Where to Find the Best Brunch in the North East
From classic avocado on toast to tasty small plates served with free-flowing prosecco, when it comes to brunch the North East has some brilliant hotspots
Coach House at Middleton Lodge
Kneeton Lane, Middleton Tyas, Richmond DL10 6NJ
01325 377 977
middletonlodge.co.uk
Taking an estate-to-plate approach, the Coach House, in the heart of Middleton Lodge’s 200-acre estate, serves dishes created with ingredients taken from the walled garden and what can’t be sourced onsite comes from the best local suppliers. If it’s breakfast, start with homemade muesli or a freshly-baked pastry, followed by poached local eggs and sweet potato, smoked salmon crumpet or the full Coach House breakfast. Wanting a little longer in bed? Brunch is served from 11am and includes everything from maple-glazed bacon waffles to Hereford flat iron steak and Wensleydale eggs.
No28
27–29 Nelson Street, Newcastle NE1 5AN
0191 447 5590
no28newcastle.co.uk
This hidden gem in the heart of Newcastle is home to great bottomless brunches where you can enjoy up to two hours of free-flowing prosecco and tasty tapas – it’s no wonder they were named Newcastle Loves 2022 Best Bar and Best Late Night Venue runner up. Choose from tiger prawns, Spanish garlic mushrooms, chorizo in cider and thyme or black pudding tempura fritters served with patatas bravas, bread and salad.
Flat White Kitchen
40 Saddler Street, Durham DH1 3NU
0191 384 0725
flatwhitekitchen.com
No North East brunch list would be complete without a mention for Flat White Kitchen. Popular amongst students, families and brunch-lovers alike, this forward-thinking bistro has made a name for itself as the go-to brunch spot in the city. Served until 3pm, dishes include avocado on toast, baked eggs and ham hock hash bowls. The ricotta pancakes are a favourite here too, topped with fresh fruit, maple syrup and cinder toffee butter, perfect to be washed down with a silky smooth coffee.
Read More: Five Brilliant Brunch Recipes to Whip Up this Weekend
Toast
69a Front Street, Tynemouth NE30 4BP
instagram.com/toastatthecoast
Whether you fancy just a coffee and a freshly-baked pastry (the cherry and coconut Danish is our pick), or more of a sit-down start to your day, Toast at the coast is the perfect place to visit. After a brisk walk along the beach, head to Tynemouth’s Front Street for a seat inside this new café and bakery and order everything from steak and eggs to Northumberland kippers, poached eggs on toast and focaccia eggy bread. Our choice? The bubble and squeak topped with a soft egg deep-fried in panko bread crumbs, with crispy kale and lemon butter.
Signals
1a Station Square, Saltburn TS12 1QA
01287 623319
signalssaltburn.com
After an early walk along the coast, head to Signals for a warming brunch and a hot cup of coffee. Established in 1986, this bright and modern café serve their own Runway coffee, speciality hot chocolates and organic fruit smoothies. Dishes include everything from a full English to smashed avocado on toast, American-style pancakes and banana bread with Greek yoghurt and honey. Want a coffee to go? Head to the Side Hatch for a latte and a freshly-baked pastry to take away.
Hive Coffee Company
Church Bank, Jarrow NE32 3DY
07715 215476
hivecoffeecompany.uk
Escape the hustle and bustle of the everyday and settle down for a tasty brunch inside this 18th century, Grade-II listed manor house. Not only do Hive Coffee Company offer seasonal drinks, they also craft delicious brunch dishes such as eggs your way, bacon sarnies and little and large full English breakfasts. Their seasonal specials include posh beans on toast, toasted marshmallow and maple sweet potato pancakes, and spiced pumpkin hummus and roast mushrooms on toast.
Flamingo Bar and Café
Unit 3 The Castleside, Seaham Harbour Marina SR7 7EE
flamingobarandcafe.com
With views of the sea, this small, independent café is all about good, clean and healthy food with great flavours. When the weather allows take a seat on the terrace and cosy up with a fleecy throw and a vegan hot chocolate or chai latte. If it’s too cold, head inside (it’s dog-friendly) and order one of the healthy breakfast dishes – think smashed avocado, halloumi and cherry tomatoes on toasted sourdough, granola bowls, salmon and eggs and breakfast-filled bagels.
