Newcastle Quayside Guide: Bridges, Sunday Market and Where to Eat

Newcastle Quayside is the stretch of riverbank below the city centre, between the Swing Bridge and the Millennium Bridge, with Gateshead Quays directly opposite. In one walk you get the Tyne bridges, the Quayside Sunday Market, Baltic and The Glasshouse across the water, and the city's two Michelin-starred restaurants, House of Tides and Solstice, a few doors apart. The route below crosses both banks in about an hour without stops, and everything was checked in October 2026. For the wider city, see our things to do in Newcastle guide.

Start at the Swing Bridge and Sandhill

Begin where the Quayside Sunday Market begins, at the Swing Bridge. On Sandhill, The Red House occupies a 17th century Grade II listed building with ceiling beams, stone walls, half-timbering and Art Nouveau tiling at the entrance. It pours local cask beer and serves pies, peas and mash from 11am to 9pm. Look up from here to see the Tyne Bridge overhead.

The Close and Side

Just west along The Close at numbers 28 to 30, House of Tides fills a former merchant's house with flagged floors, cast iron pillars and carved beams. The Michelin Guide gives it a star and a ££££ price band, and it opens Thursday to Sunday. Walk up Side to Solstice at 5 to 7, Kenny Atkinson's second starred room, where one tasting menu is served Wednesday to Saturday. A few doors on, the Crown Posada at 31 Side has a grand Victorian interior, original stained glass, cask ales and a 1941 record player behind the bar.

Under the Tyne Bridge

The Bridge Tavern sits right under the Tyne Bridge. It brews its own beer on site and has a rooftop beer garden that looks straight up at the bridge's arch. It opens from noon, 11am on Sunday, until 1am on Friday and Saturday.

The Quayside Sunday Market

On Sundays the council's market runs along the river from the Swing Bridge to near the Millennium Bridge, with food, fashion and local makers. It was first recorded as a fair in 1736, when it stretched along Sandgate from the old Tyne Bridge. Details are on the council's market page.

Broad Chare and Trinity Gardens

Halfway along, turn up the lane to The Broad Chare at number 25, a converted warehouse pub with a Michelin Bib Gourmand every year since it opened in 2011. The bar has over 50 beers; upstairs serves hearty British cooking like haggis on toast. Behind it, 21 at Trinity Gardens is the brasserie option, with a zinc-topped gin counter, open Tuesday to Sunday.

Malmaison and the Millennium Bridge

At the eastern end, Malmaison at 104 Quayside is a Grade II listed former Co-operative Society warehouse with 122 rooms. Its Chez Mal brasserie does two courses for £24.95 at lunch and from 5pm to 7pm. Close by, the Gateshead Millennium Bridge opened in 2001 and won the RIBA Stirling Prize in 2002; its "blinking eye" tilt takes about four minutes. Cross on foot or by bike.

Baltic, Gateshead Quays

On the far bank, Baltic is free and opens Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm. Go up to the Level 5 viewing terrace for the best view back across the river to where you started, then eat in the Baltic Kitchen.

The Glasshouse International Centre for Music

A short walk along the quays on St Mary's Square, The Glasshouse is home to the Royal Northern Sinfonia and has three bars, a café and a restaurant, all with a river view. October 2026 concerts in Sage One include Steve Hackett's Best of Genesis on 21 October and the Sinfonia's Vivaldi Four Seasons on 22 October. Check The Glasshouse's listings for later dates.

Good to know

Sunday is the best day for the walk: the market is on, Baltic is open and The Broad Chare serves Sunday lunch until 5pm. Avoid Monday and Tuesday if you want Baltic or the starred restaurants, which are closed. The Quayside is downhill from Central Station and Monument, so walk down and save energy for the climb back up Side. For more places to eat, see restaurants, and for stays by the river see hotels.

FAQs

When is the Quayside Sunday Market?

Every Sunday, along the river from the Swing Bridge to near the Millennium Bridge. The council runs it, and it was first recorded as a fair in 1736. Stalls sell food, fashion and local products.

When does the Millennium Bridge tilt?

There is no fixed public timetable. The bridge tilts periodically for sightseers and for major river events, and a full tilt through 40 degrees takes about four minutes.

What are the best restaurants on Newcastle Quayside?

House of Tides on The Close and Solstice on Side both hold a Michelin star. The Broad Chare has held a Bib Gourmand every year since 2011, and 21 at Trinity Gardens is the long-running brasserie choice.

Where can you drink on the Quayside?

The Crown Posada on Side for Victorian interiors and cask ale, The Red House on Sandhill in a 17th century building, and The Bridge Tavern, which brews its own beer and has a rooftop garden under the Tyne Bridge.