Last updated: June 28, 2025
Easily the best tasting menu in Heaton and probably the best value in Newcastle and beyond. Rebel Restaurant is quietly rewriting the rules of refined dining in the North East, without any of the fuss you’d expect from a place this good. Tucked away on Heaton Road, this small but mighty restaurant is the brainchild of Lindsay Rushton – a chef whose pedigree includes stints at Jesmond Dene House and the Michelin-starred House of Tides. With Rebel now proudly featured in the Michelin Guide, it’s clear the wider food world is starting to pay attention to what Newcastle locals have known for a while: Rebel is the real deal.
The six-course tasting menu here is as honest and inventive – ingredient-led, seasonal, and full of surprises. We kicked things off with Crab, a delicate yet deeply flavourful combination of sundried tomato, tomato jelly, brown crab and cucumber. The sweetness of the crab was sharpened by the tang of tomato, with a gentle freshness from the cucumber.
Next came Smoked Lincolnshire Poacher, served with beetroot, sunflower tahini and granola – a dish of contrasting texture and earthy tones, richness of cheese offset by the crunch and nuttiness beneath. Then came Mussels with buttermilk, dill and lemon – a light, fragrant dish that was deceptively simple. Nothing fancy, just simple mildly flavoured mussel with a hint of that addictive saltiness courtesy of the brine. The buttermilk added a soft creaminess, while the dill and lemon gave it a Scandi-style brightness.
The main event – Lamb Loin, was a masterclass in balance and boldness. Served with wild garlic, allium and brassica (which was sharp and peppery yet definitely enhancing to the overall dish), the lamb belly, salsa verde and crispy onion combo was rich and hearty without being heavy, with a herbaceous lift from the salsa verde and wild garlic, and an addictive crunch from the onion. Absolutely delicious.
Then came a palate cleanser in the form of Sweet Cicely with yoghurt, brown butter and strawberry – a gently aromatic interlude that was refreshing and indulgent. Brown butter provided mild nuttiness and caramel undertones, while the smooth texture and hint of fresh perky strawberry awakened the tastebuds and shifted them into desert mode with a sharp gear change. Finally, the 64% Valhrona dessert with banana, malt and Pedro Ximenez closed the meal in style. Deep, dark chocolate paired with ripe banana and a sweet boozy edge equalled pure joy on every level.
Lindsay Rushton has created something special with Rebel – an accessible fine dining restaurant that delivers elevated cooking in an unfussy, intimate, super cool and dimmed lights stylish type of setting. At just £65 for six courses, it’s an experience that far outstrips its price tag, and rivals the tasting menus of much larger, glossier Newcastle establishments. It’s also extremely well paced with knowledgeable staff who know exactly what they’re serving. What’s more, the menu changes frequently so you could go twice in a month and experience something completely different.
For food lovers looking to eat seriously well without leaving the city – or blowing the budget – Rebel is a must-visit.
