Sunday Lunch at Nest, Chillingham Road

This post is based on our personal experience when we visited in November 2021. Please always check with venue direct for the most up to date information.  

Nest on Chillingham Road has been one of Newcastle's must-visit restaurants since opening earlier this summer. In fact I'm sure many dates were booked up before they even opened their doors. When I booked our table for Sunday Lunch, I could only manage to book a date which was three months in advance. Oh well, something to look forward to I thought. 

Nest does feel pretty upmarket in comparison to the other restaurants on Chilli Rd and it certainly wouldn't feel out of place in nearby Jesmond. However it's not pretentious at all and has a very laid back vibe. You don't feel out of place bringing kids with you or wearing jeans and it really isn't stuffy. The whole place feels warm and welcoming,

Nest offers three main concepts for dining - social grazing boards during the day, a tasting menu in the evenings (with a vegetarian option too) and a proper Sunday Roast on Sundays. Menus are seasonal and you can take a proper look over on their website or Facebook page. 

We were there for Sunday Lunch. We parked in a nearby street (free) but getting there by public transport is easy too with Chillingham Road Metro Station being around a 10 minute walk away and there are regular buses from Newcastle too. 


Sunday lunch is served between 12noon-5pm and priced at 2 courses for £20 or 3 courses for £25 which I think considering the quality of both cooking and ingredients on offer is a good price. More than a standard pub Sunday lunch but en-par with similar restaurants in Newcastle. 

We didn't dine from the children's menu today but I did notice on their Facebook page that they do offer a dedicated children's menu on Sundays. 

As soon as we were seated, we were provided with water for the table and the service was prompt and efficient throughout. We arrived at around 12:20pm and had enjoyed 3 courses and paid the bill by 1:30pm. 

Some of the little touches you might get at other restaurants in the same price bracket were missing - no complimentary bread, surprise intermediate sorbet or little chocolates at the end for example but to be honest, we didn't miss these and I think for a neighbourhood restaurant like this, I'd probably prefer to go without and keep the price point as it is rather than increasing further. 

We were dining as a four today - myself, Steve, Jack and Harry. Dee was otherwise engaged!

Annoyingly, we pretty much all ordered the same thing. 

For Harry and I, it had to be the salt and pepper squid which really was taken up another level with the delicious lime aioli. I am going to try and recreate this at home I think. The batter was light and crispy and the squid perfectly cooked and super tender. 

The Pork Cheeks enjoyed by Steve and Jack were beautifully tender too. Or as Jack described them 'weak because they take no chewing and just fall apart in your mouth'. We did have a giggle at that description but I guess it's true. The little crumble of Pork Crackling on top added some lovely texture. 

Onto mains and we all ordered the beef which was served pink with roast potatoes, the creamiest mashed potatoes, peas, green beans, honey roast carrot, cabbage and cauliflower cheese plus that all important extra jug of gravy. 

Every single element was perfect and it was beautifully presented too. We all raved about the yorkshire pudding afterwards and the gravy was stand out for me as having a lovely hint of red wine. 

We all pretty much ate our mains in silence and enjoyed every last bite. 

Onto dessert and Harry and I went for the chocolate brownie with cherry which was so nice. The brownie was unxious and squidgy and I really enjoyed it being served with thick cream rather than the standard ice cream. Obviously, chocolate and cherry is a match made in heaven and this dessert just allowed those ingredients to shine. 

Steve and Jack decided to go with the cheesecake which Steve described as a taste sensation. I agree, it looks lovely. 

We wouldn't usually spend upwards of £100 on Sunday lunch if it wasn't a special treat but I'm pleased we did on this occasion. It's not somewhere we would go every Sunday but if you are looking for somewhere with fantastic, prompt service and delicious, flawless food, I would definitely add Nest to your list.

I think it is probably somewhere that just gets it spot on every single time without any fuss. A nice, informal spot for a Sunday catch up with friends and family over very good food. 

Find out more here: https://www.nestinthenorth.com/