Where To Go For Early Bird & Pre Theatre Dinner In Newcastle?
An evening at the theatre is a popular activity in Newcastle, with the Theatre Royal standing proudly on Grey Street right in the heart of the city. A beautiful building that sees plays, musicals, pantomimes and many other performances year round, but where should you go to eat before your night’s entertainment? Here are some suggestions for restaurants within very close proximity to the Theatre Royal, that are ideal for an early bird pre theatre dinner in Newcastle.
Pre Theatre Dinner on Grey Street
If you want to eat as close to the theatre as possible then Grey Street is the place to be, being on the same street as the theatre itself. There are so many restaurants and bars here that serve quality food that you’ll be spoiled for choice and guaranteed a good pre theatre dinner.
The Muddler
The Muddler is a Pan Asian restaurant and is one of the best sushi restaurants in Newcastle. It’s so popular booking is essential, and you could be sat in the main bar and restaurant or their recently expanded extra space next door. Their menu includes small plates, food from the grill, main dishes and sushi.
If you’re going for sushi then make sure you book a table early enough before your theatre show, as they make it fresh there can sometimes be slightly longer service times. They have a good cocktail menu too.
Find the menu and book your table for The Muddler here.
Cafe Andaluz
Cafe Andaluz is also a stones throw away from the Theatre Royal on the corner opposite, and is a great choice pre theatre as it has such a lively atmosphere, and plenty of tables so you shouldnt have a problem with a reservation. Serving Spanish tapas and sangria, Cafe Andaluz has a dedicated lunch and pre theatre menu, which includes any three tapas for £16.95 through the week until 6:30pm, and until 6pm on Fridays.
Have a look at the Cafe Andaluz pre theatre menu here, and for a more detailed review have a read of my Cafe Andaluz blog here.
Zizzi
Zizzi doesn’t have a dedicated early menu, but it’s another ideal place for a pre theatre dinner, as there’s something for everyone on the menu, the service is good and it’s also on Grey Street. The menu is huge, with all your Italian favourites. It might seem a really obvious choice but it’s always busy so make sure you book if you need to be done by a show start time.
Take a look at the Zizzi menu here.
Pizza Punks
If you want a pizza for your pre theatre dinner in Newcastle then look no further than Pizza Punks, just a few doors down from the theatre. They do pizzas a little differently, with all sorts of crazy creations. As well as their unique flavours, you can also build your own.
Take a look at the Pizza Punks menu here.
Las Iguanas
Another chain but often for families or groups this type of restaurant is ideal before a show as you know exactly what you’re getting. Las Iguanas offers Mexican favourites like fajitas, tacos and enchiladas. They also do 2 for 1 cocktails all day every day, so if you fancy a drink before your show too then you may as well get more for your money.
Visit the Las Iguanas website here – just make sure you book Grey Street and not the quayside.
All Bar One
Further down Grey Street is All Bar One, and with plenty of tables you can usually walk in here even on busy nights. They have small plate, tapas style food (highly recommend the sticky chicken) and you can order directly from their app so you don’t have to queue at the bar.
Pre Theatre Dinner on High Bridge Street
A gorgeous old street that runs directly across Grey Street is High Bridge Street, so it’s within very easy walking distance of the theatre. There are some great restaurants and bars to visit along here.
Hibou Blanc
For something more high end than a chain restaurant pasta, pizza or tacos, an earlier dinner at Hibou Blanc won’t disappoint. It’s a lovely restaurant with very good food, and they have a specific lunch and early evening menu. Get two courses early evening for £21, or three for £24 and this is between the hours of 5-6:30pm.
See the Hibou Blanc pre theatre dinner menu here.
Pleased To Meet You
Pleased to Meet You may be a gin bar, but they’re also known for doing good food too and they have a early menu perfect for before the theatre. It’s available until 6pm Monday to Friday, and is two courses for £18 or three for £23. Once you’ve eaten you could stay for a gin before your show too.
Find the PTMY menu here.
Dabbawal
At the other end of High Bridge street is Dabbawal Indian restaurant, and they have a specific pre theatre menu from 5-6:30pm. Choose from all the favourites and get two courses for £14.95 per person, every day except Saturday.
See the Dabbawal Pre Theatre menu here.
Fat Hippo
Technically on Shakespeare Street but just round the corner from both High Bridge and Grey Street is Fat Hippo burger restaurant. People rave about their burgers, and they do a ‘Hippo Hour’ where you can get 2 courses for £14.50 or 3 for £16.90 between 5-6pm on weekdays.
See the specific Hippo Hour menu here.
I do have to mention two other burger restaurants here, both within a few minutes walking distance of the theatre. Lola Jeans do amazing burgers and is a long standing winner of the Newcastle Battle of the Burger, and No 28 is also known for their excellent food.
Other Pre Theatre Dinner In Newcastle Menus
These restaurants are slightly further walk from the theatre but well within easy distance to still make it in time for your show, and they have good early evening menus.
Cote
Cote Brasserie is on the corner of Grainger Street just along from Monument, serving high quality French style food as part of their Prix Fixe menu which is ideal before the theatre. It’s available until 7pm and you can get two courses for £14.95 or three for £18.95. This is really good value for here.
Find more details and the menu here.
Blackfriars
A unique building in an older part of the city, Blackfriars might not be that close to the Theatre Royal but it is close to the Tyne Theatre. They do high quality local food as part of their pre theatre menu, 2 courses for £15 or three for £18. They also highlight their sharer boards for £10 per person.
For more details on Blackfriars visit their website here.
Dobson & Parnell
A really nice restaurant down on the quayside, so a bit of a walk uphill to the theatre after but definitely worth it, Dobson & Parnell have a set menu that often changes with the seasons. It’s not the cheapest restaurant, so often their offers or set menus are good value.
The set menu is available on Wednesday – Friday evenings between 5.30-6.45, or 5:30 – 6pm on Saturdays. Get two courses for £21 or three for £25, and you can also get two cocktails for £12 on some nights too. They are specific cocktails, and you can find the full details and the current menu here.
Hopefully this has given you plenty choice of where to go for your pre theatre dinner in Newcastle, but the best bit of advice wherever you choose to eat is to book your table in advance. These are all popular city centre restaurants, and especially if there are events on at the arena, city hall, comedy club or a Newcastle home match they book up very quickly and it can be difficult to get walk-ins.
Other posts you might like:
Where to go for tapas in Newcastle
Cafes and restaurants with a view in Newcastle