Pizzeria Santana — Restaurant in Newcastle upon Tyne

I went to Santana's last night with my daughter, before going to the City Hall. We ordered a quick meal as we didn't have time for 3 courses, and were met with disdain by the waiter who appeared to have wanted a larger order from us. He also told us that the kitchen did the meals to order and if they were busy, we would have to just wait. Fair enough, but the place was virtually empty!

Another problem..... the prices are £2 extra to the prices shown online. This should be rectified as soon as possible. When the price of mussels for a starter is shown as £5.95 online and we were charged £7.95, the Marinara pasta shown as £4.95 online and charged as £6.95, it seems to be a con.

The mussels, were tasty, but full of beards that should normally be removed. Usually a separate dish is provided for the shells, and a dish of water to clean your hands.... they only appeared half way through the meal. I also had to ask for bread, which is normally brought to the table as soon as the food order is placed.

I ordered a latte when arriving, then asked for another one while eating my food, it didn't arrive. We asked for the bill, and the extra latte was charged for, but hadn't arrived. Obviously the waiter didn't order it from the woman behind the bar, and despite her making up the bill, she didn't realise that she hadn't made two lattes in short succession in an almost empty restaurant.

I would have thought, as the place only had 4 or 5 occupied tables, after 6 pm on a Saturday evening that the staff would have been at their best. Alas no.... I didn't leave a tip, neither did another couple who took their pizza away in a box. They paid by cash and were given their change on a small tray. When the waiter cleared the table, the tray was empty. Obviously unimpressed like my daughter and I.

The last time I visited, the restaurant was very busy, and we were ignored most of the time. My brother had came up for a special occasion and I suggested Santana's as the food is normally really good. I can't complain about the food, but the service is DIRE. I won't be going back.

The star is for the service, it would be higher for the food. I am wondering whether the ownership has changed hands. Shame, I used to...

if zero stars is possible i would’ve gave that where to start.. we went for food on a friday evening at 3:45pm as advertised outside their venue and on the menu they had a £6.95 lunch special on. When sat down i was told by the waiter that the special finished at 3pm. I was confused and showed him that the menu stated it finished at 5pm to which he was persistent it was 3pm. I asked if he would double check as i was confused as to why it was advertised if it had changed and he came back after checking stating it was 3pm it finished. Confused we went onto order off the normal menu and waited. Randomly a different waiter approached us and stated ‘by the way guys the special finishes at 5pm’ to which i asked what special finishes at 5 and he stated the lunch special. I then informed the waiter of what we were told and because of that ordered off the normal menu and he replied ‘sorry he’s new it’s his second shift, it does say behind you that the special finishes at 5pm’ which i found very rude as i said we got the new waiter to check and the waiter replied the person he checked with thought it was 3pm. I then said i would like to order off the special menu to which he checked with the kitchen and said this was not possible as the steak was already being cooked (even though we hadn’t even received our starters). The staff/management made no attempt to try and make us stay and only kept saying sorry, i think it’s absolutely ridiculous we were unable to change our order after all the confusion and we were still made to pay for our drinks. Everything about the experience seemed deliberate and i advise anyone to stay well clear if they don’t want to be scammed. Definitely will not be back,...

Went here tonight on the off chance/ had different plans that didn't pan out. But I have no regrets. It was really good. I have been before, but pre Covid. There were only a few customers in when I arrived (early evening). I was welcomed by a lovely member of staff and felt at home right away. Complementary bread was nice and I went straight in for a main from the specials. I was spoiled for choice... all sounded amazing. I plumed for the Chicken and Tiger prawn Cajun spiced pasta. It was delivered after some deliberation of pasta choice. It was piping hot, a generous portion of Tiger prawns and Chicken and it tasted amazing 👏. It was a bit like the scene where the food critic in Ratatouille tasted the Ratatouille and was bowled over. It was excellent... go and try it.... you'll like it 😃 By the time I left 7:30 ish), the place was...