Chef creates a dining venue with a difference as he opens Cafeteria

Nick Grieves

Nick Grieves

Head Chef 4th October 2023
Nick Grieves

Nick Grieves

Head Chef

Chef creates a dining venue with a difference as he opens Cafeteria

Nick Grieves, chef owner of acclaimed neighbourhood restaurant The Patricia, Jesmond, and French inspired bistro, Ophelia, Gosforth, who has launched a third dining business - Cafeteria, Gosforth., Newcastle.


Cafeteria is the total opposite of anything Nick has ever created before. This is a dining venue with a difference! It’s the antidote to the homogenised double shot, low fat, full foam chain coffee shop culture we’ve become used to, with their identikit décor, 'muzak', loyalty card schemes and bewildering array of cup sizes. 

In fact, Cafeteria takes its inspiration from eponymous ‘caffs’ of yesteryear with a particular focus on the classics of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s serving up their version of hearty, inexpensive, home cooked meals. 

To be clear we're talking red and brown sauce bottles on the table, proper salt and pepper shakers, paper napkin dispensers, stainless steel teapots and pretty much unbreakable Duralex classic white café crockery, glass sugar pourers, laminate tables and fixed moulded chairs you can’t move, the whole nine yards. This is as retro as you can get without climbing in a time machine… 

The menu caters for every culinary need - from toast and jam to pie and mash, a chip-butty to Vinny’s lemon meringue pie… there’s something for everyone from a bit of brekkie to a slap-up lunch with a brew. 

Yes, the idea’s come from the ‘caffs’ of the past but that’s where the similarity ends, because chef Nick Grieves has put his own take on this particularly British culinary institution - to offer something familiar but in essence very different. 

He comments: ‘’I’m very aware of the fact that people are looking for more individual dining experiences. We wanted to bring something a bit different to the market offering decent home cooked food at an affordable price all served up in surroundings that are comforting and fell just a little bit familiar.’’ 

Adding: ‘’I’ve always wanted to run a café serving the classics, it really revolves around the idea of cooking and serving honest food at a good price, underpinned by fantastic produce and really great service. And I'm pleased to say that’s what Cafeteria is about. We serve up quality freshly cooked food with no airs and graces. As you’d expect, all the dishes we serve are all made with the same care and attention to detail that our guests have come to expect from our restaurant teams. As things develop we can guarantee we’ll add even more classics to the menu.’’ 

Cafeteria is located at 6-10 Bowsden Terrace, Gosforth, Newcastle, NE3 1RX and is open 08.30am to 4.00pm Monday to Saturday. 

For more information visit: cafeteriagosforth.co.uk

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