From Plates to Presents: 24 Hours of Foodie Fun in NewcastleGateshead
There’s something about NewcastleGateshead in winter that just wraps you up in its Geordie glow. Forget the clichés about it being “grim up north”, this city is buzzing with festive sparkle, foodie delights, and a welcome so warm you’ll wonder why you didn’t hop on the train sooner.
I set off from Edinburgh on a crisp late November morning, armed with a tote bag and a mission: eat my way around NewcastleGateshead and find the best foodie‑themed Christmas presents to bring home. The TransPennine Express train journey is a breezy 90 minutes, just enough time to sip a coffee, scroll through Instagram, dream about the treats ahead and find out a wee bit more about NewcastleGateshead.
Spanning the River Tyne with seven iconic bridges, Newcastle and Gateshead are seamlessly connected to create one vibrant, must‑visit destination. From the historic Swing Bridge to the striking Millennium Bridge, each crossing adds its own character, linking two cities that together offer an unbeatable mix of culture, food, and festive experiences. I couldn’t wait to arrive and explore.
Checking In: Gotham Glamour
My base for the night was Hotel Gotham on Pilgrim Street. Five‑star luxury with a dash of drama, it’s the kind of place that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a film set. Plush interiors, attentive staff, and the promise of cocktails later, the perfect launchpad for a foodie fling.
Hotel Gotham has to be one of the finest stays I’ve experienced this year. Housed in the old fire station, it’s a property that oozes character while delivering five‑star comfort. Every detail has been thought through, from the warm welcome at reception, where staff greet you by name, to the soft classical music already playing in your room and your bags waiting for you by the time you step out of the lift.
It’s the little touches that make Gotham unforgettable: a wooden artist’s model hand sculpture cradling the TV remote, USB points perfectly placed by the bedside, and a faux fur throw draped luxuriously across the bed. The minibar isn’t just stocked with snacks and drinks; it also hides travel adapters, sleep masks, pillow sprays, and even energy supplements; the kind of extras that show real consideration for guests.
The bathroom is a sanctuary in itself, with a rainfall shower that you’ll want to linger under as it cascades over you. And then there’s the bed; soft, cloud‑like, and dangerously comfortable. Slipping into it feels like floating, and getting out in the morning is the hardest part of the stay.
Hotel Gotham, Pilgrim Street, Newcastle, NE1 6SE www.newcastlegateshead.com/business-directory/where-to-stay/hotel-gotham
First Stop: BALTIC Winter Makers Market
Crossing the river into Gateshead, I made my way to the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, a striking riverside gallery housed in a converted flour mill. Known for its cutting‑edge exhibitions from both international and local artists, the BALTIC is more than just a gallery, it’s a vibrant cultural hub with a buzzing gift shop, welcoming café, and, on this visit, its Winter Makers Market.
For just £2 entry, the market was a treasure trove of quirky, handmade gifts - foodie prints, festive ornaments, and artisan crafts that make you look like the most thoughtful person at Christmas. Wandering between stalls, it was clear that the BALTIC isn’t only about showcasing art on its walls; it’s about celebrating creativity in all its forms and connecting you to the makers behind the magic.
Here’s where the foodie gift hunt began:
Foodie prints and artwork: bold illustrations of wine glasses, cheeky sketches of cheese boards, and colourful posters of cocktails. Perfect for brightening up a kitchen wall.
Christmas tree ornaments shaped like food: tiny croissants, glittery pizza slices, and even baubles that looked like mayonnaise. Imagine a tree decked out entirely in foodie fun.
Food‑scented candles: mulled wine, gingerbread, spiced apple, light one and your living room smells like a Christmas market.
Handmade ceramics: mugs and plates with foodie motifs, ideal for gifting or keeping for yourself.
The BALTIC gift shop itself is a treasure trove, with shelves stacked high with cookbooks, quirky kitchen gadgets, and artisan chocolates. I couldn’t resist a set of foodie postcards, perfect stocking fillers for friends who love a pun with their pudding.
BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, South Shore Road, Gateshead, NE8 3BA. Opening times : Wednesday to Sunday 10am-6pm. Free entry
www.newcastlegateshead.com/business-directory/things-to-do/baltic-centre-for-contemporary-art
Newcastle Christmas Market: Marshmallows & More
Back across the river, I wandered into Newcastle’s Christmas Market. The atmosphere was electric: live music drifting through the air, fairy lights twinkling, and the smell of freshly made churros mingling with mulled wine.
Newcastle’s Christmas Market has grown into one of the city’s most popular festive traditions, attracting visitors since its modern revival in the early 2000s and expanding year on year with a strong focus on local traders. Today, the market features over 100 stalls spread across Grey’s Monument, Old Eldon Square, Grainger Street, and Grey Street, offering everything from artisan food and drink to handmade gifts.
