Explore Leazes Park Road With Us
Let us show you some of the reasons you should visit Leazes Park Road
Leazes Park Road is barely 300 yards long, but packs a lot into that distance, with an array of must-visit places spread along its length, from lovely cafés to funky hair salons, an art store to a florist.
Located on the north-eastern edge of Newcastle city centre, Leazes Park Road starts on Percy Street, a couple of minutes from Eldon Square, and ascends to its end at Terrace Place, in the shadow of the St James’ Park stadium, with the gorgeous park that gives the road its name lying just a couple of minutes further north.
While it may be a quiet and relatively short street, Leazes Park Road is home to a community of excellent small businesses deceptively near the city’s heart, so come with us on a quick tour of everything it has to offer.
One of only a handful of Malaysian restaurants anywhere in the city, Chili Padi radiates authenticity and its food is remarkable. A collision of cuisines from Indonesia, Sri Lanka and China, Malay food is tasty, spicy and full of unusual but appealing dishes like national staples beef flank hot pot and nasi goreng kampung (fried rice with anchovies and chicken). There are lots of veggie / vegan options on the lengthy menu too.
We featured The Lost Wanderer when it opened last year and it’s still one of the most charming café / bars in the area. Situated in the owners’ former home / office, it’s a light and friendly sort of place with a well-stocked bar, excellent coffee and food delivered in from local businesses like Firestone Pizza and Big River Bakery. Aiming to be inclusive and welcoming, it’s also a slightly calmer option on match day!
El Coto is one of the best loved of the Spanish restaurants in the city, specialising in dishes from the south of the country and situated in a really warm and atmospheric setting, very woody and rustic in feel. There’s a courtyard for sunny days and the food is second to none: a selection of hot and cold tapas, cured meats and sharing platters that runs to many pages. From queso Manchego to ternera a la mesonera, puntas de solomillo al ajillo to cordero en salsa. Delicious and full of variety.
This wonderful salon radiates calm, soothing vibes and a spa-level degree of luxury. There’s a drinks trolley among the lavish furnishings and it's all lit to show your new ‘do off in the best possible light. As well as offering cuts, colourings and treatments, the usual spa services are available too – massages, facials, tans and mani / pedis. A one-stop shop for a makeover.
Formerly Tea Sutra, NI HAO Tea House is an oasis of calm right in the heart of the city, somewhere to dump the shopping bags as you take your time with some of their specialist teas and delicious food. The owners have a reputation for warmth and friendliness, the range of teas is bewildering (but they’re happy to help guide you to the right one) and the Chinese food menu is tasty and has some fine vegan options.
A family business with a strong pedigree (five generations long!), Katherine’s is forward-thinking, sustainability-focused and has worked with some *very* big names (Dior! Vivienne Westwood!). So whether it’s a big event or a thoughtful gift or commemoration, the Katherine’s staff can help, with a friendly personal service and, crucially, some really spectacular flowers!
If you’re looking for fine Turkish food in the city, you should probably head to Red Mezze. A restaurant that’s full of life, colour and great tastes, Red Mezze has been a popular destination for more than a decade now, with a reputation for fine grills. The mezze menu is long and appealing (and often unfamiliar), there’s plenty to offer for pescatarians and veggies and some of the stews sound stunning.
Offering the very deepest relaxation, Yan C Massage & Spa can transport you from the bustle of the city to somewhere far calmer and more soothing. They offer all sorts of massages – Swedish, deep tissue, hot stone – as well as steam rooms, jacuzzies and spa treatments. The staff are skilled and the whole business radiates well-being.
Another fine Asian restaurant found in Leazes Park Road is Soho, a Korean / Japanese street food joint that’s all about small plates and strong flavours. There’s a robata grill for sizzling barbecue dishes, and they offer a great selection of Korean hotpots. Plus the sushi and seafood selection is great. From kimchi fried rice to chicken katsu donburi and all points in between, Soho will give you the umami hit you need!
Ink & Drop exist to make your home beautiful with art. They offer a vast selection of prints with something to meet every taste, from the abstract to the traditional, street art to landscapes, explosions of colour or soothing washes of muted watercolours. The framing selection means you can always get the right frame for your new art and they offer a variety of discounts too.
Bar Loco has been something of a Leazes institution from back before the street started becoming the hub it is these days. Popular with students (especially international ones – it’s a wonderfully polyglot kind of place), it’s also a handy pre-match bar if you want to avoid the more boisterous options nearby. They sell pizzas, calzones and wraps if you’re hungry and the bar is well-stocked. There’s a function room upstairs too, which often hosts DJs and band nights.
Named for the adorable hound that was often found inside (sadly now passed), Rodney’s Chop Shop started out just by Central Station but has found a new home in a bright and lively new space on Leazes Park Road. The cuts are reliably great, they do beards too and the staff are impeccably professional but friendly.
These kinds of clubs – once the heart of the English social life, especially in the north – are a dying breed, so it’s good to see Newcastle Labour Club flying the flag for a threatened institution. The club is run on traditional lines – cheap drinks, a warm and welcoming atmosphere, plenty of quiz nights, live bands and tributes, bingo and the rest – and offers something a little different to most of the bars and clubs in the surrounding area.
It really is remarkable what Leazes Park Road packs into less than a quarter of a mile. You can dine like a king, relax in a spa, drink coffee till you rattle and get a new ‘do, all within a minute or so and all within the heart of Newcastle - so why not make a stop off here next time you're in the city?
