A city centre restaurant with a city centre buzz. In the heart of Newcastle’s Quayside, Café 21 has an excitement and warmth all of its own. Smart but not stuffy, sleek but not pretentious, fun but not gimmicky, it’s about eating good food in comfortably stylish surroundings.

Take a stool at the bar, order a drink, have a gossip with the barman. Then think about eating. Café 21’s food is big on flavour, short on fussiness. Fresh, seasonal ingredients are treated with flair and passion: classic bistro dishes, a little comfort food and still room for pudding.

Polished wood, smooth panelling, leather banquettes, crisp tablecloths. The style is sharp, the mood relaxed. Colours are white, grey and chocolate with splashes of lime green. A little urban chic, a little modern classic. Service is slick but never formal. No nonsense about VIP rooms and chef’s tables; every table is the best table.