Food & Drink

Sea Change Cafe

Social enterprise cafe and arts venue on Ocean Road run by the North East Autism Society. Vegetarian and vegan friendly menu with homemade cakes and regularly changing exhibitions.

About Sea Change Cafe

Sea Change Cafe is a social enterprise cafe and arts venue at 158 Ocean Road in South Shields. Operating in partnership with the autism and neurodiversity sector, it provides supported employment and work placements for autistic and disabled adults, and was founded as a response to a shortage of such opportunities. The cafe serves a vegetarian and vegan menu alongside homemade cakes and coffee. As an arts venue it runs regular arts and crafts sessions and stays open late at least one Friday a month for live music and DJ sets. The space is also available to hire for private events, parties and group meetings.

Featured in These Guides

Blog posts and guides that feature Sea Change Cafe.

Best Places to Work Remotely in South Shields

Best Places to Work Remotely in South Shields

From The Word's library, cafe and free computer access in the Market Place to town-centre coffee shops and an Ocean Road social enterprise, here's where to take your laptop in South Shields.

The Best Brunch in South Shields

The Best Brunch in South Shields

From leisurely weekend brunch on Ocean Road to bottomless brunch in the town centre, here are the best places for a relaxed late-morning meal in South Shields.

The Great North Run Finish: A South Shields Race-Day Guide

The Great North Run Finish: A South Shields Race-Day Guide

South Shields is where the world's biggest half marathon ends. Your complete guide to the finishing straight on the seafront, the Red Arrows, getting to town on race day, meeting your runner and where to celebrate afterwards.

Sea Change Café Reopens with a New Menu on 4 July

Sea Change Café Reopens with a New Menu on 4 July

The Ocean Road social enterprise café reopens on Friday 4 July after a short refurbishment, with a fresh new menu, a free barista coffee for every customer, and live music.

Ocean Road: The Complete Guide to South Shields' Famous Food Street

Ocean Road: The Complete Guide to South Shields' Famous Food Street

From the legendary curry houses to Colmans fish and chips and independent cafes, here is your complete guide to eating, drinking, and exploring Ocean Road in South Shields.

A Weekend in South Shields

A Weekend in South Shields

A two-day itinerary for visitors to South Shields, from the beaches and seafront to Arbeia Roman Fort, Ocean Road, and the Marsden coastal walk.

Best Coffee Shops in South Shields

Best Coffee Shops in South Shields

From a seafront institution serving ice cream since 1942 to a social enterprise cafe on Ocean Road, here are the best coffee shops and cafes in South Shields.

Best Cafes in South Shields

Best Cafes in South Shields

From a Sardinian coffee bar with a 4.9-star rating to a seafront institution dating back to 1942, here are the best cafes in South Shields for brunch, cake, and coffee.

Best Breakfast in South Shields

Best Breakfast in South Shields

Whether you want a full English before a coastal walk or a leisurely brunch on Ocean Road, here are the best places for breakfast in South Shields.

Never miss what’s on

Join the weekly SouthShields.org digest — the best events, news and local tips, straight to your inbox. Free, one email a week.

Find a Tutor

15 local tutors covering music, maths, languages, and more.

Find a tutor →

Local Guides

In-depth guides to restaurants, pubs, schools, walks, and more.

Explore guides →