Novellos Washington in Sunderland

The food and service was generally quite good but beware, this can be a very noisy restaurant at peak times. It was hard having a conversation with your dining companions even sat on the other side of your same table. Also, we had two different wines, both were sadly disappointing.

Absolutely amazing staff, the service is brilliant and the food is beautiful. I’d highly recommend this place.

4th visit and was disappointed this time, we always have food and drinks in lounge/ bar area, so can't comment on restaurant. Hubby ordered at bar, food did arrive promptly but was brought to table before caddy with cutlery salt n pepper and napkins and we had to ask for them as wasn't offered, also asked for ketchup for the hand cut chips (which I'm sure were standard frozen chips)it was not nice at all, pink and watery. The pizza was tasty but not quite hot enough, no table check was done either.Compared to previous visits it was poor. In saying that we'd probably give another visit in Hope that things have improved to past standard.

Since reopening as Novellos I have been hugely impressed with every aspect. Food is amazing, atmosphere is great and the beer is very good. Couldn't ask for a better place on my doorstep.

Nice place with lovely food and pleasant staff.

Staff was lovely, the food was amazong and would recommend this to anyone. Definitely returning :)

Was there for my granddaughter 18th birthday - really enjoyed it

Went for early dinner on spec, service was great, the food was gorgeous, beautiful potato skins fir starters followed by chicken arrabiata and lasagne were our mains. Will definitely go back.

We booked out the upper bar area to celebrate our engagement and we couldn’t recommend Novellos for food, drinks and celebrations anymore! The staff were so lovely and made sure we had everything we needed. The buffet was delicious and everyone commented on how amazing the food was and how much food there was on offer. There was more than enough food for 24 guests. The quality of the food was incredible and so tasty. I can’t recommend it enough if you are looking for somewhere to host your party. Everyone had a lovely time. Thank you to the lovely team for making our night so special.

Great experience, food was amazing, if we lived locally we would visit more often!

Had Fillet steak and my son had chicken dishes with garlic bread starter. Fantastic presentation and flavour, top class

We had table booked for 12 people. Food was delicious and staff well organised. Thank you.

Can’t really fault this place, absolutely 10/10 Staff are brilliant, food is perfect every time

Meal with Friends . We had rosemary garlic bread, lasagna and pasta balls and chicken with nice dry bottle of white and sorbets to follow this time. Lovely food and goid service.

Fab food, tried lots of different dishes and they have all been great. Lovely atmosphere. Both a bar and restaurant side. Dog friendly in the bar side; so we often take our spaniel with us, and he gets lots of attention and treats.

Very good food, very good service. You didn't have to wait long for the food. There are even some gluten-free dishes. I can only recommend it.

Sunday lunch second to none, lovely staff and reasonably priced.

Staff were very good and professional, but we were very disappointed with the food.

Always great food and service. Did the early bird menu this time which was excellent value. The Sea bass for a small supplement over the usual pizza and pasta options is a superb dish.

Beautiful meal quite pricey though.

It is always a pleasure eating at novellas food. Always well presented and a canny selection to drinks 🍸 cheers 👍

From the drinks to the food fantastic, all very reasonably priced as well

Excellent service, food was beautiful and rob helped us out of a difficult situation can’t praise the place enough

Lovely, friendly service with a smile. We hadn't booked as we were travelling up to Scotland, but the team were helpful and accomodating and we went into the side bar area and were able to book at the bar. The atmosphere was great, the place was buzzing both inside and out with 80s classics spilling out of the speakers. There was a wide variety of Italian food on offer. It was gorgeous, bursting with flavour and good sized portions at sensible prices. It was served pretty quickly, with a smile and was piping hot. Thank you everybody at Novellos for a lovely meal on our stopover to Scotland. I also managed to pick up some tips for our trip to Scotland from a lady behind the bar.

Went to this restaurant as a party of 6 3 days ago I was very happy with the quality of the food and the cleanliness of the restaurant but the servers as soon as we entered we were stood waiting whilst we waited for one of the servers too ask if we had a table booked as they were all stood around having a conversation and laughing not exactly what you want when arriving to a semi expensive restaurant we were waiting for 1 more family member to arrive and they had told us too wait somewhere rather than assign us our booked table despite one of us easily being able to get up and show the extra family member where we are sat . After this we were sat at our table for a very long time after we had already decided what we were ordering eventually a sever takes our orders then quickly after 2 more serves came and ask what we want despite already ordering . Everyone including me and my sister who at the time was celebrating her 18th had ordered drinks shortly after me and my sister began to notice 3 particular servers giving black looks and sniggering while looking at us in the distance (this continued throughout the night ) few minutes pass notice 2 female severs taking while looking at us soon after a male server approaches and asks with an attidude for me and my sister too show id immediately we obviously have no id on us as we had not planned too be questioned for our age we explain to him my sister is here for her 18 th and I’m her older brother he goes well okay and leaves it as that not asking for simple things as date of birth or trying to slip us up if we were to be under 18 I would respect this if we were under the legal drinking age but more needs to be done as anybody underage could order drinks . Later on the night we order more drinks and continue to be stared and talked about by the female staff who were running around like headless chickens as if they had no training to be servers at all who most looked like they were too young too even serve alcohol despite the bad experience and judging looks by servers food was very nice would recommend just think the servers need more training in treating customers with respect .

