The View is the very definition of a beach cafe. Wall to wall views of Longsands, the North Sea stretching for miles, billowing clouds and boats chugging across the horizon. The Wilson family’s scored an amazing plot in Tynemouth at the other end of the beach from their sister cafe Crusoe’s.
It’s taken two years to build, but it’s open at last and everyone’s dying to get in there to have a nosy!
I popped in for a sneaky peek on Thursday morning, before going again at the weekend for a girly night out. I always think it’s good to see a place in action at different times, plus it meant I could take photos and chat to the staff about how it’s all going.
The look and feel
Despite the mesmerising views, the interior cannot be ignored. Laid back beach chic, stylish lighting, vintage signs, different textures of woods and exposed brick, cute and cosy beach hut booths. They’ve done a really good job in here.
Outside there’s an impressive terrace with more beach hut booths, as well as open seating. This space is perfect for whiling away summer evenings, but also great if you’ve bought your dog along.
The food
It’s one of those places you can visit at any time of day, The View has pretty much got it all covered. Whether it’s just for a coffee and cake (giant fluffy scones and muffins abound), a weekend breakfast, a light lunch to break up a beach day or a slap up dinner, the menu is packed with crowd pleasing fare.
Paninis and pizzas, burgers, salads and a really lovely seafood selection. It’s great to see them working with local artisan producers Northumberland Sausage Company with their quirky Sausology sandwich deli menu – I need to try the chocolate fennel variety!
The kids menu offers pizza, fish and chips, tomato and mozzarella bake or bangers and mash. All for a reasonable £6 each including a drink. I’ll definitely be taking the boys over the summer holidays when we have friends to stay.
There’s also talk of a tapas menu to come, which will be brilliant for when you just fancy some nibbles with your drinks.
Sadly the Rotisserie wasn’t up and running on Saturday night, so I gave the veggie burger (£9) a whirl. It was a gently spiced sweet potato rosti-style patty with sweetcorn in a soft roll, served with a side of proper chip-shop type chips, micro leaves and a vivid purple coleslaw. Delicious and comforting, but I was defeated by the size of the burger.
My friend had the mussels in garlic and white wine (£10) and it looked lovely. Served up with hunks of bread for dunking in that delicious sauce, she really loved it.
Special mention to the bottle of rose we quaffed; a French Grenache Merlot (£16.50). Lovely, crisp and dry, not sickly sweet. The lure of prosecco on tap was sadly not to be. It’s sparkling wine and the tap wasn’t working, so we’ll have to wait and see about that. You expect a few teething problems when a place has just opened.
The service
You can’t book, it’s first come, first served. Like at Crusoe’s, you queue up to order at the bar, take a number and then they bring your food across. We timed our visit well and arrived about 7pm on Saturday and we scored a fantastic seat right in the window, and got served at the bar almost immediately.
Despite working their socks off since the place opened last week, the staff were cheerful and chatty and keen for feedback.
I think they’d benefit from doing table service for drinks, it’s a bit annoying having to join a queue for a bottle of wine when you’re in the middle of your meal.
But our food was delivered to the table promptly and there were plenty of staff around if you had any questions.
Overall verdict
Cracking views, crowd-pleasing affordable eats, friendly staff, stylish interior, once they’ve got the whole menu up and running and the sparkling wine tap switched on this place will be flying. We thought they were doing a brilliant job given they’ve just opened.
Top tip if you’re thinking of heading down there – to really benefit from it’s dreamy relaxing soporific vibe i’d try and avoid the lunchtime rush and go for early evening dinner or a morning coffee when they open. I think it’s going to quickly become my favourite place to walk the dogs to. I could even take my laptop and work there, but I know i’d just gaze out of the window, so maybe that’s not such a great idea…
The details
The View
Longsands Beach, Tynemouth
Open Mondays – Sundays 09:00 – 22:00
Facebook: www.facebook.com/theviewlongsands
Instagram: www.instagram.com/theviewlongsands
Disclosure: We paid for our own meal and drinks
This place looks amazing perfect for a ride up the coast and a chillout at the end, I am thinking date night material looking out over the sea <3 xxx
You’re spot on there Caroline… it’s dreamy for date nights!!!!
I can’t wait to give this a place a go! With the Summer holidays coming up though I think it’ll be heaving so I may wait a little while until the crowds die down (if I can be that patient!)
Yes I’d wait for the school hols to die down, but you’re going to love it!
Looks spectacular! I love Crusoes, not least because they do parties and weddings so well. This looks more of a substantial place, less party, more day to day great views for all occasions. I’ll have to put this on the list for September – can’t be bothered fighting the school kids crowd for a scone!
Lol Helena… early evening on weekdays is a good time to go for dinner… but yes coffee and scone in term time will be golden!
The atmosphere was fabulous, But the the service was slow.
With several waiters and waitresses walking about In a half empty restaurant, it to a while to be seated.
The menus were bent and crumpled.
The selection of food small and limited.
The waitress was friendly but attention to detail was poor.
Unfortunetly I wasn’t happy with the quality of my Seafood based salad and I was told I had to pay for something I didn’t feel was fresh.
I have worked in Hospitality all my life and never have I been told such a thing.
I will pass this on to my friends and more trip advisors ..
..Good luck ..
What a wonderful place, very impressed the whole ambianc was amazing..Visiting from North Yorkshire, will be back before Christmas!
It’s wonderful isn’t it Jane, just so calming having that beautiful view of the beach spread out in front of you while you relax.