When it comes to date night restaurants in Newcastle, there are so many great places to choose from, and I’m often asked on Instagram to provide recommendations. It does obviously depend on personal taste and the type of food you like, but I thought I’d pull together what would be my usual answers to this question.

This isn’t a comprehensive list of every fantastic restaurant in Newcastle, but more my personal favourites that I think would be ideal for date nights, and I find these venues deliver a consistently delightful experience—excellent food, impeccable service, and a wonderful atmosphere that makes them perfect for a date night in Newcastle if you want the whole wine and dine thing.

Valentine’s Day is obviously coming up, but honestly even when I was in a long term relationship I didn’t like the whole Valentine’s thing. So forget the Valentine’s Day gimmicks and special set menus. These places are all about quality, offering a great date night any time of the year. Whether you’re into tapas-style sharing plates, seafood, steak, sushi, or Indian cuisine, here are six restaurants in Newcastle I’d recommend for a memorable date night.

St. Vincent, Newcastle Quayside

Part wine bar, part restaurant, all charm.

St. Vincent is one of my favorite spots in the city, thanks to its big-hearted “everybody welcome” ethos and I love the wine bar vibe. Inspired by neighborhood bars in France and Italy, this venue is perfect for wine lovers and foodie, and Matt the manager there is excellent at providing recommendations. You’ll find delicious charcuterie boards, punchy flavors, unusual dishes that will surprise you how good they are, and an effortlessly cosy atmosphere.

Open Tuesday to Saturday, St. Vincent’s relaxed vibe and excellent food make it ideal for an unhurried date night spent on the Newcastle Quayside. I’ve reviewed St. Vincent in the past and had an incredible experience—check out my full review here to see why it’s worth visiting.

Branches, Jesmond

Elegant, indulgent, and unforgettable.

Branches, located in Jesmond, is a venue that truly knows how to make an occasion feel special. While I’ve enjoyed their Sunday lunch in the past, their evening à la carte experience was something else entirely and was genuinely one of the best evening meal experiences I had in the whole of 2024.

When I visited for a chef’s choice dinner, I really was blown away by the attention to detail in both the food and service, as well as how nice it all tasted. From pre-dinner cocktails to a rich seafood linguine and indulgent espresso martinis, every course was perfectly executed. It’s no surprise that Branches has won multiple awards and both myself and Rachael who came with me left saying it was a special occasion spot for a lovely dinner. 

If you’re looking for a restaurant that offers memorable food in a stylish yet welcoming atmosphere, Branches needs to be on your date night list. See my full reel of our experience here. 

Khai Khai, Newcastle

Authentic Indian food, bold flavors, and a warm atmosphere.

Khai Khai is one of my favorite spots in Newcastle for Indian cuisine, it’s just different to other places and is always excellent. Their dishes combine the distinctive regional food traditions of India with a creative, modern twist and smoke play. Every dish is made with the freshest ingredients, and the authenticity of the flavors is really noticeable.

I’ve been a few times and love the onion bhaji and murgh tikka which is an incredible smoked chicken in tandoori marinade for starters, and the chicken ghee roast masala is a go to main. I also find it great for their cocktail and mocktail menu. If you love bold flavors and a buzzing atmosphere, Khai Khai will not disappoint for date night.

Book a table for Khai Khai here. 

The Muddler

Pan-Asian dining with a vibrant vibe.

Muddler is my all time favorite sushi restaurant in Newcastle, and a fantastic pick for a relaxed date night in a lovely spot on Grey Street. They offer an incredible variety of Pan-Asian dishes alongside expertly crafted cocktails, it’s a venue that is good for the whole evening if you just want food, or to enjoy drinks here and nearby afterwards. 

I would recommend the Sleeping Volcano, Dynamite Roll and Spicy tuna sushi rolls if you like sushi, and skewer wise the beef and teriyaki salmon are both amazing, as are the gyoza starters. Wash it all down with a bottle of white. I think this might be my favourite date night restaurant in Newcastle – it’s also one to enjoy on your own if you ask for a window seat, we know I’m all for that as well.

Book a table at The Muddler here. 

Hibou Blanc

Classic dining with a modern twist.

Hibou Blanc on High Bridge Street is a great one if you want a bar for drinks and food in the same place. The bar is lovely, has plenty seating and I love the views out onto the High Bridge cobbles. The fine dining dishes they make here are locally sourced, flavor-packed dishes that change seasonally to showcase the best produce.

Enjoy your meal with one of their expertly crafted cocktails, or a bottle of wine from their wine list. Personally I’m a big fan of their spicy margs, maybe that is the ideal cocktail for date night! Whether you’re a foodie or a cocktail enthusiast, Hibou Blanc is a sophisticated setting for date night and drinks all under one roof. You might even get to hear the pianist on the giant piano in the bar if he’s playing.

Gaucho

Argentinian elegant steakhouse.

For steak lovers, Gaucho on Pilgrim Street is the ultimate date night destination especially if you don’t mind how much you spend. Known for its premium Argentinian cuts and beautiful bar and interiors, Gaucho is pretty special for date night. Their wine selection is equally impressive, featuring some of the best Malbecs you’ll find in the city.

The low lighting and bold decor make it a perfect choice for a romantic evening, whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply want to treat yourselves. Like I said though, it’s not cheap but always worth it.

Book a table at Gaucho here.

Dood

The Quayside’s newest gem.

I’ve added this one simply because I know so many people want to try it, and it is a lovely townhouse style venue on the Quayside with views overlooking the river. Dood is a fresh addition to Newcastle’s dining scene, and it’s already proving popular. My reel after restaurant week went crazy on Facebook with people excited to try it so I reckon it will be a popular date night spot.

On my recent visit, I was impressed by both the very attentive service, and the authentic Persian-inspired dishes. From starters like hummus and padron peppers to saffron-marinated chicken kebabs and grilled spiced lamb, every plate was packed with flavor and generously portioned. The staff were incredibly friendly, making it an all-around lovely dining experience. If you’re looking to try something new, Dood is well worth adding to your list for date night.

Pre or Post Dinner Cocktails in Newcastle

If you fancy some pre or post dinner cocktails before your meal, if it’s around Valentine’s Day then my go to would be WC Newcastle, they always have a very good Valentine’s cocktail menu and they aren’t just novelty either. Their mixologists are very experienced and they’re delicious. Tickets near Central Station also do some nice ones if you’re that end of town. Not specifically for Valentine’s Day, but I also enjoy Cafe Mercy on Grey Street and The Grey Owl on Grey Street too.

Newcastle is full of fantastic restaurants, but these six (plus one bonus!) are my personal picks for an unbeatable date night. Each offers something unique, from sharing style plates if you’re into sharesies, great wine and cocktails, and indulgent steaks and authentic Indian flavors.

The key to a great date night is more than just good food—it’s about the full experience: warm service, a welcoming atmosphere, and the chance to enjoy each other’s company without feeling rushed. Whether it’s your first date or your fiftieth, and of course a galentines or solo date night with yourself, these date night restaurants in Newcastle will give you a good night.

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