The dates have been set for NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week. The much-loved event will take place from Monday 12 January 2026 to Sunday 18 January 2026.
Over 100 restaurants have signed up to shine a spotlight on the strength and diversity of the city’s restaurant scene, while providing diners with mouth-watering menus at discounted prices of £15, £20 or £25 per person.
Some of the city’s most famous venues, including celebrity and NUFC favourite Khai Khai and DOOD, 21, St. Vincent and The Broad Chare, Sachins, Dobson & Parnell and Blackfriars, will be taking part again this January. They will be joined by some of the city’s exciting newcomers, including Hotel Gotham, Davey’s, KISS, Sanco, and The Green Room at Theatre Royal.
NE1 launched Restaurant Week back in 2011 in response to calls from the city’s leading restaurateurs for direct and meaningful support for the hospitality industry during traditionally quiet times of the year: January, immediately after Christmas, and the summer holidays in August, which were particularly slow and needed targeted support. The event has been transformational, with the two NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Weeks now among the busiest weeks of the year for participating restaurants, delivering a major £1 million+ boost to the local economy every time the event is hosted.
The Newcastle Restaurant Week format has remained the same since its launch 15 years ago, with a simple yet highly effective model; participating venues offer two and three-course menus priced at £15, £20 or £25 per person. The format is simple to understand and to deliver, and is supported by a strong and now instantly recognisable marketing campaign across the region.
Rachel Fenwick, Head of Marketing and Events at NE1, said: “Newcastle is famed for its hospitality scene nationally and internationally, and it plays a huge part in shaping the city’s unique character, as well as being one of the region’s largest employers. Restaurant Week provides a million-pound boost to participating venues, as well as guaranteeing hours for hundreds of restaurant workers across the city. With bookings up and restaurants full, many venues can offer full-time hours for staff, transforming what would otherwise be a quiet time of the year into one of the busiest.”
“NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week celebrates the industry and gives people from near and far a great excuse to break the post-Christmas spending ban, support the local economy and dine out at some of the city’s finest restaurants for a fraction of the usual price.
“Dates for Newcastle Restaurant Week are always a closely guarded secret, but once they’re announced, bookings go crazy. WhatsApp groups and Facebook pages ignite with diners keen to rally their friends, families and workmates to secure a place at their favourite restaurant, or to sample the delights of a newbie.”
“We know some people who dine out every night of Newcastle Restaurant Week – trying new restaurants and returning to old favourites. It is a phenomenon. We can’t wait to enjoy another amazing week and sample some of the delicious menus on offer.”
Terry Laybourne, of 21 Hospitality Group, explained; “We are always enthusiastic participants of NE1 Restaurant Week and, having been involved in launching the initiative back in 2011 we’ve taken part in every event since.
“All six of our city-centre restaurants will be involved this January and we look forward to welcoming our regular customers together with those who may be visiting us for the first time.
“NE1 Restaurant Week often introduces our restaurants to new diners, many of whom, I’m delighted to say, return again and again becoming regulars themselves.”
Lawrence Norman, restaurateur at newcomer SOKU, said: "Restaurant Week feels like an essential part of the Newcastle food scene. It gives customers the chance to enjoy great food at great value, and it supports businesses during a quieter time of year. It also lets restaurants showcase what they do best at a price that’s more accessible. Dining out isn’t always affordable, so Restaurant Week lets us welcome more people in.
“As first-time participants and only a year into opening SOKU, we’re still introducing ourselves to the North East. This is a brilliant opportunity to let people know we’re here and to share the great dishes and service we have to offer."
For a list of all participating Restaurant Week venues, visit www.getintonewcastle.co.uk/ne1-events/restaurant-week.
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