TV chef and Sunday Brunch presenter Simon Rimmer was full of praise for the food he had on road trip to Newcastle
10:21, 22 Jun 2026Updated 11:32, 22 Jun 2026
Simon Rimmer at Riley’s FIsh Shack(Image: Instagram)
He’s a man who knows a thing or two about good food, thanks to his credentials as a celebrity chef and presenter of Sunday Brunch. And Simon Rimmer was full of high praise the food he had on a recent trip to Newcastle, when he also had time for a pint or two in one of the city’s most iconic pubs. and a reunion with another well known face from the small screen.
Having started his television presenting career as host of Something for the Weekend on Channel 5 in 2006, along with ex Soccer Saturday favourite Tim Lovejoy, Simon has been presenting Sunday Brunch alongside Tim for the last 14 years, with his other appearances on screen coming on the likes of Britain’s Favourite Food, the Great British Menu and Strictly Come Dancing, with the 63-year-old appearing as a contestant on the hit BBC show in 2017.
It was on Instagram that Simon posted about his visit it to the North East, revealing to his many social media followers that he’d been to two places that are certainly no stranger to a famous diner – House of Tides on Newcastle Quayside and then Riley’s Fish Shack on King Edward’s Bay in Tynemouth. Waxing lyrical; about what a great time he’d had and the exceptional; quality of the food that passed his lips, Simon wrote: ‘Brilliant road trip with @steve.frew1 Martin and Mo. @tebayservices then to Newcastle with @kenny.atkinson1b @houseoftides for stunning dinner. Pint or 2 @crownposada. Then up the coast to @rileysfishshack for stunning fish on the beach and a quick catch up with the Queen of Tynemouth @stephlunch.’
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Simon’s visit to House of Tides comes weeks after the acclaimed haunt made the top 100 of the UK Top Restaurant Awards and not long after they’d welcomed Royle Family legend Jessica Stephenson and her family. And, just like House of TIdes, Riley’s Fish Shack has proved to be a popular calling point for a celebrity, with the likes of Gary Barlow, Jason Donovan, Phil Spencer and Rick Stein.
Particularly enamoured with the small spot with a big reputation for top class food, famous chef and critic Rick went on a podcast towards the end of 2025 to declare it one of the best hidden gems in all of the UK.
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