Newcastle

In the shadows of giant dock cranes and vast industrial buildings, the culinary experience which Newcastle has to offer belies its working class roots, and presents a true passion for the multinational. The joys of Spanish tapas are readily available at La Tasca and Café Sol. Café 21 delivers the bistro experience with flair, presenting specialist seafood and vegetarian dishes embracing French influences. Café Indigo offers a stylish twist on fusion cooking though the constant use of shifting disco lights could put off some diners. Ahad Tandoori is a well known family run business with a constantly growing reputation and Valley Junction 397 serves up new style Indian cuisine in a renovated railway carriage on the outskirts of the city. But it seems that the favourite nation is this corner of the North East is Italy. The top restaurants are undoubtedly Italian, such as Al Forno found in the district of Jesmond which is always packed to the rafters. Coco Mos is Newcastle’s newest Italian and is an huge, purpose built restaurant which takes great pride in the quality of its meals and the whole dining experience.

Britain.tv’s Choice of the Month: Pani’s

The website boasts that Pani’s reputation has spread as far as Italy, yet this seems hard to believe as most locals haven’t heard of it. What Pani’s has above all the other Italian restaurants in Newcastle is that it is truly Italian being owned and staffed by Italians and offering more traditional fare especially rustic dishes. All favourites are still available, but to a wonderful quality. Lunches and snacks are prepared with as much care and indulgence as the house specials. Though the starters are delicious, one might think of skipping them to ensure enough space for Pani’s indulgent desserts. Also, the coffee is as good as anything available in Rome itself. Pani’s comes highly recommended and should be patronised before the secret gets out!