Al Fahad — Restaurant in Newcastle upon Tyne

A Promising New Hearty Gem – A Fantastic Transformation

What a fantastic transformation this restaurant has undergone. We stepped in today, not realising it was once an Italian restaurant we tried before — now reimagined under new management, offering a creative and authentic fusion menu ranging from Desi classics to Yemeni mandi that is all Halal. The environment is spot on, with a warm, welcoming ambiance that isn't noisy and friendly staff.

The food clearly reflects thoughtful planning and execution. Each dish felt carefully curated to deliver a balanced, authentic, and hearty meal. Portion sizes were generous without being overwhelming. I had a balanced lamb mandi served with Sahawek (dip) with a comforting broth as a starter, while my partner enjoyed a rich and satisfying vegetarian selection, including curries and lentil-based dishes. Both were enjoyable meals.

Desserts were a standout. The pistachio cheesecake was a delightful surprise — a chocolate base layered with kunafa and drizzled in pistachio sauce topped with cheese cake and a pistachio glaze and a side of ice cream scoop. The texture and flavour were perfectly balanced, with the kunafa adding a pleasant crunch to offset the richness of the cheesecake. It was as enjoyable to look at as it was to eat.

Service was attentive overall. A senior staff member offered great recommendations and light-hearted banter, adding a personal touch to our visit which has made this an enjoyable experience. The only minor critique would be the noticeable gap in service quality between the senior staff and junior servers or order-takers, whose approach felt more like fast-food service rather than a modern fusion place. That said, considering the restaurant has only been open for a couple of weeks, these teething issues are understandable and likely to improve over time.

Overall, it was a very pleasant experience. Delicious food, a great atmosphere, and fair pricing for the quality and service provided. I’ll definitely be returning and wish the management every success in this...

Absolutely amazing service from start to finish! The staff were so lovely and friendly — we felt genuinely welcomed and well taken care of the entire time. The whole place has such a good vibe, relaxed but still vibrant, making it a perfect spot for a chill night out or a nice meal with friends or family.

The food was delicious — everything we tried was full of flavour and beautifully presented. We were never left waiting, and the staff checked in regularly to make sure we had everything we needed without being overbearing.

Highly recommend the mocktails, especially the strawberry and passion fruit ones — super refreshing and perfectly balanced. And don’t even get me started on dessert… the sticky toffee pudding with custard and whipped cream was hands down the best I’ve ever had!

Service: 10/10 Food: 10/10 Vibes: 10/10

Would 100% recommend and definitely...

After reading so many positive reviews, I had very high expectations from this restaurant. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a big disappointment.

We ordered the sharing platter and chicken sajji. The so-called sajji was just a steamed chicken with an overpowering tangy flavour (probably from too much lemon) and a strange reddish colour. The yakhni pulao was nothing but plain brown zeera rice. Do they really think people can’t tell the difference between authentic yakhni pulao and simple zeera rice?

The daal tarka was off as well — tasted stale, as if it had been cooked hours ago. And the chicken salan was very average; I wouldn’t even call it karhai.

The only good thing I can give them credit for was the service, which was polite and attentive. Sadly, that alone can’t make up for such disappointing food. Its a NO...