Sambuca in South Tyneside

Always great food, good prices and excellent service.

We discovered this restaurant by chance while looking for place to park the car. Good portion size and good value if you order two course lunch specials.

Staff full of attitude and not helpful at all regarding allergies. Received our food to notice a hair on it and it basically being chucked on our table with the server announcing our meals to the whole restaurant.. no need to be so hectic! Potato skins disgusting raw in the middle and far too thick. Noticed half the staffs nails have fake nails on which are very long seems unhygienic? Not to mention we had a pram with us and when we walked in made to feel we were an inconvenience! Dancing round our tables waiting for us to finish our food so they can get home!

Good food with good price!!! We availed the Lunch deal 2 course meal (12pm -4pm) 2 Minestrone soup, pasta carbonara and pasta sambuca with pint of pineapple juice.

Lovely food served by Lovely people 😀

Food was piping hot and delicious my steak was huge would definitely recommend

Good variety of lovely meals. Excellent service and very good value for money. As a regular visitor I can recommend sambuccas lunchtime and evenings.

Fast service, food very good however service not so good. It feels like they want you out ASAP, they cleared plates whilst some were still eating and gave us the bill whilst some were still eating. This wouldn't put me off going again as the food was very good and worth the money.

Table for 7 on a busy Saturday was no problem. Food, service and price all exceptional. We all had starters, mains and desserts. Each of us had different meals and everyone thoroughly enjoyed. Could not fault it and only wish we lived closer as would definitely return.

Was very busy when we went in on a Thursday lunchtime. Service was good and the pizza was excellent, very tasty and the base was just as I like them. Special lunchtime deal on too.

**Review:** We recently visited this restaurant with a party of eight, including my cousin visiting from Manchester. The food was enjoyable, with four members of our group opting for the specials, which were reasonably priced at £8.95 each. The deal included potato skins, pizza, and pasta—a pretty good value overall. I had the jambalaya risotto with chips, which I did enjoy. However, the dining experience was marred by poor service. From the moment we arrived, we felt rushed. The staff came over about four times asking if we were ready to order, which made us feel pressured. After we finally placed our orders, the starters arrived, and we began chatting. As soon as we finished, the staff promptly cleared the table and asked if we were ready for the main course. It felt as though the mains had been sitting there waiting for us. When the main courses did arrive, mine was the last to be served, and I had to wait around eight minutes for my chips while the rest of my party began eating. Once we finished the main course, we were immediately asked if we wanted dessert, which we declined. We decided to sit and chat for a bit longer, but within 10 minutes, the bill was abruptly placed on our table. As we continued to talk, a waitress came over with a card machine, standing there waiting for payment. After paying the £173 bill, we noticed a group of waitstaff hovering near our table, clearly waiting for us to leave. This kind of service does not reflect well on the establishment. It felt like they were more interested in getting us in and out rather than providing a quality dining experience. Unfortunately, this ruined what could have been an enjoyable meal. After this experience, I doubt I’ll be returning to Sambuca. My advice to the management: "Get your act together." We’re paying for both food and service, not just the food alone with substandard service.

excellent service. very fast at bringing the courses. friendly staff and great food which was plentiful and hot. overall great place to eat.

We went to Sambuca for lunch whilst on a family holiday. Service was great and the serving staff were very attentive. The food was delicious and tasted fresh and was good value for money. If we are we ever back this way again then we will definitely be back

Great foods and good service -friendly staffs

The groups food was good but I had the unlucky dish that have me food poisoning. I had the surf and turf. It must of been a bad muscle because later on that night I wasn't sure what end to stick on the toilet. I couldnt fault the service or the atmosphere though.

We had lunch menu - soup of the day, which was really good, and a pizza, we asked if we can get ham and mushroom pizza (which was not on the menu) and they agreed, thank you :) but the ham was not so good, it was sliced in cubes rather than thin as it is supposed to be on a pizza. The pizza was average for England. The staff was nice, the prices were good. I might come back, but probably won’t have pizza again.

Total rip off now this place if the waiters arnt being touchy feely they over charge you. Will not be back. Rubbish and unprofessional

Very poor quality food and service. The manager was serving food to the tables and was passing hot plates to children, put his thumb in the garlic sauce and spilled what they called minestrone soup when placing on the table. See pics of this so called minestrone soup as it was served and very poor potato skins that were cold and very greasy. No one asked if the food was ok as we were eating or after we'd finished. If there was anything positive to say, our main server, Charlie was polite and friendly. Will not be going back. Oh and spotted the chef having a tab sitting on the floor outside the main entrance of the dunes.

