Ernest

About Ernest

Ernest sits at the top end of the Ouseburn valley on Boyd Street, on the edge of Shieldfield and within easy walking distance of both Manors and the city centre. It works as a cafe in the morning, a restaurant through the day and a bar in the evening, in a big, scruffy, plant-filled room that reflects the creative businesses around it. It is open every day from mid-morning until late, with the kitchen running into the evening, and it is dog friendly, which has made it a fixture for people walking the valley. The atmosphere is closer to a neighbourhood local than a city-centre venue, despite being only a few minutes from Northumbria University.

Food is cooked from scratch and changes seasonally, with brunch the strongest part of the offer; the flatbreads and hashbowls have become the dishes regulars order by name, and there are proper vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options rather than afterthoughts. Coffee comes from Ouseburn Coffee Company and beer from Tyne Bank Brewery, both within the same valley, and the cocktail list is taken seriously for a daytime cafe. Evenings bring a regular events programme including tango nights and open-deck sessions, so it is worth checking what is on before settling in.

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