The month-long program, which wraps up on April 30, has proved a crowning achievement for the city's food scene, with events held at restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars around Newcastle and the surrounding suburbs, including the major drawcard, Le Diner En Blanc.

The famous worldwide white dress code themed dinner party held at The Station on April 10 was praised as an unforgettable night of food, wine and live music under the stars with 850 people in attendance.

Newcastle Food Month organiser Gus Maher of Newcastle Events confirmed the event would return again next year.

"Diner En Blanc will be back. It was such a special night. We were blessed with great weather and we had 850 attend, which was well beyond our expectations," Maher says.

"It was very, very successful but the thing that took us by surprise was the emotion of the night. We had so many people come up to us and say 'Thank you for doing this for Newcastle. We need this and we are good enough for this'.

"We celebrated in a Newcastle kind of way. We are not trying to be Sydney, Paris or New York. This was a Newcastle night and a Newcastle month."

Newcastle Food Month has not only put a spotlight on Newcastle's burgeoning culinary scene, but also provided a much-needed boost of support to an industry that has endured a tough 12 months throughout the pandemic.

Several events on the calendar sold out in advance, including a handful of which added extra dates due to demand.

"Restaurant Mason's A Trip to France sold out not once, but twice, and The Signal Box has done a seafood degustation which sold out and then sold out again," Maher says.

"The good thing about it is that it has collectively driven people out to spend money in a sector that really, really needs it at the moment."

Maher is already looking toward next year's program which aims to expand beyond Newcastle to encompass Port Stephens and the Hunter Valley.

"Our aim is that in three or four years this is the most recognised regional food festival in Australia," Maher says.

"We were fortunate enough tor received funding from Newcastle Council which enabled us to create Food Month. We have a passion for Newcastle, we have a passion for food, we have a passion for wine and a passion for tourism.

"It was an event that we thought Newcastle was ready for and we believe, based on the results, that it very much is. This is the first year and we think that it years to come, it can grow and grow."

A further eight key events remain on the calendar (visit newcastlefoodmonth.com.au/events) as well as Plate Date, which features more than 60 participating restaurants, cafes and pubs that have each created a custom dish paired with a drink to offer throughout the month of April for the set price of $25.

Plate Date is designed to offer patrons the chance to try a restaurant they might not normally visit or revisit an old favourite.

From pubs serving up restaurant-standard dishes and award-winning Japanese by the harbourside to vegan dishes and delicious cafe breakfasts, there is plenty to choose from for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner.

And at $25 for each dish, it's the same price as a Dine and Discover voucher.

Check out our list of venues and their custom dish for Newcastle Food Month:

Basement on Market St, Newcastle Margherita pizza or house-made pasta option served with house wine or tap beer. Available weekdays only.

Beach Burrito Co., Darby Street Three tacos of your choice, plus corn chips and guacamole served with selected tap beer or frozen margarita. Available all day, every day.

Bolton St Pantry, Newcastle Marinated prawn salad with fresh mint, wombok, shallots, curled chilli, and black sesame seeds with maple mango dressing, paired with Pepper Tree Chardonnay. Available seven days from 6:30am to 2pm.

Clarendon Hotel, Newcastle Crispy skin snapper fillet with confit potato fries, roast cherry tomatoes, pickled cucumber salad and lemon and caper butter sauce served with Hart & Hunter Semillon or Bouchard Aines & Fils Rose. Available Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner.

Coal River & Co, Darby Street Beetroot pasta with roast butternut pumpkin, caramelised onion, goats cheese, baby spinach, creme friache, basil pesto and crisp beetroot chips, paired with a glass of Italian soave, French pinot noir or schooner of Modus XPA. Available Tuesday to Sunday (first sitting only).

Colliery Inn, Wallsend Panko chicken schnitzel topped with a choice of Napoli sauce, ham and cheese, or garlic cream sauce served with chips and salad. Includes a schooner of Toohey's or glass of house wine or soft drink. Available Tuesday to Sunday for lunch or dinner.

