Rudy’s pizza arrives in Newcastle

By Ania Askwith

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Rudy’s, 27-31 Grey Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 6ES

Rudy’s Pizza has finally arrived in Newcastle, and it’s bringing all the Neapolitan vibes to Grey Street. Known for their authentic Italian pizzas, Rudy’s is all about soft, pillowy crusts, fresh toppings, and traditional cooking methods – something we came to love about Rudy’s (you can read my review of Rudy’s pizza in Durham here).

So we were super excited to finally have this on our doorstep!

A Neapolitan-style pizza topped with 'nduja, tenderstem broccoli, Kalamata olives, chestnut mushrooms, and a drizzle of rocket pesto — Nduja Ortolana at Rudy’s, Newcastle

New branch, same vibe

As soon as you step in, you know you are in Rudy’s place! The Newcastle restaurant is brand new, but it has the same, lovely vibe.

The decor is typically ‘elevated rustic’ (I am not sure if this even is a real term or if I just made this up, but I can’t really find words to describe it better). The place feels a little eclectic and very charming, but it is also super neat and tidy, and you can see that everything from the furniture to crockery is top quality.

But onto the food!

What we tried (and loved!)

Rudy’s menu is packed with delicious options, with each restaurant having slight variations to their menu, but I was excited to see some of the familiar items which I HAD to have again!

Caesar salad

I have been telling anyone who will listen about my love for this salad. I eat a lot of Caesar salad (pretty much everywhere we go – if it is on the menu, I will order it; and I make it at home a lot), but this one is one of my most favourite I have ever had. And I was so happy to discover that Newcastle does it just as well as Durham! It is what you’d expect; fresh baby gem lettuce, crunchy rosemary and garlic croutons, Grana Padano shavings, but their secret must be their dressing. Perfectly tangy with a gentle sweetness, it is gorgeous.

‘Nduja Ortolana pizza

I opted for the veggie option; ‘nduja, roasted tenderstem broccoli, Kalamata olives, chestnut mushrooms, and a drizzle of rocket pesto. And of course their pillowy crust which is soooo irresistible. It is stunning, and absolutely loaded with the toppings. Needless to say, I had to take some of it home as I couldn’t finish it all there and then. Their pizzas are huge.

Carni pizza

As usual, the complete opposite of my choice, Ryan went for an absolute meat feast! Packed with salame finocchiona, salame piccante, and wild boar salame, this one’s definitely a dream for carnivores. I don’t think they could fit any more salame if they tried – one word to describe it would be a feast, in the best meaning of this word.

A hearty Neapolitan pizza loaded with salame finocchiona, salame piccante, and wild boar salame on a tomato base with melted mozzarella — The Carni at Rudy’s, Newcastle

Tiramisu

As stuffed as we were, we can’t leave Rudy’s without having their Tiramisu. It is made fresh daily, this dessert was the cherry on top. Layers of coffee-soaked goodness, with coffee dusting on top. It is a very grown-up take on tiramisu as it is more coffee-infused than many others, which makes for a perfect dessert after a heavy meal – it will keep you awake after all those carbs, ha! Paired with some espresso and oat milk latte, it was a lovely end to a beautiful meal.

Drinks

They have a nice selection of drinks, and I went for their Mandarino Spritz which was gorgeous! It actually felt like a very summery cocktail which I am always here for – regardless of what time of the year it is. Blood orangecello, tangerine syrup, Prosecco, and soda. It’s light, zesty, and super refreshing.

Why we love this place

Newcastle’s new Rudy’s may be a fresh addition, but the vibe is unmistakably the same one we’ve come to love at their other locations. It has that laid-back, welcoming energy.
The casual yet stylish setting matches their incredible hearty food.

Their pizza is simple, delicious, and full of authentic flavour, with a perfectly pillowy crust (yes I am repeating myself about the crust but it really is a highlight for me – best part of the pizza in my opinion), fresh ingredients, and a variety of toppings that never disappoint.

Rudy's Tiramisu served with an espresso and an oat milk latte on a wooden table — Desert at Rudy’s, Newcastle

Location

Rudy’s is located at 27-31 Grey Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 6ES. The nearest metro station is Monument, just a short walk away, and there are several parking options nearby, including a public car park on Dean Street.

Tips for Visiting

• Book early, especially if you want to visit on a weekend. We went on a Saturday afternoonand the restaurant was full. Although walk-ins are welcome, some people had to wait a while, as they didn’t have a reservation.
• Dog-friendly: this is one of my favourite things about Rudy’s. Loui loves the Durham restaurant, but we haven’t brought him to the Newcastle one yet because we were going shopping afterwards. We’ll definitely be taking him with us next time though!
• A lot of pizzas can be made vegan, including the one I had.
• Feeling spicy? Fresh chili oil is available and it is very good (but be careful with how much you put on).
• Watch the pizza-making: I love that the Newcastle branch has a bar and seats around the pizza oven for a fun view of the pizzas being prepared fresh in front of you.
• If you’re Durham based, read my review about their Durham location here.

A light and zesty Mandarino Spritz with blood orangecello, tangerine syrup, Prosecco, and soda, garnished with an orange slice — Mandarino Spritz at Rudy’s, Newcastle

Website

For more details, visit Rudy’s Pizza’s website here.

Reviews

The Newcastle branch is brand new, but Rudy’s is already a hit in other cities; 4.7/5 stars on Google Reviews & 4.5/5 stars on Tripadvisor reviews.

Visitors seem to agree with my opinion of the place, raving about the authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas, the relaxed atmosphere, and the welcoming environment for both people and their dogs. The consistency of the food is also being mentioned a lot.

Best for: Newcastle, authentic Neapolitan dining experience, dog-friendly restaurant, Caesar salad, pizza oven experience, authentic Italian pizza, Newcastle city centre dining

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