One of Newcastle’s best-known Italian cafes, Pani’s Café is a bit of an institution in the city. Pani's Cafe is a family-run Sardinian restaurant opened in 1995 and has built a cult following ever since, thanks to easy-going Italian cooking and warm service. You’ll find Pani’s Café in the city centre, opposite the Theatre Royal.
The cafe is deceptively large inside, with space for lots of tables among its sandstone-effect columns and hardwood floors. The walls feature a series of blackboards with food and drink specials, and the warm yellow paint scheme conjures the sunny climes of Sardinia. By the entrance you’ll also find a bar area where you can stop for a drink - there are booths here as well.
Ingredients have always been important here and Pani’s Cafe still goes to great lengths to source quality ingredients from local suppliers where possible, but also to import the best quality direct from Italy. The menu itself features some classic pan-Italian cooking but there is a focus on Sardinian dishes specifically - you’ll find dishes like Malloreddus (a Sardinian pasta), Culurgiones (pasta parcels filled with pecorino, mint, garlic and potato) and Sardinian ravioli on the menu here. Pani’s Cafe staff are always on hand to make recommendations and talk you through the menu.
There’s plenty more on the menu besides. You’ll find dishes like bruschetta and polpette among the appetisers, and there are lots of pasta dishes to choose from as well as hearty main courses like chicken with Marsala sauce, and grilled Sardinian sausage with porcini risotto. Save room for desserts, which include tiramisu, cannoli, souffle and panna cotta.
Pani’s Cafe also has an extensive drinks list, including a selection of classic cocktails as well as a wine list featuring wines from all over Italy and France.