No restaurants were given when I asked my London-dwelling mates for Newcastle recs – all I got were pubs, bars and clubs that followed the Geordie city’s stereotype of a rowdy good time. Thankfully, my Airbnb hosts punched back with a reliable list of spots in the city centre, all walking distance from their Gateshead flat, but the one that stood out was The French Quarter.
Crossing the High Level Bridge from Gateshead to Newcastle, against icy winds and over the river Tyne, The French Quarter is a French café, bistro and wine bar that sits discreetly within the arches of Westgate Road. It’s easy to overlook within the tan, monotonous bricks and commercial spaces, but if you pay attention, you’ll notice a golden-warm glow through the windows of arch number six.
If French be the language of love, then its food is the poetry – and The French Quarter encapsulates this entirely and unexpectedly in the heart of Newcastle
This arch is a portal into Paris. Shelves of wine and small wooden casks line an entire wall, teasing your eye from the top shelves and green walls down to the complementary wooden tables and seats on the black and white check floor. French bistro, indeed!
Luckily on a Friday afternoon, there was an open table for two in the back of the restaurant, under the stairs that lead to the kitchen and a large-party table. My friend/travel accomplice and I delightedly sat down and were handed the menus.
The wine list is as extensive as expected. If you have trouble deciding, flights are available where you choose three wines by the glass, ranging from ‘easy drinking’ whites, to ‘discovery’ reds, to a ‘make-your-own’ ensemble. Overwhelmed by the options, cold from the weather and thirsty from the train ride, I chose ‘le vin du moment’ instead, a fresh and fruity, full-bodied red (Les Amoriers from the Domaine les Caizergues vineyard in the Cévennes). The first sip was a warm embrace from a lover, and a delicious wave of comfort washing over my body and cold little heart.
Boeuf bourguignon
Crème brûlée and île flottante
Blanquette de volaille à l’ancienne
After thawing out, we started with escargots in classic garlic and parsley butter. They were decent but different in flavour compared to the little snails of the French capital. Whether it’s because of a different cooking style or the species of snail, I didn’t ponder long as I was swiftly swept away by la planche des fromages – a house selection of French cheeses consisting of Comté, Roquefort, Brie de Meaux and Ossau Iraty with homemade fig jam and walnuts. Curious as to what part of France each cheese is from? The owners have a map that pinpoints the homes of each.
Smitten, but starving for a meaty main, we ordered boeuf bourguignon, tender beef shoulder braised in red wine with carrots and herbs, and the blanquette de volaille à l’ancienne, a traditional stew made with white meat and cooked in a white stock with a roux and egg yolks. Blanquette is normally served with veal, but at The French Quarter it’s chicken, and both plates hit the spot. And for good measure, we ordered more cheese – hot and melty camembert with bread and veggies. All divine.
We were stuffed, but we didn’t care. We’re in Paris AND in Newcastle for chrissakes. We’re ordering dessert. A crème brûlée that, upon the theatrics of cracking open, revealed a sweet and satiny vanilla custard, and an île flottante, or ‘floating island’, where a fluffy meringue cloud ‘floats’ on crème anglaise with caramel and almond flakes on top. Fin.
If French be the language of love, then its food is the poetry – lustful, indulgent and unapologetically decadent, and The French Quarter encapsulates this entirely and unexpectedly in the heart of Newcastle. Don’t let the stereotype of the city fool you – the real party is in the food.
Arch 6
Westgate Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 1SA
March 2025