Staff are great they try their best. Pizzas are good. Stay away from chicken Kiev though it really annoyed me, garlic butter is supposed to be on the inside not served as a sauce underneath. Also think it was microwaved at some point. No garnish. Cheap and cheerful but better food probably available elsewhere.

Think ‘McDonald’s for Italian food’ and you won’t be disappointed. Food is average, service is average and the place is unapologetic about it. But it’s incredibly fast, and incredibly cheap.

Food was bad l complaint but got no answers

The music is far too loud, it's like being in a nightclub. Totally ruins the dining experience.

Great food, cheap and cheerful. Nice for a quick dinner. Nice staff and easy to navigate. Potato skins are lovely and so is carbonara.

Great belly pork and black pudding for starters followed by rare ribeye, absolutely great

Absolutely horrendous Yorkies frozen in the middle, beef is brisket I'm 99% sure, veg bone dry, deep fat fried roasties Absolutely cremated Lifting !! Not even edible **edit complained about the sorry state of my dinner and the manager proceeded to ask the tables around me if there food was ok and accused me of being the only person to ever complain 😀 the other diners had to tell him they didn't want to be involved

Great value for money only 7.99 for Soup and a Seafood Pizza. Is it the greatest food ever to grace this planet we call home .... No Is there a crying baby 9 times out of 10 visits that is audible for miles around ...... Yes But it's 7.99 and you get to sit and enjoy a quite frankly delicious pizza and leave full. Get down here

Food was so bad ordered a brucheta it was just soggy bread with raw tomatoes the main was ok but chicken was so dry and had to pay 4 pound to add salad and another 4 pound to add veg because we didn't want chips and they didn't do no sides of anything also bill was 60 pound and when I didn't give her a tip she just snarled at me not being funny the food and service was terrible was not worth 60 pound for 2 people and that was with a deal!!

Cramped and rushed , potato skins were disgusting, chicken dinner was nice but other people on my table didn't enjoy their meal. Roast potatoes over cooked.Went to the toilet and kicked off the table before we got back and made to pay our food at the door. Felt like we were in the way. Was very rushed. We had a table of ten bill came to almost £200. We will not be returning again.

Absolutely appalling service. Popped in for food and stood for almost 10 minutes being totally ignored by at least 6 members of staff who were concentrating on a birthday party that was happening. When I eventually managed to get a waitresses attention, I asked if the restaurant was booked for a private event, the reply was no. Then again, totally ignored. Ended up walking out. Absolutely disgusting service and will not be going back

Lucifera pizza was lovely and fresh. Had the lunch time special. Drinks v reasonably priced too

Ive just been in with my granddaughters ill never go in again couldn't get us out quick enough

Lovely food with great staff. Can't fault them on anything

I visit here often as the food is always so good and the prices are amazing! The staff are so helpful and the service is always super quick!

Fabulous fillet steak & great home cooked chips. Price has jumped since last visit but still great value.

Visited for my Granddaughters birthday. We were all made to feel welcome as soon as we arrived and the service was very good. A good varied menu for all tastes and ages. An enjoyable evening thank you.

Had lunch today with my daughter, nice that u can get the lunch special still over the Christmas holidays. Food was great ,service excellent.

Just popped in after taking our twin girls to ice skating, great service and really nice food, highly recommend,

Best fillet steak in south tyneside, always a quick friendly service

Recently visited with 8 ladies visiting the area as part of a sewing retreat. The staff couldn't of been more helpful and the food was beautiful as always.

Food is absolutely beautiful very good portion sizes and they are always quick and so polite, my favourite place to go

3 of us had potato skins to start, very tasty and plenty. Then 4 had pizzas and 1 had lasagne. Then fudge cake, brownie and ice cream for desserts. All very happy with the food, staff are lovely and welcoming and even got a free shot of sambuca.

The food was rich and lovely . The staff were great . Would go again

Good food and freindly staff. Not far from a coastal walk. Good food at a reasonable price

I thoughly enjoyed my first but certainly not last time here. Me and the Mrs got the beef dinner 10/10 kids got pasta, pizza and the smallest who I'd 2 got chicken nuggets and chips they all ate the lot. We got skins for starter. If thought the price was very reasonable all of the above plus 3 cokes and 2 pints of larger £58

Booked for my sons birthday. Party was four adults. Staff were pleasant and food was tasty. Only complaint was that the bill was hand written and quite complicated to read. Daughter in law paid the bill straight away without checking. A member of staff saw me checking the bill and came over and asked for the bill back. Not usual practice which made me suspicious. We had indeed been overcharged. A waitress was called over to check the bill. She said that one of the dishes was actually a different price than stated on the menu and that we’d been charged for a dessert. Took 15 minutes to eventually get the correct bill and money back. Would not go back.