What a lovely place, food is always top class, service is amazing. The staff are so friendly and cannot do enough for you. Nothing is any trouble for them. We had the 2 course special everything tasted amazing. Thank you

Came here for the 1st time & absolutely loved it. Will be going back. Staff were polite & friendly & the food was tasty & a good size

Brilliant Sunday roast and food was good 👍🏼

Great place for Sunday lunch, top quality

loved my meal last night staff were lovely very friendly

Lovely meal.tonight it was very busy no wonder delicious food .friendly attentitive staff and a lovely atmosphere

Love the experience there. Food delicious. Service great

The food was ok, but not what i expected

Website states that last orders for food are 90mins before closing. That’s 7.30 on a Sunday. Arrived at 7.15 only to be told that the kitchen had closed. Disappointed as we’d had a lovely meal there previously.

Absolutely 5 star food is second to none, the staff are very professional. Sunday lunch is special.

The food and service at Novellos is excellent. Have never had a bad meal here. It's reasonably priced and the staff are friendly.

Great atmosphere, great food and great staff 👍

Yeah, went for Sunday lunch with a group of 13 and everyone enjoyed...good mix of dishes even on a Sunday 😀

I recently visited Novellos for the first time over the weekend. The restaurant's interior is quite pleasant and appears to have undergone recent renovations. The staff appeared friendly, although I did feel a bit rushed during my meal. We were asked about the food three times, which is expected at least once, but it felt a bit excessive, especially when our mouths were full. Additionally, we were asked three more times if we were finished. This was shortly after being asked how the food was. We found ourselves in and out within an hour, which seemed a bit rushed for a dining experience. While Novellos offers a nice atmosphere and decent food, the hurried pace left us feeling less inclined to return anytime soon.

Lovely food, great staff, and service. Would eat here again 💜

Beautiful place to go for good food and good atmosphere, ideal for the romantic nights out with the other half or relaxed family meals. Highly recommended 👌

My family brought me here for a celebratory meal. The food was great everyone enjoyed. Will definitely be back

Very busy but totally expected on a Saturday afternoon. Food was really good but had to ask to order food after sitting down for half hour hence the drop in stars

Lovely resteraunt with a very chill vibe. Stunning deco and lovely food. I definitely recommend the steak with fungi sauce.

Not the best food we've had here. Either a change in the kitchen or financial cutbacks

Food amazing scotch egg and arancini starters fabulous followed by great pizza. Good wine and a fantastic atmosphere in the bar with lively music. No wonder it’s so popular Thank you

Absolutely fabulous food and service also the Sunday lunch is by far the best for miles sround

Can't speak too highly of Novellos, from the warm welcome we received when arriving, to the great food and service throughout our meal. It was our son's birthday, so there was six of us, four adults and two children, two of our grandson's. We arrived at five o'clock, we were on a deadline, so we needed to be served quickly, which we were. We all had two courses, starter and mains. All our food was delicious and served promptly, which allowed us to leave the restaurant by six twenty. Under normal circumstances we would have lingered over coffee, or more drinks, and we will next time. Congratulations to Novellos, and to everyone involved, fabulous! ❤️

What can I say. Came from Nottingham for my wife’s father’s birthday. Booked into here for his birthday lunch for 6 of us. From start to finish had a great experience. Drinks at the bar and then a table in the restaurant. Great and attentive service from start to finish. Food was served within a good time and was hot and delicious. I had the mussels in white wine sauce and can honestly say they were the best I have had in the UK. Great atmosphere and will come here again.

Really good night..everything spot on.

Great place. Food was amazing and reasonably priced. Would definitely recommend.

I would recommend this place to anyone - food is amazing, beautiful decor and atmosphere and the staff are so friendly and will do anything you ask of them.

Absolutely amazing food, drinks and great staff xx

Another great night at Novellos, food excellent! Arrived early and had a few drinks in the bar area also a pleasant experience 👍🏻

This was recommended to us and I went to celebrate my 60th birthday with my family despite us turning up one week earlier than we should have they did not miss a beat they accommodated us without issue with fantastic food and service. I can not praise this place high enough.

Just visited again this evening, lovely service as always, food was beautiful & delicious.The staff are so friendly & nothing is a bother.

Lovely food and service a bit quiet at 5pm but picked up around 6

A great atmospheric place, with friendly plesant staff.

Lovely food and venue, great staff. Just expensive

I’ll never say that Italian restaurants are all very similar after eating here. The food was outstanding, unbelievably tasty, and the service was as good as the food. We had the early bird menu which had a fantastic choice and the price was very good. Please if you are thinking of eating at an Italians try this place you won’t be disappointed. We will definitely be back.

