Multi-Award Winning Italian Restaurant

It is with delight we can announce that Punto Italian Kitchen is now a multi-award winning Italian restaurant. The team are absolutely overjoyed with the news of two additional awards to add to our TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Award win in October 2023. With three awards in as many months it’s official a hat-trick, or as we say in Italian È una tripletta

Exterior of Punto Italian Kitchen in Heaton with The TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award Graphic

Read About the TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Award Here

Good Food Award

November 2023 saw Punto bestowed with a prestegious Blue Ribbon for delicious dishes, awarded by the Good Food Awards 2023/24 based on merit to those who excel in food quality, service and value, as voted for by the public.

“It is an absolute privilege to win such a prestigious award, especially following our recent TripAdvisor success. It is a huge pat on the back for the whole team who work extremely hard to deliver the excellent dishes we have gained our reputation for. We’re delighted to see that Punto is becoming the go-to reasonably priced authentic Italian restaurant in Newcastle.” – Damiano Rea – Director & Co-Founder of Punto Italian Kitchen

Some of the Pizza and Pasta Dishes from Punto Italian Kitchen- With Good Food Award Graphic

“The whole team has been overjoyed to hear that we have won a second award in as many months; especially as it comes just after we celebrated our second birthday. The hospitality industry is particularly tough at the moment and you hear of restaurants closing on a daily basis. It’s a huge confidence boost.

Our team work exceptionally hard, 7 days a week to produce fresh dishes, and we’re determined to keep doing our best, provide an outstanding dining experience, and bring taste of authentic Italia to Newcastle.

Buying local, using fresh seasonal ingredients, and making all our dishes in house means we don’t have to rely on buying frozen or pre-packaged, mass-produced items. It gives us a huge amount of control over quality and means we don’t have identical dishes to other restaurants.

We’re incredibly honoured to have received so many votes, positive reviews and the amazing feedback that made this award possible.” – Zeno Meynell-Rea – Operations Director & Co-Founder of Punto Italian Kitchen

Northern Enterprise Awards 2023

1st December 2023 sees another award win from the SME News Northern Enterprise Awards, where Punto Italian Kitchen has picked up an award as Best Authentic Italian Restaurant in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Punto has been awarded an award for Best Authentic Italian Restaurant in Newcastle upon Tyne

“We had a real ‘is this real’ moment when the news came through. To win two awards in as many months was outstanding, but to receive three awards just as we head into December is phenomenal. From day one we set out to deliver simple, tasty, Italian dishes, like those we grew up with. Our grandparents, Gino (Nonno) and Lidia (Nonna), weren’t rich, they lived off the land on their own ‘small-holding’ in the south of Lazio. Nonno’s vino and Nonna’s food was just out of this world; we even use her recipe for our ‘Lasagna di Nonna’. Add to that the inspiration from Maria (Mama), who produced some incredible food in the 24 years when she and Remo (Papa) had Out of Town Restaurant & Arlecchino Bistro, and the results are incredible.

Punto Italian Kitchen is a continuation of this legacy; simple, delicious food and a passion for providing memorable experiences. The team do an amazing job and work incredibly hard, I think these awards are a testament to that.” says Zeno.

The multi-award winning Punto Italian Kitchen sources all of its ingredients from local businesses and suppliers, such as JR Holland, Block & Bottle, CQS and Italica. With a desire to keep money in the local economy rather than using bigger national suppliers.

Damiano adds “We’re proud to be part of our local community here on Heaton Road. As well as using local suppliers and importers, we have a great relationship with our fellow business owners. There’s such a huge focus on the City Centre, especially in December, but we have some exceptional businesses right here in Heaton and we want all of them to thrive.

We recommend them too! If someone wants Tapas, we’ll mention Boquerones. Smoke & Sear do some excellent steaks and a cracking breakfast. Pre or post-dinner drinks? The teams at House Bar or Flight Bar are more than accommodating and we know they also recommend neighbouring businesses. It’s wonderful to see Heaton fast becoming the food and drink capital of the North East.”

You can find the current menu on our eat in info page, which includes our current festive menu and is updated throughout the year with seasonal dishes.