A chic brunch spot with botanical flair has opened in Newcastle city centre, and business is 'blooming'.
Customers to 'Flore' at Newcastle Central Arcade are welcomed into an airy, aesthetic parlour complete with stylish black and white squared tiles and baby-pink marbled tables.
Pampas reeds and murals by a local artist provide a charming backdrop to eat plump pastries and guzzle the cafe's speciality hot drinks, such as violet hot chocolates and biscoff lattes.
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Manager Joey Ellis, 28, said: "We wanted to create a really 'instagrammable' place with great, quirky food and drink.
"There is definitely a gap in the market for that picture-perfect cafe, and we've got a distinctive modern feel with a phenomenal brunch menu."
Options include breakfast tacos, huevos rancheros, french toast and dutch baby pancakes, which are described as a "sweet yorkshire pudding with delicious filling".
The menu is all halal, and there are a range of veggie and vegan options.
The cafe is owned by the same the team as The Dispensary, the science themed coffee house that recently opened on Heber Street.
A total of 15 staff members are employed at Flore so far, with the team set to expand into 2022 in line with the refurbishment of the upper floor into an afternoon tea spot.
Before being transformed into the stylish brunch spot, the four floor Grade I listed building was the city's travel and tourism office.
"As soon as the owners spotted the location was up for grabs - they took the plunge," explained Joey. "It's such an amazing central spot.
"They've had it since 2019, but there were plenty of setbacks along the way because of Covid and its historical status."
Despite the current uncertainty surrounding pandemic restrictions, Joey said business has been "picking up" day after day.
He continued: "I think people feel safe with us because we are providing table service."
Flore is normally open Monday-Sunday, 8am-5pm, but will be closed until December 28 for the Christmas period.
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