The noise was unbearable! Pizza was dry. Too much spice, covered in iceberg lettuce. Not a pleasant experience. Started clearing the plates before everyone had finished their food. Chicken dishes small portions but high price. Veg was mainly peas.

Pricey but worth it, food is amazing!

Great food, prompt service and friendly staff. Can’t ask for more. Thanks for a wonderful lunch.

Fantastic range of quality dishes with friendly staff in a nicely decorated setting. Will be returning soon.

Went for Sunday lunch and companion had pizza and fries. Service was great and got seated quickly. Portions good, roast potatoes a little overdone but otherwise very tasty. Pizza was plain but nice with fries a little soggy. Nice family atmosphere. Price was good value. Staff all lovely.

Best meal out I have had in a long time

Dropped in on spec for Saturday evening dinner after a 6-hour drive when other plans fell through. The place was heaving with diners and a 50th party. There was no space in the restaurant so we were going to have take-away, but the staff insisted on finding us space in the bar. Service very quick - less than 10 mins for mains, and the food was some of the best Italian I've had. Prices cheap, too - two mains, two sides and two desserts and a couple of drinks for around £50. Can't recommend highly enough.

Absolutely delicious Sunday roast, and brilliant service. Definitely be back.

Quick service and incredible food

Great food, great value and professional and pleasant staff

Absolutely amazing food and staff.

Food excellent as was service Lovely venue and great atmosphere cant wait to return

Absolutely bang on, again! Seriously nice food, welcoming and friendly staff, good atmosphere and decor and an all-round lovely place for food. I'm slowly working my way through the menu and so far haven't been able to find anything that hasn't been nigh on perfect (i also haven't been able to walk upright due the amount of food). Will be back again (and again).

Local restaurant with fab food and service . Special shout out to Manager Rob who always goes above and beyond . So pleased to have this restaurant on my doorstep .

Excellent food..attentive friendly staff x

Fantastic food again, nothing else to say really.

Booked a table for 4 people today at 4pm, atmosphere was good however drinks were slow to arrive. We ordered 3 x Lamb and 1 x turkey dinner only to be informed 10mins later that their were no Yorkshire Puddings. We were then told 5mins later that there were 3 left. Meal arrived Yorkshire’s were small and only a small spoonful of lamb on the plates. Basically had a potato Sunday lunch with gravy! For £13.95 each not value for money. Very disappointed.

Friday night at Novello's with my 5 girlie friends. Great company & the food was amazing as always.l had King Prawn Linguine, it was so good and everyone enjoyed their meal.The staff were welcoming & friendly, it was very busy but with a buzzing atmosphere. Can't wait till l go again.

Very nice restaurant the food was excellent as was the service nothing has changed very good

Only reason dropped 1 star was the white wine list is a bit limited & I couldn't see a white wine I would have gone for.

Very fortunate to have this place on the doorstep. Never had a bad meal and we are in here at least once a week. Staff are amazing.

Brilliant food had a lovely Pizza and the staff were all very lovely and helpful thank you!

Had many names and owners but just not my cuppa.

Went for a birthday meal with family party of 4 and 3 kids. I was really impressed good food and beer all quite reasonably priced. I have been back once more since and glad to say same quality of food, service and beer. 👍

A fantastic Sunday dinner today it tasted lush. Staff were amazing & took care of us as soon as we walked in the door 👍🏻 Will definitely be returning 👍🏻

Food is beautiful scotch eggs with peppercorn sauce is unreal staff are great place is lovely

First time. Very welcoming. I'll be back.

Lovely place, really well furnished with a good selection of drinks and delicious food.

Service and food excellent as alwayss.

We had the Sunday roast which was delicious even when not on the Italian side. Everything was cooked ro perfection and the service was friendly. We had a big group which made it difficult to fit us all at one table but the atmosphere was still nice.

Incredible meal last night, food was excellent and the service is always top class. Could potentially turn into my favourite eating spot in Washington

Absolutely not. Manager gives 0 cares about customer service! Waited 15 mins to be offered a drink let alone a starter. The lasses were friendly

Booked for granddaughters 21st. Early afternoon on a Saturday. Trade was I think! Busy for time of year. There was about 17 of us. Pre ordering was done in advance..we were in the small room on left. All food was great. The hosts helped with the birthday cake and plates, thank you.

Lovely food, food has improved a lot since becoming Novellos. Staff are friendly and attentive.

Went for Sunday lunch today and it was delicious, wouldn't normally have a dessert but glad we did as that was equally delish too, good wine and busy atmosphere

Fab restaurant, great staff, and delicious food.

We had the early bird 2 courses service and food excellent but we had a coke zero we thought £3.20 each excessive.

Amazing food and service well recommended

First visit and went for sunday lunch. Service was top notch and the staff were friendly and welcoming. Food was really nice and very tasty and unlike some venues in the area you dont have to beg for extra gravy. All in all a great initial visit and looking forward to going back an eating off the italian food menu

What a lovely experience. Sunday lunch was cooked beautifully. The portions were generous and very well presented. Lovely atmosphere and service.