Scary staff and customers ! Average, steak was well seasoned.

Always buzzing in here. Lovely food .. quick service.. however tried to book in advance and was told to just walk in and it was rammed.. beautiful Sunday lunches

Delicious lunch bargain tasty food good service .. well recommend it .. food and drink all in time , polite helpful all smile staffs …

ABSOLUTELY DISCUSTING !!!! GARLIC BREAD BURNT ASKED FOR CHICKEN WITH ROSEMARY GARLIC AND WHITE WINE CHICKEN BURNT CAME WITH TARRAGON SAUCE !! SPOKE TO A POOR SPEAKING EANGLISH WAITER ASKED TO SPEAK WITH MANAGER SHE WALKED AWAY RETURNED TO SECONDS LATER RIGHT INTO MY FACE I COUKD FEEL HER BREATH ON MY FACE AND SAID YES I AM THE SUPERVISOR ...WHAT A PATHETIC SERVICE ONLY EXPLANATION WAS THE CHEF GOT CONFUSED ..STILL HAD TO PAY FULL PRICE ..ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING AVOID AT ALL COSTS !!!!!

Best restaurant in shields! Staff are AMAZING, the food is the best and not over priced! My kids and I LOVE coming here!!

Lovely day with my partner was rainy day and I fancy nice food so we go sambuca Food perfect tasty as usual Staff very welcome and friendly Thank you sambuca

Food was absolutely terrible. Garlic bread was a tortilla wrap with crushed garlic on. The lasagne was just tomato soup. The chips were rock hard. Complained and just got offered a free shot?? And no discount at all of the bill. The staff were lovely but food was vile

We are from Holland and this was the second time we were here. This time i had a steak and he was lovely. Friendly people.

Everything was fine, the meal, the service, the atmosphere. Except for one employee who made my experience there unenjoyable. He was impatient when i was ordering my drink. He asked me if i wanted fresh or diluted juice but i couldn’t hear properly and my brain wasn’t processing his words. Once one of my friends told me what he said he stormed away, but we hadn’t finished ordering our drinks. We were severed by other employees who were lovely. But eating my meal i found a hear in it. I was grossed out by this and i ended up being put off by my meal. I’ve never complained about food before so i was quite nervous. The same man who took our drinks also took away our plates. When i told him there was a hear in my meal i pointed to the hair, i put it on a napkin because i only felt it in my mouth. He immediately got very defensive and said “there is no one who works here with blonde” the hair was blonde. And he kept repeating this over and over again very aggressively. I asked if there was something else it could’ve come from but again he just said the same thing. He said it probably came from my hair but i know for a fact it didn’t. My hair is is very fine and the blonde parts are bleached blonde, very cold. But the hair was a warm blonde, and was very thick. After thinking it over i believe it was a a hair from a brush possibly. I understand that mistakes like that happen sometimes and i don’t care but this man didn’t need to be rude about it. I believe this man was the manger again but i’m not sure. But if that was the manger i believe he should be more patient with his customers, even if i’m a teenager that gives you no right to speak that way. And another thing to add is that Im autistic and it’s very important to me that people are patient and polite which he was not. But all in all the food was delicious.

Extremely expensive for average food party of 6 cost £180 and only 2 of them drinking alcohol! Food was Bland and not that hot

Very good value for money. Lunchtime special served until early evening. Food was good, I've paid a lot more for much worse and the service was prompt and friendly.

Very caring staff and nice food

Went today with my daughter and we managed to get a seat immediately. We both had the lunch 2 course special with potato skins and Carbonara. The garlic with the potato skins was pretty tasteless. The carbonara was very plentiful, to be honest too big to finish. The bacon/ham that was in the Carbonara was very tasty but the sauce itself was unseasoned. Definitely needed some salt and pepper added. It was okay for the price but I wouldn’t rush back. The service from some of the servers was excellent but the manager is just rude. I asked where the toilets were and he just ignored me and nodded at the lady behind the bar to speak to me. No true contact at so. The toilets themselves aren’t within the restaurant which isn’t a problem but they weren’t clean and surely this is partly up to the restaurant to maintain? Overall I wouldn’t rush back despite it being a cheap and reasonably priced restaurant. I’d rather pay more for tastier food and better service.

Super tasty and staff very pleasant. Food tasted fresh and very cheap too for the whole experience. Will be returning back here

Service was fast… they want you in and out. Two course lunch meal seems really good value, but the food was pretty terrible. Bolognese tastes like it was out of a tin - has a weird tinny after taste. Pizza was edible. But the Marinara pasta looked and tasted nice and the potato skin started were ok. Wouldn’t recommend, wouldn’t go back.

