The singing hinny gets its name from the sound the butter and lard make sizzling on the griddle as it cooks — a rich, currant-studded griddle cake that's been a Northumbrian tea-table fixture since at least the early 1800s, traditionally cooked without an oven at all.
Best Bakery
Blackfriars & Hinnies
Best Area
Blackfriars & the Grainger Market
Price Range
£3–£5
Must Try
Singing Hinny
Also on myycity.blog: 🥪 Sandwich Guide · 🍳 Full English Guide · 🍔 Burger Guide
🎂 What Makes Newcastle's Cake Different?
A rich, currant-studded griddle cake, cooked on a hot flat griddle until it 'sings' from the sizzling butter and lard, served warm with butter.
🍰 Anatomy of a Newcastle Cake
🍞 Sponge
Light Victoria sponge or a denser fruit cake, depending on the occasion
🍓 Jam
Raspberry or strawberry jam between the layers — a British tea-table constant
🧈 Icing
Butter icing or a simple glacé icing, rarely anything more elaborate
☕ Pairing
A proper pot of tea — cake and tea are rarely ordered apart
🎂 Occasion
Cakes here are as much about the tea-room ritual as the cake itself
🎂 Must-Try in Newcastle: Singing Hinny — A rich, currant-studded griddle cake, cooked on a hot flat griddle until it 'sings' from the sizzling butter and lard, served warm with butter.
📍 Where to Get It in Newcastle
Blackfriars & Hinnies — Newcastle restaurant Blackfriars and its sister restaurant Hinnies both keep the tradition alive, named directly after the cake.
- 🎂 Blackfriars restaurant (Newcastle)
- 🎂 Hinnies (Blackfriars' sister restaurant)
- 🎂 Traditional tea rooms around the Grainger Market
💷 What You'll Pay
| Format | What to Expect | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|
| Café Slice | A single slice with coffee or tea, eaten in | £3–£5 |
| Small Whole Cake | A personal-size cake to take home | £9–£15 |
| Celebration Cake | A birthday or party-sized cake, serves a group | £18–£32 |
| Bespoke / Wedding Cake | Custom-designed, multi-tier, starting price | £110+ |
💡 Newcastle Cake Tips
- Singing hinnies are traditionally served warm, straight off the griddle, with a knob of butter on top.
- They're becoming rarer even in Newcastle — worth seeking out specifically rather than expecting to find them everywhere.
❓ FAQ
What is the best singing hinny in Newcastle?
Blackfriars & Hinnies are widely regarded as one of Newcastle's best spots for singing hinny. Newcastle restaurant Blackfriars and its sister restaurant Hinnies both keep the tradition alive, named directly after the cake.
How much does a good cake cost in Newcastle?
Expect roughly £3–£5 for a café slice, rising to £110+ for a bespoke or wedding cake.
What makes singing hinny unique to Newcastle?
A rich, currant-studded griddle cake, cooked on a hot flat griddle until it 'sings' from the sizzling butter and lard, served warm with butter. It's a style closely tied to Newcastle's own baking history rather than a generic cake you'd find anywhere.
Where's the best area in Newcastle to find one?
Blackfriars & the Grainger Market is generally considered the strongest area in Newcastle for singing hinny and bakeries generally.