The Loading Bay: North Shields’ Mediterranean treat!

By Ania Askwith

• Instagram

---

The Loading Bay, 1 Liddell Street, Tynemouth, North Shields, NE30 1HE

---

If you’re in North Shields and fancy some seriously delicious Mediterranean-inspired food, you’ve got to try The Loading Bay. Located just a short walk from the Fish Quay, this place has quickly become a hotspot for foodies in the area, thanks to its inventive menu and laid-back, welcoming vibe.

Walking in, you’re greeted by eclectic decor (and I mean if you google ‘eclectic,’ a picture of this place should come up – it is just great, well thought out and put together, everything has its place and there is so much to keep you interested). Think Mediterranean market meets industrial chic. It’s the kind of place where you’ll want to take a few pics before diving into the food (it can’t just be me!).

And, there’s something for everyone here, from the Medhead converted Airstream (how cool, right?) offering street food, to the Jungle Coffee Horsebox (again – how cool?), where you can find everything from hot and cold brewed teas and coffees, speciality drinks, and even ‘Pawpichinos’ for fur babies — Loui loved it! If you follow me on Insta, you’d have seen my recent issues finding a good place that serves oat milk coffee (first-world problems, I know, but we’re all here to talk about food, aren’t we?) and I was so happy to see that on the menu here!

The Food

The menu at The Loading Bay isn’t huge (which is a big plus if you’re as indecisive as me), but everything on it sounds really tempting. We went for a brunch, so it felt fitting to go with an egg dish. I loved the sound of all the options but went with chef Anthony’s recommendation (wanted something spicy) and had the Tunisian Eggs; shakshuka-style free-range eggs baked in a spicy tomato and chili sauce, served with fresh, crusty bread. And what made it even better was a portion of halloumi to dip into those runny eggs (again, went with Anthony’s recommendation and it was a great shout!) The combo is divine; the kick from the chili sauce makes it perfect for a chilly day (or any day if you’re a fan of spicy food like me).

If you’re not a fan of spice, there are other amazing options too, like Spanish Eggs (baked with chorizo, serrano ham & peas) and Turkish Eggs (scrambled with tomato, red pepper, onions & feta). I do make baked eggs at home, but mine have never tasted this good!!

The second dish we tried was the Italian SLT sandwich—a Mediterranean twist on a classic, featuring Block & Bottle sausages (sweet Italian sausage), fresh spinach, tomato, pesto aioli, and melty mozzarella all stuffed into freshest, crusty bread. It was everything you’d expect it to be: rich, savory, and satisfying.

But that’s not all. The Loading Bay’s offerings go beyond brunch with Loaded Fries, Panzerotti (folded pizzas), and Lebanese Wraps. I have my eye on the Shawarma Wrap for next time—filled with cucumber and mint yogurt, harissa, pickled red cabbage, tomato, red onion, and lettuce in freshly baked flatbread. It just sounds like a holiday, doesn’t it?

And then there’s the coffee…

A visit here would not be complete without a stop at the Jungle Coffee Horsebox. We treated ourselves to coffee and muffins, which were actually so good we had 3! The triple chocolate was my first choice and as I write this, I wish I was eating it right now! Ryan had a lemon drizzle one, and then we also shared a chocolate chip one. All so, so, so delicious! If you aren’t a fan of the word ‘moist’ – stop reading now. They were all perfectly moist and gooey, and so flavoursome without being too sweet.

The Vibe like no other

This place has a super relaxed, inviting atmosphere; it is perfect if you fancy a coffee or some food after a Fish Quay stroll. Plus, it’s dog-friendly, with water bowls and complimentary treats. Just a perfect little pit stop!

Location: The Loading Bay is located at Blue Warehouse, North Shields Fish Quay, NE30 1HE, with the nearest metro station, North Shields, about a 10-minute walk away. Parking is available at the back (although limited), but there is more public parking within a 2-minute walk.

Tips for Visiting:

• It is easy to miss this spot with it being located within a warehouse, so take a note of the address
• The Salt Market Social is just above with loads of events on most weekends – we’ll be popping in sometime, so keep an eye out for a review shortly.
• The opening hours for both Jungle Coffee and MedHead differ slightly, so if you want to try both, make sure you go when they’re both open. Their current opening times are:
  • Weekdays: Jungle Coffee 9:30 am – 3:30 pm, MedHead Food 10 am – 3 pm
  • Weekends: Jungle Coffee 9:30 am – 4 pm, MedHead Food 10 am – 4 pm
• Bring your dogs: they’re dog-friendly and serve delicious complimentary dog treats, so your pets don’t have to miss out (Loui doesn’t usually eat in public – little weirdo, I know – but he had 4 dog biscuits here, so they must be nice!). The Pawpichino was also a big hit.
• Art fan? Some of the art on display is available for purchase, so if you like something in particular, you can actually buy it, which is a fab idea.
• Good access: the space is huge and perfect for larger groups and anybody with access needs such as prams and wheelchairs.

If you’re after Mediterranean street food, great coffee, or a fun and laid-back atmosphere, The Loading Bay on North Shields Fish Quay is the spot to be.

For a closer look you can find their website here or alternatively check out their Instagram here

Best for: Mediterranean-inspired food, quirky decor, hearty sandwiches, cozy coffee breaks, brunches, lunch by the Fish Quay, North Shields, dog-friendly spot.

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!

---

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ania | NEWCASTLE blogger and content creator (@ania.askwith)