Pani’s is an independent Italian restaurant on High Bridge in central Newcastle. It opened in 1995 with a particular commitment to Sardinian food and has continued to develop that identity while retaining the atmosphere of a lively neighbourhood café. The cosy, informal dining room works well for lunch, an early meal before a performance or a relaxed evening with friends.
Fresh pasta and Sardinian specialities distinguish the menu from a generic Italian offering. Ravioli filled with ricotta, pecorino and spinach, and fregola cooked with shellfish, show how island ingredients and traditions shape the kitchen. Risotto, pasta sauces and garlic bread provide familiar points of entry for diners who want a more classic choice.
Seafood is used in dishes featuring prawns, clams, scallops and bottarga, while meat recipes bring together ingredients such as chicken, Sardinian sausage and pancetta. Bruschetta, artichokes, salads and vegetable based pasta offer lighter or meat free routes through the menu. Ingredients are sourced both from Italy and from local suppliers, according to what best serves each dish.
Italian wine is a natural companion to the food, and the unhurried service encourages guests to linger rather than treat the meal as a quick transaction. Desserts and coffee provide a traditional finish after the richer pasta and main courses. Pani’s longevity comes from combining the warmth of an independent city restaurant with a culinary character rooted specifically in Sardinia.
Address: 61–65 High Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6BX, United Kingdom
Pani's Menu
Appetisers and Starters
Pani's Rustic Garlic Bread
(v)
Pani's Rustic Garlic Bread with cheese
Pani's Rustic Garlic Bread with tomato
(v)
Pani's Rustic Garlic Bread with cheese & tomato
Pani's Bruschetta
Topped with provolone cheese, black olive pâté and sun-dried tomatoes.
Bruschetta con Crudo
Parma ham, tomatoes, fresh rocket and mozzarella, finished with a balsamic crème.
Bruschetta Tradizionale
(V) Topped with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil and extra virgin olive oil.
Caprese con Crudo
Tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, Parma-ham and fresh rocket salad. Dressed with basil, oil and balsamic crème.
Polpette
Pani’s classic Angus beef mince, egg, garlic, lemon zest, rosemary and parsley. Choice of sauces: tomato & basil / spicy tomato / pepe verde. Served on toasted ciabatta bread.
King Prawns
Two king prawns pan-fried with garlic, white wine, butter, lemon and parsley. Served with rice.
Carciofi
(V) Pan-fried artichokes, baby potatoes, garlic, lemon and white wine.
Culurgiones Fritti
Fresh handmade pasta parcels, filled with pecorino, mint garlic & potato and deep-fried. Served with tomato & basil / spicy tomato / saffron mayo.
Gamberi
Tiger prawns cooked with garlic, white wine, lemon butter and served on a bed of carasau bread and rocket.
Calamari
Deep-fried squid, semola, balsamic crème and iceberg lettuce.
Capesante Reali
King scallops with garlic, chilli, butter, wine wine and lemon on a bed of fresh rocket and carsau bread.
The Sardinian Shepherd's Platter
(serves 2) A classic and spicy board of Sardinian salsiccia secca, Parma ham, giglio Sardo cheese, pecorino cheese, artichoke, mixed olives and sun-dried tomatoes. Served on crispy carasau bread.
Antipasto Vegetariano
(V) Tomato and mozzarella, artichokes, grilled aubergines, roasted peppers, sundried tomatoes, olives, mixed beans, black olives pate’ and carasau bread.
Fish Soup
Prawns, tiger prawns, tuna, peas, garlic, spring onion, tomato and a spicy fish stock.
Paste
Lasagne al Forno
Bolognese, bechamel, nutmeg, tomato and mozzarella.
Pani's Bolognese
Malloreddus pasta served with our version of the classic recipe.
Malloreddus Cun Sartizzu
Malloreddus pasta served with an Italian sausage, garlic, chilli and tomato sauce. Sprinkled with pecorino cheese.
Pani's Casarecce
Casarecce pasta served with a garlic, chilli, tomato, diced chicken and parsley sauce.
Arrabbiata
(V) Casarecce pasta served with a garlic, chilli, parsley and tomato sauce.
Carbonara
Casarecce pasta served with a smoked pancetta, pecorino, black pepper, parsley and cream sauce.
Amatriciana
Casarecce pasta served with a smoked pancetta, garlic, chilli, parsley and tomato sauce.
House Specialities
Ravioli Sardi
Handmade fresh egg pasta parcels filled with ricotta, nutmeg, pecorino and spinach. Served on a tomato and basil sauce.
Fregola alla Pescatora
Fregola served with Queen scallops, clams in shell, tiger prawns, clam meat, garlic, chilli and cherry tomatoes in a sauce of tiger prawns stock & tomato. Finished with sprinkled bottarga. (Also available as a risotto)
Capesante
Fresh egg pasta parcels filled with scallop and prawn meat, mascarpone and ricotta cheese cooked with tiger prawns, chilli, garlic, white wine and tomato sauce topped with bottarga.