Commonwealth Hotel, Cooks Hill Thai beef salad with marinated flank steak, cherry tomatoes, Spanish onion, cucumber, roast sweet potato, fresh chilli and eschallots matched with a beer or wine of your choice. Available Monday to Friday from midday to 3pm.

Customs House Hotel, Newcastle East Seafood risoni paella paired with Usher Tinkler Verdelho. Available lunchtime from Wednesday to Friday.

Edmonds & Co., Newcastle East Chicken burger with slaw, avocado, cheese, caramelised onion with chipotle mayo, served with sweet potato fries and a beer. Available weekdays from 11am to 2pm. For breakfast, try ricotta hotcakes topped with mixed berry compote, chantilly cream and maple syrup, plus a coffee of your choice. Available weekdays from 7am to 2pm.

Estabar, Newcastle East Four scoops of freshly made gelato, with sauce and toppings, plus two coffees. Available Monday to Sunday.

Foghorn Brewery, Newcastle Choose any two share plates and pair with a schooner of beer or cider, glass of wine or soft drink. Available weekdays before 6.30pm.

Goldbergs Coffee House, Darby Street Double beef and bacon cheeseburger served with beer-battered chips and a can of Foghorns Newy Pale Ale. Available daily from 12noon to 5pm. (closed Tuesdays)

Greenroof Kitchen by Ron & Raf at The Greenroof Hotel, Hamilton Mussels with garlic, chilli, tomato, white wine and freshly toasted sourdough matched with a glass of Usher Tinkler wine. Available Monday to Friday for lunch and dinner.

Ground Floor Cafe, Newcastle Big breakfast or veggie breakfast paired with a coffee or freshly squeezed juice. Available all day, Monday to Friday.

Hotel Elermore, Elermore Vale Beef pappardelle with slow-cooked pulled beef ragu and freshly shaved parmesan, served with a glass of house wine. Available Monday to Friday.

King St Deli and Bar, Newcastle Housemade panini with gourmet deli meats and cheese, plus side salad and glass of wine. Available from Monday to Sunday 11am to 3pm.

Lambton Park Hotel, Lambton Full-rack of Jack Daniels BBQ pork ribs served with house-cut fries and Asian house-made slaw, plus a glass of house wine or beer. Available every day for lunch or dinner.

Lime Gourmet Pizza and Pasta, Hamilton Any large traditional, gourmet or vegan pizza plus a can of soft drink. Available Wednesday to Sunday from 4.30pm to 9.30pm.

Lotus Corner, The Junction Crispy-skinned barramundi with spiced Thai peanut sauce, wombok, Asian slaw, cashews, pineapple compote and eshallots, served with a glass of Tyrrell's sparkling. Available for lunch and dinner Monday to Sunday.

Meet Restaurant, Newcastle Brazilian churrasco tasting plate of picanha, chorizo, chicken wings, cassava fries, cheese bread and banana fritters served with a glass of house beer or wine. Available Wednesday to Friday, from 4pm to 6pm (bar area only.)

Mockingbird Cafe, Hamilton Any breakfast menu item with a glass of bubbles or house spritz. Available Monday to Friday.

Momo Wholefoods, Newcastle Vietnamese rice flour pancake with tofu, zucchini, fresh sprouts and herbs served with a glass of kombucha or kvass. Available daily from 8am to 3pm.

Moor, Newcastle East Goodness bowl served with a small coffee or juice. Available every day from 7am to 1.30pm.

Nagisa Japanese Restaurant, Honeysuckle Beetroot and Semillon cured kingfish, avocado wasabi puree, pickled red radish, sea greens, Yarra Valley salmon caviar and yuzu pepper vinaigrette paired with Thomas Synergy Semillon. Available daily for lunch and dinner.

Nags Head Hotel, Adamstown Crispy-skinned salmon dish or vegan burrito bowl served with a glass of house wine or schooner of house beer. Available every day for lunch and dinner.

