The Ship Inn: My Newcastle Home From Home
The Ship Inn is my favourite place to visit in Newcastle. This vegan hidden gem is located on Stepney Bank in the Ouseburn, and I make a point of going every time I come back up north. It has always been a dream of mine to open a pub that serves great local pints, which also happens to be plant-based. This is exactly what the Ship Inn has done. You may find yourself just wanting a Blue Moon or a Guinness, but stay for their incredible thick-cut chips or even convince your meat-eating friends to try some “mac and cheeze”. The Ship Inn in Newcastle is quickly becoming a go-to destination for anyone seeking delicious vegan food or even just a couple of pints before a night out, as the Inn is always bursting out of the doors. Beyond the food itself, The Ship Inn boasts a warm atmosphere any time of year, inside and out. Whether you’re a vegan, vegetarian, or simply someone who loves good food, you’ll feel at home.
One dish I always find myself going for is The Lucky Fish N’ Chips. Seaside style marinated tofu wrapped in nori seaweed and beer batter served with crushed sweet peas, chunky chips, and tartare sauce. 99% of the time, I just can’t help myself, and I get the fish and chips, and I absolutely love them every time. As a fan of banana blossom “fish”, I’m always a little bit more apprehensive when it comes to tofish, but the Ship Inn gets it perfect every time. The tofu is expertly marinated, and once paired with some mushy peas and sauce, you’re instantly transported to the seaside. Also, who doesn’t enjoy beer batter! The thick-cut chips are also a perfect pairing with the tofish; no one wants little French fries with the fish, it needs to be the thickest of the thick homemade chips. They have a wonderful crisp exterior and a soft, fluffy interior. The vegan tartar sauce is tangy and creamy, adding a burst of flavor that pairs beautifully with the “fish.” The portion sizes are always super generous, so you leave feeling full and satisfied.
Outside of the fish and chips, we have sampled the Byker fried chicken burger, which is just as good as it sounds, and we were even tempted into a roast one Sunday afternoon. One nut roast and one “pork” and apple with all the usual trimmings and a boat full of gravy. It was just as delicious as everything else. If I ever find myself free for a Sunday roast in Newcastle again, I will make sure it’s another Ship Inn. They also offer many other dishes that I haven’t had a chance to sample yet, like the dirty donna kebab, the jackfruit shawarma, and their whole new Detroit-style pizza range. If you haven’t had the chance to visit The Ship Inn and you’re visiting Newcastle, I implore you to go. Take your meat-eating friends, and I promise they will be blown away,
Just a little update, since initially writing this post, I have been back to The Ship Inn, and I once again got the fish and chips. As you can see, it’s just as good. I enjoyed it so much, and I’m already planning to go back there later in the year. Never change Ship Inn. Also, the pub itself is the front cover of one of my favourite Aussie singles.