Where to eat in South Shields: Pacino’s – a classic Italian restaurant

By Ania Askwith

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136-138 Ocean Road, South Shields, NE33 2JF

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Best for: Traditional Italian food, cosy dinners, family friendly dining, Italian takeaway, date night spots in South Shields, Ocean Road dining, South Shields Italian restaurants

What is so special about Pacino’s

There are some places that just stay with you, and for us, Pacino’s in South Shields is one of them. Pacino’s has been a staple of Ocean Road for years and we have been frequent visitors since 2005!

It’s where we used to go for dates, so walking back through those doors felt a bit like stepping into a memory.

The décor hasn’t changed much since I can remember, with the same welcoming feel and familiar charm.

The menu at Pacino’s

The menu is full of traditional Italian dishes which we had many times, as well as some new additions since we last visited.

I absolutely love exploring different cuisines and love modern cooking, but Italian food for me is all about traditional dishes and familiar tastes, which is what I went for.

What we ordered

Crispy potato skins – these were much crunchier that I remember, the portion was huge! And the garlic mayo they come with – gorgeous! I love potato skins and I don’t think a visit to an Italian restaurant is really successful without having this dish as a starter. Pacino’s delivered and it was a great start to the meal.

Black pudding al pepe – pan fried and served in a creamy peppercorn sauce. The peppercorn sauce was absolutely addictive. Super, super delicious. And another great portion; you could actually have it as a main if you don’t have a huge appetite.

Chorizo di pollo – chicken and chorizo in a rich tomato, basil, chilli and garlic sauce. It was super tasty, and a real nostalgic Italian feel, which I love. Gorgeous.

Frutti di mare – a VERY generous mix of tiger prawns, mussels and calamari in a light tomato and chilli sauce. It was stunning, and I couldn’t get over how huge the portion was. Amazing value for money.

Tiramisu – a classic and still just as good as ever. We had one each and I am not ashamed to admit that! So, so, so good!

Each dish was gorgeous, portions were huge, and the value for money was absolutely incredible!

Why we recommend Pacino’s

• The atmosphere was lovely, relaxed and familiar, exactly how I remembered it.

• Great food, cosy vibes and a lovely little trip down memory lane.

• And they currently have a great 2 course special between Monday to Thursday – a great reason to venture out and give this place a try!

• I can’t wait to try their Sunday lunch next!

Location

Pacino’s is located at 136-138 Ocean Road, South Shields, NE33 2JF, with loads of on street parking available.

Tips for visiting:

• Walk ins are welcome, but I’d recommend booking ahead – this popular spot can get busy, especially on weekends. We went on Thursday to catch their deal and it was quite lively.
• Try the Sunday lunch. We are yet to try it, but it’s a local favourite and on our list to try next.
• Generous portions – perfect for sharing. If you are a small eater, the starter portions are actually great for mains.
• Family friendly, lively atmosphere.
• Friendly staff – the service is super attentive.

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