
Marco Polo
Italian restaurantsNewcastle Upon Tyne
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Quick info
About Marco Polo
Marco Polo sits on Dean St in Newcastle Upon Tyne, serving traditional Italian cuisine and wines in a room of exposed brick, stripped floors and a girder ceiling. It holds the distinction of being the oldest Italian restaurant in the city. The menu runs from fettuccine beef ragu and spaghetti carbonara to lasagne, pizza and lamb meatballs, with pane served alongside. A pre-theatre menu offers one or two courses at set prices, plus a theatre menu at selected times, and two cocktails are available for a set price all day, including a creme egg martini. Waiters take orders at the table and recommend sides. The restaurant takes walk-ins rather than bookings, with no reservations held.
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Menu & Prices
103 dishes · mains £4–30- Pane£5.25
- Olive E Pomodori£4.35
- Garlic & Rosemary£7.50
- Garlic, Tomato & Basil£7.50
- Garlic, Mozzarella & Red Onion£8.50
- Garlic, Tomato, Nduja & Basil£8.50
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention pre-theatre set menu, beef ragu pasta, pizza and chocolate dessert.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention pre-theatre set menu, beef ragu pasta, pizza and chocolate dessert.
Customer Review Summary
The pre-theatre set menu draws the most mentions, with diners praising the value and quick service, and singling out a king prawn, squid and mussel risotto packed with seafood and a rich, smooth chocolate pot. Pasta and pizza follow close behind: a beef ragu fettuccine, a carbonara one reviewer calls among the most authentic outside Italy, and pizzas with a light, crisp base that friends called the best part of a shared half pizza, half pasta order. Lamb meatballs, a creamy parmesan chicken and a creme egg martini also earn praise, and one reviewer suggests trying the martini. Service is described as friendly, welcoming and never rushed, including for a solo diner. The reservations are small. One reviewer says the atmosphere could have felt more cosy, and another found the chicken needed a side of garlic and rosemary potatoes to be filling. One reviewer's proposal night ended with staff recording it and bringing over a brass ring.
Customer Review Summary
The pre-theatre set menu draws the most mentions, with diners praising the value and quick service, and singling out a king prawn, squid and mussel risotto packed with seafood and a rich, smooth chocolate pot. Pasta and pizza follow close behind: a beef ragu fettuccine, a carbonara one reviewer calls among the most authentic outside Italy, and pizzas with a light, crisp base that friends called the best part of a shared half pizza, half pasta order. Lamb meatballs, a creamy parmesan chicken and a creme egg martini also earn praise, and one reviewer suggests trying the martini. Service is described as friendly, welcoming and never rushed, including for a solo diner. The reservations are small. One reviewer says the atmosphere could have felt more cosy, and another found the chicken needed a side of garlic and rosemary potatoes to be filling. One reviewer's proposal night ended with staff recording it and bringing over a brass ring.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“The food was very good and very well priced. Plenty of tables, 4* on the atmosphere simply as it could have felt more cosy but that’s me being fussy. Definitely recommend”
- Google user
“Came here on a Tuesday evening whilst travelling for work. I had the prosciutto and mozzarella to start followed by the spaghetti carbonara for main. I cannot fault either dish, they were both great and probably one of the most authentic carbonara’s I’ve had outside Italy. I would recommend this place to anyone staying in Newcastle. Food, service and atmosphere were all great.”
- Google user
“We came here for the pre-theatre menu. I didn't realize it was the oldest Italian in Newcastle. The food was good. Lamb meatballs, chicken and the chocolate cake I can definitely recommend. Price was reasonable too. Service was quick and great. Also try the creme egg martini, I literally finished it with 1 gulp because it was so good.”
- Google user
“I left Marco Polo wondering why I had not been sooner. I took advantage of the theatre set menu, which is available at selected times, and at £19.95 it felt like outstanding value. For that price I had a rump steak starter, king prawn, squid and mussel risotto, followed by a chocolate, orange, brandy and hazelnut pot for dessert. Considering the quality and portion sizes, it was genuinely impressive. The food itself was excellent. The risotto was packed with seafood and full of flavour, and everything felt thoughtfully prepared rather than rushed out as part of a set deal. And the dessert nearly finished me off. The chocolate pot was rich, smooth and indulgent. I was very close to licking it clean, but somehow managed to hold back. What truly made the evening though was the staff. They are just lovely. My waiter in particular was warm, attentive and natural, striking that perfect balance between professionalism and personality. I was dining alone, and that kind of service makes a huge difference. Instead of feeling like I was just passing through, I felt genuinely welcome. The restaurant itself is cosy and warm, with an atmosphere that makes you want to stay a little longer. Combined with such friendly service, it turned a simple solo dinner into a genuinely enjoyable experience. I will definitely be returning.”
- Google user
“Went to Marco Polo for the first time with a group of my besties. Loved everything about this place. The glorious Italian food and service was impeccable. The chef even shared a little recipe with me. So thankful. And the Pane was superb. Yum.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
- Closed
Good to know
“Traditional Italian cuisine and wines in exposed brick room with stripped floors and girder ceiling.”
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, restroom, seating
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Location
Italian restaurants near Marco Polo
- Uno's Trattoria4.61,7010.1 mi
dirty parmo, homemade tiramisu, calzone
- Sambuca UK4.41,6420.2 mi£20–30
vegan and gluten-free options, large group accommodations, sunday roast with peas
- 0.2 mi£20–30
sea bass, prawn starter, set lunch menu
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marco Polo | 4.4948 | — | — | pre-theatre set menu, beef ragu pasta, pizza |
| Uno's Trattoria | 4.61,701 | 0.1 mi | — | dirty parmo, homemade tiramisu, calzone |
| Sambuca UK | 4.41,642 | 0.2 mi | £20–30 | vegan and gluten-free options, large group accommodations, sunday roast with peas |
| Lui's Bar and Kitchen Newcastle | 4.6182 | 0.2 mi | £20–30 | sea bass, prawn starter, set lunch menu |
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