Sambuca in Sunderland

If the smell of pure fish on way in isn't off putting the dated furnishings and wooden chairs isn't appealing I got the skins and could smell the dirty oil on them and taste it I the has the pasta that wasn't to bad and then a coffee which didn't drink tasted like filtered coffee thats been used over and over had something floating at the top too compared to bolden venue it's run down and food is not what I thought it be at all wouldn't return to this one again

Standard happy hour fare. The specials look really nice too.

Lovely place staff food and view over the river Wear been going years.

We had a birthday 🎂. We had 16 people in Al.l. we all had starters the food was great. The main course WOW. we had 3 Par parties in all. The staff are great. Love you all. Lee mead

Not the best sambuca food good but staff seem uninterested in customer service. Poor service for a sambuca.. Usually very friendly and polite

All I can say is I find this place the most deprived Sambuca I’ve ever been to - we have been to most Sambuca’s and it ain’t got a patch on the others no nice presentation of the food staff are miserably unwelcoming The only place when you get potato skins ALSO My girl was in disbelief as that ‘carbonara’ touched her lips its was a lenor type taste that taste like dish soap they did nothing to help the situation!!!!!!!!!!

Our regular quick easy Friday night family meal out. Service as always spot on...drinks quick and not rushed to choose from menu for food...usually we do starters (recommend the goats cheese brushetta and the pork and black pud)..but tonight just mains...calzone was perfectly cooked...neat tidy (folded) and plenty of taste...Bolognese pizza perfect...nice and thin base, sauce and mince had loads of taste and perfectly cooked ..couple sides of chips...couple drinks each (decent pint of larger and Smith's)..deserts were nice finish ..can't fault one part of the meal at all...atmosphere always relaxed and chilled but not stuffy..just nice place for quality family night out for us. Prices are fine...always get a pleasant surprise at the bill ..

Beautiful food, the salmon Thermidor was so tasteful and fresh. The mussels to start were to die for and the price is so reasonable it’s almost stealing. The views are stunning thanks to the lovely riverside and the staff were so friendly and accommodating! Thank you so much we’ll continue to come back year after year for our anniversary date night !

Been a regular for many years. Absolutely not the best or anywhere near in Sunderland but with nice views and free parking it’s suited our needs for a long time. No more! It’s now all about the quick buck in the till. After you’ve held your breath walking through the smell of rotten fish guts in the hallway from the adjacent fish mongers your greeted by the manager who has to be the most miserable unprofessional individual I’ve ever came across, he’s always been like this but again you overcome this for the reasons I’ve already pointed out. Decor is in need of a massive refit, especially the seats that have no support, table capacity is to the absolute max and a table so close to the serving hatch your privy to all the foul language, dish slamming and bell ringing whist trying to enjoy your meal. Absolutely wouldn’t recommend, much better cleaner more modern restaurants in the city centre where you can get a friendly greeting and much better service for your well earned money.

Lovely Sambucas, probably the best one I've been too. Food was delicious, staff were very friendly. Would visit again :)

Really enjoyed my visit no complaints only compliments 😊 thank you excellent service 😊.

Very nice tasty food and very reasonable prices.

The restaurant includes a variety of dishes that i would like to try all of them, will definitely visit again :)

This ticks every box on the sheet. It has a retro menu which is extremely good. I honestly can’t fault the place. This was my second visit. And I won’t be my last. You have to try the tiramisu honestly you have to try the tiramisu

Lovely views, great food, friendly service and all at good value.

Excellent Restaurant with bags of atmosphere and fine fresh food. The fish market is right next door. 5*****

Reasonably priced meals and several options for daily specials.

Had a celery string in my food hair in garlic bre

Been today for a family meal and have to say I was so disappointed. One of my party actually found what I looked like a ginger colour pubic hair or a beard hair after eating most of the starter. I was absolutely horrified and took the plate containing the hair to the manager he apologise and gave more potato skins in a tub to take home ( I mean after that experience why would you want more food )By the time the main meal arrived I felt physically sick and couldn’t eat the main meal. Very disappointing will not be returning!!

Use this restaurant all the time,great service every time.Never disappointed x

Always a lovely meal and reasonable prices

Absolutely beautiful lunch today. Could not fault a thing and really good value. Staff are welcoming and friendly and the views are lovely along the river. We will definitely be visiting again.

With every visit we always seem Welcomed the service excellent in the happy hour food brilliant and love the family atmosphere.

This restaurant is in a beautiful location and we've been a few times before, but not for a little while. We had the daily special and it was fantastic value for money and absolutely delicious food.

Been lots of times for their special menu. Would still go even if was a little more expensive.

Booked a table and had to stand for 30 minutes waiting for it to be ready. Drinks are in a can, so no larger on tap, all in cans. Food was average and main issue was not enough staff, service was bad.

