Rebel Restaurant: A Sunday roast you won’t forget

By Ania Askwith

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Rebel, 150 Heaton Park Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 5NR

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Best for: Sunday lunch, Sunday dinner, Heaton restaurant, Heaton dining, fine dining

Looking for the best Sunday lunch in Newcastle? Rebel in Heaton is a place to try if you’re after something a little more special for your Sunday lunch. Ranked at number 80 in the Top 100 restaurant list according to Square meal, and a Michelin Guide restaurant three years in a row – I think you know you are in for a treat when you visit! 

This spot mixes modern British dining with a relaxed, cosy atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. I would describe it as the comfort of a Sunday dinner but in a fine dining version. But if you think it may be pretentious or gimmicky – that would be a mistake. These guys are super talented chefs that bring us the most stunning version of the classics we all love.

The food: fresh, local, and simply delicious

The Sunday lunch at Rebel is a real treat. What makes them stand out is their focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients (all of their meat is from Block& Bottle). You can really taste the quality in every bite, from the perfectly roasted veggies to the Yorkshire puddings that had the perfect crispness on the outside and softness on the inside (not to mention the size of them!).

Every dish feels thoughtfully planned and prepared, with that Rebel twist that takes a traditional roast to the next level. And it feels super cool that you can watch these talented chefs just do their thing in the open kitchen. Not to mention – they make it look so easy!

The atmosphere: cosy and welcoming

The vibe at Rebel is exactly what I love — a perfect mix of casual and classy; I think it fits in perfectly with the cool vibe of Heaton.

The space is modern but feels homey, with simple but elegant decor, some cool artwork that add to the atmosphere. The service is spot on too; the team is friendly and seem genuinely passionate about the food they serve.

The dishes we tried

The menu looks gorgeous and I don’t think there was one thing on there that we didn’t like the look of; so we trusted the chefs to recommend what we should go for.

We had:

• Panelle & Curry Sauce – this was probably the tastiest, and most sophisticated chickpea dish I have ever tasted. I love chickpeas and had them cooked in variety of ways and in many dishes, but never as flavoursome as in this. You could distinctly taste the earthiness of the chickpeas which was gorgeous. And the curry sauce it came with – oh my goodness. You have to try it to appreciate the depth of flavour in this dish. It is a small pot but the flavours are huge.

• Oysters Ponzu & Orange Oil – oysters are our happy food, and I have been excited to have them here (of course I’d checked the menu before we visited), and I was not disappointed. Fresh, chilled oysters with the most delightful oil that subtly intensified the fresh flavour of the oysters. It was a distinct flavour on its own, but with the oysters, it didn’t feel like it was overpowering the natural flavour of the seafood. I do sometimes commit the crime of overloading my oysters with mignonette sauce – or even tabasco – but these came dressed with the perfect amount of oil where I could really appreciate the actual oyster. Beautiful!

• Sticky Pork Cheek, Cassoulet, Sourdough Crumb – first starter, and what a flavour bomb. The pork was cooked beautifully; it was tender but still with a good texture. And the umaminess (if that’s even a word?! It is in my vocabulary) of the meat was exaggerated by the sourdough crumb which went together beautifully. Gorgeous combo.

• Welsh Rarebit on Sourdough, Black Garlic Ketchup – this dish looks simple, but the taste is anything but! If you like umami flavours, this is a must try; the depth of flavour in the garlic ketchup was absolutely insane, it went so beautifully with the strong melted cheese on top. We finished every little bit in the pot, it was gorgeous. We actually said they should bottle this – it would absolutely elevate every dish.

• 24 Hour Braised Crispy Pork Belly – every time I see pork belly on the menu I think about Sarah Tiong from MasterChef Australia Season 9 back in 2017 as she would always cook pork belly and would always impress the judges (anybody remember the OG judges – Gary, George and Matt – good times!!). Anyway, this dish not only reminds me of Masterchef Australia because of the main ingredient used, but this could actually be a solid contender on the show. It was STUNNING. Every little thing complemented each other and created the most delicious, earthy, umami dish (I feel like umami is the theme of this review – but honestly these guys nail those flavours). The contrast of the crispy skin with soft layers, combined with the glorious softness of potatoes and richness of the gravy. Just wow. I am no food critic, just a hobby food blogger, but in my humble opinion, this is one of the greatest Sunday lunches you can find in the North East.

• Roast Top Side Beef – and this also extends to the beef choice; the meat was cooked beautifully and there was a generous serving of it on the plate. It just melted in your mouth. Mix this with the stunning bits on the side – beautifully roasted carrots, braised red cabbage, kale, mash and roast potatoes, it was a stunning, stunning Sunday lunch.

• And these guys know that what turns a 5 star Sunday lunch into a 7 star one is the Cauliflower Cheese, and this one here was absolutely delightful. Not too cheesy, and with that natural bitterness/pepperiness that a beautifully cooked cauliflower has to it – it was a perfect side to a perfect dinner. The texture was also perfect (I do know other words but perfect is the only word that explains precisely how I feel about this Sunday lunch!)

And even though I didn’t think we could fit in a dessert, one arrived at the table (oooops).

• Chocolate Cremeux, Cherry Gel, Baked Cheesceake, Cookie Crumb – I always say I am not a dessert person and it is usually my least favourite part of the meal BUT somehow these guys absolutely nail the balance of the dishes so well, that even the dessert had me obsessing over it! There was a deep, rich flavour to the chocolate cremeux. And the texture was a perfect spot between a ganache and a custard which was so pleasant to eat. And don’t even get me started on the cherry gel. When it arrived at the table, it looked like little blueberries, complete with tiny leaves on top – literally the cutest presentation ever. And at this point I don’t even need to say that the flavour was insane too!

What we love about this place

• Innovative takes on classic dishes: Rebel isn’t afraid to add their own twist to Sunday lunch staples, making it feel fresh while still comforting and familiar. It is one of a kind, and one of the best lunches I have had in a long time!

• The ambiance: The modern, yet cosy vibe makes it a perfect place for a relaxed Sunday roast. We were lucky to get a table by the window so got to enjoy some people watching as we tucked into our food (although it was more of a dog watching for me, Heaton seems to have a large population of very small dogs being walked on a Sunday, ha)

• Attention to detail: Every element of the meal, from the roast potatoes to the gravy, is carefully considered, making it clear they take pride in what they serve. I mean gel that is made to look like little blueberry, complete with a microgreen leaf on top – it really is the little things that make the big impression.

• Friendly service: The team at Rebel is super welcoming, I really enjoyed watching the chefs put the plates together in the kitchen, super focused but calm and relaxed (at least that is how they come across). It wasn’t just a dinner, it was an experience. Lindsay, the chef who was heading the service, came to check on how we were getting on which was such a nice, personal touch.

Location

Rebel is located at 150 Heaton Park Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 5NR. The nearest metro station is Heaton (about a 10-minute walk), and there is plenty of street parking available just to the side of the building.

Tips for Visiting

• Book in advance: it is a popular place, so make sure to book a table ahead of time. We went for the opening and within minutes the place filled up.

• If you enjoy a bit of people/dog watching like we do, ask for the window table. If you prefer to watch the action in the kitchen, there are tables available nearer the open kitchen so you can see the action even closer.

• Wear something casual: The vibe is relaxed, so no need to dress up. The place really fits in with the Heaton cool. 

• Be ready to be blown away. The food is insanely delicious. We loved it and I can’t wait to go back!

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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