
Sambuca UK
Quick info
About Sambuca UK
On Watergate Buildings at Quayside, Sambuca UK is an Italian restaurant, cafe, bar and grill with tables set along the riverside view. The menu spans pizza, pasta, burgers and steak, with chicken cooked in garlic, rosemary and white wine sauce served alongside salad and chips. Vegan and gluten-free options run through the menu, including coeliac-safe gluten-free choices. Sunday lunch is served with vegetable sides such as peas, and a set menu operates with a specific cut-off time for ordering. The room accommodates large groups, having hosted parties of twenty to twenty-two people for special occasions.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingPaid parking lot · Paid street parking · Usually plenty of parking
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs · Kids' menu
- DietaryVegan options · Vegetarian options
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention vegan and gluten-free options, large group accommodations, sunday roast with peas and riverside view table.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention vegan and gluten-free options, large group accommodations, sunday roast with peas and riverside view table.
Customer Review Summary
Diners repeatedly single out the large-group experience at Sambuca, with parties of twenty or more praising food arriving together and staff who kept things running smoothly. Close behind, several highlight specific dishes like the chicken with garlic, rosemary and white wine sauce, the Sunday lunch with well-cooked veg and peas, and gluten-free and vegan options that reviewers with dietary needs found well catered for. Servers are consistently described as friendly, attentive and quick, credited with making leaving dinners, graduations and anniversaries feel special, sometimes securing a riverside table without a booking. One reviewer's only complaint was that their order was taken just after a special set menu cut off, despite arriving thirty minutes early, though they still called the food excellent. Portions and value for money come up often, with reviewers calling prices reasonable for the quality received.
Customer Review Summary
Diners repeatedly single out the large-group experience at Sambuca, with parties of twenty or more praising food arriving together and staff who kept things running smoothly. Close behind, several highlight specific dishes like the chicken with garlic, rosemary and white wine sauce, the Sunday lunch with well-cooked veg and peas, and gluten-free and vegan options that reviewers with dietary needs found well catered for. Servers are consistently described as friendly, attentive and quick, credited with making leaving dinners, graduations and anniversaries feel special, sometimes securing a riverside table without a booking. One reviewer's only complaint was that their order was taken just after a special set menu cut off, despite arriving thirty minutes early, though they still called the food excellent. Portions and value for money come up often, with reviewers calling prices reasonable for the quality received.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“A wonderful dinner! A special thanks goes to Adam, who absolutely made our night (we had actually walked in together, and that was a good omen for sure). Adam made sure we were seated at a great riverside view table (this on a Saturday night without a booking!), and generally took fantastic care of us, absolutely changing our perception of the night and our experience of Newcastle this far (it had been a long day). Adam’s attention, positivity and energy reminded us of Ray Kowalski from Due South — a huge compliment, in my book! Definitely coming back very soon. The vegan and gluten-free options available were also great!”
- Google user
“Excellent food - plenty of coeliac safe gluten free options. The actual service from the waiters was great in terms of they were very friendly and helpful, but our order was taken after the special menu ended, despite us arriving 30 mins before it ended.”
- Google user
“Went after daughters graduation. Food was lovely! Drinks great. Two staff we had were absolutely brilliant. Good banter very attentive. Well worth a visit at a very good price”
- Google user
“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was my first time visiting this restaurant with the Ellis Signs team, and I had a truly fantastic experience. To be honest, it exceeded my expectations. The food was fresh, full of flavour, and the portions were very generous. Everyone at our table ordered something different, and every dish looked amazing and tasted delicious. I was extremely happy with my meal. The staff were friendly, attentive, and professional throughout our visit. Everything, from ordering to service, was quick and well organised. The atmosphere was warm, welcoming, and relaxing, making it a perfect place to enjoy a meal with friends, family, or colleagues. A big thank you to the entire Sambuca team for such a wonderful experience. It was my first visit, but it certainly won't be my last. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for delicious food, excellent service, and great value in Newcastle. It truly deserves five stars!”
- Google user
“I had my leaving meal here with around 20 people from my team, and we all had a wonderful experience. The service was impressively fast, with all of the food arriving at the same time, which made a huge difference for such a large group. The staff were attentive, made us all feel really welcome and were genuinely lovely and friendly, Everyone commented on how much they enjoyed both the atmosphere and the food, and there was a lot of talk about coming back again in the future. We also had a vegan in the group who was really happy with their meal, which was great to see. Overall, it was a fantastic experience and the perfect place for a special occasion. Great location and easy to find car park.”
Highlights
“Italian Restaurant-Cafe-Bar-Grill-Cocktail-Burgers- Parma-Pizza-Pasta, Steak!”
- Great cocktails
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Live music
- Popular for lunch
Amenities
- Paid parking lot
- Accepts reservations
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Good for kids
- Vegan options
Show more amenities
- Bar onsite
- Cozy
- Onsite services
- Beer
- Coffee
- Happy hour drinks
- Offerings· 11
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Happy hour food
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Late-night food
- Prepared foods
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
- Dining options· 6
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Family-friendly· 2
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
- Highlights· 4
- Great cocktails
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Live music
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Atmosphere· 3
- Casual
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Parking· 2
- Paid street parking
- Usually plenty of parking
- Planning· 1
- Dinner reservations recommended
Location
Italian Restaurants near Sambuca UK
- Gino D'Acampo4.42,1190.1 mi£20–70
arancini balls, truffle fries, seafood risotto
- Marco Polo4.49480.2 mi
pre-theatre set menu, wood-fired pizzas, beef ragu pasta
- Sambuca Pavilion4.26981.4 mi
potato skins, lunch deal value, tiramisu
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sambuca UK | 4.41,637 | — | £20–30 | vegan and gluten-free options, large group accommodations, sunday roast with peas |
| Gino D'Acampo | 4.42,119 | 0.1 mi | £20–70 | arancini balls, truffle fries, seafood risotto |
| Marco Polo | 4.4948 | 0.2 mi | — | pre-theatre set menu, wood-fired pizzas, beef ragu pasta |
| Sambuca Pavilion | 4.2698 | 1.4 mi | — | potato skins, lunch deal value, tiramisu |
The 3 nearest italian restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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