DOOD’s new Nomad’s Sunday Roast brings bold Silk Road flavour to one of Britain’s best-loved dining traditions, and it might just be the perfect Sunday lunch for summer…
Nicole Wood
Journalist at Luxe
A Sunday roast in the middle of a UK heatwave? Usually, not a chance.
When the sun is blazing and Newcastle Quayside is packed with people making the most of the weather, a traditional plate of meat, vegetables and lashings of gravy isn’t exactly the first thing that comes to mind.
But DOOD’s new Nomad’s Sunday Roast isn’t your typical Sunday lunch. In fact, it’s anything but.
The Quayside restaurant has taken one of Britain’s most-loved dining traditions and given it a bold Silk Road-inspired twist.
Think beautifully cooked meats, house-spiced grilled fish, chargrilled cauliflower, freshly baked bread, roasted parsnips, carrot and walnut purée, sabzi jus and perfectly spiced batata harra. It still has all the comfort and generosity of a Sunday roast, but with a lighter, brighter and more flavour-packed feel.
And honestly? It works beautifully.
Our Sunday started with a sunny stroll along the Quayside, weaving through the market, soaking up the atmosphere and making the most of the blue skies. By the time we reached DOOD, the welcome break from the heat was a delight.
First impressions
There are few better spots in the city. Sitting proudly on Newcastle Quayside, overlooking the River Tyne, DOOD is perfectly placed for a long, lazy Sunday lunch. The team showed us to a window seat, where the river glistened in the sunshine and a gentle breeze drifted through the open window. For a moment, it felt like we were on holiday.
Inside, the restaurant is beautiful. DOOD’s warm, stylish interior makes it easy to see why the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards shortlisted the restaurant. Earthy tones, carefully chosen textures and thoughtful details bring the space together without feeling overdone.
The staff were friendly, relaxed and welcoming from the moment we arrived, and impressively knowledgeable about the new menu too.
The food
Nomad’s Sunday Roast is priced at £30 per person, or £37 with dessert, and the experience begins with Kashke Bademjan, a rich aubergine dip served with freshly baked taftoon bread.
It was the perfect start for such a hot day. The bread was crisp yet soft, ideal for scooping, while the dip was creamy and refreshing. Light enough not to overwhelm, but packed with enough flavour it made you want more.
For the main event, I went for the Lamb Ouzi Roast, featuring 12-hour slow-cooked lamb shoulder served with carrot and walnut purée and rich sabzi jus. My partner chose the Morgh-e-Bereshte, a harissa-roasted baby chicken cooked until golden and succulent.
Both roasts arrived with roasted parsnips, batata harra and a Hellimli Yorkshire, flavoured with halloumi, dried mint, nigella and sesame seeds.
Let’s talk about the batata harra first, because these potatoes were simply sensational. A dish native to Lebanon and Syria, batata harra is traditionally made with potatoes, red peppers, coriander, chilli and garlic, fried together in olive oil. DOOD’s version was soft, full of flavour and carried a generous kick of spice. It was easily one of our favourite parts of the plate and definitely something we’ll be trying to recreate at home.
The lamb, though, was the real showstopper.
“Melt in the mouth” doesn’t quite do it justice. It crumbled off the fork, but still held so much depth and flavour. The sabzi jus brought richness without heaviness, while the carrot and walnut purée added a gentle sweetness that balanced the spices beautifully.
The chicken was equally impressive. Juicy, golden and full of flavour, the harissa brought a lovely warmth without overpowering the dish. Nothing was overpowering, nothing felt too much, but every element brought something different to the plate.
Our verdict
That is what DOOD does so well. The food is bold, but balanced. Every dish has layers of spice, smoke, sweetness, freshness and warmth, but it never becomes heavy or confused. It feels generous and comforting, while still being light enough for a summer’s day.
As someone who loves a traditional Sunday roast, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about this. Especially in the heat. But DOOD has managed to take the heart of Sunday lunch – the gathering, the comfort, the generosity – and reimagine it in a way that feels fresh, exciting and entirely its own.
Would we go back? Absolutely.
Nomad’s Sunday Roast is available every Sunday at DOOD, Newcastle Quayside, from 12pm to 4.30pm. Priced at £30 per person, or £37 with dessert.
Booking is recommended and you can do so via thedood.co.uk/reservations.
