Ziiza: A review of Prudhoe’s new favorite restaurant

By Ania Askwith

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Ziiza, 59 Front Street, Prudhoe, NE42 5AA

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Last week we got to try the new food menu at Ziiza, and what a lovely evening it was!

First impressions: A stunning venue

The first thing you notice about the place is how beautifully decorated it is; it made the best first impression, and it was just the start. The owner, Aziz, looked after us during our visit, and it was lovely to hear a little about how the place came to be.

Previously a popular Italian spot, it was left empty for a while, and when Aziz took over the building, it was in a rather neglected state. He showed us the ‘before’ pictures of the venue, and you can really appreciate the amount of work and creativity that was involved in this transformation.

The venue has gone through such an incredible change, and the new look is a true testament to their dedication to providing a beautiful space to enjoy great food and drinks. It is one of those places that certainly photographs well (you don’t want to know how many photos I took during our visit – let’s just say I enjoyed the décor), but looks even better in person.

Beautiful cocktails

Until recently, they only served drinks, and you can tell they really know how to make a stunning cocktail! We tried:

• Margarita: A classic done right. It was lovely with a good amount of lime. If you are a frequent reader, you know we do judge places by their margs, and this one didn’t disappoint.
• Lychee Mocktail: I loved it so much, I had two of them. It had the perfect fruity flavor whilst being sophisticated and ‘grown up’ in taste too. It is hard to explain, but it was the most cocktail-like mocktail I’ve had in a while. Just gorgeous.

Delicious Asian food

And it seems like these guys can do no wrong. The food is something they have introduced very recently, but it was equally as gorgeous.

Starters to really wake up your tastebuds

And by that, I mean not just the flavor, but also the hot kick in each dish we sampled.

• Dynamite Roll: Prawn tempura with smoked salmon, avocado, and cream cheese, finished with crispy shallots—it was beautiful. Soft and very filling. I went for 4 pieces as a starter, but you can get larger portions if you prefer it as your main, or to share.

• Chicken Teriyaki Bao: Shredded chicken marinated in a rich teriyaki sauce, paired with spicy mayo and veg in a pillowy bao bun. We found it to have a great amount of filling, and the bun was also lovely and fluffy.

Very modern fusion-Asian mains

• King Prawn Firecracker: If you love spice, this one’s for you! Gorgeous prawns with peppers, onions, mange tout, and hot red chillies, with sticky rice. I LOVED IT! It was quite spicy (just how I like it) and just so delish. The portion was also really generous – always a big plus!

• Neua Yang Nam Tok: A WOW dish for sure; tender steak, a spicy-tangy dressing, and sticky rice. Looks so simple but was soooo flavorsome. Great texture too. This one was also on the spicy side, so if you prefer something milder, let the staff know. They are actually really helpful and made some good recommendations, so if you’re unsure about any of the dishes, they’re more than happy to help.

Sides you can’t say no to

I simply can’t have a meal without some sides – especially when they have my favorites on the menu!

• Grilled Halloumi: Always my go-to whenever I see it on the menu; I liked how it wasn’t in a batter—it was just grilled, which is my favorite way to eat it.
• Garlic & Chilli Fries: Another standout for me, so spicy and tasty, I couldn’t stop eating them! Again, if you aren’t a fan of spicy food, you can ask to have this dish mild. But, I mean, where’s the fun in that?

Why we enjoyed our visit

If you like modern, fusion-Asian flavors served in generous portions and delicious cocktails and mocktails – you will enjoy this place. We are definitely going to go back, probably for a bottomless brunch sometime in the new year, as this may be something they’ll be introducing very soon. Keep your eye out!

Location

Ziiza is located on Front Street, Prudhoe, NE42 5AA. There is a supermarket car park right behind, and depending on the time you go, there is some free parking in the nearby streets (there are permit restrictions at certain times, though).

Tips for visiting

• Don’t miss the cocktails: They really know how to make a stunning drink. Every drink we tried was gorgeous. The mocktails actually taste like the real thing – just lovely.
• Try the small plates and sides: They complement the mains so well and make it feel like a feast. I would actually enjoy a selection of small plates and sides as a tapas-style Asian meal because there is a lot to try here.
• Book a booth: All the seating options are lovely (the décor is just stunning throughout), but the booths give you a lot of space while feeling like you’re in a much more intimate setting.
• Keep an eye on upcoming events and deals: The owner plans on adding to the existing offer. We were excited to hear about the plans for bottomless—it is always good fun, especially when the cocktails are so delish!

Reviews

Ziiza has been receiving positive feedback, with 4.5/5 stars across both TripAdvisor and Google reviews, praised for its gorgeous décor and delicious cocktails, with some even calling it ‘total escapism,’ which I guess is as good as a review can get!

As their food menu is quite new, there is no mention of this yet. I give them a 5 out of 5 for the food options, taste, and portion sizes.

Best for: Delicious Asian food, creative cocktails and mocktails, a cozy, beautifully decorated dining experience, night out or special occasion, Prudhoe dining, cocktails in Prudhoe

Link

For the menu, deals, and more info, visit Ziiza’s socials here or check out their website here

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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