Elsie's Riverside Coffee Shop — Restaurant in Newcastle upon Tyne

5 years ago I gave this place a decent review: "Dog friendly. Nice place. Nice location. Decent selection of drinks and food. Good value"

But since then I have to say I've been really disappointed. The 3 star review I've just given is generous at best. It's rarely open. And when it is the hours are limited. And the service is so slow - to the point that is is quicker to get in the car, drive to another cafe, get coffee there, and drive back. Its certainly faster to go elsewhere for any cooked food. Admittedly, the bacon sandwiches are superb. But unless there's no queue (which is rare because this place is next to a very popular Riverside park, and service is so slow), then it's just not worth the wait unless you stick someone in the queue half an hour before you'd want one.

It's got so much potential. It just needs someone to manage it better. Hopefully the new owners will get the best out of this place, when it...

We went in at 13.45hrs on Thursday 2.1.20 and asked for a hot beef sandwich from the Specials board. I was told that they didn't have any beef left so I looked again at the board and I was told that they didn't have any of items on the specials board left. I asked what they did have for sandwiches and I was told cheese and onion. I ordered two of these and two teas. Before our tea was made the lady came out of the kitchen and said she had run out of onions! Our tea was made and I asked for skimmed milk but was told we don't have that. I can only speak as I find but not a good...

Hedley's is our traditional half-way recharge stop on our Sunday walk loop between the bridges at Wylam and Newburn. Currently only serving from the take-away entrance at the front of the building (following the COVID lockdown) and lacking both the indoor and outdoor seating, which have been cleared away for the time being. There is often seating nearby on the river's edge, so all is not lost (provided our changeable weather behaves itself, of course). The coffee and cake are as good as always though and the staff remain friendly...