It was recently named one of the best places to live in the UK - so it’s little wonder that Tynemouth is often considered the destination of choice for dinner and drinks on the coast.
Tynemouth’s Front Street in particular boasts cafes, restaurants and bars galore, with a steady stream of new businesses setting up shop on the lively street - including bakery and cafe Toast most recently. Winding down to stunning views of Tynemouth Priory and King Edward’s Bay, it’s easy to see why so many locals head to Front Street for a romantic dinner or a catch-up with friends.
Whether you’re after breakfast, lunch or a late night fuelled by cocktails and tapas, you’ll find yourself spoiled for choice in Tynemouth. Here are just five places you can find on Front Street to inspire your next day out, which all offer something a little different.
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Dil & the Bear
To start off your day in Tynemouth the right way, head to this charming cafe and take a seat on one of their outside tables to make the most of the coastal sunshine. The menu at Dil & the Bear is inspired by owner Dilaila’s travels around the globe.
Choose from breakfast dishes such as a full English, a hash brown bowl, a New York-style bagel, or a summer fruit sundae. Or if you’re popping in for lunch, you may want to try one of the cafe’s signature “Bear Bowls” featuring the likes of Thai pork, chicken satay, or sweet and spicy cauliflower.
As well as a special afternoon tea menu, the cafe also offers refreshing drinks ideal for the warmer months, from fresh fruit cordials to smoothies and milkshakes. What’s more, there’s always a delicious selection of freshly baked cakes to choose from - including the cafe’s signature bite-sized cake truffles.
Allard’s Lounge
A popular destination for an evening out in Tynemouth since it opened in 2011, Allard’s has a second branch at North Shields Fish Quay. The tapas restaurant and bar promises a laid-back atmosphere, serving up a selection of wines, beers, spirits and bespoke cocktails.
Tapas bites include chicken katsu bao buns, baked nduja and Thai fishcakes, and pizzas, sandwiches, salads and flatbreads are also on the menu. Keep an eye out for special offers - Monday to Friday from 3-5pm sees a four tapas and two drinks deal for £22 and pizzas priced at just £6.95, while all burgers are half price on Mondays from 6pm.
Lola Jeans
This local gem can also be found in Newcastle’s city centre - but its place in The Arcade in Tynemouth was the original. Open until midnight every day and 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, it’s the go-to place for drinks night at the coast.
Lola Jeans is known for its award-winning food, offering a tasty twist on the classics and unique specials designed by their chefs each weekend. Burgers are the name of the game here, with the menu featuring several previous winners of Wylam Brewery’s annual Battle of the Burger competition, and they also dish up the likes of tacos, platters, and loaded fries.
They also boast a show-stopping cocktail menu, with signature concoctions all designed in-house by a team of mixologists. The “Exotic and Elegant” section of the drinks list has some particular highlights, featuring fruity tipples such as the Margatiki, Tropic Thunder, and Mango Unchained.
ORA
Open from 9am until 10pm every day, ORA has something to suit whether you’re in Tynemouth for a morning coffee or late-night cocktails. Their outdoor dining area is perfectly placed to enjoy the sunshine on a relaxing weekend, or head indoors to dial up the romance on date night with candlelit tables.
Their breakfast offering includes gourmet sausages from the Geordie Banger Co. used in their English breakfasts (also available in a breakfast bloomer), and dishes like hot buttermilk pancakes, dirty hash browns topped with cheese, bacon and crispy onion. There are also freshly baked scones, a range of teas and locally sourced Tynemouth coffee perfect for fuelling that bracing morning walk along King Eddie’s.
If you’re stopping by for dinner there’s a variety of gourmet mains to choose from including burgers and loaded fries, with chef specials ranging from chicken katsu curry to paella or fillet surf and turf. ORA also serves up seafood, meat and vegetarian and vegan tapas dishes, ideal for a late-night bite to go with their selection of signature cocktails.
The Gibraltar Rock
Ok, yes, it's technically on East Street - but given both its proximity and the fact that it’s been a part of Tynemouth since at least 1882, the iconic Gibraltar Rock has more than earned a mention. The cosy pub promises unbeatable views of Tynemouth Priory and King Edward’s Bay from its upstairs Priory Bar, which reopened just this month after undergoing extensive repairs due to damage caused by Storm Arwen.
The Gibraltar Rock is famous for its carvery, with a choice of turkey, beef or gammon, and their menu also has classic fish and chips as well as curry, salad, and burger options. Lighter bites include fish finger sandwiches and a carvery roast sandwich, while you can chase up your main with a cheesecake, waffle, or Eton Mess sundae.
What’s your go-to place for food and drinks in Tynemouth? Let us know in the comments.
