Tantara brings Bengali bistro to Jesmond

A new restaurant is preparing to open in Newcastle with a culturally focused dining concept designed for everyday visits rather than special occasions.

Tantara – A Bengal Bistro is set to open on Osborne Road in Jesmond, introducing a style of Bengali dining rarely seen in the UK. 

The concept centres on the everyday food culture of Bengal, moving away from broad interpretations of Indian cuisine in favour of a more specific, informal bistro approach.

Developed by the Shah brothers from South Shields, the restaurant is inspired by the historic cabin cafés of Calcutta, neighbourhood spaces where people gathered daily to eat simply and spend time together. 

That sense of familiarity and consistency has shaped both the menu and the atmosphere.

The interior design reflects this ethos, drawing on heritage references while maintaining a contemporary feel intended to be welcoming and lived-in. 

Speaking on behalf of the family, Shah Lalon said: “We’ve been very deliberate with Tantara. 

“We didn’t want to open another restaurant for the sake of it; we wanted to create something that genuinely reflects how Bengali food is eaten day-to-day, which isn’t something you really see here.

“A lot of time has gone into understanding the food culture, and the same thinking has gone into the space itself. 

“The interior draws from Calcutta’s old cabin cafés, but it’s been interpreted in a way that feels fresh and relevant rather than nostalgic.

“Tantara feels new because it’s specific, in the food, in the room, and in how the restaurant is meant to be used. 

“It’s designed to be somewhere people return to regularly, not somewhere you visit once.”

Created as a tribute to the brothers’ late father and his lifelong career in hospitality, Tantara is expected to open in early 2026.

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