A bistro that packs a punch

Address: Café Royal, 8 Nelson Street, Newcastle, NE1 5AW

Telephone: 0191 231 3000

Opening times: Mon - Sat 8:00 - 18:00, Sun – 10:00 – 16:00

Hoping to escape the cold of recent British autumnal afternoons, I ducked into an old favourite yesterday, Café Royal, set in the historic part of Newcastle’a Monument, in the hope of warming up with an almond croissant. And was I in for a treat.

The award winning Sir John Fitzgerald’s Café Royal is a little London in the North. This contemporary European café, bar and deli situated on Nelson Street is a stylish haven, social hub where city sophisticates and weary shoppers can truly indulge their taste buds whether it be breakfast, morning coffee, afternoon tea or dinner.

Fused with Café Royals grand, neo classical façade, the chic interior makes a truly special location to enjoy tasty continental food and coffee. The cool and cosmopolitan all-day bistro menu boasts delicacies and delights to enjoy at the café or to take home from the deli. Ponder over the mouth watering breakfasts of cinnamon toasted Northumbrian fruit loaf, creamy scrambled eggs on granary and café royals homemade granola with vanilla yogurt and maple syrup and you’ll wish it was 9am.

However the all day menu will do anything but disappoint. Nibble on artisan breads with balsamic and marinated olives while digesting the menu which offers freshly-prepared seasonal dishes with specials changing weekly.  Whether it is a classic waldorf salad with smoked chicken or one of their famous smoothies that takes your fancy, the menu offers something for all appetites.

Café Royal also boasts its own bakery renowned for being one of the leading artisan bakeries in Britain offering a great choice of breads, pastries and speciality bakery products. The delicatessen is heaven to bread lovers offering a wide variety of produce alongside traditional wholemeal, farmhouse and granary breads. Alongside their various breads Royal offers specialty desserts; the hugely recommended cheesecakes and the labour of love chocolate cake are must haves.

A paradise for food lovers, Café Royal is the location for a wonderful array of interesting produce such as Neal’s Yard cheeses, fresh olives and interesting gift ideas for foodies. The café offers alfresco dining too, with seating outside on Nelson Street giving a real cosmopolitan ambience. Winner of the B.O.N (Best of Newcastle) award for Best Café/Deli 2004, 05, 06, Royal is one not to be missed.