Fregola Ortu
(V) Fregola served with a garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes, vegetable stock, spinach and butter sauce and a touch of tomato sauce. (Also available as a risotto)
Fregola con Misto Funghi
(V) Fregola served with porcini mushrooms and mixed mushrooms, garlic, onions, spinach, lemon and white wine. (Also available as a risotto)
Nino's Fregola
Fregola served with a tiger prawns, baby prawns, garlic, peas, onions, spicy saffron sauce. Topped with bottarga. (Also available as a risotto)
Cancioffa
(V) Char-grilled Roman artichokes served on arborio rice, lentils, garlic, chilli, fresh spinach and tomato sauce.
Culurgiones Rossi
Fresh handmade pasta parcels, filled with pecorino, mint garlic & potato. Served with a tomato & basil sauce. Sprinkled with grated pecorino cheese.
Meat and Fish
Sausage alla Forestiera
Char-grilled Sardinian sausage served on a porcini, mixed mushrooms, garlic, onion, spinach, lemon and white wine risotto.
Pollo con Lenticchie
Pan-fried chicken breast, Sardinian sausage, smoked pancetta, lentils, white wine, cherry tomatoes, chilli, garlic, spinach and fresh herbs. Served with fries or salad.
Pollo con Gamberi e Zafferano
Pan-fried chicken breast with tiger prawns, cherry tomatoes, onion, garlic, chilli, saffron, white wine and butter. Served with fries or salad.
Pollo al Pepe Verde
Chicken breast pan-fried with green peppercorn, French mustard, red wine, black pepper and cream sauce. Served with fries or salad.
Pollo Pippo
Chicken breast pan-fried with Tiger prawns, tarragon, garlic, white wine, fish stock and cream sauce. Served with fries or salad.
Pollo al Marsala
Chicken breast pan-fried with mushrooms, marsala and cream. Served with fries or salad.
Sausage alla Griglia
Chargrilled Sardinian sausage ring served on a spicy risotto with tomato, spinach and lentils. Served with fries.
Gamberoni all'Aglio
Five King prawns with garlic, lemon, parsley, white wine and butter. Served with rice.
Gamberoni all'Arrabbiata
Five king prawns pan-fried with garlic, chilli, white wine, butter and tomato sauce. Served with rice.
Spigola
Seabass fillets pan-fried, seasoned with polenta and served with a tiger prawns, cherry tomatoes, spring onion, saffron, chilli, garlic, white wine and butter sauce. Served with fries or salad.
Sides
Mixed Salad
Courgette Fries
Green Salad
Sweet Potato Fries
Rocket Salad
Fries
Bread & Butter
Mixed Olives
with garlic, chilli, oregano, lemon & GRISSINI
Sweet Trolley
Pani's Tiramisu'
Savoiardi biscuits soaked in coffee and marsala, topped with mascarpone cheese cream.
Tartufo al Pistacchio Affogato
A heart of pistachio cream surrounded by pistachio gelato all rolled in praline hazelnuts & pistachios drowned with crema di pistacchio liqueur (25ml).
Cannolo Siciliano
Rolled pastry filled with ricotta cheese, chocolate drops and candied orange.
Mango & Passion Fruit Ice Cream Cheesecake
An intriguing mixture of cheesecake and ice-cream form a lovely smooth vanilla layer on a gluten free crunch base. Topped with a soft mango and passion fruit sauce with mango pieces. Finished with a hand piped chocolate decoration.
Tiramisu' al Limoncello
Savoiardi biscuits soaked in limoncello, topped with mascarpone cheese cream.
Gooseberry & Apple Treacle Tart
Mix of gooseberry and bramley apple on a crumble tart with treacle mix. Served hot topped with vanilla ice cream and raspberry sauce.
Tortino al Cioccolato e Arancia
Chocolate and orange sponge pudding smothered with dark chocolate sauce, served with vanilla ice cream. Served hot.
Panna Cotta
Homemade panna cotta served with fresh raspberry sauce.
Souffle al Pistacchio
Light chocolate sponge with a heart of pistachio cream topped with hazelnut ice cream. Served hot.
Formaggi
Cheese Board
A selection of Italian cheeses served with crispy Sardinian flat bread and honey. Also served with 50ml of Vin Santo Passito
Gelati
Affogato al Caffe'
Vanilla ice-cream drowned with an espresso coffee.
Sorbetto Cocktail
Pani’s sorbetto cocktail served on a martini glass with lemon sorbet, vodka and a splash of prosecco. Also try with: Grand Marnier / Drambuie / Cointreau.
Gelati Misti
Mixed ice-cream (choice of three) Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, Hazelnut.
Sorbetto al Limone
Lemon sorbet (with dairy products).
End of Meal Suggestions
Prices shown for 25ml and 50ml measures.