All this for less than £30, and it's delicious. The staff are absolutely lovely ☺️

Twice now its says open when shut Please update your times

First time visit. Seating very uncomfortable, table of 8 inc children. Starters ok, mains ok, not particularly hot. Easy parking, but toilets not very accessible for anyone disabled. I would the experience as a 6/10.

Good food good value. Great view of river wear

Great place not too expensive win win

First visit but so good l would give 10 stars with no hesitation.

One star for the tailgating Sambuca van between Sunderland and Boldon 09/10 3-4 miles up bumper. Could have killed someone! I've seen drink drivers sway less in van?

Starter, main and dessert deal for under £10. Yes I will be back. P.s. lovely food as well

Good service and nice staff, the food was good and tasted nice. There is a sea food shop downstairs that is open in the morning so you know the food is fresh.

Lovely staff, very friendly and the grandchildren enjoyed their food.

Great atmosphere, great food and reasonable prices. The staff were friendly and helpful. Also free parking outside

I find this place the most deprived Sambuca I’ve ever been to - we have been to most Sambuca’s and it ain’t got a patch on the others.. no nice presentation of the food staff are miserably unwelcoming The only place when you get potato skins doesn’t come with side salad or 2 dips Sorry place if I’m going to be honest 🤦‍♀️

Staff were lovely and food was amazing. The lift was out of service so had to carry my child up and down a large flight of stairs.

Good view over the wear and you can't beat the value on the special menu. Location is upstairs, last time I visited the lift was not working, so if you need the lift I'd check ahead.

Been many times. Great place for a meal. The Steak was out of this world.! So nice.... Best I've had for whenever.... And prices you just can't beat......

We ordered the carbonara with chicken and the Altonno pizza. The carbonara was lovely and as great as it always is. The altonno pizza, however, didn’t seem right, the tuna on the pizza seemed sour. At first, I thought it was just how it was supposed to taste, but it didn’t sit right with me and may have been off. I realise I should have said something at the time.

Lovely food served by Lovely people. Taken there and back by Dean taxis

Excellent value for money and lovely location and food

Went for lunch before a show at the Sunderland Empire and there was a good selection and good views over the River Wear but the toilets are downstairs and not situated very well for people with reduced mobility. The car park is only small and you can get an aroma from the fresh fish market shop next door but the price is reasonable and easy to get to.

Waitress never pointed out the specials on the blackboards , would have ordered different food if I'd been made aware of these Potato skins not very tasty Tomato garlic bread was too dry Vegetarian pasta very average Eton mess covered in red sticky sauce like you get on an ice cream , I didn't like that Young male waiter was helpful but the lady on duty didn't look interested in us , brought the wrong coffee out Food was average , service could have been better . Would I go again ? Not sure , but probably not , given the other restaurants available

Food was amazing so tasty & well presented. Service was second to none. We sat at a lovely table next to the river. I loved the little bottles of prosecco too

Nice Italian with fresh fish specials. Lovely views over the river. Nothing not to like.

Been here many times food is always beautiful, staff are very friendly and kind even though they are always busy!

Over all food was amazing Staff helped telling me what was what

Had a beautiful spontaneous lunch with my teenage daughter there after popping into the fresh fish place next door- lovely food as youd expect from the sambuca brand, great location overlooking the river wear, the restaurant was a little dated and felt a little 'unclean' and the drinks at £5 each for 2 comes was a bit of a RIP off. Staff were friendly, but rushed off their feet, and not very attentive. All in all I'd go back for the view and the garlic bread. But the £5 cokes left a bad taste 🤪

Nice food, great service ,great staff.

First time at this restaurant , food was delicious, and the service was first class. Will definitely be back.

First visit and will definitely return

Great value for money, especially for happy hour, steak (not in happy hour) is beautiful too Please DO NOT leave a tip as all tips go to management and not the staff that serve and cook meals xx

Had a wonderful meal and the staff were wonderful.

Always a winner with us love the staff and the food

Iv been here 100.s of time food Absolutely gorgeous the staff are beautiful and very clean

Lovely food, great service. Food hot, tasty, and plentiful. Service was polite and very efficient. Lovely view of the river outside, very calming.

The atmosphere is great and the service is spot on but the food the pizzas are great quality but the parmo greasy,far too large just makes you feel sick, the price for the food you get is perfect but I'd rather have a smaller potion of something nice than too much of something sickly

Ordered potato skins with garlic mayo and a margarita pizza and coke for my daughter, spicy prawns and a sea food pizza with fresh orange juice for myself. What pizza we could not eat they boxed for us,and even let us buy an orange sorbet to take home.(daughter's favourite)

Great venue with views overlooking our wonderful city. Staff are always efficient in their work a very friendly. Above all the food is always tremendous and more importantly affordable. Keep up the good work👏

Food is nice, portions are huge. The area where the toilets are is quite smelly but they are near the entrance.

