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Looking to lunch in Newcastle upon Tyne? Try Cake Stories’ new waffle menu

From all-day breakfasts to waffle-inspired light bites and crafty cocktails, we reckon Cake Stories may just be one of the best places for lunch in Newcastle right now…

Written by Becky Hardy
Published 23.09.2022

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Ok, so you all know about Cake Stories by now.

We mean, come on: if you haven’t heard about Newcastle’s family-run craft cakery helping us all connect through cake, then we don’t know where you’ve been – we’ve only not shut up about them since forever.

If you do happen to need a quick refresh (and this doesn’t mean we forgive you), then here’s what you need to know: led by local wife-and-husband dream team Hannah and Ben Evans, Cake Stories create more than 100 varieties of cakes, brownios and letterbox bakes from their designated Bakehouse in Gateshead. They then sell these culinary creations from their Jesmond bakery, as well as their Hoults Yard coffee shop (you’ll spot them both a mile off, thanks to being awash with only the brightest colours of the rainbow), and through wholesale in any of the 30 local and 60 uk-wide retailers they supply. They even provide postal cake delivery to Newcastle addresses and way beyond as part of their impressive online offering.

Now, that was all you needed to know. Because, as with all great businesses, Cake Stories haven’t rested on their laurels and have just revealed yet another string to their bow: their Waffle Kitchen.

Just as creative as their cakes – and only available at their Hoults Yard store (for the moment) – we can now start off our trip to the Ouseburn with a belter breakfast, brunch, savoury lunch or dessert made of waffles with only the most delectable of toppings at Cake Stories.

The best news is that you’re tucking into these tasty treasures in ultimately social surrounds. With funky murals, artwork and a kaleidoscope of colour around you, whether you dine inside, in one of Cake Stories’ quirky shipping containers or outside on their benches in the sunshine, you and your gang are guaranteed to have smiles on your faces.

From the Peachy Keen creation to The Brooklyn waffle with pepperoni, red onion and four cheeses, plus a Fruity Fella for good measure, Cake Stories promise to have every tastebud tantalised – making them one of the best places for lunch in Newcastle right now.

So, in the habit of all investigative journalists, we decided to fully immerse ourselves in our subject and tried pretty much every waffle going. Purely in the name of work, you understand.

Here’s what you need to know…

For a start, Cake Stories’ waffle menu is served all day, every day

ALL-DAY BREAKFAST WAFFLES

If it’s the breakfast of champions you’re after – no matter if it’s at 7am or 3pm – then Cake Stories is your vibe.

If you’re in the mood for a twist on a classic, we’d suggest going for either The Bacon Double – a double waffle stack piled with bacon, syrup and candied pecans – or the Sausage Stack: a Cumberland sausage waffle burger with tomato, lettuce and egg covered in chipotle sauce.

But if you’re feeling even just a little adventurous, go for a Peachy Keen. Just picture the scene: your morning brew has arrived and is steaming in front of you; you’re scrolling through the morning news (or maybe catching up on HLN’s Mid-Week Edit, who knows), when suddenly fresh, fluffy waffles are placed in front of you, accompanied by honey and thyme roasted peaches, salted caramel ice cream and Chantilly cream and topped with chia seeds and syrup.

Now that’s what we call starting your day off right.

SAVOURY WAFFLES

We weren’t too familiar with the concept either. Savoury waffles?! But after we popped into Cake Stories and gave them a try for ourselves, let us tell you – they work.

Leading nicely on from the Peachy Keen breakfast option is The Goat, which may well stand for the Greatest Of All Time. Goats’ cheese combines with olives, honey and thyme roasted peaches and toasted hazelnuts to create this waffle number, which tastes fresh from the Mediterranean.

If a slice of the Big Apple if more what you’re after, then The Brooklyn is for you. A cheeky combo of pepperoni, red onion and four cheeses over waffles grilled with a tomato base would have even Upper East Siders going crazy.

Or if spice is the spice of life for you, then The Mexican is bound to impress. Think Mexican veg, avocado and sour cream over waffles served with tortilla chips and dip and you’ve got yourself a foodie fiesta.

HLN’s Highlight? While we can imagine this to be a little like what Meryl Streep felt like in Sophie’s Choice, we’ve gotta go for The Italian. After all, what’s not to love about prosciutto, mozzarella and green pesto over waffles, topped with sun-dried tomatoes?

SWEET WAFFLES

We don’t care if you’ve already indulged enough – you’ve always got room for dessert.

And boy, do Cake Stories serve dessert right. If their cakes and brownios weren’t testament enough to this, then their sweet waffles certainly will be.

We’ll start where we think you all will on their menu: with The Nutty Nutella. It’s exactly what all you chocolate fiends have been salivating about. Waffles smothered with Nutella and topped with vanilla ice cream, toasted hazelnuts, Chantilly cream and drizzled with syrup. In other words, divine.

Feeling fruity? Sink your teeth into this Fruity Fella. Fantastically fluffy waffles topped with a homemade berry compôte, vanilla ice cream, Chantilly cream and caramelised pecans, we’re convinced this creation really is the stuff our dreams are made of.

A BIT ON THE SIDE

Feeling peckish but not ready to commit to a full meal just yet? No biggie.

Cake Stories’ twice-cooked Garlic Waffle Sticks are a masterfully moreish snack and the perfect accompaniment to any of the craft beers on offer here, as much as they are to any of the other meals on the menu.

The only way they could be improved? If you whacked a bit of cheese on them. Which is exactly what the Cake Stories kitchen have done to create their Cheesy Garlic Waffle Sticks – the same premise, just smothered in melted mozzarella and cheddar.

Our mouths aren’t watering, yours are.

DRINKS

Breakfasts, brunch, late lunches… mealtimes at Cake Stories are made to be leisurely. They’re practically designed to be enjoyed at your own pace; either in the sunshine with a cool breeze dancing across your face or nestled snug inside away from the winter weather, and always with a glass of something nice (and a little naughty) to wash it all down with. Which is why, from now on, you’ll find the HLN team taking their lunch breaks at this craft cakery.

Whether it’s a Raspberry Rooibos iced tea on an Indian summer day, or a morning ristretto for when an espresso doesn’t even touch the sides, Cake Stories have got plenty of teas, coffees and speciality drinks (complete with every kind of syrup imaginable) ready to serve up.

Ready for the hard stuff? Hey, it’s 5pm somewhere. Our top shout will always be the cocktails here. After all, where else can you combine two of the greatest joys in this life – cocktails and cake?! And while they’re all outta this world, the tropical, rum-based Caribbean Cruise is basically a holiday sunset in a glass.

Craft beer lovers can also rejoice; Cake Stories stock a cracking range from only the coolest artisanal breweries, both local and international. Their G&T selection is fuelled by only local distilleries – Durham Gin, Newcastle Gin and Alnwick Gin – or if a glass of wine is more your vibe, then simply indulge: Cake Stories has it all.

Cake Stories’ waffle menu has plenty of vegetarian options, with vegan & gluten free alternatives in the development stage (and other menu alternatives in the meantime). Any questions or any other dietary requirements, simply ask one of the team for more info.

  

Find out more about Cake Stories Waffle Kitchen on their website or by following them on Facebook and Instagram

Or pop into their Hoults Yard branch to sample all their decadent dishes (and desserts) for yourself: Cake Stories, Clock Tower, Hoults Yard, Walker Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 1AB

Purely in the mood for sweet treats? Their Jesmond store has everything you could ever dream of (and more): Cake Stories, 12 Brentwood Avenue, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 3DH

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