Some tasty treats to come our way in 2026

WITH the new year heralding a fresh start, there's an air of excitement around what 2026 might bring.

- BARBARA HODGSON

The past 12 months have seen a wide range of openings around Newcastle and the wider region. As previously reported, these range from Dakota luxury hotel to The Golden Flake tavern - a collaboration between Greggs and Fenwick - and STACK which recently made a city centre return, amid an array of shops, restaurants and bars.

So it’s all eyes now on what will be adding to the scene during 2026. Here we pick out just some of the exciting new additions to come - and we've even added an opening not linked to hospitality or retail but which will be of wide interest nevertheless.

Freyja

At the same time of announcing the closure of Restaurant Hjem Northumberland’s first Michelin star restaurant Swedish chef Alex Nietosvuori and his locally-born wife Ally gave details of their new venture for 2026. Hjem bowed out with a farewell party on New Year's Eve. Now the restaurant team’s full focus will be upon Freyja in nearby Wylam.