
Solstice by Kenny Atkinson
RestaurantsNewcastle Upon Tyne
“Located in the heart of the historical Newcastle Quayside and a stone’s throw away from the iconic Newcastle Tyne Bridge, Solstice is a new fine dining restaurant by Kenny & Abbie Atkinson, offering an elegant and intimate dining experience. We only serve a single tasting menu focused on quality ingredients, emphasising simplicity, seasonality, and sustainable practices. Our tasting menu will consist of around 15-18 individual servings starting with a series of snacks, then on to savoury dishes from both land and sea, finishing with the sweet section of desserts and petits fours.”
Quick info
About Solstice by Kenny Atkinson
Solstice by Kenny Atkinson is a fine dining restaurant in Newcastle Upon Tyne, at 5-7 Side on the Quayside. It serves a single tasting menu of 15 to 18 servings with no printed menu, so each course arrives without being announced in advance. The chefs bring the dishes out themselves and explain the ingredients and how each is cooked. The menu starts with snacks, moves to savoury dishes from land and sea, and finishes with desserts and petits fours. It carries seasonal and local references and changes over time. The dining room holds about 6 tables. A sommelier chooses and describes the wines for the wine pairing, and a soft drinks pairing is also available. Lunch and dinner services both run, and a full meal takes around three hours.
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention wine pairing, chef-served courses, beetroot canapés and smoked eel dish.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention wine pairing, chef-served courses, beetroot canapés and smoked eel dish.
Customer Review Summary
Diners come for the single tasting menu, served course by course by the chefs themselves, who explain each dish. Reviewers name the beetroot starter most often, with the venison, catch of the day, smoked eel and a Parmesan with generous truffle close behind. The wine pairing draws repeated praise, with the sake called a revelation and the sommelier's descriptions singled out, while one reviewer chose the soft drinks pairing and loved it too. Many describe the small, intimate room and friendly, knowledgeable staff, and several call it a fitting place for a special occasion. The one reservation comes from a reviewer who found the food beautifully executed but not flawless, with saltiness inconsistent across the menu, and who felt service was fine but short of fine dining expectations. Another reviewer's birthday lunch ended with the staff signing the menu with wishes for his wife.
Customer Review Summary
Diners come for the single tasting menu, served course by course by the chefs themselves, who explain each dish. Reviewers name the beetroot starter most often, with the venison, catch of the day, smoked eel and a Parmesan with generous truffle close behind. The wine pairing draws repeated praise, with the sake called a revelation and the sommelier's descriptions singled out, while one reviewer chose the soft drinks pairing and loved it too. Many describe the small, intimate room and friendly, knowledgeable staff, and several call it a fitting place for a special occasion. The one reservation comes from a reviewer who found the food beautifully executed but not flawless, with saltiness inconsistent across the menu, and who felt service was fine but short of fine dining expectations. Another reviewer's birthday lunch ended with the staff signing the menu with wishes for his wife.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“The previous review said 'how is this one star' I am very much in agreement. I went with my son and we were looked after so beautifully and fed with some of the most innovative, witty and frankly just tasty things I have ever had the good fortune to enjoy. 14 courses and left feeling nurtured not gorged. Balanced menu packed with seasonal and local references. Every course hit harder than the last with not a dull note. Wines by the glass were chosen for me by sommelier and matched well and respected the trust by choosing sensible price points. Why this place is not five-times the profile and two-times the star rating remains a mystery. Enjoy it and support it - running these businesses must be impossibly difficult and expensive for the owners (who was working the kitchen tonight). Not a weekly visit but I defy anyone who enjoys eating out not to enjoy Solstice on special occasions when funds allow. A simple 10. No faults. THANK YOU”
- Google user
“when you review a fine dining restaurant you will be a bit harsh becuz they are competing among the best. among NE i wld give a 8/10. Food are beautifully executed as usual but not flawless. bit disappointed the saltiness wasnt consistent throughout the whole menu. service isnt top notch where you expect in a fine dining rest but still fine.”
- Google user
“Dined at Solstice for the first time last night and it was incredible! The restaurant is small but that just adds to the intimacy and first class service. Everything about the experience was awesome. The staff were excellent and very friendly. The food was exceptional and I find it incredible how such small plates can deliver so much flavour. We opted for the wine pairing and thought this was probably one of the best we have ever had, each wine perfectly complementing the food. All in all, brilliant and we will be back. Definitely recommended.”
- Google user
“Outstanding menu, food cooked to perfection, impeccable vibes and atmosphere, excellent service and storytelling. Just brilliant. Loved the attention to detail throughout the three hour meal. Miles ahead of most places in Newcastle. I’ve been twice now and have loved it both times. Would happily go again once menus change. Worth every penny!”
- Google user
“Solstice by Kenny Atkinson is everything a Michelin-starred restaurant should be and more. Every course was beautifully thought out, immaculately presented, and full of depth and balance. The food is refined yet comforting, with incredible attention to detail – each dish felt purposeful and memorable. The service was flawless: warm, knowledgeable, and perfectly timed without ever feeling intrusive. You genuinely feel looked after here, with the team creating an atmosphere that is both elegant and relaxed. The dining room itself is calm, intimate, and beautifully styled, allowing the food to truly shine. From the opening snacks to the final petit fours, the entire journey was exceptional and thoughtfully paced. A truly special restaurant and one of the finest dining experiences in Newcastle.”
Location
Restaurants near Solstice by Kenny Atkinson
- House of Tides4.66150.1 miVegetarian optionsWheelchair accessibleReservations
tasting menu with wine pairing, maitake mushrooms, sunday steak frites
- Hen & Hops4.83900.2 mi
chicken wings, Friday £6 wings deal, loyalty card
- Fat Hippo Newcastle4.63,3690.3 mi
cheesy tater tots, burgers, slaw
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solstice by Kenny Atkinson | 4.967 | — | wine pairing, chef-served courses, beetroot canapés |
| House of TidesVegetarian options · Wheelchair accessible · Reservations | 4.6615 | 0.1 mi | tasting menu with wine pairing, maitake mushrooms, sunday steak frites |
| Hen & Hops | 4.8390 | 0.2 mi | chicken wings, Friday £6 wings deal, loyalty card |
| Fat Hippo Newcastle | 4.63,369 | 0.3 mi | cheesy tater tots, burgers, slaw |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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Photo: Fat Hippo Newcastle · 4.6 · 3,369 Google reviews
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