12 Great Restaurants for Graduation Meals in Newcastle

21, Trinity Gardens

As one of the city’s most popular and acclaimed restaurants, 21 is the perfect place for celebrating all those years of hard work at university. Fine British dining is the focus at 21 - the brainchild of celebrated local chef Terry Laybourne - with menus offering dishes packed with seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. It’s also home to a gorgeous private dining room, perfect for big graduation dining groups looking for a space to hire.

Pitcher & Piano, Quayside

Why not celebrate the big day with a meal at Pitcher & Piano alongside some of the most scenic views of River Tyne you’ll ever see in the city? Nestled on Newcastle’s iconic Quayside, Pitcher & Piano boasts both a beautiful riverside patio and a gorgeous rooftop terrace perfect for an al fresco graduation meal. Chow down on delicious small plates, mouthwatering mains, burgers, pizzas and the like or head there on weekends for some boozy celebratory fun with their bottomless brunches.

Cafe Andaluz, Grey Street

For a great graduation meal on Newcastle’s iconic Grey Street, look no further than Spanish restaurant Cafe Andaluz. Vibey, colourful and family friendly, it’s perfect for a celebratory meal with the whole clan in tow and its extensive tapas menu is bound to have a dish to suit everybody. 

Dobson & Parnell, Queen Street

Offering fine dining in a sophisticated space, Dobson & Parnell on Queen Street is perfect for a fancy graduation meal. British and European-inspired dishes crafted from local, seasonal fare dominate at Dobson & Parnell and with a range of dining options – set menus, a la carte menus, Sunday lunch and children’s menus – it’s perfect for whatever kind of group you’re eating out with. It’s open for lunch and dinner too and boasts one of the best wine lists in town… and lord knows graduates deserve a decent tipple or two.

Hibou Blanc, High Bridge Street

How does celebrating your graduation with a swanky meal at one of the Bigg Market’s best restaurants sound? Head to Hibou Blanc, which is open for lunch and dinner and serves a range of refined fare ideal for celebrating after the big graduation ceremony. Book a table on its gorgeous terrace and bask in the sun as you toast to your success.

3SIXTY, Rutherford Street

Nestled atop one of Newcastle’s tallest buildings, 3SIXTY offers a sky-high graduation dining experience with unbeatable views of the city you’ve called home the past few years. Take in panoramic views of Newcastle as you dine on carefully curated menus featuring some of the finest fare in town. Head there for a delicious lunch, a fancy afternoon tea, a sumptuous Sunday roast or some amazing a la carte dining against the beautiful backdrop of Newcastle’s famous skyline.

Chaophraya, Eldon Square

Spice up your graduation celebrations with a tantalising Thai meal at Chaophraya in Eldon Square’s Grey Quarter. With a swanky dining room and a rooftop terrace boasting fantastic views out over the city centre, Chaophraya will make your graduation meal one to remember. Book up for a post-ceremony lunch or opt for a la carte dining or their special Graduation offer, that includes a free bottle of fizz for you and your loved ones to enjoy. They even offer a Royal bottomless brunch with a Thai twist, priced at £45 per person for one course, that’s available on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Maven @ The Vermont Hotel, Castle Garth

Sumptuous surrounds and a range of dining options make The Maven perfect for celebrating your graduation with a delicious meal – especially for visiting families staying overnight at The Vermont Hotel. Open daily from 12:30pm ‘til 9:30pm, The Maven is ideal for post-graduation lunches, Sunday roasts or evening meals out and their vegan and kid-friendly menus mean that everybody is catered for. Their Stay, Wine & Dine package is perfect for visiting parents too.

Pleased To Meet You, High Bridge

High Bridge hotspot Pleased To Meet You is home to a gorgeous bar and restaurant serving up delicious drinks and amazing food that’ll make any graduation celebration a memorable one. Head there for midweek lunches, a la carte dining and some totally tempting afternoon tea options or enquire about hiring their beautiful Viceroy Room for celebrating en masse. The bar at Pleased To Meet You boasts one of the most extensive gin menus in town too, and who wouldn’t need a G&T or two after all that hard uni work?

The Botanist, Monument Mall

Home to one of the best rooftop terraces in Newcastle, The Botanist makes for an ideal spot to enjoy some post-graduation al fresco dining. Offering great views of the city centre and some seriously delicious food – including their legendary hanging kebabs – it’s perfect for treating graduates for all their hard work. Make sure you try a cocktail or two: brimming with rich and carefully curated botanical flavours, they’re perfect for celebrating.

Harry's, Grey Street

Celebrate your graduation with deliciously authentic Italian meal at Harry's. The popular Grey Street restaurant and bar promise an unforgettable graduation meal with tasty pizzas and hearty pasta dishes washed down with a selection from their extensive wine or cocktail list. With burgers, steaks, fajitas and the like on the menu too, graduate diners will be spoilt for choice.

Leila Lily’s, Grey Street

Everything about Leila Lily’s suggests a lavish, special night out, from the dazzling décor to the Mediterranean-infused food. The menu runs from duck spring rolls to seafood linguini, mushrooms arancini to pea and shallot ravioli, and what’s more, for graduation, they’re offering a free cocktail to all graduates booking in advance for graduation week (8th-19th July).

Graduating from university is no small feat and deserves a celebration, so why not get booked up at one of the restaurants above and mark the occasion in style in Newcastle city centre?