There's been lots of interest in the transformation of the former Pier Fish and Chips into a flagship Slice. As with their other sites in Seaham and Sunderland city centre, you can expect pizza by the slice as well as 24in pizza to share. Drinks-wise, there's Wise Men Say on draft, frozen cocktails, wines and more. There's a soft opening from July 8, with a full opening from July 11.placeholder image
There's been lots of interest in the transformation of the former Pier Fish and Chips into a flagship Slice. As with their other sites in Seaham and Sunderland city centre, you can expect pizza by the slice as well as 24in pizza to share. Drinks-wise, there's Wise Men Say on draft, frozen cocktails, wines and more. There's a soft opening from July 8, with a full opening from July 11. | Sunderland Echo

George Clarke's bookshop to a cheese belt - 7 cafes and restaurants heading to Sunderland

By Katy Wheeler

Lifestyle Editor

Published 7th Apr 2026, 16:03 GMT
Updated 8th Apr 2026, 07:10 GMT

From a food and drink offering at George Clarke’s Bookshop to the first cheese conveyor belt outside of London, there’s a few new places to take a bite out of in Sunderland in the coming months.

Here’s a taster of new cafes and restaurants heading our way.

Plans have been approved for a new bookshop, café and flexible event space led by TV architect George Clarke. Situated next door to Sonny's at the far end of High Street West, the ground floor will house a bookshop, food and drink offering and event space. Meanwhile, the upper floors are set to be transformed into an apartment that would be used by the presenter and his family, as well as being marketed as boutique accommodation for short stays when he isn’t in town. The apartment will be themed around the industries which built Sunderland including shipbuilding, coalmining and stained-glass work, paying homage to George’s home city

9. George Clarke's Bookshop, Sunniside

Plans have been approved for a new bookshop, café and flexible event space led by TV architect George Clarke. Situated next door to Sonny's at the far end of High Street West, the ground floor will house a bookshop, food and drink offering and event space. Meanwhile, the upper floors are set to be transformed into an apartment that would be used by the presenter and his family, as well as being marketed as boutique accommodation for short stays when he isn’t in town. The apartment will be themed around the industries which built Sunderland including shipbuilding, coalmining and stained-glass work, paying homage to George’s home city | CREO

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Artist Su Devine is bringing a dedicated Art Cafe to Fawcett Street in the former Havershams tea room opposite the old Wilko's. It will feature a cafe at the front of the site where people can enjoy cakes, coffee, soups and more, as well as pull out tables where they can draw. Meanwhile, the back of the site will host workshop space, with pottery wheels, easels and much more. Su hopes to have the cafe side of the business open soon.

10. The Art Cafe, former Havershams

Artist Su Devine is bringing a dedicated Art Cafe to Fawcett Street in the former Havershams tea room opposite the old Wilko's. It will feature a cafe at the front of the site where people can enjoy cakes, coffee, soups and more, as well as pull out tables where they can draw. Meanwhile, the back of the site will host workshop space, with pottery wheels, easels and much more. Su hopes to have the cafe side of the business open soon. | Sunderland Echo

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Also heading to the banks of the Wear on the ground floor of The Beam is Riverside Cafe. As well as a seating area for around 70 people serving brunches and lunches such as waffles and eggs Benedict, it will have a ready-to-go counter serving sandwiches, salads, acai bowls, juices, coffees and more. There will also be a bakery selling sourdough, Danish pastries and more, with everything made in house. The team is working towards a summer opening.

11. Riverside Cafe, The Beam

Also heading to the banks of the Wear on the ground floor of The Beam is Riverside Cafe. As well as a seating area for around 70 people serving brunches and lunches such as waffles and eggs Benedict, it will have a ready-to-go counter serving sandwiches, salads, acai bowls, juices, coffees and more. There will also be a bakery selling sourdough, Danish pastries and more, with everything made in house. The team is working towards a summer opening. | Sunderland Echo

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My Delhi is relocating from its Borough Road restaurant which opened in 2022 to Sunniside in the old Frankie & Benny's site. The corner unit has stood empty since the American-themed chain closed in the city in 2019, but its new chapter is part of plans to improve the whole complex. The area is being rebranded as Sunniside Social, a new hospitality and leisure hub for the city, with My Delhi the first operator to be announced. They are expected to relocate later this year, with more announcements also expected.

12. My Delhi, Sunniside

My Delhi is relocating from its Borough Road restaurant which opened in 2022 to Sunniside in the old Frankie & Benny's site. The corner unit has stood empty since the American-themed chain closed in the city in 2019, but its new chapter is part of plans to improve the whole complex. The area is being rebranded as Sunniside Social, a new hospitality and leisure hub for the city, with My Delhi the first operator to be announced. They are expected to relocate later this year, with more announcements also expected. | Sunderland Echo

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