Ardens Kitchen Gosforth: Menu & Review

Most people know Regent Centre as a Metro stop, a Park & Ride, or a place to visit Gosforth Pool. But tucked away inside Dobson House — the office building next to the leisure centre — is a cafe and bistro that deserves far more attention than it gets. Ardens Kitchen has been quietly building a loyal following among those in the know, and it's time more people discovered it.

What's on the menu

The menu is impressively broad. Breakfast runs from bacon or sausage sandwiches (£5.95) to a full English (£10.95) and the generously named AK47 Breakfast (£14.95) — a double-everything fry-up that's not for the faint-hearted. There's also a vegetarian breakfast (£10.95) and a brioche brunch burger. The brunch options are solid too, with smashed avocado on toast available plain, or loaded with feta, chorizo, smoked salmon, or eggs.

At lunch, the sandwiches range from £5.45 to £8.50 — with options including ham and pease pudding (a proper North East touch), coronation chicken, chicken tikka, and Italian meats. There are also jacket potatoes (from £7.50), toasties, and a Clukin Chicken Burger (£11.95) served with chips and slaw. Soup of the day with a crusty roll is £5.95, or pair it with a sandwich for £9.95.

The homemade pies and traybakes get regular praise from reviewers, and the coffee is consistently good. NHS staff get 10% off with a valid photo ID.

Waffles, pancakes, and Sunday dinners

Beyond the main cafe menu, Ardens Kitchen has a few surprises. The dessert menu features homemade waffles and pancake stacks (all £9.95) in flavours like Biscoff, Oreo, Snickers, Mint Aero, and Terry's Choc Orange — the kind of indulgent treat you'd expect from a dedicated dessert bar, not a cafe at Regent Centre.

On Sundays, they serve a proper sit-down roast dinner with a choice of roast chicken, topside of beef, or portobello mushroom pie — all with Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, mash, seasonal vegetables, and gravy. One course is £9.95, two courses £13.95, or three courses for £16.95 including desserts like sticky toffee pudding and chocolate brownie. You can book a table at ardenskitchen.simplybook.it.

Family-friendly with a twist

What sets Ardens Kitchen apart from many Gosforth cafes is how genuinely family-friendly it is. There's a dedicated kids' area with a Pac-Man machine, a blackboard wall for drawing, and colouring activities to keep little ones occupied while you finish your coffee.

The "Little Tummies" children's menu runs from toast (£2) and beans on toast (£4) to a kids' breakfast with sausage, eggs, beans, and toast (£7.50), chicken nuggets with fries and beans (£6.50), or a picnic box with a sandwich, crisps, and a drink (£5.95). There's also a Kids Eat for £1 deal on weekdays between 3pm and 4:30pm when you buy any hot drink — hard to beat for an after-school stop.

Its location next to Gosforth Pool makes it a natural post-swimming stop — far more interesting than the vending machines in the leisure centre.

Parties and buffets

Ardens Kitchen also does catering and buffets for events, starting from a sandwich selection at £9.50 per head up to an executive buffet at £15 per head with sliders, chicken satay, homemade pies, samosas, and traybakes. Call them to discuss — they'll negotiate on price for groups over 30.

The practical details

Ardens Kitchen is at Dobson House, Regent Centre, Gosforth, NE3 3PF. Opening hours are Monday to Friday 8am–4:30pm, Saturday 8am–2pm, and Sunday 10am–2pm. You can call them on 0191 340 1233 (or 07947 618201), or email ardenskitchensocials@gmail.com. Delivery is available through Uber Eats if you'd rather stay at home.

There's parking at Regent Centre (including the Park & Ride) and it's a two-minute walk from Regent Centre Metro station — making it one of the most accessible cafes in Gosforth, even if it's one of the least visible. Gluten-free and dairy-free options are available.

Why it's worth finding

Ardens Kitchen doesn't have the High Street footfall or the Instagram following of some Gosforth cafes. But that's part of its charm. The food is honest and well-made, the prices are fair, the staff are friendly, and the kids' area is a genuine lifesaver for parents. If you've been walking past Dobson House without a second glance, it's time to push through the door.