Burds
2 Burdon Terrace, Jesmond NE2 3AD
instagram.com/burdscafe
Inside the historic Grade-II listed Gatehouse on Burdon Terrace, Burds is the place to visit for delicious brunch dishes. Although small in size, this café offers mighty flavours including ‘nduja baked eggs, strawberry French toast, eggs Benedict and avocado and poached eggs on toast. However if you’re visiting for the first time, their best-selling dish (The Muff) is a must-try – think Charlotte’s Butchery homemade pork patty, bacon, a hash brown and fried egg, topped with American cheese and tomato sauce, enveloped inside a toasted English muffin.
Flore Café and Patisserie
26 Market Street, Newcastle NE1 6JE
florecafe.co.uk
Inside Newcastle’s Victorian Central Arcade you’ll find this pretty in pink café which has been attracting brunch lovers since it opened earlier this year. Designed with aesthetics in mind, the café is filled with floral decor, plush pink seats and there’s a private booth table for cosy brunching. If you’re hungry, we recommend the mixed berry French toast topped with fresh berries, maple syrup, pistachio crumbs and vanilla ice cream, but if savoury is more your style the breakfast tacos filled with rump beef, avocado creme, salsa and pickled red onions would be our pick.
Read More: Review: Victors, Newcastle Quayside
Sohe
97–103 Osborne Road, Newcastle NE2 2TJ
0191 281 8161
sohe.co.uk
On Jesmond’s bustling Osborne Road, Sohe is a haven for exotic flavours and Asian-fusion dishes. If you’re looking for an alternative way to enjoy brunch, book a table here and make it bottomless. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, enjoy 90 minutes of bottomless brunch and choose unlimited servings of Prosecco, Aperol spritz, Ashai or plum and lychee spritz, alongside a platter of starters to share and a delicious main of your choice.
Caboose
Blyth Boathouse, Quay Road, Blyth NE24 3PA
01670 359851
caboose-group.co.uk
Right on the riverside in Blyth, this family-run café, bistro and restaurant offers fantastic food at affordable prices. Their carefully crafted menus are a mix of classic and contemporary locally-sourced and seasonal dishes. Our favourite is the eggs Florentine with buttered spinach, baked mushrooms and poached eggs over a toasted English muffin and topped with hollandaise sauce. For those wanting to fuel up, try the signature eggy bread sandwich served with Cumberland sausages, smoked bacon, Stornoway black pudding and a crispy hash brown.
The Glasshouse Café at Bradley Gardens
Sled Lane, Wylam NE41 8JH
01661 852176
bradley-gardens.co.uk
Inside the 19th century glasshouse which once grew fruits for Bradley Hall, you’ll find a café serving freshly prepared food produced onsite by a talented team of chefs. The breakfast menu is full of the classics (eggs Benedict, homemade granola, scrambled eggs and smoked salmon on toast), plus there are toasted teacakes, scones, all-butter croissants and fruit salads if you want something lighter. Making a morning of it? Order a breakfast cocktail – the raspberry Bellini is our favourite.
The Truffled Hog
28 College Square, Stokesley TS9 5DN
01642 714745
thetruffledhog.uk
This neighbourhood café and casual bistro in the heart of Stokesley is all about laid-back dining with a luxurious twist. Serving seasonal dishes and all-day brunch, expect the likes of chorizo shakshuka, banana bread with raspberry compote, croque French toast and peanut butter pancake stacks. Our favourite? The creamed chestnut mushrooms on focaccia toast, topped with pistachio pesto and two poached eggs.
Aidan’s Kitchen
11 Starbeck Avenue, Newcastle NE2 1RH
0191 261 6852
aidanskitchen.co.uk
This independent kitchen and coffee shop is a brunch lover’s paradise. Open seven days a week, it’s a good idea to book a table, as this popular spot is always busy. From eggs Benedict to baked shakshuka, steak and eggs and giant fluffy pancakes, there’s plenty of choice. Make sure to leave room for a slice of homemade cake, traybake or a cookie – they’re delicious!