Visited here on Saturday night. Very warm welcome and quickly seated to a window seat to enjoy a lovely view. Spoke to Alina and she recommended the Prawn starter which was delicious. The food came out super quick and steaming hot. Couldn’t fault the portion sizes, presentation nor the quality of food. We will come back any time we fancy an authentic Italian meal. Would highly recommend to all.

Had a brilliant night for grandson’s birthday food was amazing as well as the staff will definitely be back

Just pop in for a afternoon meal3 adults one child,,service good,,The 3 adults all had a 3 course off special menu, granddaughter had chicken nuggets and chips and a fruit shoot,,I had a pint of CARLING, and other 2 large glass of red wine,,meal beautiful service good drinks good, all for £40 thanks Sam , will be back 😂😂

Can't go wrong good prices good food. Definitely recommend the chicken dish pollo sambuca.

Great food and service, ideal place for a 3 course meal at £6.99 pp and drinks extra. Meal for 4 turn around always around an hour here. You can always ammend your dish within reason at no extra cost, of which others do...

Great value and service. All the food is great too would just like a bit more variety

Fab food great prices well served in a great location. S3ats next to the sliding doors provided great views

Friendly, affordable and great portion sizes!

Great service all round, lovely food and very reasonable priced. 🍝🍕🍻

Away!!! Three courses for £6.50 in a nice restaurant with cracking staff waiting on you...daft not to love xxxx

Not bad same as the others calzone thick edges

Very welcoming from the moment we came in for our evening meal. Food came out quickly and was piping hot and the highest quality and very generous portions. Outstanding service from start to finish. Definitely one of the best Italian meals we have eaten. We will be back very soon. Couldn't recommend this place anymore. 5 Star Restaurant

Five of us went so Sunderland Sambuca today for our daughters graduation. Not booked so waited around 15 minutes for a table. Ordered drinks and food easily enough. One order of soup (was fine) and four orders of potato skins ( all over cooked). Mains ordered were two aribiata, two bolognese, cheese garlic bread and one calzone pizza. All pasta’s were great as was the garlic bread but the calzone pizza was like a rock. I brought it to their attention and they offered to cook me another one which I accepted. Waitress told me that it had been over cooked. On arrival of the second one it was clear that this had also been over cooked. Could cut through it and was like a rock, unlike the soft pizza I had expected. Told them to take it away and not to bother doing anything else as everyone was finishing their meal. Not one person apologised for me having the same standard the second time or for the fact Rabat I ended up with no meal. Asked for the bill and my pizza was deducted from the bill. This was 5 lunchtime specials which we have had before and never had a problem. You would think that an Italian based Resturant could cook a calzone pizza when they have had two goes at it. very disappointed with no apologies for a disappointing visit and one customer leaving hungry and four disappointed ones. Must do better

Overlooking the fish quay this place is a real find! Food was delicious and very well priced! The £6.95 3 course meal is a bargain and we will definitely be returning!

Great food, great service and as reasonable price as I've seen in months..

Good food at a very reasonable price. Staff very friendly and helpful

Lovely food and lovely friendly staff

Staff are really pleasant. Food is amazing for the price. Go every week

Went for my son's birthday. Nice meals and the service was very friendly. Would recommend. Also nice views onto the river 😎

Not amazing but worth a pop for some nice cheap Italian foods plus there's a good fishmongers below.

Very nice .been here a few times and it's never let me down yet.

Cheap as chips and not bad scran

Food always lovely and so are the staff

Good food and service. Great value. Well worth a visit.

Lovely atmosphere Lovely view. Amazing food. Great staff. Highly recommended Visited numerous times

Great food and lovely staff, definitely worth visiting

Great food pleasant friendly staff Would recommend

Every time I come the staff are friendly and make you feel welcome and the food is absolutely banging 😋

Excellent meal lovely staff will definitely be going back

Food was OK the entrence to the place you got a strong smell of urine from the loos. The place is on the fish quey but it was the loos stinking x the squid was like rubber bands and the rest of the meal was OK the place its self could do with a good clean the bill was not a lot but it was the first an last sorry ☹️

BRILLIANT in all aspects, great food, service and price. Love the place

Great service and great food, love the calazoni

Reasonably priced , good choice.

Great food and lovely service 👌

Nice busy bistro on the river wear, food is sourced fresh from the fish quay pizza dough is fab nice atmosphere good deal for.lunch 3 courses for 6.95 12 untill 5 pm pizza and pasta main dishes

You can get a starter of soup or potato skins plus a main of pasta or pizza and to finish ice cream or coffee for 5.95 well worth it and you can take your left overs home If you want to

Food is lovely Although my pizza was a bit too salty. Nice relaxed atmosphere. Overall experience good 👍