Pink Lane Coffee, Newcastle

‘It’s nice to just be a kid and hang out with your friends at lunch’ – Karlie Kloss

The next stop on out Lightning Light Lunch tour saw us popping into Pink Lane Coffee just across the road from central station on a wet and miserable January Tuesday.

It doesn’t look like much from the outside, just a doorway almost hidden beneath a load of office blocks but opens up like a tardis when you go in, with a sofa at the front and lots of tables and chairs stretching quite far back. The décor is quite industrial and doesn’t hit you straight away with a warm and cosy feel.

I arrived with Patricia and baby Daniel and we managed to squeeze in to a small table near the back before Ang arrived (when we then moved to a bigger table even further back). The thing that struck me the most was how deathly quiet it was. The music was low and ambient but everyone in there was silently reading magazines or working on laptops. It was so quiet in fact that we were almost scared to talk. Everyone just seemed a little distant and reactionless. I don’t know, perhaps I’m being harsh, but it left us feeling pretty uneasy to start with.

Once Ang arrived however this didn’t hold us back, we all ordered; two New Yorker style deli sandwiches for me and Patsy and a vegan wrap for Ang, plus some coffees. My sandwich and flat white came to just over £7 which isn’t extortionate but on the pricier side for a sandwich and drink. Patricia an I also shared a brownie which was £2.50. I have to say the sandwich was delicious, with just the right balance of meat, mustard, gherkins etc and the flat white was beautifully roasted and smooth (they have their own roasting company, the beans of which are available to buy).

There was an extensive menu of both coffees and sandwiches, wraps etc so something to suit all taste buds including vegan and gluten free options. Thankfully as we stayed there the atmosphere picked up a little bit (must have been our presence haha!) and soon the place was lively and bustling packed with a nice mix of people working on their empires and people grabbing a coffee before their train. Service was also quick and friendly, and we got served well within the hour with time to have a natter before having to head back to work.

Scores on the doors:

Under £10: yes
Pay by card: yes
Easily seated: only just (we got the last table available!)
Served within an hour: yes
Take away available: yes