We're celebrating #EnjoyNuL Week this week (20th-26th March), so we've put together this list of the best places to eat and drink in the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Have we missed out your favourite? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter and we'll give them a shout-out!
Amore Italian
Tucked away on Pepper Street, Amore Italian is easy to miss.
But do seek it out. Because this family-owned restaurant offers proper Italian food, skilfully cooked.
It’s run by a husband-and-wife team: Francesco in the kitchen and manager Cassie.
Francesco is from southern Italy and has impressive cooking credentials, including training under Michelin-starred chefs plus ten years in Rome.
And that knowledge shows.
I especially love Amore’s pasta and meat dishes; the best I’ve eaten outside Bologna, the city often regarded as the food capital of Italy.
Not bad for a modest café and restaurant down a Newcastle-under-Lyme side street.
If you’re after trendy cuisine or a strikingly modern interior, forget it. Because what’s great about Amore is unpretentious food done wonderfully well. The mood is casual and friendly.
Whether I’ve eaten a quick lunch of gnocchi with mushrooms, garlic, cream and wine, or dinner featuring salad with the rich classic tonnato tuna sauce, ravioli of meltingly soft beef cheek, followed by homemade apple cake and ice-cream, the cooking has been rock-solid.
Francesco says he was originally inspired by the home cooking of his mother and grandmother. So, when you leave Amore, utterly satisfied from good food clearly made with love, give a silent thanks to mamma and nonna.
By Lynne Barnsley. Read more reviews of great Staffordshire eateries at her blog, https://moorlandseater.com/
Betley Tea Room
Nestling in the heart of one of Newcastle-under-Lyme’s prettiest villages, Betley Tea Room is perfect for anyone who loves traditional English fayre.
This family-run eaterie has TripAdvisor reviewers raving about their bountiful breakfasts, hearty Sunday roasts, and cakes to die for – all made from locally-sourced produce, supporting farmers in Staffordshire and nearby Cheshire.
For a quintessentially English experience, choose the great value afternoon tea for two, which has a selection of delightful, freshly-made sandwiches, cakes and scones (advance notice required).
There’s an afternoon tea for one too, if you just fancy treating yourself, and an extensive takeaway menu offering Staffordshire oatcakes, hot food specials, cakes, and tea and coffee to wash them down.
Full details are available at https://www.betleytearoom.co.uk/
You could win a voucher for afternoon tea for two in our #EnjoyNuL competition! Just share your images of the Borough on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, with the #EnjoyNuL hashtag, before 5pm on Sunday 26th March, and it could be you!
Find out more at https://www.enjoystaffordshire.com/ideas-and-inspiration/competitions/photography-competition
Dorothy Clive Garden Tea Room
Sitting on Staffordshire's borders with Shropshire and Cheshire, the tea room at the Dorothy Clive Garden just squeezes into Newcastle-under-Lyme.
It’s an idyllic spot for a light bite, with views of the wonderful, colourful landscape, and plenty of outdoor seating for you to soak it all in as you enjoy the home-made fayre.
The Ploughman’s lunches, cream teas and afternoon tea come highly recommended, and there is a good selection of vegan and gluten-free options.
Head to http://dorothyclivegarden.co.uk/ for more information.
We have a brilliant prize from Dorothy Clive Garden for our #EnjoyNuL Week competition too - an annual membership for two people!
Full details of the competition are available at https://www.enjoystaffordshire.com/ideas-and-inspiration/competitions/photography-competition
Pasta di Piazza
Delicious freshly made food, prepared by experienced chefs, with great customer service, in one of Staffordshire’s cosiest restaurants – what’s not to like?
Pasta di Piazza is a traditional Italian restaurant, offering everything from perfect pasta to tantalising tiramisu – including out-of-this-world steaks – in the historic town centre of Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Renowned for good value, and acclaimed for welcoming and attentive staff by TripAdvisor reviewers, it’s a must-visit next time you are in town – whether you fancy somewhere for date night, a family get-together or a light lunch.
Everything you need to know is at https://pastadipiazzaitaliana.co.uk/
More places to eat in Newcastle-under-Lyme
We couldn't quite fit them in this time, but honourable mentions have to go to Slater's Country Inn, The Greyhound Titanic Brewery pub, Ten Green Bottles, Castletown Distillery, Art of Siam, and The Hopwater Cellar.
You can also find more places to eat in Newcastle-under-Lyme in our section dedicated to the borough - click https://www.enjoystaffordshire.com/ideas-and-inspiration/explore-our-destinations/newcastle-under-lyme to find out more.