With Newcastle making it to the shortlist of UK cities that could play host to next year’s Eurovision Song Contest , Geordie Eurovision fans are waiting with bated breath to see if the iconic competition will come to the city.
The UK was confirmed to be hosting the contest after Sam Ryder finished in second place with his hit Space Man, behind champions Kalush Orchestra of Ukraine back in May. Newcastle is now one of seven cities that could be chosen to host Eurovision, along with Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Sheffield.
If Newcastle were to host Eurovision, contestants would certainly feel at home in the city’s diverse food and drink scene - which as well as offering the best of British also offers many tastes of Europe. Here are just a few of Newcastle’s unique independent food venues that would make our European guests feel right at home.
READ MORE: Why Newcastle deserves to upset bookies' odds and host Eurovision next year
Spain
Although it hasn’t won since 1969, ‘Big Five’ member Spain has reached the top 10 in Eurovision seven times since the year 2000 - most recently finishing third with Chanel song SloMo this year. Whether you’re visiting from Spain and looking for a taste of home or are just a Geordie who loves a bit of tapas or paella, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to Spanish restaurants in the city.
Newcastle is home to several authentic Spanish venues, including Kaltur on High Bridge Street where one Tripadvisor reviewer said that the tapas was “the best we have had, and debatably one of the tastiest meals we have had when eating out in Newcastle”. You can also find El Torero in the city centre where every dish is prepared by Spanish chefs, and El Coto which offers a wide range of hot and cold tapas, cured meats and traditional paellas.
France
Considered one of the most successful countries when it comes to Eurovision, France has won the contest five times with the most recent being 1977 and has been a runner-up a further four times. Whether you’re looking for an authentic French dining experience or want a taste of the pastries that the country is famous for, you’ll be able to find both in Newcastle.
The French Quarter on Westgate Road is run by Cédric and Catherine Boc-Ho, with Cédric originally from France’s Loire Valley, and the pair spent six years exploring France to find the best regional dishes and wines available to bring to their own authentic Newcastle restaurant. One Google reviewer hailed their experience at The French Quarter as serving the “best French food we have had in a long time”, while another said that the potato gratin dish was “one of the best I’ve ever tasted”.
For those who are looking for something sweet, the family-run coffee shop and patisserie Les Petits Choux on Leazes Crescent also offers a taste of France. One reviewer said of their choux buns: “I have not found any so good anywhere outside France”.
Italy
Italy won Eurovision for the third time in 2021 with rock band Maneskin and their hit Zitte E Buoni coming top of the leaderboard, going on to host this year’s contest live from Turin. And there’s certainly no shortage of Italian restaurants in Newcastle, from national chains to unique independents.
To name just a couple of the city’s Italian highlights, there’s the family-run Pani’s Cafe on High Bridge Street which opened in 1995 claiming the title of “the first true Italian street cafe in Newcastle”. Prima is another authentic Italian worth checking out in the city centre, serving up a range of pizza and pasta dishes as well as an Italian-inspired wine list.
Greece
Greece won Eurovision for the first time in 2005 after Helena Paparizou sang My Number One, and finished in eighth place this year. Although not one of Eurovision’s ‘Big Five’, Newcastle appears to have a particular love of Greek food with the city centre being home to several restaurants and street food vendors inspired by the country’s cuisine.
The Bigg Market alone is home to multiple Greek food venues, including Kafeneon and Simply Greek Tavern, while Greek touring street food vendor Acropolis can be found just across the road in the Grainger Market. One Google reviewer said that Acropolis’ chicken gyros ‘took me back to Greece’, while another praised them as ‘so authentically Greek’.
The best of the rest
You’ll also find a taste of Portugal in Newcastle, who won Eurovision for the first time in 2017 and set the record for the highest ever number of points with their winning hit Amar Pelos Dois. Albufeira Cafe on Westgate Road specialises in traditional Portuguese cuisine, while Goreti in Wallsend offers authentic vegan alternatives of the country’s favourite flavours.
If you’re willing to travel a bit further out, Restaurant Hjem in Hexham has a Scandinavian-inspired menu created by Swedish chef Alex Nietosvuori and Northumberland-born Ally Thompson. Take a half-hour drive or so from the city centre to get a taste of the Nordics in your Eurovision-inspired food tour - and as the proud winners of a coveted Michelin Star, Hjem is sure not to disappoint.
Although France, Italy, Spain and Greece are the four most common sources of European inspiration when it comes to Newcastle’s restaurants, you’ll be able to find just about anything in the city’s vibrant food scene. If you’re looking to get a taste of Europe it’s worth checking out the street food on offer at the markets and pop-ups across the city and wider region, which boast an ever-changing line-up of grub from the likes of Dutch pancakes to German bratwurst.
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