Soku

You'll find this Japanese spot tucked inside the Assemble development on Old Eldon Square, where the sleek interior feels worlds away from the shopping centre chaos outside. The sushi here is properly good – none of that supermarket nonsense – with fresh fish handled by chefs who clearly know what they're doing. The menu stretches beyond raw fish though, with hot dishes that hit just as hard. Whether you're after a quick lunch between meetings or a proper dinner with someone you're trying to impress, the food consistently delivers. That 4.9-star rating isn't an accident – locals have cottoned on to the fact that Newcastle finally has a Japanese restaurant that takes itself seriously without being stuffy about it.