Where To Enjoy The Best Street Food In Newcastle
Some of the best food to come out of Newcastle in recent years has got to be the street food choices on offer. Many of the North East’s best street food came from vans that have since outgrown their wheels and become premises to visit – showing their success that’s down to really good food. Before its sad closure, Stack also provided many of these businesses a spot from which to sell. So where are they all? Here’s where to get the best street food in Newcastle.
Some of these places were given a big boost during pandemic times, with many street food vans taking to housing estates when restrictions allowed and it was the highlight of everyone’s week. They might not think so but I know so many that people wouldn’t have even tried them otherwise.
Thankfully since then the multiple outdoor street food events on the North East social calendar are back, so there’s plenty of opportunity for them to quite literally pop up. Street food in Newcastle can be found at these places.
Street Food In Newcastle Grainger Market
The Grainger Market is one of the oldest parts of Newcastle, with the hall dating back to the 1830’s. The big aisles lined with fruit and veg, butchers and fish traders are still there, but there’s plenty newer businesses in there too, including some of the most popular street food choices in Newcastle.
Acropolis
Quite possibly the most popular choice in Newcastle, Acropolis are literally everywhere serving up authentic Greek food to go. Gyros, halloumi, wraps, salads, kebabs, as well as feta, tzatziki, baclava and platters. Their vans may be found at every event in the North East, but this is a fixed spot in the Grainger Market where you can always get your gyros fix.
Redheads Mac n Cheese
Redheads Mac n Cheese is so good – who doesn’t love mac n cheese? As well as their vans they have a spot in the Grainger market that serves up all their choices. Original mac n cheese, or with toppings like chorizo, chilli beef, salsa and guac.
Feds Fried Chicken
Feds Fried Chicken have two locations, one of which is the Grainger Market. Pick up a chicken burger or sandwich in a variety of flavours, or go for a two or three piece chicken on the bone or as tenders. Get an array of sides to go with it including dips, fries, spicy beans or house slaw.
Dumpling & Bun
Find Dumpling & Bun in the Grainger Market too, serving up healthy dumplings, stuffed buns and green teas. This chinese stall is authentic and great value.
By the River Brew Co.
A busy addition to the Newcastle quayside, or actually the Gateshead quayside as it’s over the bridge, By The River Brew Co. opens the street food market at weekends. Some of the places I’ve already mentioned are residents there such as Acropolis, but here’s a few others that might take your fancy.
Dabbawal
Dabbawal may have proper restaurant premises in Newcastle, but they originated as traditional Indian street food that was made and dished out on the streets of Mumbai. Their food is delicious, with huge menus.
Dot Bagels
Another that may have branched out into shops now, but Dot Bagels can be found at the By The River Street food market. Filled with some incredible fillings like salt and chilli chicken, southern fried, prawns, salmon and cream cheese – these bagels are the best you’ll have outside of New York.
Meat Stack
If you’re after a burger then this is where to get it from. Huge American style burgers with a variety of flavours and toppings, oozing with cheese. Unreal.
Veganatomy
One for vegans, Veganatomy serve plant based sushi, and grazing boxes. Ingredients such as avocado, carrots, cabbage and greens wrapped in seaweed and sticky rice.
See more on By the River Brew street food market, including the full list of resident street food stalls on the website here.
Newcastle Quayside Market
Every Sunday the Newcastle quayside market lines the path from under the Tyne Bridge right along to Pitcher and Piano, and although there are stalls that dot themselves along, the far end by the Tyne Bridge is a bit of a courtyard for street food vendors.
Expect many of the traders I’ve already mentioned, as well as independent coffee vans, Chuchos Mexican tacos, fish and chips, ice creams, burgers and hot dogs. They can change from week to week but there is always a good variety, and it’s a great place to grab something and then walk along the river to browse all the stalls.
Jesmond Food Market
The Jesmond Food market is held every other Saturday on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month. It goes right along Armstrong Bridge serving up some of the tastiest food products from the North East to buy and cook yourselves, but they also welcome street food vans so you can enjoy a snack or bite while you’re there.
Maybe you’re going on a walk along Jesmond Dene, or are visiting for the market itself, but some of the best traders include Dosa Kitchen – south Indian street food, Lucca pizza company, Acropolis – obviously, told you they’re everywhere, the little Bao Bar, and many more.
It’s well worth a visit, and they announce the day’s traders on their Instagram account which you can follow here.
Tynemouth Market
It’s not just the centre of Newcastle that has all sorts of street food options on offer, the coast has a few opportunities to get your good North East food to go too. Tynemouth Market is open every weekend on both Saturday and Sunday, held in Tynemouth station.
As well as all of the local stalls selling homeware, gifts, paintings and photography, there are lots of local food and coffee traders too. Regular Jos was a Tynemouth market regular for serving coffee from their little van, and they still are but they have now expanded into a cafe in Tynemouth too.
You can always pick up some crepes, hot dogs, Indian street food and good burgers from Tynemouth market, and a great selection of scotch eggs and sausage rolls too. It’s dog friendly so you’ll find they head straight to the sausages – and with good reason.
Salt Market Social
Salt Market social is on the North Shields fish quay, and although you have to book a table to attend, it’s a big hall with a bar serving local craft beers, and there is a selection of street food stalls to choose your food from.
As well as their resident street food vendors such as Bao Down serving Bao buns, Scott & Wilson and Medhead serving a range of Mediterranean inspired food, they sometimes have pop up guests too.
Read my review of Salt Market Social here, I had Lobo Rojo tacos when I went (best tacos in the North East in my opinion) and crepe for dessert.
Street Food in Newcastle – best for last?
A few more to mention because they are street food in style or that’s how they originated, and these definitely are best for last because they’re all incredible. Scream for Pizza began as just a pizza van, and they now have a premises in Sandyford. Their pizzas are quite frankly amazing, and they have a takeaway slice shop on the Quayside too.
Sushi Me Rollin began by rolling their handmade sushi at Stack, but they now also have premises one on Grey Street and one on Whitley Bay. The sushi is fabulous so they’re well worth a visit. And lastly Thali Tray in Ouseburn, serving Indian street food that people rave about.
Whatever your taste is for street food in Newcastle you have plenty of choice, and opportunities to pick up whatever you’re craving. As mentioned many of these have restaurants or small premises that are open daily now as they’ve done so well, so you don’t have to wait for them to appear at a food market. Of course markets and especially food markets take it back to basics, which is where they all started, and brings the real meaning of street food to life.
Other posts you might like:
The Food Scene at Hoults Yard, Newcastle
Where to get great tapas in Newcastle
Paros Greek Restaurant in Heaton Newcastle