Key Points
- Novel Culinary Concept: There is an open NIPO restaurant in Newcastle Quayside that combines both Japanese and Brazilian cuisines.
- Founders & Ownership: The establishment has been set up by the co-founders Rodrigo Grassi Duarte and Howard Eggleston, who are responsible for operating Rio Brazilian Steakhouse.
- Etymology & Culture: The name of the restaurant was taken from “Nipo-Brasileiro” and represents a tribute to the Japanese-Brazilians whose origins can be traced back to São Paulo, Brazil.
- Head of Kitchen Operations: It is managed by the Head Chef, Connor Marley who describes the vast menu of the restaurant as a comprehensive “taste journey”.
- Culinary Specialities: It includes small to large plates, sushi, steaks (including filet mignon and Wagyu sirloin), fillet tataki with ponzu dressing, and the exclusive ‘Fire & Feast’ dish of Costela NIPO (slow-cooked beef rib with mandioca mash).
- Drinks Menu: The cocktails of the restaurant include the Japanese Old Fashioned and Yuzu & Ginger Martini prepared with egg white.
- Ambitions of Expansion: After the opening of the first NIPO restaurant, its founders will try exploring possibilities of expanding the concept of dining.
Newcastle (Newcastle Times) September 24, 2026 – A brand-new dining venue uniting Brazilian and Japanese culinary techniques has officially opened its doors on the Newcastle Quayside. NIPO welcomed the public on Wednesday following a preview event for invited guests, offering an imaginative fusion menu crafted under the direction of Head Chef Connor Marley. Co-founded by Rodrigo Grassi Duarte and Howard Eggleston, the venue brings a unique dining experience inspired by South America’s Japanese diaspora to the North East.
What Is NIPO and Where Is the New Venue Located?
As reported by Barbara Hodgson of Chronicle Live, NIPO has officially launched on Newcastle Quayside, welcoming its first public diners on Wednesday following an exclusive preview evening held the night before. The establishment introduces an inventive culinary concept designed around the heritage of the Japanese-Brazilian community, known as Nipo-Brasileiro, which is historically centered around São Paulo, Brazil.
The restaurant’s interior design is detailed as an inviting ensemble of distinct dining areas enhanced by ambient floral features and atmospheric lighting schemes. The business venture is spearheaded by co-founders Rodrigo Grassi Duarte and Howard Eggleston, who are already widely recognised in the regional hospitality landscape as the operators behind the Rio Brazilian Steakhouse brand.
What Dishes and Cocktails Are Offered on the Menu?
As detailed by Barbara Hodgson of Chronicle Live, the kitchen at NIPO is led by Head Chef Connor Marley, who characterizes the establishment’s food offerings as a true “journey of taste.” The menu spans small plates, large sharing plates, sushi, and premium steaks, including high-end cuts such as filet mignon and Wagyu sirloin.
Among the standout menu selections highlighted in Hodgson’s reporting is a key dish within the restaurant’s ‘Fire & Feast’ section:
- Costela NIPO: A comfort-food sharing plate featuring slow-cooked, fall-apart beef rib served alongside mash made from mandioca—a native Brazilian root vegetable also known as yuca—accented with rich gravy, fresh leaves, and pickled shallots.
- Fillet Tataki: A starter comprising lightly seared beef fillet accompanied by citrusy ponzu dressing, sesame seeds, and a subtle edge of chilli.
In addition to the food selections, Hodgson notes that the beverage program includes signature cocktails developed under the oversight of Area Manager Chris Barron. Highlights include a Japanese Old Fashioned alongside Barron’s personal favorite, a Yuzu & Ginger Martini smoothed with egg white.
What Are the Future Expansion Plans for NIPO?
As reported by Barbara Hodgson of Chronicle Live, now that the flagship venue on Newcastle Quayside is fully operational, co-founders Rodrigo Grassi Duarte and Howard Eggleston plan to evaluate opportunities to scale and expand the NIPO dining concept to additional locations in the future.
Background of the Japanese-Brazilian Culinary Heritage
The culinary foundation of NIPO relies on the historical cultural exchange between Japan and Brazil. Brazil is home to the largest population of Japanese descent outside of Japan, a demographic movement that began in 1908 when the ship Kasato Maru arrived at the Port of Santos carrying early immigrant workers to coffee plantations. Over generations, particularly concentrated in the state of São Paulo, this community—referred to as Nipo-Brasileiro—developed a distinct subculture.
This cultural interplay extended directly into the kitchen. Traditional Japanese techniques such as raw fish preparation, tempura, and robata grilling merged with native South American ingredients including cassava (mandioca), açai, tropical fruits, and Brazilian cuts of meat. In recent years, Nikkei and Japanese-Brazilian fusion cuisine has gained global prominence, evolving from regional street-food staples and family traditions into high-end international dining concepts across major metropolitan areas.
Prediction: How This Development Will Impact Newcastle’s Hospitality Sector and Local Diners
The arrival of NIPO on Newcastle Quayside represents a noticeable shift in the North East’s dining landscape, directly affecting several key audiences:
- Impact on Local Diners and Food Enthusiasts: Consumers in Newcastle gain immediate access to a specialised fusion concept that was previously scarce within the regional market. The introduction of high-concept Japanese-Brazilian dining broadens the local palate and satisfies growing consumer demand for experiential, cross-cultural gastronomy.
- Impact on the Quayside Dining Economy: By taking over a prominent waterfront venue, NIPO is likely to increase foot traffic along Newcastle Quayside, benefiting neighboring bars, transport providers, and surrounding retail establishments during evening and weekend peak hours.
- Impact on Hospitality Competitors: The entry of an established operator pair—Duarte and Eggleston—with a novel concept raises the benchmark for mid-to-upscale dining in Newcastle city centre. Competing venues may be spurred to innovate their menu offerings, beverage programs, and interior design concepts to retain market share.
- Impact on Regional Expansion and Investment: If the Quayside location achieves commercial success, the planned rollout of the NIPO brand could create new culinary and management job opportunities across the North East and broader UK hospitality markets.