The season usually runs from mid November until the 23rd December, open 10am–8pm Monday to Saturday and 10am–5pm on Sundays, giving plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere, shop for presents, and enjoy the festive entertainment.
This market is where foodie gifting goes into overdrive:
Bottles of locally brewed beers: beautifully packaged, festive gift boxes and branded glassware and accessories. A classy present for the beer lover in your life.
Handmade brownies and fudge: wrapped in pretty boxes, perfect for slipping under the tree.
Artisan cheeses: wedges of cheese from top cheesemongers, all begging to be paired with crackers.
Food hampers: ready‑made bundles of chutneys, honies, and preserves, the ultimate foodie present.
When it comes to eating, Newcastle’s markets don’t hold back, you’ll be spoiled for choice with inspiration at every turn. Think handmade scotch eggs from The Yolker, indulgent cheesecakes served on sticks, churros dripping in chocolate from Churros Co, and gourmet sausages courtesy of The Geordie Banger Co. My pick of the day? The ultimate comfort food: the loaded tatties, though the Yorkshire Pudding Wrap, from GG Street Food was equally tempting.
And of course, you cant forget the marshmallow fire pit. Toasting giant marshmallows over the flames felt like pure festive magic!
More info on Newcastle Christmas Markets www.newcastlegateshead.com/events/newcastle-christmas-market-2025
Northern Lights at Leazes Park
As night fell, I made my way to Leazes Park for the Northern Lights trail. A 30‑minute stroll from the hotel, it’s a spectacular mix of art and illumination. Walking through glowing tunnels and past shimmering installations, I felt like I’d stepped into a winter fairytale. It’s not about presents here, but it’s the kind of experience that becomes a gift in itself, memories wrapped in light.
Running from late November right through to New Year’s Eve (with a few rest days in between), it’s open from around 4.30pm until 8.30pm; perfect timing to wander over after dinner or drinks.
This one mile trail is family‑friendly, so everyone from toddlers to grandparents can enjoy it, and there are no age limits on the fun. The must‑see moment? Lantern Lane, a glowing pathway created with the help of young hospital patients, which is as heart‑warming as it is beautiful. Add in dazzling displays like the River of Light and Echoflare, and you’ve got yourself a winter wonderland worth lingering in.
And because no festive evening is complete without food, the event village is packed with vendors ready to feed your cravings. Think Parm‑o‑Rama serving up Teesside’s famous parmos, wood‑fired slices from Truly Madly Pizza, Greek street food from Acropolis, indulgent mac ’n’ cheese from Redheads, and sweet treats from Doughvine Desserts. It’s basically Christmas dinner, market‑style, with fairy lights overhead.
Northern Lights Newcastle, Leazes Park, Newcastle. Tickets start at £15 for adults and £5 for children. www.newcastlegateshead.com/events/northern-lights-newcastle-2025
Fire Cocktails & Dinner at Siren
Back at Hotel Gotham, I rounded off the evening with cocktails at Fire before slipping into Siren for dinner.
Set within the old fire station, Fire has quickly built a reputation for its inventive cocktails and stylish setting, even picking up nods in local awards for its mixology. I couldn’t resist their playful twist on an espresso martini - rum‑based and served in a delicate teacup, it was both cheeky and sophisticated.
From there it was straight into Siren, the hotel’s signature restaurant, which has been praised for its modern British menus and seasonal flair. Dinner was a two‑course triumph: the special of the day, battered cod cheeks with homemade tartar sauce; thick, juicy chunks of cod wrapped in light, fluffy batter that were pure comfort, followed by a Northumbrian lamb trio of fillet, braised lamb, and a lamb taco. Each plate was beautifully balanced, rich in flavour, and seriously delicious, the kind of meal that makes you linger long after the last bite.
Fire Bar is open daily from 1030am and Siren is open for lunch and dinner
Morning Mimosas & Quayside Market
Morning arrived with a mimosa in bed (because why not?) before heading down to Siren again for breakfast. But the real feast awaited at the Quayside Market, a 20‑minute walk away. Newcastle’s Quayside Market has been a local tradition since 1736, making it one of the city’s oldest and most vibrant street markets. Today it takes place every Sunday along the River Tyne from 9:30am to 4:00pm, with stalls stretching from the Swing Bridge to the Millennium Bridge, offering everything from handmade crafts and foodie treats to jewellery, artwork, and street food in a lively, family‑friendly atmosphere
This place is foodie heaven, and the gift ideas are endless:
Jams and chutneys: jars of spiced plum, chilli jam, or tangy onion marmalade, perfect stocking fillers.
Bags of sweets: retro favourites, handmade fudge, or gourmet gummies. Ideal for kids’ stockings or nostalgic grown‑ups.
