Bengal bistro restaurant Tantara is set to open its doors in early 2026, launched by Shah Lalon Amin and his two brothers. The restaurant is a tribute to their late father who, they say, dreamed of opening a restaurant along Osborne Road.

Tantara will be just north of Acorn Road, next to the Cairn Hotel, on the site formerly occupied by South Indian restaurant 3 Elephants. Most structural work is now complete, with lighting currently being installed. Furnishing is expected to begin within the next few days.

Amin told JesmondLocal that he wanted to bring a new angle to dining in Jesmond and introduce residents to Bengali cuisine. “We wanted to come up with a concept which is a celebration of our own heritage,” said Amin, whose family is behind the award-winning Delhi 6 group that already operates restaurants in Sunderland and South Shields.

The inspiration behind Tantara comes from Calcutta’s ancient cabin cafés – places where academics, creatives and thinkers could go and enjoy good food and drink whilst practising their craft. The restaurant in Jesmond, said Amin, will reflect these influences through both its structure and atmosphere.

Amin said he inherited a love of hospitality from his father, who arrived in the UK from Bangladesh in 1963. “Unfortunately, he couldn’t achieve that dream [to open a restaurant on Osborne Road] himself, but 35 years later, here we are opening in Jesmond to fulfil my dad’s dream.” Tantara is going to be a place, said Amin, where hospitality is held in high regard, something he learned from his father. He said finding staff who will embody his father’s values of hospitality is of great importance to him. “He taught us about the importance of ensuring that customers are [treated] like guests in your own home,” said Amin.

Although no opening date has yet been announced, Amin said customers, friends and family can expect a big celebration on the first night, which is likely to be sometime before the end of January. Keep an eye on Tantara’s Facebook page for the opening date.