Planning on dining out during Newcastle Restaurant Week? Here are my top tips on how to make it the most appetising experience in your diary this summer.
NE1’s Newcastle Restaurant Week is back on the menu, with more than 100 eateries taking part between Monday 5th and Sunday 11th August, 2024.
This popular week-long event happens twice a year, giving diners the chance to eat out for just £15, £20 or £25 per person.
With the next one just a few weeks away, I’m sharing a few insights to help you get the most out of this scrumptious staple on the city’s what’s on calendar.
So, whether you’re a shiny newbie to Restaurant Week or a long-standing foodie at heart, tuck in and enjoy!
Try a new restaurant
One of my favourite things about Newcastle Restaurant Week is that it’s a great opportunity to visit a restaurant you’ve never been to before. Think of it as a mini taster of their signature dishes, cooking style and ambience, all for less. And you never know, you might discover a new gastronomic gem.
Experiment with different cuisines
We’re all guilty of being creatures of habit from time to time and sticking with the dishes and cuisines we already know and love. But Restaurant Week is a chance to swap your go-to pasta for Pad Thai or ditch your succulent steak for sushi. Trying new ingredients and flavour combinations might just surprise you, especially when they’re not pulling on your purse strings!
Return to old favourites
Of course, sometimes we’re looking for any excuse to re-visit our favourite dining destinations – and Restaurant Week is just the ticket! It’s also a chance for you to introduce your faves to a new partner, friends or colleagues. And think of it as a little treat to yourself, while also showing local restaurants your continued loyalty and support.
Book as early as you can
Restaurant Week is hugely popular, with more than 50,000 diners flocking to the city during January’s event. Tables book up quickly, so make your reservation as soon as possible so you don’t miss out on your top choice. It also pays to be flexible – evening slots fill up first, so consider lunchtimes or late afternoons to uncover availability peppered elsewhere throughout the week.
Look at the menu
This goes without saying, but always check the restaurant’s menu to ensure everything meets your expectations. Some dishes might have price supplements and not every restaurant will offer all three of the £15, £20 and £25 deals. Similarly, some eateries might offer three courses for £20 while others might only serve two for this set price. Get familiar with the combos being dished up!
Read the fine print
Different restaurants have different T&Cs so read these thoroughly on the Get Into Newcastle website. To illustrate, one place I visited a few years ago wouldn’t let us eat from their Restaurant Week menu because I didn’t request this in my online booking. So, while the tables around us enjoyed their NE1 offering, we ate from their regular a la carte menu. Likewise, some establishments only offer their Restaurant Week deals on specific days and at certain times, so triple-check these details before you book anything.
Pay it forward
Hopefully, you’ll be bowled over by your meal, so why not leave an online review or share photos on your socials and tag the restaurant? Or take an old-skool approach and recommend it to your family and friends through word of mouth?
Restaurant Week is all about celebrating Newcastle’s eclectic food and drink scene and indulging in a memorable dining experience, so let’s support our local businesses and all the people who play their part in filling our tummies with delicious culinary creations!
For more information about NE1’s Newcastle Restaurant Week, visit www.getintonewcastle.co.uk/ne1-events/restaurant-week.
