Forget Eat Out to Help Out... NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week is coming to Newcastle

Newcastle's hospitality industry will be hoping for a boost in customers similar to that of the Government's Eat Out to Help Out scheme as the NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week returns to the city.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak famously rolled out the Eat Out to Help Out scheme in the UK in the summer of 2020, to encourage the nation to spend time back in restaurants.

Now, after a turbulent couple of years, NE1 is bringing back their own scheme to boost footfall in the city's restaurants with NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week returning for the first time in two years.

More than 70 of Newcastle's city centre restaurants are taking part in the 20th Newcastle Restaurant Week from January 17 to January 23.

Participating restaurants will offer menus at three price points, £10, £15 and £20 per head, to allow customers to enjoy a dinner out without breaking the bank.

Returning restaurants to the scheme include Blackfriars, Dabbawal and the 21 Hospitality Group, including 21 Newcastle.

As well as the original devotees, this January’s event will also welcome some of the city’s newcomers including the much-vaunted, celebrity favourite, Khai Khai, an Indian street food restaurant on Queen Street, which has catered for stars including actor Harrison Ford.

The Hard Rock Cafe is also taking part, as well as Castro's.

Other new restaurants quick to sign up for January’s Restaurant Week include Gino D’Acampo on the Quayside, Café Andaluz, Hen and Hops, The Exchange, AYLA, and 20/20 in the Bigg Market.

A full list of participating restaurants can be found here.

Commenting on this January’s Restaurant Week, Ben Whitfield, Head of Marketing and Events at NE1 Ltd said: “We are beyond excited to be launching our 20th NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week and turning the spotlight on the city’s foodie scene, which has been hard hit by the pandemic.

"It is great that food and dining will once again be driving the public into the city.

"After the last lockdown, Newcastle was quick to bounce back with food leading the way in encouraging people back into restaurants and the city.

"When Covid rules dictated outside dining, people were still happy to brave the cold Newcastle weather and return to sample the culinary delights of the city’s restaurant scene, thanks to newly constructed pavement cafes and restaurants.

"At the start of the pandemic Newcastle had only 50 venues with outside pavement cafes, now the city boasts over 150.

"At NE1, we are proud to have played our part in growing this sector, working closely with businesses and the council to create many outdoor dining areas across the city.

“Now NE1’s Restaurant Week will offer Newcastle diners another gastronomic treat and we can’t wait for its long-awaited return, back after an enforced 2-year interlude."

Jaf Ali, owner of Dabbawal and Khai Khai said: “We’re looking forward to getting back into the busy, vibrant celebration of Newcastle food that is NE1’s Restaurant Week.

"Coming out of the festive period is traditionally very quiet in the restaurant business, but over the years NE1 has got the timing right with Restaurant Week and it delivers an important boost to business in January.

"It’s also an exciting opportunity for us to showcase our food to new and returning diners.

"We create menus which show off what we can do and it’s a chance to share our food with lots of people.

"We’re proud to have been part of every Restaurant Week so far and to have seen it become such an important part of the calendar.

"Here’s to another successful week of great food across the city.”

Andy Hook, owner of Blackfriars Restaurant and Dobson & Parnell, both of which will be taking part in January’s event said: “It’s amazing how much things can change in 12 months.

"This time last year we had the hatches battened down with little prospect of reopening. But re-open we did and have been eternally grateful for all those who turned out to support us and keep us afloat.

"We hope 2022 brings us all better fortune and what better way to start than with the great gastronomic give-away we call NE1 Restaurant Week - time to grab yourself a culinary bargain!