Newcastle’s Spanish food scene runs from a tapas counter tucked inside Fenwick’s department store food hall to a Grainger Market deli stocked by two Spanish importers, and out into the suburbs, where Heaton now has two genuinely independent tapas bars a few streets apart. Here are the eight best Spanish restaurants in Newcastle worth seeking out in 2026.

Cafe Andaluz first opened in Glasgow’s West End in 2002 before expanding to Newcastle, taking over a Grey Street site directly opposite the Theatre Royal that was previously home to Carluccio’s. The location puts it on one of the city’s grandest streets, in the heart of the theatre district.

The menu covers Spanish tapas classics — patatas bravas, chorizo, albondigas — alongside paella, sangria and cocktails, served across a large, atmospheric dining room built for both pre-theatre dinners and long, sociable evenings. It’s one of the more polished Spanish dining rooms in the city centre.

Cafe Andaluz — 87-89 Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6EG | cafeandaluz.com

El Coto sits on Leazes Park Road in the Gallowgate area, close to St James’ Park, and has built a strong reputation as a genuinely independent tapas restaurant rather than part of a chain. It’s one of the most highly rated Spanish restaurants in the city, with well over 800 Google reviews.

The menu covers home-made tapas and paellas served all day, every day, giving it a more flexible, drop-in character than restaurants that only open for set lunch and dinner services. Its location makes it a popular pick before or after matches at St James’ Park.

El Coto — 21 Leazes Park Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4PF | elcoto.co.uk

El Torero trades from Milburn House on The Side, in the heart of Newcastle’s Quayside, and is run by an owner and head chef both originally from Granada in southern Spain. That direct connection to the region shows in a menu that goes beyond standard tapas into specialities like paella and suckling pig.

It’s open seven days a week from midday, with a more generous two-hour table allocation for bookings made before 8pm than most of the city’s other Spanish restaurants offer. Its Quayside setting puts it a short walk from the Tyne and Millennium Bridges.

El Torero — Milburn House, The Side, Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1PR | eltorero.co.uk

Kaltur has become one of Newcastle’s flag bearers for authentic Spanish ingredients, running two floors on Dean Street that stretch from business lunches through pre-theatre dinners to late-night suppers. A second, smaller site on High Bridge trades under the same name.

An open kitchen bar anchors the space, built as much for a quiet aperitivo and a plate of jamón as a full sit-down meal. The Dean Street location’s flexibility across the day is one of its main draws, rather than sticking to a single fixed format.

Kaltur — 19 Dean Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1PQ | kalturrestaurant.co.uk

Fuego occupies the ground floor of Fenwick’s Northumberland Street department store, inside the Food Hall, giving it one of the more unusual settings for Spanish food in the city. It runs all day from 9am, serving breakfast through to early dinner.

The menu blends Spanish and Italian charcuterie with Mediterranean tapas and Napoli-style hand-stretched pizza, alongside full vegetarian and wheat-free options for coeliac diners. Walk-ins are welcome, with a limited number of tables bookable in advance for those who want to guarantee a spot.

Fuego — Fenwick Food Hall, 39 Northumberland Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7AS | fenwick.co.uk

La Casa Delicatessen was founded in 2015 by Olga Fernandez and Angel Romero del Hombrebueno, who import Iberian meats, Manchego cheese and sweet wines from Spain’s La Mancha region directly into their stall in the historic Grainger Market. It doubles as both a working deli and a tapas bar.

Beyond the counter of hams, cheeses and sherry vinegar, the pair also run La Gamba, a tapas restaurant next door under the same ownership, letting visitors either shop for a Spanish dinner party or sit down and eat straight away. It’s one of the most authentic sources of genuine Spanish produce in the city.

La Casa Delicatessen — Unit 39-41, Grainger Market, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5QG

Boquerones opened as the first and, for some time, only Spanish restaurant in Heaton, bringing traditional and modern tapas to a part of Newcastle previously without a dedicated option. It’s built a strong following quickly, with an outstanding 4.8-star average across more than 400 Google reviews.

The menu is built around premium Spanish ingredients — Manchego cheese, Serrano ham, Padrón peppers — paired with Spanish wines, sangria and cocktails. Larger tables need a small deposit to book, reflecting how in-demand it’s become since opening.

Boquerones — 194A Heaton Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 5HP | boquerones.uk

Sobremesa opened in 2021 as an intimate wine bar on Chillingham Road, a short walk from Boquerones, giving Heaton a genuine choice of independent Spanish tapas rather than just one option. Owners Carsten and Suzanne have built a warm, welcoming reputation in a short space of time.

The focus stays on Spanish wine alongside tapas, cured meats and cheeses, in a small, intimate space that suits a couple of hours over a bottle rather than a big group booking. It’s earned a near-perfect 4.9-star average from early reviewers.

Sobremesa — 207a Chillingham Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 5LJ