Dining out in style at Sachins Newcastle: A family-friendly Punjabi gem

Once upon a pre-parenthood time, H and I dined out in style. Think dim lighting and the luxury of ordering dessert without checking the clock or the baby monitor. Fast forward to life with a small child, and “dining out” has become more of a military operation than a romantic escape.

These days, we eat “off-peak”, the hours between tea time and bedtime, to avoid the meltdown witching hour. Gone are our 8pm dinner dates, replaced with precision-timed outings where the biggest challenge isn’t what to wear, but whether we can finish our curry before someone throws a poppadom.

A warm welcome at Sachins

So, when we were invited to Sachins in Newcastle, a Punjabi and Indian restaurant with parking (parents, you’ll know why that’s a big deal), we were thrilled. It was a definite upgrade from our usual weekend fish and chips by the sea.

We arrived tentatively, asking for a table for “two and a half,” but our worries quickly melted away. The restaurant’s owner, Bob Arora, clearly welcomes little guests. A booster seat appeared as if by magic, and our waiter’s smile could have soothed any toddler tantrum.

Before I could even reach for the emergency toy stash, a basket of poppadoms landed on the table. Crisis averted. Cyrus was instantly charmed by the waiter, who managed to turn service into a floor show.

Ambience and atmosphere

Sachins sits just behind Newcastle Central Station in the Stephenson Quarter, tucked inside what used to be a corner pub. It’s stylish and intimate, with low lighting, low ceilings, and the faint hum of conversations that make you feel part of something special.

It’s spread over three levels, so if you’re visiting with a buggy or have mobility issues, you may want to call ahead. But the cosy layout makes it perfect for date nights, even the ones that include a toddler.

The food: a burst of Punjabi spice

Sachins Newcastle has been a city institution for over 30 years, and it’s easy to see why. The flavours are bold, spicy, and comforting in that slow-cooked, buttery kind of way.

I started with the Tandoori Mushroom (£5.95),  rich, smoky, and bursting with flavour, while H tucked into a Seekh Kebab (£5.95) that brought both heat and charm, served neatly on a bed of salad and onions.

For mains, we shared the Chingri Makhani (£12.95), prawns bathed in a creamy tomato and yoghurt sauce, with Mushroom Pulao rice (£3.50) and a side of Peshawari Nan (£2.95) for me, and Garlic Nan (£2.95) for H.

Dining with a toddler

Little C made short work of the pickle tray, dunking poppadoms like a connoisseur, before devouring his bowl of basmati rice. By the time dessert was mentioned, we were all in that sleepy, post-carb haze and ready for bed.

We wiped down the booster seat, retrieved the fallen poppadoms, and left with full hearts (and even fuller bellies). Eating out with a small child isn’t effortless, but Sachins made it feel wonderfully possible.

“Warm service, rich food, and a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere make Sachins a rare gem for parents who still want a bit of romance with their roti.”

Verdict

Warm service, rich food, and a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere make Sachins Newcastle a standout spot for parents who want to dine without compromise. A restaurant that proves you can have your curry and eat it with a toddler in tow.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