Sat beside the big revolving glass fridge that had several glass shelves in with deserts on each shelf. A female member of staff started to clean the inside by removing the three top desserts from glass shelf in the fridge leaving two more on the bottom two shelves, one of these desserts was not central on the glass shelf and was sitting off Center so all the crumbs from her cleaning the three shelves above were wiped off the shelves she was wiping and down onto the two desserts left on the bottom two shelves then to my disbelief, she squirted glass cleaner on the top three shelves. Where was the spray going to go apart from on the intended glass shelf. Shortly after that, I was asked if I wanted anything else, I said I was going to have a dessert but not now. He asked why and I told him what I had just saw, his reply was, I saw her clean the shelves and she removed the desserts from the fridge first. Right, ok thanks. One more Sambuccas I won’t be revisiting.

Always nice and amazing staff. And good value for money. It’s always busy for a reason 👍

Food was great, you can never go wrong with Sambucas. I did however, feel very rushed when we were having our meal. Been to a few of the other branches and they have more of a relaxed vibe, this place just feels like they want you out as quick as possible so they can fill your table.

Called for Sunday lunch, if you could call it that !! Boil in the bag beef and lamb, mushy veg, frozen yorkshire pudding all served on a ice cold plate. When I told the waitress our food was cold she said she would have a word with the kitchen and took it away. Then sent someone else with the bill, no apologies at all.. Won't be back !!

All he staff are very friendly and helpful. Food is absolutely lovely and reasonably priced. Everywhere is really clean. Cannot fault it.

This place has the best mussels I've had in a very long time! I'd return just for those! Great service and the mains were lovely.

Great food and very friendly staff.

Food is alright, just a standard Italian restaurant.

Brilliant place to eat. Food is good.

Delicious! (especially the sea bass and the seafood risotto)

Enjoyed our meal off the specials menu. Staff very attentive and friendly. One waiter in particular was fab with the kids in the restaurant

Quick fix when ya hungry. Excellent service even though its always very busy. Friendly chatty staff. Pizzas are excellent, specials are ok, soup always seems to be the same and potato skins seemed to be refried. Pasta main course was lovely though .

Great place, friendly staff and fabulous food will definitely be back 😋

Very tasty food and big portions which was extra bonus … very fast service also very good and friendly with kids … well recommended .. we will be back soon ..

Terrible! This was absolutely not worth the money we payed for.The food looked like it was from a packaging.Non of it was fresh.Very disappointed.Not worth the money.Will not be returning unfortunately

I visit sambuca for Father’s Day was my son invitation really I surprise the hight quality of the food and the service was friendly staff and take two small kids with me they feel comfortable specialy when they get nice staff and very friendly with kids and also like the pizza it’s very tasty me I have fillet arabiata was cook perfect I enjoy it Thank you sambuca 😘

Great food and very reasonably priced

We had an enjoyable time with great service there was an man working walking about saying I'm a silly Arab loudly a number of times which made people uncomfortable the reason behind this is unknown to us ?my son's surf and turf was amazeing my mussels were huge portion but the white wine and garlic sauce was not anything I have experienced before and did not enjoy and my husband's chicken Kiev had a strange curry like substance that he did not associate with Kiev all other pasta and pizza dishes and prawn dishes that our table had were fab and the service was great with free shots of sambucca at the end of our meal I recommend a visit just avoid those two dishes if you normally enjoy the traditional Italian cooked dish .

Amazing food I absolutely love the Kiev, the staff are so kind and sweet , especially Marco I absolutely love the vibes 🥰😂

Food was fantastic, good service, great night out

Food was absalutly freezing after being served after everyone that i was in the restraunt before

This was a great experience for my birthday. Right from walking through the door the staff were very friendly and polite always on hand if you require further service. The food was on point too.

Very good quality food, very large portions, friendly staff, would recommend for families or groups or anyone. Explains why on a Tuesday night quite full, people getting takeaways and people coming at all times Nice touch at the end with a free Sambuca or alternative

Meal was fairly decent I guess but what put us off was the extremely poor levels of hygiene. As people left, their tables were 'cleaned' using anti-bacterial (hopefully) and what looked like a dirty tea towel. This same tea towel was used repeatedly on about 10 tables and one member of staff flung it across the counter, then another staff member picked it up and continued using it. Absolutely disgusting in these current times. Use blue roll ,for goodness sake, for each table and then dispose of it.

