Moz Murphy
Grate, Jesmond
“Back in my 20s as a trainee cheesemonger, on summer paydays I would buy a Neal’s Yard Creamery Perroche – a really young goat’s milk cheese rolled in dill – a walnut baguette and a half bottle of cheap white wine, then rent a deck chair in Green Park. I thought it the height of sophistication! It’s still a go-to for a hot day at the coast, but now I’d probably treat myself to Champagne! Sipping a cold glass of something fizzy with a great cheese is the perfect beach lunch.”
Jasmine Roughead
Wor Matcha
“Living at the coast, for me summer is all about getting together with family and friends and making outdoor eating an event. Whether it’s an early morning walk along the seafront with a matcha, or an evening barbecue in the garden, the togetherness makes it special. Taking picky bits down to the beach to meet friends, the kids all sharing bags of chips together… Anything outdoors on a sunny day just tastes better!”
Jo Peel
Regular Jo’s Coffee, Tynemouth
“Living in such a lush coastal town, I manage to eat outside a lot – from pizza on the beach with wine and friends to pastries and coffee in the morning, but I don’t think anything beats fish and chips on a bench overlooking the sea. Sitting in the car watching the waves on a bad day is a good option too.”
Sue Hooper
The Deli Around the Corner, Tynemouth
“I think I’d have to go all out classic and have burrata with verde olives, served with rosemary and garlic foccacia… Maybe with a drizzle of wild garlic pesto on the burrata… And a nice, cool beer on the side.”
Sud Murugaval
Dosa Kitchen, Newcastle
“My kind of comfort food isn’t fancy or complicated – it’s warm, fresh, satisfying food that fits the moment. Fish and chips after a coastal walk is hard to beat, especially somewhere like Seahouses where you can sit near the water with the smell of the sea in the air. A cold pint with a wood-fired pizza is one of those combinations that just feels right too, especially when you’re standing at a busy food market or sitting at a picnic bench as the evening cools down. The experience combines atmosphere and taste – the coast, fresh air, walking around with no pressure and not dressing things up… The outdoors makes ordinary food feel comforting and alive.”
