Newcastle's Top Family-Friendly Restaurants
Eating out with the family this half term?
Fat Hippo Underground
Shakespeare Street
While Fat Hippo was born in Newcastle, it now boasts restaurants across the UK, and its Newcastle outpost is an underground hidden gem in the city centre. Its relaxed vibe means the whole family will love it, and it’s just a short stroll from the shops. There’s a dedicated vegan menu and each burger (whether it’s vegan or not) comes with a free side (your choice of hand cut chips, fries, tater tots or purple slaw). With limited numbers available ‘til 28th April, diners have been loving Chip Shop Hooray – beer battered cod topped with ‘mushy’ minted peas, homemade tartare sauce, chipotle ketchup and salt ‘n’ vinegar batter scraps in a toasted brioche, served with chips – of course. Head along for Hippo Hour and enjoy two courses for £16.90 or three courses for an extra £3 (available weekdays 5pm–6pm). Under 12s can build their own burger with their choice of patty and customisable toppings, a sauce and a side. You can treat them to a milkshake too.
I Scream For Pizza
Quayside
Pizza and ice cream sounds good to us and there are New York-style slices here to suit all the family. Vegans will love the Truffle in Paradise and vegetarians should try the Geordie Auber-Jeans. Don’t forget the dip – the black truffle aioli is a dream. Opt for a 20” pizza to share then treat them all to the artisan soft serve. Better still, there’s a family deal for £25 (Monday to Thursday 5pm–6.30pm) where you can dig into a 20” pizza of your choice with a side of rhythm sticks (garlic fingers) and four soft drinks. There’s beer, cider and wine for the adults to order separately.
Kafeneon
Bigg Market
Greece is the word at Kafeneon. This kitchen and cocktail bar has been serving Newcastle since 1998: treat yourself to a pita toastie at lunch or for dinner dig in to a meze platter to share. The chicken gyros are pretty great too. Time it right (from 12pm–7pm from Sunday to Thursday), and you can order from the set menu – two courses for £15.95. We’d go for the grilled halloumi followed by the gyros (a choice of shredded pork or chicken in toasted pita bread with salad and tzatziki sauce, served with hand cut chips). This is a popular pick for family dining so we recommend you book in advance.
Umai Mi Oriental Kitchen
Grey’s Quarter
Umai Mi’s extensive menu has plenty to choose from. Think sushi rolls, rice bowls, soup noodles and sizzling hot plates. Their specials menu offers two courses for £12.95, three courses for £14.95 and, if you’re feeling hungry, four courses for £16.95, whilst their children’s menu offers one ‘big eat’ (main meal) and ice cream or sorbet for £6.50. Turn over that menu for fun activities to keep them occupied at the table including a word search and a noodle maze.
Hard Rock Café Newcastle
Quayside
From burgers and sandwiches to fajitas and salads, there’s plenty to love here. Surrounded by iconic music memorabilia and with an onsite shop for merch, Hard Rock is a totally unique place for the family to dine. Order from the new lunch menu and you can hold onto the promise that if it’s not served to you within 20 minutes of ordering, your next lunch meal is free. The new Messi Kids Menu features the Messi X Burger and the Messi Golden Chicken Sandwich along with more kids favourites including mac and cheese. For children of 12 and under, these meals come with a choice of a side, beverage, complimentary mini golden football, a collectable poster, activity sheet and stickers. This Easter Half Term (until 14th April) you can order four main meals to suit everyone for £40.
Pani's Café
High Bridge
Pani’s is an Italian with a Sardinian twist. You’re spoilt for choice with a range of starters from calamari to bruschetta and a generous selection of pasta, meat and fish dishes. It’s worth browsing the house specialities too – the pasta parcels are delicious. They kindly offer half portions of their pasta dishes for the kids on request and on the dessert menu (or sweet trolley) adults will want to save room for the limoncello tiramisu with Savoiardi biscuits soaked in limoncello, whilst younger diners will love the chocolate and orange sponge pudding smothered with dark chocolate sauce, served with vanilla ice cream.
Rio Brazilian Steakhouse
Quayside
On the first floor of Tomahawk Steakhouse with views of the River Tyne, the whole family are treated to a Brazilian culinary experience at Rio. Here’s how it works: help yourself to the salad bar, then when you’re ready turn the Rio card to the green bull’s head and the chefs will start to bring you all their Churrasco meat to carve at your table. When you need a break, simply turn the card over to the red bull, so you can enjoy your meal at your own pace. Children under five eat for free, meals for those aged five to eight cost £8.95 and for those nine to 12 meals are £12.50. Veggie, vegan and fish options are available with unlimited use of the salad bar, so no member of the family will be left hungry. The desserts are pretty great too.
