The best places to eat in Sunderland

1. 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 seaside 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!

2. Fausto Coffee

Another Roker resident, Fausto Coffee (@fausto.coffee(opens in new tab)) is a cycling café 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.

3. STACK Seaburn

A street food, lifestyle, and entertainment hub, STACK Seaburn(opens in new tab) 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. With music performances, a weekly trivia quiz, and even karaoke, there’s plenty to enjoy.

4. Wild Fire

Just a 10-minute walk from City Campus is Wild Fire(opens in new tab), 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!

5. Mackie's Corner

The redevelopment of Mackie’s Corner (@mackies_corner)(opens in new tab) 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
• Crave: A lunch spot with "honest good food" selling fresh focaccia and deli salads
• Pablo Eggs-Go-Bao: A north-east favourite, serving a tasty array of breakfast and brunch treats, including their signature baos
• The Sofia: A trendy café serving you 'non boring' breakfast and and brunch dishes.
• The Sweet Petite: A family-run bakery offering delicious handmade desserts and afternoon tea.

6. 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(opens in new tab)' 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, à la carte dishes, and charcoal-grilled specialities
• Deep North: Fresh, artisan doughnuts in a range of different styles and flavours alongside speciality 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.

7. The Botanist

Renowned in the UK for their spectacular hanging kebabs, botanical interiors, and quirky cocktails, The Botanist(opens in new tab) is definitely one of the best spots in Sunderland for food, drinks, and entertainment.

8. The Fire Station

The Engine Room(opens in new tab) at the Fire Station cooks up a range of internationally inspired foods with locally sourced ingredients. You can enjoy street food and classic dishes like steak, homemade flatbreads, and beef ragu. They also have a great beer garden out front where you can enjoy some sunshine and a drink or two.

9. My Delhi

My Delhi(opens in new tab) is a multi-award winning Indian restaurant selling authentic street food and delicious curries. They also do a boozy or non-boozy bottomless brunch where you can get unlimited cocktails and street plates for 90 minutes!

More places to eat

For further foodie inspiration, check out My Sunderland(opens in new tab) for an extensive list of restaurants, cafés, and bars around the city (plan your journey using our tips on travelling around the north-east sustainably and at a low cost). You can also get involved with Sunderland Restaurant Week, an annual event celebrating and showcasing restaurants and cafés around the city. There are fantastic deals on offer, so you can sample a range of cuisines every day of the week!