Cilantro Tapas Newcastle review: Best Indo-Latino tapas in Newcastle

By Ania Askwith

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Cilantro, 15 Side, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 3JE

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Best for: Indian food, Latin American food, fusion cuisine, Indo-Latino fusion, quayside dining, quayside restaurant, tapas in Newcastle, Newcastle cocktails

What to expect at Cilantro Tapas

A lot of places claim they offer something different, but if you fancy something truly different, you need to try Cilantro. It’s a new Indo-Latino tapas spot that opened earlier this year, and I think it’s such a fun little place.

It combines two of our favourite cuisines – Indian spices with Latin American flair. Talking about innovative cuisine, right? And if you didn’t think you’d need Indo-Latino fusion in your life – you need to reconsider it and try it asap. It is GOOD.

Why Cilantro is Newcastle’s must try Indo-Latino restaurant

The idea is all about sharing, and the menu is full of small plates. From chicken tikka quesadillas (I know!!!!), and curries served tapas style you can try loads of dishes without committing to just one. Even the naans are wild – pineapple & ginger or chocolate & chilli anyone? (we did go for one of those – just had to!)

It’s run by the team behind the Valley restaurants, so they know what they’re doing. The Newcastle spot is a spinoff of their Hexham favourite, and it’s got a really laid back (but very stylish at the same time) vibe -perfect for a casual meal with friends, special celebration with family, or a little date night, which we did.

Definitely one to add to your list.

What to order at Cilantro Tapas – our menu highlights:

• Chilli Gambas. Argentine prawns served on a crisp potato bed with fresh salsa (whis was unreal) and a warming chilli finish. Loved the texture and a gentle kick of this one.

• Chickpea & Potato Taco. Spiced potato and chickpea mix on a soft tortilla. Earthy, tasty, and very satisfying (it was actually a big portion).

• Paneer Pepper. Tandoori-roasted pepper generously filled with paneer. Smoky, soft, and creamy with layers of tandoori spice running through. I absolutely loved it, could easily eat 2 of those. My jam!

• Chicken Tikka Quesadilla. A folded tortilla filled with spiced chicken and melted cheese. A fusion-style dish that works surprisingly well. It was super delicious.

• Beef Chilli Taco. Soft tortilla loaded with your choice of beef or chicken – we had the beef. It had just the right amount of heat. Beautiful.

• Lamb Cutlets. Tandoor cooked lamb, marinated and grilled until just pink in the middle. Served with the most delish chimichurri you will get. It wasn’t my dish bit I ‘shared’ most of the chimichurri because it was delicious.

• Nut Rice. Fragrant rice with toasted nuts scattered throughout. There was a lot of them too which I loved!. Light but full of texture. Great alongside the mains.

• Chilli and Chocolate Naan. Unexpected but so clever. Sweet chocolate meets a very powerful chilli heat in a warm naan. A sentence I never thought I’d write, ha! The naan was actually GORGEOUS and just how I like it – not too thick or thin, super soft, and super fiery. I am all about spicy food and this was quite spicy so if you’ve milder palette, I’d advise caution here. But since the heat comes from the chilli flakes (and seeds which were the ones giving off most of the heat), you could ask for it milder if that’s your preference.

Drinks at Cilantro Tapas

They have a great selection of drinks, including cocktails, but as I am always the designated driver, I opted for their Cilantro Sunrise mocktail. Refreshing and colourful, with a tangy lift that went soooo well with spicy dishes. Beautiful and did not feel like a mocktail at all – it was a very grown up mocktail; something I always appreciate.

What we loved about Cilantro Tapas

• Gorgeous, innovative flavours and dish combinations
• Very generous portion sizes for tapas dishes
• Attentive and friendly staff
• Beautiful decor
• Fantastic Quayside location
• Reasonable prices

Location

You’ll find Cilantro Tapas on the Quayside at 15 Side, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 3JE. The Quayside car parks are available within a walking distance and, as well as the Dean Street multistorey car park, and they’re free in the evenings.

 Tips for visiting

• If you enjoy this place and want to explore more of their range, they have restaurants in Corbridge, Hexham, and another Newcastle one. We’ll be sure to report on those once we get to try them too!

• Reservations: Given its popularity, it’s advisable to book a table in advance. We went on a Wednesday evening, and withing few minutes of opening the place was almost full.

• Special offers: Keep an eye out for promotions like Newcastle Restaurant Week, where Cilantro Tapas has previously offered deals such as three tapas dishes and rice or naan for £25.

• Fantastic for dietary requirements: They have a greatrange of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options.

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For behind the scenes content and a closer look at my day to day experiences, follow me on Instagram @ania.askwith

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