Newcastle Valentine’s Day table reservations: The five restaurants with late spaces available

Lovers are set to come out in force tonight in Newcastle as Valentine’s Day hits the city.

The annual day for cosying up and treating your significant other has arrived and looks sure to provide a necessary revival to a hospitality industry still suffering from the effects of the pandemic.

Newcastle’s bustling restaurant scene will be jam-packed tonight and ever year there are some who leave sorting their plans too late.

Whether your partner promised they wouldn’t do presents and has now trumped you, or your reminder was on a post-it note that made its way into the bin, NewcastleWorld has put in the groundwork to save you.

Between 12:30 and 13:00 on Valentine’s Day, this Monday January 14, we called 20 of Newcastle’s most popular restaurants to see if any would have a table for two free for dinner.

Working around the timings of between 6 pm and 8 pm, here’s what we heard back.

Ask Italian - TABLES

Greys Quarter. Intu Eldon Square, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7XF

Ask Italian in Eldon Square reported having a small number of tables for two available this evening.

Bella Italia - NO TABLES

Greys Quarter, Intu Eldon Square, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7AP

If you are fancying Italian, you won’t have any luck in Bella Italia at Eldon Square.

Chaophraya - NO TABLES

Grey's Quarter, Eldon Square, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7AP

Chaophraya is a surefire winner for romance on Valentine’s Day with their romantic menus, but is fully booked.

Chiquito - TABLES

Grey's Quarter, High Friar Ln, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7AP

It’s perhaps not the most intimate and they are busy, but there are a couple of tables at Chiquito you can book online for tonight.

Frankie & Benny's - TABLES

INTU Eldon Square, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7QX

You’re in luck at the popular Italian and American chain, if you move quick to book.

TGI Friday’s - TABLES

6 Eldon Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, HF NE1 7AP

Somewhat surprisingly, there remains tables “every 15 minutes” or so at the ever-popular TGI Friday’s.

Pizza Express - TABLES

7 St George's Way, Eldon Square Shopping Centre, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 7JD

You can still enjoy one of Pizza Express’ classic pizzas with your loved one tonight.

The Alchemist - TABLES

5 Grey's Quarter, Eldon Square, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7AP

It might not be there now, but when NewcastleWorld called there was space at The Alchemist - a real last minute winner if you can pull that one off.

The Exchange - NO TABLES

Prudhoe Chare, Northumberland St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7AT

No room left at the inn here, or should we say, at the speakeasy.

Umai Mi - NO TABLES

Unit 13 Grey's Quarter Eldon Square, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7AP

Umai Mi in Eldon Square is always busy and that’s certainly the case tonight.

The Muddler - NO TABLES

69 Grey St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6EF

No surprises here.

Las Iguanas - NO TABLES

62-74 Grey St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6AF

You can often struggle for a table at Las Iguanas without a booking most nights and you have no hope this evening.

Zizzi - NO TABLES

42 Grey St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6AE

Grey Street is clearly proving a popular destination for tonight, Zizzi is fully booked too.

Leila Lily’s - NO TABLES

Leila Lily's, 2-12 Grey St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6AE

Leila Lily’s has a revered reputation on the Newcastle food scene and couples have booked early to enjoy it.

Fat Hippo - TABLES

2-6 Shakespeare Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6AQ

There aren’t many tables at Fat Hippo, but when we called there were one or two still free.

The Botanist - NO TABLES

Monument Mall, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7AL

Date hotspot The Botanist is, of course, full tonight.

Gino D'Acampo Restaurant - NO TABLES

Bridge Court, The Quayside, River view, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BE

Gino’s is fully booked tonight, but, when NewcastleWorld called there had been a cancellation. It might be worth a ring.

Slug & Lettuce Central - NO TABLES

30 Grainger St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5JG

Nothing going at the popular cocktail bar in the city centre tonight...

Slug & Lettuce Quayside - NO TABLES

Exchange Buildings, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3DW

... and it’s the same story down at the Quayside.

8 Neville St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5EN

Nothing going at Central Oven & Shaker at the times we were looking for, but if you’re okay with eating late, there are tables after 9 pm.