with parma ham and parsley sauce) served with risotto alla Milanese.
• The Treehouse Restaurant read more ›
  (Anlwick Garden, Denwick Lane, Alnwick, Northumberland. Tel. 01665 511 852)
  Housed in the beautiful grounds of Alnwick Castle in what is described as Europe's biggest treehouse, this is indeed a quirky restaurant which also boasts great food in the evening. Local produce such as pan-fried breast of Blagdon Farm chicken rule the roost.

• Fisherman's Lodge read more ›
  (Jesmond Dene. Tel. 0191 281 3281)
  The Lodge is a sumptuous, classy old building hidden in the leafy surroundings of Jesmond Dene. It dishes up superb seafood cuisine to a well-heeled crowd.
• Six read more ›
  (Gateshead. Tel. 0191 440 4948)
  Housed in the rooftop of the Baltic Centre, this restaurant may not be the most expensive in Newcastle, but it has the best views across the Tyne. Try the pheasant and black pudding spring rolls to start with and finish with a Pimm's jelly knickerbocker glory.
• Loch Fyne read more ›
  (West Avenue, Gosforth. Tel. 0191 255 9320)
  Seafood lovers can worship the best the oceans have offer at this restaurant in a converted church. The hot shellfish platter with lobster is a treat too good to resist.
• Loch Fyne read more ›
  (West Avenue, Gosforth. Tel. 0191 255 9320)
  Seafood lovers can worship the best the oceans have offer from this restaurant situated in a converted church. The hot shellfish platter with lobster is a treat too good to resist.
• Café Lowrey read more ›
  (33-35 Broadway, Darras Hall. Tel. 01661 820 357)
  Understated and unpretentious in appearance, Café Lowrey attracts a mature clientèle with its fantastic, locally sourced fare. The signature dish is seared calf's liver and mash, served with bacon, crispy onions and rosemary jus.
• The Josephine Restaurant read more ›
  (Langley Castle Hotel, Langley-on-Tyne, Hexham. Tel. 01434 688 888 )
  Housed in a 14th-century castle, close to Hadrian's Wall and the Northumbrian countryside, the location alone sets this restaurant apart. The modern French and British menu is equally impressive.

After Dark

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• Goose read more ›
  (Eldon Garden, Percy Street. Tel. 0191 221 2208 )
  One of the largest pubs in town, the Goose attracts students, locals, business people, shoppers and clubbers, depending on when you land. Large TV screens often feature sport, and it is also a good meeting place before and after Newcastle United home matches.
• The Crown Posada read more ›
  (31-33 The Side. Tel. 0191 232 1269)
  Traditional pub in the centre of the lively Quayside. The Crown is devoid of jukeboxes, TV screens and one-armed bandits, attracting a more mature drinker.
• The Blackie Boy read more ›
  (11 Groat Market. Tel. 0191 232 0730)
  Watering hole on the busy Bigg Market. Subdued lighting and plenty of seating make it the preferred venue of the sensible crowd.
• Montpellier's read more ›
  (182 High Street, Gosforth. )
  This new wine bar has replaced the former Earl Grey pub, but still retains the traditional charm of the original, including subdued lighting and stripped wood flooring. Tuesday is quiz night.
• Benton Ale House read more ›
  (Front Street, Benton. Tel. 0191 266 1512)
  Homely, no-nonsense, traditional bar that draws in locals, shoppers and business people with its wide range of real ales and reasonably priced menu.
• Hoko-10 read more ›
  (10 Dean Street. Tel. 0191 211 1108)
  Dark, decadent and a magnet for the city's in-crowd, thanks mainly to its wide selection of bottled beers from around the world.

• Mr Lynch read more ›
  (Archbold Terrace, Jesmond. Tel. 0191 281 3010)
  The understated cool of this leftfield establishment is underlined by the kitsch artwork on the walls and the weird electric blue lighting outside. Live music and DJs every night.
• The Cooperage read more ›
  (32 The Close. Tel. 0191 233 2940)
  The building dates back to the 14th century, but the live music acts upstairs are very much of today.
• The Head of Steam read more ›
  (The Cluny, 36 Lime Street, Ouseburn. Tel. 0191 230 4474)
  One of Newcastle's coolest watering holes, The Cluny is a bar, art gallery and music venue, all rolled into one.
• Cumberland Arms read more ›
  (Ouseburn, Byker. Tel. 0191 265 6151 )
  Traditional old-style pub overlooking the Ouseburn river. Live music ranges from indie, rock, jazz, through to traditional folk.
• Bridge Hotel read more ›
  (Castle Garth. Tel. 0191 232 6400)
  A long-standing live music venue and pleasant bar in which to relax and enjoy a pint of real ale. It affords spectacular views of the Tyne Bridge and Quayside from the terraced area.
• The Crows Nest read more ›
  (Percy Street. Tel. 0191 261 2607 )
  The Nest has a mixed clientèle of locals and students during the week with the weekend featuring live bands and regular guest DJs.

• Nancy Bordello read more ›
  (13 Argyle Street. Tel. 0191 260 2929)
  Decadent and just a little off the wall, this relatively new neighbourhood bar may be just on the fringes of the city-centre action, but it attracts a great crowd all week long.
• Nancy Bordello read more ›
  (13 Argyle Street. Tel. 0191 260 2929)
  Decadent and just a little off the wall, this neighbourhood bar may be just on the fringes of the city-centre action, but it attracts a great crowd all week long.
• Digital read more ›
  (Times Square. Tel. 0191 232 1122)
  Thursday night features indie and Britpop, on Friday it's cutting edge and alternative dance music. House music plays every Saturday night.
• Lineker's Bar read more ›
  (Unit 1, South Podium, Pilgrim Street. )
  This famous brand has set up camp in Newcastle offering lively music and cheap drinks for the younger crowd. It boasts two long bars and a few sofas and plenty of standing room.
• Blue read more ›
  (Mansion House Chambers, Quayside. Tel. 0191 232 4144)
  Formerly Julies 2 nightclub, Blue has reinvented itself as an eye-catching hotspot for those who like their contemporary dance and hip hop loud and loaded.
• Buffalo Joe's read more ›
  (Pipewellgate, Gateshead Quays. Tel. 0191 478 9191)
  A saloon bar with Buffalo Girl barmaids and a mechanical bucking bronco taking centre stage. They really don't come any livelier than this Wild West-themed boozer.

This month...

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Tips

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