Dean Bailey takes a trip to South Tyneside – home of independent cafés and restaurants as well as one of the North’s prettiest stretches of coastline
The Clifton
The coffee shop at the Clifton Hotel, South Shields is perfect for a pit stop. Sunday lunch here is incredibly popular too and a perfect treat if you’ve been out for a walk in the morning. Serving home-cooked breakfasts including a hearty full English, light lunches, and afternoon tea complete with sandwiches, pastries and cakes, the coffee shop is open 9am-5pm Monday-Friday and 10am-4pm every Saturday and Sunday.
The Clifton, Ocean Road South Shields, NE33 2JL
tel 0191 455 1965 www.theclifton.co.uk
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Colman’s
Family-owned and run since 1926, Colman’s award-winning fish and chips are the highlight of any day trip to South Shields and the object of national renown. One of the best chippies in the country, Colman’s is well worth a visit to Shields on its own. A regular in compilations of the best chippies and takeaways in the UK it has appeared in the The Good Food Guide and you’ll often find a queue stretching out the door. Trust us, it’s well worth queueing for!
176-186 Ocean Road South Shields, NE33 2JQ
tel 0191 456 1202
www.colmansfishandchips.com
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Toney Minchella
Expanding this year with the opening of the Grill Bar @ Haven Point, award-winning ice cream company Toney Minchella has four shops open year-round at Whitburn, Bents Car Park in South Shields, North and South Promenade Car Parks, and the Toney Minchella @ South Marine Park café. There is also a portable ice cream trailer touring the area throughout the summer. As well as serving the ever-popular Minchella ice creams, the new Grill Bar @ Haven Point offers hot and cold food in full Drive-ins, Diners and Dives style, including Aberdeen Angus burgers, American hot dogs, char-grilled chicken and steak in focaccia bread. Worth a visit rain or shine!
The Car Park, River Drive, North Promenade, South Shields NE33 1TL
tel 0191 455 4212 www.toneyminchella.co.uk
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The Italian Retro
Recently rebranded The Italian Retro, this fab Italian restaurant on Stanhope Road is home to the finest Italian cuisine and well worth a special trip. As much of the produce as possible is sourced locally and the menu features classics including a range of pizzas and pastas as well as steak, chicken and fish. As well as being open for dinner Monday-Saturday, lunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays – booking is strongly recommended on Sundays. If there are more of you there’s the option to hire a private room – call the number below or visit the website for more info.
The Italian Retro, Stanhope Road, South Shields
NE33 4SS, tel 0191 456 5670 www.italianretro.co.uk
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BISTRO Romano
Bistro Romano opened in 1999 and has since become one of the best-loved restaurants in the area. Owners Romano and Paolo Minchella started their first restaurant in Seaburn more than 30 years ago and have been delighting customers ever since. In the heart of Cleadon Village, Bistro Romano offers contemporary Italian and Mediterranean cuisine in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. From simple Italian pasta and risotto dishes to fish and meat specialities, there’s something for everyone on the menu and the brothers source the best quality ingredients from field to fork. Their beef and lamb comes from local farms and the majority of their fish is from sustainable waters.
Front Street, Cleadon Village SR6 7PG
tel 0191 519 1747 www.bistroromano.co.uk