Food‑related jewellery: dinky wine bottle earrings, necklaces shaped like eggs on toast, or tiny pickle charms. Quirky, fun, and guaranteed conversation starters.
Foodie artwork: prints of steaming bowls of ramen, colourful depictions of tacos, or abstract paintings inspired by coffee.
Handmade spice blends: little jars of curry powders, BBQ rubs, or festive mulling spices.
The market itself is sprawling, with over 40 vendors serving dishes from every corner of the globe. Here are five popular names and what you can expect from each:
• Le Mini Macaron – delicate French macarons in seasonal flavours.
• Tokyo Kitchen – Japanese pop‑up offering sushi rolls, katsu curry, and bento boxes.
• Scream for Pizza – Wood‑fired pizzas with creative toppings, often served from their signature golden camper van.
• The Brownie Bar – Indulgent brownies in multiple flavours, from classic chocolate fudge to seasonal specials.
• Cubanos – Cuban‑inspired sandwiches and wraps, packed with slow‑cooked meats and zingy pickles.
The line‑up changes regularly, but these vendors are among the favourites that keep locals and visitors coming back for more. I grabbed a hot cuppa in the Quayside Garden, soaking up the relaxed vibes before admitting defeat to my appetite.
Lunch at Dobson & Parnell
Still, I couldn’t resist lunch at Dobson & Parnell, just a minute from the market. Elegant, seasonal, and utterly satisfying, it was the perfect counterpoint to the street food frenzy. Their menus often feature local produce, which makes for another foodie gift idea: treat someone to a voucher for a fine‑dining experience. I tried out their Sunday Roast which is a refined yet comforting affair, where classic roasts meet inventive modern flavours. Served from 12pm–4pm, the menu features dishes like roast sirloin with Yorkshire puddings, pork loin with crisp crackling, and fresh starters like my Beetroot salad.
Dobson & Parnell, 21 Queens Street, Newcastle, NE1 3UG www.newcastlegateshead.com/business-directory/food-and-drink/dobson-parnell
Fenwick Magic
The afternoon called for a stroll and what better destination than the famous Fenwick Department Store? Its Christmas window display is nothing short of magical, drawing crowds who stand in awe of the artistry - so expect to wait in line to see them. Fenwick’s famous Christmas window displays began in 1971 with animated scenes from the children’s TV series Camberwick Green, marking the start of a festive tradition that has captivated Newcastle for over five decades. Each year a new theme is unveiled on Northumberland Street, and becoming a cherished part of the city’s Christmas celebrations
Once you’ve checked out the window display, head inside the Fenwick Food Hall, it’s a playground for gourmets:
Luxury hampers: packed with wine, biscuits, and artisan treats.
Speciality teas and coffees: beautifully packaged, perfect for gifting.
Exotic condiments: truffle oils, saffron, or rare spices.
Cookware and gadgets: from pasta makers to cocktail shakers.
Festive biscuits and cakes: wrapped in tins that double as keepsakes.
And if you’re not done shopping, Eldon Shopping Centre adds extra sparkle with Sephora (beauty gifts galore) and Søstrene Grene (Scandi‑style homeware, including chic kitchen accessories).
Heading Home
By the time I headed back to Newcastle Central Station for the train home, my bags were heavier, my belly fuller, and my heart lighter. NewcastleGateshead had delivered a whirlwind of festive fun, foodie indulgence, and gift inspiration, proof that the North East is the perfect winter escape.
Final Thoughts
NewcastleGateshead isn’t just a city break; it’s a Christmas present in itself. From foodie prints and ornaments at BALTIC, to beer bottles and cheese hampers at the Christmas Market, to chutneys, sweets, and quirky jewellery at the Quayside, the gift ideas are endless. Add in Fenwick’s luxury hampers and the sheer joy of its window display, and you’ve got a destination that ticks every box: food, fun, and festive sparkle.
So if you’re looking for a winter getaway that feeds your soul and fills your stockings, NewcastleGateshead is waiting with open arms, twinkling lights, and a Geordie welcome that will leave you grinning all the way home.
For all the information you need on visiting Newcastle Gateshead, visit their website - www.newcastlegateshead.com/autumnwinter
TartanSpoon is an Award-winning blog that brings you reviews and recommendations on the very best places to eat, drink and stay in Edinburgh, Scotland and beyond.
Adele is a writer, reviewer and judge living in Edinburgh. She sits on the Committee for the Guild of Food Writers (Scottish Events), is a Great Taste Judge for the Guild of Fine Food, Scottish Bakers, Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards and a Judge for the Gin Co-operative awards. Should you wish to work with, invite or collaborate with TartanSpoon, please email tartanspoon@yahoo.co.uk
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