Declan Donnelly creates ‘buzz’ at Newcastle restaurant

Dabbawal, an Indian restaurant in Newcastle, has become ‘so popular with celebrities’ according to a spokesperson and has also welcomed Newcastle’s Italian international Sandro Tonali to their venue in Jesmond.

Declan Donnelly, 50, dressed in a dark, tailored overcoat worn over a black crew-neck top, paired with slim-cut black trousers, was said to have created a ‘buzz’ at the venue after calling in for a meal with his family.

A post on Dabbawal’s social media confirmed the visit, saying: “Such a buzz in the restaurant last night with Dec there – yes, Ant’s other half!

“Lovely to have you home. A true gent with a gorgeous family, you really are a treasure. All the very best for 2026.”

Dec is no stranger to creating a ‘buzz’ for venues in the North East, being enlisted by a County Durham-based priest in August to give a parish notice online.

Fresh off the back of another successful series of I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, he is back in the UK with a new series of gameshow Limitless Win set to hit the screens in the New Year.

The series is one of the few that offers a limitless cash jackpot, giving away more than £3.5 million since it launched in 2022.

Dabbawal is highly rated on TripAdvisor, with reviews raving about the menu.

One satisfied customer said: “This has to be one of the top five best Indian restaurants in Newcastle!”

“The food is always well prepared and beautifully served. Delicious along the way.

“The restaurant is always busy so can be noisy, the fact that it’s so popular shows how good it is.”