Tapas bar looking to open a second city centre venue
SPANISH tapas bar and restaurant Cafe Andaluz is looking to open a second venue in Newcastle city centre after seeing huge demand from diners.
The restaurant took over the site of the former Italian restaurant Carluccio’s on the corner of Grey Street and Grainger Street in 2021 following a £1m-plus investment.
Since then, it has become a popular haunt for customers looking to soak up a sunshine holiday atmosphere and enjoy some Andalusian cuisine.
The chain first launched in Scotland in 2008 and is owned by Scottish hospitality group, Di Maggio’s Restaurant Group (DRG), with branches in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.
The Newcastle restaurant was the first in England when it opened three years ago.
Now Mario Gizzi, co-owner of DRG, has confirmed that the business is “actively exploring” sites for a second Cafe Andaluz restaurant in Newcastle. The restaurant boss also plans to open its first venue in London.
The announcement comes after the group reports its busiest December since 2019, with combined sales across the group’s 17 venues in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Newcastle, up 10% on the previous year.
Mr Gizzi said: “We have a strong portfolio of brands across a broad range of sectors and food types, and our plans are about growing what we have.
“We are actively looking at a site for a second Cafe Andaluz in Newcastle, and beyond that, we intend to take the brand and potentially other restaurants into London as well. “We are researching suitable locations, and that includes the potential acquisition of other restaurant businesses, to convert sites into one of our existing brands if the opportunity is right.
“We’ve been in business for 40 years because we take a responsible and measured approach to growth, only moving when the opportunity is right for the business, and that will continue to be fundamental to our approach.”