- Play Hard
- 29th May 2024
- 0
- 6 minutes
The best restaurants to book for graduation meals in Newcastle, Sunderland and Durham
Graduation season is upon us, which means it’s time to book those graduation meals.
Whether you’ve got family visiting from out of town or just looking for a special treat, these are the best restaurants we recommend for graduation celebrations.
NEWCASTLE
SIX ROOFTOP
Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, South Shore Road, Gateshead, NE8 3BA
Elevate your celebrations with a graduation meal in the clouds. Last year’s refurbishment and listing in the Michelin Guide put SIX back on the map for fine dining in Newcastle. Perched on the top floor of the Baltic, SIX offers a range of tasting menus that you can enjoy with panoramic views of the Quayside. With great plant-based menus available, this is a great option for vegetarians and vegans.
THE FACTORY KITCHEN
The Biscuit Factory, 16 Stoddart St, Shieldfield, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 1AN
Between 7th – 18th July 2025, The Factory Kitchen is offering a specially designed two-course lunch menu from 12noon each day. Expect an elderflower peach bellini on arrival, and fresh, flavour-led dishes to choose from. You can either eat inside, or on the rooftop terrace (our favourite), with far-reaching views over Ouseburn Valley.
HIDE
233 Chillingham Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 5LJ
This restaurant in Heaton, led by chef Aaron McLellan, is serving up some of the most exciting food in the North East right now, and is a great spot for a special graduation celebration. There are no rigid course descriptions or predictable flavour pairings, instead, diners are invited to choose between two options: a six-course menu at £55 (available at lunch and dinner) or a 10-course tasting menu at £90 (evening only). Menus change monthly, evolving with the seasons and Aaron’s inspiration.
NEST
258-260 Chillingham Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE6 5LQ
For a celebration with a twist, head to Hide’s sister restaurant, Nest. Throughout June and July, they’re offering a fun and whimsical Carnival-themed tasting menu. Expect fun décor, playful plating and a surprise or two along the way (including live entertainment). This is fine dining, made fun, giving an experience you won’t find in any other Newcastle resturants. The full evening tasting menu is £75pp, or pop in for the £49pp lunch.
KILN
4 Hume Street, Byker, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE6 1LN
This artsy, neighbourhood hangout offers more laidback vibes, with a Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired menu that’s sure to please a crowd. The vibe is sharing plates, and with tonnes of tasty veggie and vegan options, everyone will be happy.
BLACKFRIARS
Friar’s Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 4XN
Celebrate in style at this 13th century Friary which is a part of Newcastle’s medieval history. Blackfriars has a delicious summer a la carte and set menu running throughout the summer months, which on a nice day or evening, can be enjoyed in their cloister garden, with heated parasols, fire pits and festoon lighting.
BRANCHES
9 Osbourne Road, Jesmond, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE2 2AE
Stylish and elegant, serving up seasonal menus using local produce. Enjoy a sophisticated meal at one of the most popular restaurants in Newcastle, then spill out onto Osbourne Road for drinks after.
21 NEWCASTLE
1 Trinity Gardens, Pandon, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 2HH
If impressing your family with a stylish meal at one of the most respected restaurants in Newcastle is your goal this graduation season, then book a table at 21 Newcastle. With chic, sleek décor and a flavour-first food philosophy, you can enjoy mature dining inspired by French classics in comfortable, contemporary surroundings.
THE FRENCH QUARTER
Arch 6, Westgate Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 1SA
This cosy, Parisian-style wine bar is a dream when it comes to special meals out. Challenging the notion that French dining is overly formal, this great Newcastle restaurants prides itself on doing the simple things well: with a small plates menu meant for sampling, satisfying and sharing.
ST VINCENT
29 Broad Chare, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 3DQ
Part wine bar, part restaurant, this Quayside venue enjoys a city-centre buzz. Inspired by the neighbourhood bars that the team here discovered on their travels through France and Italy, St Vincent is big on flavour, low on fuss, and high on vibes, serving interesting wines, charcuterie and crowd-pleasing dishes full of punchy flavours.
SUNDERLAND
EMBER
Sheepfolds, Easington Street, Sunderland, SR5 1ZZ
This super highly rated restaurant in Sunderland’s Sheepfold Stables is the perfect spot for a graduation meal. Impressive food (they’re working towards a spot in the Michelin Guide), paired with friendly service, a great atmosphere, and views across Sunderland.
SIX PIER POINT
6a Pier Point, Marine Walk, Sunderland, SR6 0PP
This elegant charcuterie-style restaurant and wine bar is perched right on Roker beachfront – expect chilled vibes, great food and the warm welcome its known for.
NORTH SEABURN
Whitburn Bents Road, Sunderland, SR6 8AD
Love seafood, great wine, good music and a relaxed atmosphere? This one is for you. Seafood small plates served tapas style (they also have a smaller selection of meat and veggie dishes). Be quick with booking as this is a super popular spot.
DURHAM
RESTAURANT FARU
29 Silver Street, Durham, DH1 3RD
This restaurant in Durham city centre offers five-course or 10-course tasting menus for both lunch and dinner, Wednesday to Saturday. Another relaxed option, Faru doesn’t set a dress code, instead opting for an informal setting where the food is the focus. The name Faru comes from Old English meaning ‘journey’ and the menu aims to take the diner on a culinary adventure from start to finish – a great metaphor for your graduation, don’t you think…
BOOK NOW: https://www.faru.co.uk
COARSE
Reform Place, North Road, Durham, DH1 4RZ
One of the hidden gems in Durham, Coarse is tucked away in a cute courtyard in the city centre. The set menu changes seasonally, and the Michelin Guide particularly praises the chefs for the quality of the sauces (say no more). They offer a three-course lunch menu (£25) and a six-course dinner menu (£45) which is incredible value for the quality, thanks to their mission to make tasting menus accessible and affordable.
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