Newcastle’s food scene has exploded in recent years. While the city boasts incredible fine dining and excellent restaurants, the true heartbeat of the local culinary revolution is found in its markets.
From traditional Victorian arcades to modern street-food collectives, here is your complete guide to eating your way around Newcastle’s food markets.
1. The Grainger Market
Location: City Centre (Grainger Street) Open: Monday to Saturday, 9am - 5:30pm
If you visit only one market in Newcastle, make it this one. Designed by John Dobson and opened in 1835, this stunning Grade I listed covered market is the historic soul of the city. Originally a meat and vegetable market, it has evolved into a street-food paradise.
Must-eats:
- Slice: Massive, incredibly cheap, New York-style pizza slices. The queue is always long, but it moves fast.
- Nan Bei: Authentic Chinese dumplings, steamed fresh to order.
- Redhead’s Mac ‘n’ Cheese: Award-winning, heavily loaded macaroni cheese.
- Pumphrey’s Coffee: One of the best coffee shops in the city, roasting beans on-site since 1750.
2. HWKRMRKT (By the River Brew Co.)
Location: Gateshead Quays (under the Tyne Bridge) Open: Weekends (Spring to Autumn)
Technically situated across the river in Gateshead, the HWKRMRKT (Hawker Market) is a vibrant, outdoor street-food village built from shipping containers. It sits directly beneath the iconic Tyne Bridge.
Must-eats:
- The vendors rotate regularly, but you can always expect high-end burgers, Asian fusion, and loaded fries.
- The real draw here is the By the River Brew Co. craft beer, brewed directly on-site, perfectly complementing whatever street food you choose.
3. The Quayside Sunday Market
Location: Newcastle Quayside Open: Sundays, 9am - 4pm
Every Sunday, the entire stretch of the Newcastle Quayside is closed to traffic and transformed into a sprawling outdoor market. It features a mix of local crafts, vintage clothing, and most importantly, incredible food.
Must-eats:
- Freshly shucked local oysters (a nod to the region’s coastal heritage).
- Artisan bakeries selling stottie cakes (a dense, flat local bread — you must try a ham and pease pudding stottie).
- Massive pans of Spanish paella and German bratwurst.
4. Jesmond Food Market
Location: Armstrong Bridge, Jesmond Open: Third Saturday of every month
Held on the scenic Armstrong Bridge overlooking the beautiful Jesmond Dene, this monthly market is a heavily curated selection of the North East’s finest artisan producers and street food vendors.
Must-eats:
- Locally made cheeses from the Northumberland Cheese Company.
- Small-batch preserves, honeys, and hot sauces.
- Excellent vegan street food options.
5. Tynemouth Station Market
Location: Tynemouth Metro Station Open: Saturdays and Sundays, 9am - 3:30pm
Just a 25-minute Metro ride from the city centre, the Tynemouth weekend market is legendary. Set beneath the stunning restored Victorian glass canopy of the working railway station, it is vast.
Must-eats:
- While famous for antiques and bric-a-brac, the food offering is excellent. Expect artisan chocolates, huge German sausages, and local pies.
- Tip: Grab some street food here, then walk 10 minutes to the beach for a picnic by the sea.
Why the Market Scene is Thriving
Newcastle’s markets are brilliant because they serve as incubators for local talent. Many of the city’s most successful restaurants started as tiny stalls in the Grainger Market or on the Quayside. Eating at these markets isn’t just about getting a cheap, delicious lunch — it’s about supporting the next generation of Geordie culinary talent.
