The food scene in Newcastle is constantly evolving with a seemingly endless number of new restaurants popping up in and around the city centre.
With a whole host of newcomers joining established favourites on the dining circuit, it's no surprise that the city's twice-yearly Restaurant Week event always has something new to offer food-lovers.
And 2018 has been a particularly good year for diners with a wide variety of new venues adding to the growing choice of world cuisines available to Geordies on their very doorstep.
Here we look back at some of the restaurants which have opened their doors to customers for the first time this year. See if your own favourite is on the menu and, if it's not, then do let us know your suggestion for our list which, like the city's social scene, is always willing to add something new.
Restaurants which opened in and around Newcastle in 2018
Tomahawk Steakhouse
5 Quayside, Newcastle,NE1 3DH, 0191 222 1122, tomahawk-steakhouse.co.uk
This haven for steak-lovers opened in the empty former home on the Quayside of The Jolly Fisherman - and previously Waterline - in March.
As its name suggests, steak is the order of the day - and that includes the likes of Wagyu and Himalayan salt steaks - but there is also plenty other choice for diners with the addition of casual dining restaurant The Boat Club upstairs with its own menu of burgers, pizzas, salads, paninis and hanging kebabs - plus cocktails: let's not forget the cocktails.
Manjaros
10 Cross Street, Newcastle, NE1 4XE, 0191 261 8764, www.manjaros.co.uk
When this tasty treat opened its doors in the city in April, much talk centred around its reputation as king of Middlesbrough delicacy, the parmo, which had just come to further prominence after making an appearance on TV's Masterchef.
But there's plenty more than parmo on a menu that fuses African and Caribbean flavours in the likes of pasta, wraps, burgers and rice-based dishes.
Route
35 The Side, Newcastle, NE1 3JE, 0191 222 0973, routenewcastle.co.uk
In April, Masterchef: The Professionals finalist John Calton and his business partners behind the popular Staith House restaurant in North Shields opened this sister venue.
More of a modern bistro, its creative menu featuring the likes of cod cheeks and Brussle Sprout Fritters also includes Sunday lunch.
Antler
55 Degrees North, Swan House roundabout, Newcastle, NE1 6BJ, 0191 261 1066, antlernewcastle.co.uk
The ski theme restaurant opened its doors in the summer on the site of Fat Buddha on Swan House roundabout.
Winter Olympic hero and ski jumping icon Eddie the Eagle was there for its June launch, helping to create an out-of-season feel with the help of life-size reindeers and a menu of Alpine favourites within the ski lodge-like venue which also features ski gondola seating.
Revolución de Cuba
1 Cloth Market, Newcastle, NE1 1EE, 0191 917 7076, revoluciondecuba.com
Promising a slice of Havana in the heart of the city, this restaurant opened in July with a promise of "dazzling cocktails, delicious food and unforgettable Latin-inspired vibes".
Cuban coffee, live music and rum is also high on the menu.
Charts
Quayside, Newcastle, NE1 3DX, 0191 338 7989, pubculture.com
In July, the former Flynns bar premises - since closed and standing empty for seven years - was brought back to vibrant life with a wide-ranging menu of food - served from breakfast onwards - and drink as well as music.
Stack
Pilgrim Street, Newcastle, NE1 6AP, 0191 691 50505, stacknewcastle.com
The shipping container village opened fully in August, revealing a range of treasures within: a varied mix of cuisines on offer in different-size units serving up everything from sushi to Texan.
Its downstairs bar space has also made room for the return of Hadrian's Tipi for the festive season.
By The River Brew: Träkol
Hillgate Quays, Gateshead NE8 2BH, Hillgate Quays, Gateshead NE8 2BH, 0191 737 1120
Re-charging the other side of the river came this other shipping container village with a restaurant, including an open-fire kitchen, which opened in August with a focus on nose-to-tail cooking using British rare and heritage breeds and salt-drying processes.
St Vincent
29 Broad Chare, Newcastle, NE1 3DQ, 0191 232 1331, www.saintvincentncl.co.uk
Newcastle restaurateur Terry Laybourne, having made the decision to close quayside favourite Caffe Vivo within the Live Theatre buildings in Broad Chare, opened a tapas-style restaurant in its place in September.
Aimed at catering for today's more chilled-out style of dining, the revamped venue's menu as is out to capture the flavours of the continent in mix-and-match small plates of food complemented by a fine selection of fine wine.
Pizza Punks
34-40 Grey Street, Newcastle, NE1 6AE, 0191 230 0777, pizzapunks.co.uk
Jazzing up the idea of a traditional pizza restaurant, this company - which has a branch both in Scotland and Ireland - made its first foray into England when it opened in the former site of Cafe Rouge in Newcastle's Grey Street.
With neon lights and cool decor adding to its vibe, it delighted pizza fans with its invitation to add as many toppings as they liked to their pizza base - all for one price. And local touches include one option of a Newcastle Brown Ale beef brisket topping.
Karma Kitchen Cafe
6 Bigg Market, Newcastle , NE1 1UW, 07578 947797, /www.karma-kitchen.co.uk
This vegan Indian restaurant, which launched in November, has been inspired by the success of the company's food delivery service and the mother and daughter team, self-proclaimed "Geordie vegans", behind it are drawing upon their years of experience to serve up plant-based Punjabi food. The menu even includes vegan desserts.
Cook House
Foundry Lane Studios, Foundry Lane, Newcastle, NE6 1LH, 0191 276 1093, cookhouse.org
One of the newest kids on the culinary block is this restaurant - in terms of its venue anyway.
Its opening earlier this December is actually a move for Anna Hedworth's well-loved former shipping container business from the Ouseburn to this new home a short distance away.
And its bigger premises allows for more growth with Anna - a food blogger known as The Grazer - now able to cater for more customers and for longer periods, with evening meals being served for the first time.
So prepare to hear a lot more from a restaurant which already has been mentioned in the Good Food Guide; featured in Michelin-star chef Michel Roux Jr’s Hidden Restaurants series for Channel 4 and named Best Cheap Eat in the North last year by Observer Food Monthly magazine.
The Muddler
Grey Street, Newcastle, NE1 6BR, www.themuddlernewcastle.co.uk
The newest on our list to date (see below) is this restaurant which has only just opened its doors on the former site of Osaka restaurant.
Diners can enjoy a range of cocktails unique to the venue as well as an imaginative menu of Pan-Asian food within the small but beautifully formed surroundings whose stand-out features include alcoves covered in real gold leaf.
Taco Bell
Grainger Street, Newcastle
Yet another restaurant is preparing to open its doors before the year plays out: Mexican-inspired Taco Bell is due to be welcoming in first customers this Saturday, December 22 following the completion of work at its premises in Grainger Street.
It might be early days but fans of the American fast food chain certainly have been looking forward to having a branch in the city centre.