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Best places to eat in Sunderland

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There are so many great places to eat and drink in Sunderland. From restaurants and cafes to takeaways and street food vendors, there’s something for everyone at all times of the day. Here are some of our recommendations:

Love Lily

A hugely popular choice with our students, Love Lily’s Instagrammable cakes, shakes, and pancake stacks are generously portioned and delicious. They have a varied menu for all tastes and cater for a range of dietary requirements, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options available.

Their flagship restaurant is based at Roker Beach, just 1.1 miles away from the Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter’s, so you can easily pop along between your classes! There’s also a second location in Herrington Country Park, near Penshaw Monument, as well as their cake shop which is based in Pallion. Love Lily is the perfect place for a sweet treat once you’ve handed in that assignment!

Exterior of Love Lily

Fausto Coffee

Another Roker resident, Fausto Coffee (@fausto.coffee) is a cycling cafe that serves fantastic coffee and cakes, as well as a great selection of woodfired pizzas.

It offers the perfect combination of daytime and evening activities, whether you want a cuppa and a catch-up during the day, or a pizza and a cocktail in the evening. They even have their own run club, regular DJ sets, and a quiz night to enjoy.

Exterior of Fausto's

STACK Seaburn

A street food, lifestyle, and entertainment hub, STACK Seaburn is an ideal spot for brunch with friends, or a fun night out.

From burgers to bao buns, their street-food vendors offer a wide range of dishes to choose from – why not pick a different place each time you visit?! Their bars are located on both levels of the hub, so you can easily find yourself a good spot to sit, order a drink, and take in the live entertainment. From music performances, a weekly trivia quiz, and even karaoke, there’s plenty to enjoy.

Exterior of Stack Seaburn

Wild Fire

Just a ten-minute walk from City Campus is Wild Fire, a pizza restaurant and bar serving up handmade pizzas, small plates, and desserts.

They offer a great mix of bases and toppings, catering for all tastes with vegetarian and vegan options available. There’s also a wide-ranging drinks menu, including plenty of non-alcoholic cocktails and spirits – perfect for non-drinkers, or those with early lectures the next day!

The exterior of Wild Fire

Mackie's Corner

The redevelopment of Mackie’s Corner (@mackies_corner) just keeps getting better. This location is home to a variety of independent businesses, including:

  • Fat Unicorn Kitchen and Stores: A delicatessen selling artisan cheeses, meats, wine and beer.
  • Pablo Eggs-Go-Bao: A north-east favourite, serving a tasty array of breakfast and brunch treats, including their signature baos.
  • The Sweet Petite: A family-run bakery offering delicious handmade desserts and afternoon tea

A close up of a person's hands holding a plate with a handmade dessert from The Sweet Petite

Sheepfolds Stables

One of Sunderland's recent developments, this stunning historical site has been transformed from its heavy industrial past to a thriving hub of independent bars and restaurants. Sheepfolds' food and drink operators include:

  • I Scream for Pizza: New York-style pizza slices and homemade ice cream using locally sourced ingredients.
  • The Calabash Tree: Authentic Caribbean cuisine, from curries to pulled jerk brisket.
  • Vito’s Osteria: Traditional Italian recipes using the finest and freshest ingredients possible. An Italian Sunday dinner is also on offer on Sundays!
  • Ember: Fusion cuisine through small plates, a la carte dishes, and charcoal grilled specialties.
  • Deep North: Fresh, artisan doughnuts in a range of different styles and flavours alongside specialty coffee.
  • Mother Mercy Cocktail Cabin: Classic cocktails and mocktails, as well as a selection of new blends and seasonal specials.
  • Spey Snug: A whisky lounge serving single malt whisky from Speyside Distillery in Scotland.

A large group of people socialising in the courtyard of Sheepfolds Stables

More places to eat

For further foodie inspiration, check out the My Sunderland website for an extensive list of restaurants, cafes, and bars around the city (plan your journey using our tips on travelling around Sunderland sustainably and at a low cost). You can also get involved with Sunderland restaurant week, an annual event celebrating and showcasing restaurants and cafes around the city. There are usually fantastic deals on offer, so you can sample a range of cuisines each day of the week!

Published: 22 November 2024