It's the time of year that North East foodies have been waiting for: a chance to dine out in style at some of Newcastle's finest restaurants for a fraction of the usual cost - and what better way to celebrate the start of a brand new year?

The hugely popular NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week is back this week, bringing an invitation - and challenge - to diners to indulge in a truly global treat. They can Dine Around The World - without leaving the city.

Stephen Patterson, director of communications at NE1 Ltd, said: “With over 100 restaurants taking part this January, diners will be able to choose the continent they would like to dine in while remaining within Newcastle city centre.”

Chaophraya is one of the restaurants taking part in NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week this January which is set to whet all appetites by featuring a truly worldwide selection of cuisine
Chaophraya is one of the restaurants taking part in NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week this January which is set to whet all appetites by featuring a truly worldwide selection of cuisine

With more eateries than ever all set to throw open their doors to customers, the range of cut-price menus on offer will span cuisine from every continent; making this year's treat the best one yet.

And bearing in mind that the twice-yearly Restaurant Week - which also enjoys a run in August - caters for around 45,000 hungry diners, that means huge savings are set to be made.

This month's event, which launched on January 15 and runs until January 21, is the 15th to date and and will see the 100-plus city centre based restaurants serve up special deals at just £10 or £15 per person.

Thanks to the city's increasingly cosmopolitan mix of restaurants , diners can enjoy everything from European menus featuring the likes of Italian staples and Spanish tapas; Korean and Chinese highlights of Asian cuisine, and south American flavours in a taste of Brazil.

Organiser NE1 is challenging people to cover the whole world - experiencing tastes from all four corners of the globe - within the heart of the city.

Newcastle boasts more restaurants per square mile than any other Northern city, which NE1 sees as a testament to how the event has helped shape the restaurant scene, and with so many of them signed up to the upcoming event, diners picking up the gauntlet will find plenty choice for their culinary adventure.

Stephen added: "Newcastle was the first city in the UK to launch a Restaurant Week.

"We are really proud of our restaurant scene here in Newcastle which has grown in tandem with the Restaurant Week event. There are not many cities in the UK where you can enjoy food from around the globe.

"With over 100 restaurants taking part this January, diners will be able to choose the continent they would like to dine in while remaining within Newcastle city centre.”

NE1's Stephen Patterson, pictured at the launch of NE1's helter skelter in Northumberland Street, Newcastle
NE1's Stephen Patterson, pictured at the launch of NE1's helter skelter in Northumberland Street, Newcastle

Among the restaurants taking part are several playing a role for the first time, as - thanks to that ever-evolving culinary scene - there are always new venues keen for a platform to show off their talents. And all that amounts to a win-win situation for the region’s discerning diners.

Newcomers will include The Laundrette , Aurora Kitchen, French Quarter, Hudson and Signor Prosecco.

Tony Harding, general manager of Las Iguanas Quayside which is all geared up to take part, said its previous involvement had hooked the customers who turned up to sample its food and Latin American fiesta vibe created on the banks of the Tyne.

He said: "We’ve only been open for 18 months so the event has helped us attract new customers who have since become regulars.

"Restaurant Week is a firm favourite in the Las Iguanas Quayside diary.

"It gives people the chance to try out restaurants without breaking the bank."

Others returning venues include long-running favourites such as Blackfriars Restaurant, which has taken part in Restaurant Week since the very start and whose owner Andy Hook was also quick to sign up his Dobson and Parnell restaurant soon after it opened in 21 Queen Street on Newcastle’s Quayside.

And top Newcastle restaurateur Terry Laybourne, another great supporter of Restaurant Week, said last summer's event - which coincided with the opening of his newest restaurant Porterhouse Butcher and Grill in Fenwick Food Hall - had helped to establish it quickly on the city culinary scene.

Newcastle NE1 Restaurant Week is now considered one of the most popular events in NE1's ambitious annual events calendar.

