- Play Hard
- 23rd Apr 2025
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Inside Hide, Heaton: The neighbourhood restaurant quietly serving some of the North East’s most exciting food
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In the ever-evolving world of Newcastle’s food scene, Hide stands quietly confident – a restaurant rooted in creativity, care, and an obsessive attention to detail that doesn’t shout for accolades – but deserves them.
Led by chef Aaron McLellan – whose impressive experience includes stints at Michel Roux Jr, The Torridon in the Highlands and Aizle – Hide in Heaton is his latest passion.
He’s crafting tasting menus that honour the North East’s local produce, built on a philosophy of zero waste and hyper-local ingredients.
Letting food speak for itself
Hide isn’t just about exceptional food. It’s about building something special in the North East. Aaron and his team forage many ingredients themselves and work closely with trusted regional producers.
That connection to the land and sea isn’t just practical – it’s philosophical. “It’s about knowing where your ingredients come from, using every part of them, and letting the food tell a story,” Aaron says. “It’s not about zero waste for the sake of it, it’s about respect – for the process, for the people behind the produce, and for the diner.”
From artichoke skins turned into crackers to dried potato peels in stock, Hide is making fine dining feel thoughtful, not flashy.
Expect the unexpected
There are no rigid course descriptions or predictable flavour pairings at Hide. 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.
As an example, April’s dishes featured milk bread with wild garlic butter, razor clams with trout roe and caviar, chargrilled pork belly, and venison with tempura broccoli and roast potatoes.
Desserts are imaginative and elevated – think rhubarb sorbet, chocolate matcha namelaka (our favourite), and lemon thyme panna cotta.
The menu is designed as a keepsake, a nod to Hide’s commitment to experience, and you can even get it signed by the chef…
A personal touch
Guests meet every chef who’s prepared their dish. The vibe is welcoming, and conversation is encouraged. Hide is the kind of place where you can ask how a dish was made – and be told in detail, with passion.
Aaron and the team hope to build a community of regulars who return to see how the menu evolves. “We’d love guests to keep coming back each month to try the new menu,” he says. “Some guests already collect them like a little series.”
A wine list refresh is also underway, bringing a broader range of bottles and bolder pairings to the table – with wine flights launching soon.
The vibe
With space for 28 diners, a bar and a private space, Hide’s stylish interior draws inspiration from its sister venue, Nest. The beautiful décor features a statement ceiling covered with tree branches and mood lighting that creates a welcoming and intimate vibe.
Why now is the time to book
There’s something quietly special happening at Hide. It’s ambitious but not intimidating. It’s serious about quality but playful in approach, offering a level of fine dining in Heaton that’s usually reserved for city centres or countryside estates.
For anyone curious about where the North East’s food scene is heading, this is your sign to book a table at Hide now – while you can still say you discovered it before it hit the next level.
Opening times:
Wednesday – 5.00pm – 8.30pm
Thursday – Saturday lunch – 12noon – 2.00pm
Thursday – Saturday dinner – 5.30pm – 9.00pm
Hide, 233 Chillingham Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 5LJ
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