Restaurant week at heart of Newcastle festival event

Restaurant week at heart of Newcastle festival event

6 August 2025

A NEW restaurant week is being launched in Newcastle in the run-up to next month’s Eats and Beats Festival.

The Newry, Mourne and Down Council initiative launches on September 1 and aims to create what is being described as a vibrant lead-up to the annual weekend festival which starts six days later.

Over the course of the week, locals and visitors alike will be invited to explore exclusive food offers, themed menus and dining experiences from some of Newcastle’s most popular eateries. 

Eleven restaurants and cafés are taking part in this year’s inaugural event, including established businesses such as Café Mauds, Percy French, Harbour House, Docs Restaurant, Quinns Bar and the Burrendale Hotel. 

From seafood sharing boards and Sunday roasts with a view, to free desserts and special breakfast deals, there’s something to suit every taste and budget. Many of the offers will be available during peak dining hours from 11am and 2pm and 5pm and 7pm.

To further support the initiative and encourage footfall into the town, a complementary ‘Shop Local’ digital campaign will run from August 25 to September 7, spotlighting local businesses and retail offerings.

Council officials say the joined-up approach aims to highlight everything Newcastle has to offer and create a buzz in the run-up to the region’s biggest food and music event of the year.

Local authority chairman, Philip Campbell, has described the new restaurant week initiative as a “fantastic opportunity” to shine a spotlight on the town’s incredible hospitality sector and to encourage people to support our local businesses.

“With the added momentum of the Shop Local campaign and the return of Eats and Beats, this is a brilliant time to visit Newcastle, enjoy great food and experience everything our district has to offer.”

The new campaign will be driven across social media using the hashtags #newcastlerestaurantweek #eatsandbeats #shoplocal. 

A full list of participating eateries, menus and special offers is available at www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/restaurant-week and will be shared across the council’s social media channels in the coming weeks.