Restaurant duo cooks up Beam expansion

A pair of Sunderland restaurateurs are expanding their presence in the city after securing space for two new food and drink venues within a flagship regeneration development.

Vittorio Farigu and Tamer Hassan, the owners behind Vito’s Osteria and Ember, have signed leases on two ground floor units at The Beam in Riverside Sunderland.

The partners plan to transform the spaces into two distinct venues following a fit-out programme over the coming months.

No.32 will focus on handcrafted pizzas and cocktails in a lively setting designed for evening dining and socialising, while Riverside Café will offer a more relaxed experience serving coffee, teas and a range of dishes throughout the day.

Tamer said: “I am thrilled to be teaming up with Vito to bring these two new concepts to the city this year.

“We have had a great relationship ever since we opened Ember and Vitos at Sheepfolds Stables and we see these venues complementing our existing sites perfectly.

“They are just a short walk across the new Keel Crossing but will provide a totally different food and drink offering for the people of Sunderland, while fostering that same warm, friendly atmosphere that both restaurants have become renowned for.”

Vito added: “We first came to the city in the summer of 2024 when Sheepfolds Stables opened its doors and in less than two years, the transformation of the area has been remarkable.

“We have the Keel Crossing, the new Maker & Faber office buildings, hundreds of new homes being built and HICSA all on our doorstep.

“Premier League football has also returned to the Stadium of Light again and Culture House is taking shape in Keel Square ahead of its Spring opening.

“All of this has already seen us welcome visitors to our restaurants from across the region and beyond and we are hopeful that, with even more developments set to rise from the ground over the coming months and years, No.32 and Riverside Café will prove just as big a hit with city residents and visitors alike.”

The openings will add to the growing hospitality scene at Riverside Sunderland, joining venues such as Sheepfolds Stables, The Botanist, Black’s Corner, Flower Café and Keel Tavern.

The Beam, which opened in 2019, is a key part of Sunderland City Council’s Riverside Sunderland regeneration project and has attracted major occupiers including Ocado, North East Screen, Apexon, Asset 55, Richard Reed and recently RTC North.

Officials believe the arrival of the two new venues will further strengthen the city centre’s food and drink offer, while supporting the wider development of the area as a destination for work, leisure and business.

Councillor Kevin Johnston, portfolio holder for housing, regeneration and business, added: “We are thrilled that Tamer and Vito are opening two new venues at the heart of Riverside Sunderland.

“Their two existing restaurants, Ember and Vito’s Osteria, may have only opened less than two years ago but have become real favourites, embedding themselves as part of the city’s community while winning numerous industry awards.

“We have every confidence that No.32 and Riverside Café will prove just as popular and will continue to build on all of the incredible progress being made at Riverside Sunderland as we look to create a vibrant city centre for everyone.”

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