Five of the Best – places to eat in Newport
It’s not anybody’s first place on the list when it comes to foodie paradise, but Newport has a fair few hidden jewels in its city streets. Fedor Tot rounds up the best.
DUTCHY’S
This authentic Jamaican restaurant is a strong shout for the best restaurant in the city. Situated just outside the city centre on a quiet side street, it hits squarely the holy trifecta of a great restaurant – great food, great atmosphere/service, and cheap prices. Serving a mixture of Jamaican staples like curried goat, there’s also a great selection of cocktails and of course, Red Stripe.
15 North St, Newport. Info: 01633 215048 / www.dutchys.co.uk
SECRET GARDEN CAFÉ
For a filling daytime meal, the Secret Garden Café is a brilliant choice, serving a selection of burgers, breakfasts and all manner of cakes, teas and coffees. The name is mostly due to the beautiful courtyard area they have at the back, but this is one of the worst kept secrets in Newport – most days are quite busy!
25 Charles St, Newport. Info: 01633 223559
GEM 42 / GEMELLI’S
It’s shifted around a bit recently – the closing of the railway bridge a few years back meant Newport favourite Gemelli’s shuffled off to a retail park in Spytty, but it’s back in the form of Gem 42. It is still very small and very cosy, but most importantly, the food is excellent and consistently high-class.
42 Bridge St and Newport Retail Park, Newport Info: 01633 287591 / www.gem42.co.uk
The oldest pub in Newport, still looking sprightly at almost 500 years young, also hosts some excellent, humble pub food. Inside, the Murenger boasts aged wooden panelling, a low ceiling and walls full of old memorabilia. It. Feels. Like. A. Pub. And more to the point, the range of burgers, pies, bangers’n’mash and curries is as rock solid and great-tasting as ever.
52-52 High St, Newport. Info: 01633 263977
LE PUBLIC SPACE
Ok, sincerely, Le Pub probably doesn’t have food as good as the previous four entrants. But it does have some quality bar food that gets to you quickly and cheaply. And frankly, as Le Pub is practically a second home for this writer, I wouldn’t pick any other place. Also, beer is a food, so even after the kitchen is closed you’re still alright.
14 High St, Newport. Info: 01633 221477 / www.lepublicspace.co.uk