Hula Co. Newcastle: Tropical flavours all year-round

By Ania Askwith

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Hula Co. 90 Side, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 1PR

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Aloha from Newcastle’s first and only Hawaiian restaurant, Hula Co.

The weather in the North East may be getting chilly now, but Hula are bringing us the tropical vibes to our doorstep.

We have visited Hula a few times now (I can’t tell you how excited I was when it first opened – I have never dined at a Hawaiian restaurant before, so Hula coming to Newcastle was kind of a big deal!).

And it never disappoints! You can tell a lot about a restaurant by how the place has been fitted and the standard of the decor, and from the moment you walk in, you can tell there’s no cut corners here. It is beautifully designed and decorated, including the gorgeous bathroom fittings.From the huge ALOHA sign as you walk in and Hawaiian themed wallpaper that you can’t miss, to tiny details like Hawaiian masks dotted around (the large one with wonky teeth is my absolute favourite – I’d have it in my house for sure; it’s super fun!), it feels like you could be in a bar in Hawaii! It’s unique and I love it!

But onto the main bit – the food.

On our first visit, we sampled some of their main menu dishes:

• Huli Huli Chicken (Hawaiian pineapple chicken marinated overnight, glazed and finished over coals) which comes with a choice of 2 sides; we went for Potato Sidewinders and Corn Luu (my first time trying this and I’m slightly obsessed! Next time I visit I’m definitely ordering this for myself!). If you like a mix of savoury and sweet – you will LOVE this dish! The sweet char on the chicken is something else! I also couldn’t help but had to share (read ‘steal’) a few of Ryan’s sidewinders; they were also divine.

• The Salmon Poke Bowl (salmon, edamame, pineapple salsa, guacamole, pickled carrot, red cabbage, radish, ginger, all served on a bed of divine sticky rice). I also chose 2 small plates which were Garlic Shrimp (UNREAL) and Corn Ribs (I could have 3 plates of those; the taste brought on by charring them was fantastic. My mouth is still watering now thinking about them!). Without exaggeration, this was the tastiest poke bowl I’ve ever had! The amount of perfectly prepared salmon beautifully complemented by the choice of umami, salty, and sweet ingredients in a generous serving was STUNNING!!!

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We knew there and then that we’d be back soon to try some more of their menu

and we did just that last Friday– fresh off the plane, we headed to Hula to keep the holiday vibes alive!

This time, we opted for their brand new sharing boards. And they’re as amazing as I expected them to be.

You can choose from 3 options: Chicken (£39), Steak (£47), and Hawaiian Feast (£43).

We went for the Steak Sharing Board which comes with:

• 2 Birria Strip Loin Steaks (super tender and cooked to perfection)
• 2 Steak Tacos (some of the best tacos you can get – they’re filled to the brim with the most delish steak and divine sauces that complement the steak so well)
• Chimichurri (absolutely delish)
• Corn Luu (I did tell you it is probably the best sweetcorn dish I have ever tasted, so now I have it as a side every time we come here, and it never disappoints – a must try!)
• Pickled Slaw
• Sticky Rice (they absolutely nailed the texture) •Potato Sidewinders (if you’ve not tried them yet – you’re missing out! Another thing that we never skip when we visit – think the most delicious chips, but with a master chef upgrade. So moreish).

We also shared a side of the Miso & Garlic Shrimp (king prawns in the most delish confit garlic, miso emulsion, lime, and coriander oil which makes for the loveliest dipping sauce when you’re done with the prawns). This dish is another one that I am getting addicted to – if you like seafood and umami flavours – you will love it.

For dessert, we shared a Tequila Tiramisu which is more like a fine dining style tiramisu – elevated by the addition of perfectly toasted macadamia nuts; a must-try if you’re a tiramisu (or tequila) fan. Just so YUM!

But food isn’t the only thing that Hula do soooooo well. Their cocktails are just as good, and as creative!

We tried:

• Tommy’s Margaritas (because their margs are honestly 10/10)
• Blood Orange Mai Tai
• Mango & Chilli Margarita
• Plantation Daiquiri

If you aren’t drinking (or are a designated driver like me on our last visit), you may also want to try their mocktails which are really, REALLY good (definitely not your standard overly sweet fruit punch style concoction you can often get when you ask for a mocktail).

I have tried:
• Island Breeze (which has the loveliest, subtle watermelon flavour)
• Oops I Did It Again (equally subtle in flavour, fruity but in a sophisticated, grown-up way)

And they’re all so good! Both food and cocktails at Hula are pretty outstanding. Normally I will have some menu favourites, but I honestly can’t commit to what I like here the most; every single thing is just so full of flavour that I could happily order anything off the menu and know that when it arrives at my table, I will have a great meal.

And another huge bonus is that they’re dog friendly. I always get asked about dog friendly city centre restaurants, and have been recommending this place to all dog parents since our first visit; Loui loves it here!

I have been shouting about this place from the rooftops because it’s one of the finest additions to the Newcastle dining scene since it’s opened. And what I really love about it is that it remains consistent – everything is always super tasty and full of Hawaiian flavours. It’s a must-visit! Day or night, for both food and drinks.

We’ve got our eyes on their Sunday dinner next because they look insanely good too – so watch this space, I’ll report on that soon too!

Location:
Hula is located at 90 Side, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 1PR, just a short walk from central Newcastle, and equally close to the Quayside, with convenient access to both city centre parking and public transport.

Tips for Visiting:

• If you’ve not tried them yet, or maybe aren’t sure if Hawaiian food is your thing – they do 40% off on Thursdays, so it’s a great opportunity to try their food (spoiler – you will like it; it’s impossible not to!)
• Book in advance; they do get quite busy and if you’re coming with a group or would like a specific seat (we love their comfy booths), it’s worth making a booking.
• Share their small plates or platters to explore more of the menu; their small plates menu is amazing and so varied – if, like me, you are new to Hawaiian flavours, sharing a few small plates really allows you to sample more of the menu. Another option is their sharing platters which also include a range of their signature dishes. You get to try a lot more.
• Come hungry; the portions are generous. The poke bowl is the largest I’d ever been served in a restaurant and could easily be shared between two. Their sharing boards serve 2-3 but I would say that even 4 people can easily share a board, especially if you’re also adding a cheeky side to your board (read: I have to order the shrimp with any dish when I visit because it is divine)
• Cocktails are a must try here: they are as creative in taste as they are in flavour, and both cocktails and mocktails are delicious. If you are a margarita fan – those are among my top 3 in the whole of North East and I have tried margs in every bar that serves them. You do need to ask for a salty rim, otherwise it comes without it.
• They also offer a Hawaiian style BBQ Sunday lunch and bottomless brunch
• Bring your dog; Loui loves it here and it is one of the places that is truly dog friendly – not just in name, but the staff always fuss over the dogs that come in which is so lovely to see.

Link: For more details, visit their website Hula Co. or check their social media page here

Reviews: Hula in Newcastle holds a great average rating of around 4.6 out of 5 on review platforms like Google and TripAdvisor. Most customers commend the restaurant for its flavourful dishes, friendly service, and tropical atmosphere. I can definitely second all of this from my own experience.

Best For: Hawaiian food, sharing boards, Sunday lunch, cocktails, dog friendly, Newcastle city centre location.

Enjoyed this post? If you love discovering things to do, places to go, and the best spots to eat and drink in the North East and beyond, be sure to follow my blog for more reviews, recommendations, travel tips, and hidden gems. And for a closer look at my day-to-day experiences, follow me on Instagram @ania.askwith for behind-the-scenes content and even more discoveries! Let’s explore together!

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