The initial one, the UK's first Restaurant Week - which took place in January 2011 with just 13 restaurants - was inspired by an idea in New York where diners snap up a twice-a-year chance to eat at some of the Big Apple’s top restaurants for a fraction of the normal price.

Newcastle restaurateur Terry Laybourne at Porterhouse in Fenwick Food Hall
Newcastle restaurateur Terry Laybourne at Porterhouse in Fenwick Food Hall

And the formula has translated well to Newcastle's vibrant restaurant scene.

Its original hope was to boost trade at traditionally quiet times of the year but the event has proved so popular that the annual Restaurant Weeks are now among the busiest of the year for participating restaurants, many of which are quickly booked up throughout.

Last year the event brought a reported £500,000 boost for business so it's no surprise that Newcastle's success has since inspired other cities to run similar events.

For foodies it is always an eagerly-awaited opportunity to try restaurants they may not have visited before, while for others the special deals on offer can be a chance to treat themselves and sample what they normally might not be able to afford.

One Restaurant Week regular, who claims to be its biggest fan, is Nicole Hope of South Shields who can't wait to take up the Dine Around The World challenge.

“I love Newcastle Restaurant Week and try to dine out at least three times during the week because it allows me to try new restaurants without the pressure of a huge bill at the end of the meal," she said.

"Participating restaurants put on such a great show to encourage new customers so you get to enjoy the best of the best for a fraction of the usual cost."

She is planning "happy food travels!" and added: "This year, I’m planning to get my Restaurant Week passport stamped in Thailand, Italy and Mexico."

Because of the popularity of NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week , which sees many restaurants fully booked across the run it will be essential to reserve tables.

Visit getintonewcastle.co.uk for details of all the participating restaurants plus information on individual menus and offers. Vouchers are also available there to download.

Journey around the world without leaving town

Here is a list of Newcastle's restaurants combining to offer diners a truly worldwide menu offering a tantalising taste - and all the exotic flavours - of international cuisine on your doorstep. Check out the options by continents! Some restaurants will feature more than once if their menu is particularly wide-ranging. Check out the options by continents!

Asia

Aveika

Boat Noodle

Chaophraya

Dabbawal

Fat Buddha

Fujiyama

Hei Hei

King Neptune

Mannaza Korean Grill

Mantra Thai

Mr Petit

Rasoi

Sachins

Ury

Vujon

Wafi Lounge

Zaap

Africa

Mr Petit

North America

Bierrex

Byron

Fat Hippo

Hop & Cleaver

Lane7

Lola Jeans

Longhorns

Meat:Stack

Mr Petit

Reds True BBQ

Rub Smokehouse

Shark Club

The Purple Bear

The Laundrette

South America

Cabana

Giraffe

Las Iguanas Grey Street

Las Iguanas Quayside

Turtle Bay

Europe

21

As You Like It

Aurora

Babucho

Bar Luga

Bealim House

Bella Italia

Blackfriars

Broadchare

Browns

Café 21

Café Rouge

Caffe Vivo

Carluccios

Central

Chefs Academy

Chez Mal

Colonel Porters

Coop Chicken House

Dacantus

Datbar

Don Vitos

El Coto

El Torero

Fuego

Garden Kitchen

George’s Great British Kitchen

Giraffe

Gusto

Harrys

Hawthorns

Hotel Du Vin

Kafeneon

Marco Pierre White

Marco Polo

Miller and Carter

Mr Petit

Nancy’s Bordello

Paradiso

Piccolino

Pitcher and Piano

Pleased to Meet You

Porterhouse

Prima

Redhouse

Sabatini

Saltwater Fish co.

Signor

The Bohemian

The Botanist

The Earl of Pitt Street

The French Quarter

The Head of Steam

The Herb Garden

The Hudson

The Stand

The Vermont

Tivoli

Tyneside Bar Cafe

Uno’s

Zizzi

Zucchini Pasta Bar

Australia

Mr Petit