Went to this restaurant last week and was absolutely disgusted we ordered mixed grills at £18.95 it was a plate of grease evething was deep fried and so greasy my chicken was pink in some areas then they had the nerve to charge for 2.50 for chips on top it was utterly revolting service was diabolical no covid restrictions waitress wasn't wearing mask no hand washing and tables were too close bloody awful no air shall never waste money in there again I can't even give it 1 star if I could help it

Went here with friends and kids and say outside. Food was lovely and hot. Staff were lovely and food was served really quickly. I am disabled and there is a ramp up the outside and to get in. Inside was all flat from what I could see. Great meal.

Went for family meal cost £66:70 and absolutely crap ,We stood at front for 10 minutes, then asked if we would have table of four, when there was 5 of us.Service started ok but then like no one on the floor.Food was sh** and I mean s*itThen the kids food too much on the plate for kids even an adult would have struggled to eat it , won’t be going back

Just had a delivery. Amazing as always. Love this restaurant. 5* will definitely order again. Thanks guys

I would say the food at sambucas is just average, nothing really special and the staff try to get you at as quick as possible to get the next load of people in. Only thing to go off is that it is cheap

Best steak we had with my partner for a long time the steak melts in your mouth and the sauce flavour seasoned to perfection .. well recommended .

During Covid you’d think table would be clean. It was covered in salt and a bit of previous tables food. Ordered carbonara and was clearly from a jar. It was awful. The bolognaise pizza tasted quite nice although dough a bit soggy. Chips were under cooked. Coffee was dreadful so avoid that. Staff not very attentive or welcoming. Won’t be back at all.

So my wife and 4 year old daughter have just been to this place to collect some food. MY wife wore a mask I didn't have a mask so I didn't go. When my wife came out she was nearly in tears she was treat to and spoke to like she was a alien. Ushered round the corner from a unfriendly person of staff then being spoke to like a piece of dirt! Oh yes also being overcharged for the food. If u don't want people to collect there food from the shop then close the takeaway SIMPLE... food was rank. Please don't waste your time going there .

This is a good restaurant for tasty, value friendly Italian food. The service is always quick and the staff friendly. Nice for kids too

Family of 4. One childs meal still not served when other kids finished. Wrong order delivered twice to our table. My pasta was freezing cold! My sons spag bol spelr like fag ash. Very disappointed..will not be returning!

We ate here during the eat out scheme and the place was rammed. We stood outside in the lobby part for a good 20 minutes before anyone came out and by that time we had been joined by about 20 other people. I had rang a few hours before to be told they dont accept bookings which is a first.Bearing that in mind I wouldnt go again during the eat out scheme as not guaranteed a long wait for a table. As the sun was shining we sat outside which was lovely but once the sun had gone it was freezing and heaters outdoors would have been great at stopping everyone being frozen to the bone!Food was really lovely. I can highly recommend Sambuca chicken which is chicken breast stuffed with peppers and olives. Really gorgeous it was. Service was good and as the place was rammed to the rafters they literally were run off their feet. We really enjoyed our food but would have preferred to be indoors due to the cold. All in all a very very nice meal indeed.

Food was good, nothing special but good value for money. I was quite dissatisfied with staff wearing their masks on their chins (what’s the point?) I like having drinks outside in there but unsure if I want to come back considering current circumstances

This local chain of restaurants ( 20 in total?) serves up great food at great prices. All four in our party went for the "Special Menu" which includes soup or potato skins, then any pizza or pasta (with a few exceptions), followed by ice cream or coffee all for just £6.95. All four in our party thoroughly enjoyed our food. There was a mix up with one of our pizzas but the waiter brought us a free garlic bread. At the end of the meal the waiter treat us to a round of limoncello shots. Well recommended.

Not happy at all with the dinner that came absolutely disgusting very little on presentation was very poor

This place has transitioned to delivery/takeaway seamlessly. Ordered a meal for delivery and was spoken to on the phone by a lovely, professional lady. It sounded HECTIC bless them! Fantastic, restaurant quality food delivered to your door. The specials are also on all day, every day making this even better value. They're VERY busy so please be patient if there's a bit of a wait for delivery. Ours arrived in good time, nice and fresh and the delivery driver was very friendly. It was wonderful to have the familiar tastes of Sambuca again. Well worth an order.

Heard Sambuccas had started delivering during this difficult time so decided to order. Lady on the phone was very polite. Order was taken quickly and efficiently. Food arrived very quickly and was piping hot. Sadly there was a slight mistake on the order. Called back and this was dealt with immediately. New food was with us within 15-20 mins with free extras. Food was delicious and we will definitely order from here again. Highly recommended.