Neighbours on Market St, Newcastle Pancakes and a coffee. Available for breakfast and lunch Monday to Friday.

Nor East Bistro, Wickham Cajun-spiced clam chowder or spiced eggplant kasundi served with Hunter Valley Semillon. Available Monday to Friday (lunch only).

Overtime Cafe & Bar, Hamilton Pan-seared chicken breast with charred corn cob, zucchini and mango puree paired with a glass of Briar Ridge Verdelho. Available Wednesday to Saturday from 5pm to 9pm.

Rustica, Newcastle East Spiced lamb ragu, green olive, peas and parmesan fried breadcrumbs with a glass of Glandore Estate Shiraz. Available Monday to Thursday for dinner.

Shortland Hotel, Shortland Your choice of any pizza and a house tap beer. Available daily from 11.30am to 8.30pm.

Stag & Hunter Hotel, Mayfield House-made pie of the day matched with a schooner of Little Creatures. Available daily for lunch or dinner.

Susuru Ramen and Gyoza, Newcastle Ramen with chicken broth, shio tare and crisp daikon-oroshi, topped with fresh salmon sauteed in Japanese sake, grilled cherry tomatoes, parsley and zesty lime, paired with a Tamburlaine Petite Fleur Rose. Available daily.

Sydney Junction Hotel, Hamilton Twice-cooked duck salad with roast pumpkin, toasted pine nuts, feta, lettuce and cherry dressing, plus glass of house wine. Available Monday to Friday.

The Autumn Rooms, Darby Street House-made crumpets with honey-roasted stone fruit, whipped lemon creme fraiche, honey and almond crumb; or cheesecake waffles with whipped vanilla cream cheese, meringue and berry compote. Both served with a glass of prosecco. Available Monday to Sunday for breakfast and lunch.

The Burwood Inn, Merewether Pappardelle pasta with poached crab in sweetcorn alfredo sauce, shaved asparagus and parmesan cheese, paired with a glass of Margan Semillon. Available for lunch every day.

The Criterion Hotel, Carrington Panko fried chicken schnitzel with melted parmesan and mozzarella, seasoned fries and kale slaw paired with a pint of Young Henrys. Available Wednesday to Sunday from 11.30am to 8.30pm.

The Delany Hotel, Darby Street Grilled swordfish steak with Middle Eastern braised chickpeas and za'attar served with a choice of Bleeding-Heart Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay. Available Monday to Sunday for lunch and dinner.

The Duke of Wellington, New Lambton Rump steak with crispy sweet potato bites, charred asparagus and leek chips, served with a choice of Stone and Wood Pacific Ale or glass of house cabernet sauvignon. Available Monday to Friday from 5.30pm.

The Edwards, Newcastle West Choose from one of their favourite three bar snacks and pair with a Grainfed beer or glass of Glandore wine. Available from 3pm Wednesday to Sunday.

The Exchange Hotel, Hamilton Slow-cooked beef cheek with house-made pappardelle, mushrooms and shaved parmesan; or pizza with Italian sausage, rosemary, potato, Fior de Latte and olive oil, both served with a house tap beer or wine. Available Sunday to Thursday.

The Falcon Restaurant, Newcastle East. Crab cakes served with a a glass of Glandore Pinot Grigio or schooner of Young Henrys Lager; or jambalaya (meat or vegan) served with Dirt Candy red blend or Grifter pale ale. Available for lunch from Wednesday to Sunday, or dinner from Wednesday to Tuesday.

The Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle East Crispy pork belly with cheese kransky, crispy fennel and apple puree served with a The Great Haze lager. Available Monday to Sunday from 12noon to 9pm.

The Prince Merewether, Merewether Thin crust pizza matched with a Modus XPA schooner. Available for dinner Monday to Thursday.

The Ship Inn, Newcastle Beer-battered fish and chips served with miso mushy peas and choice of beer or wine. Available Monday to Sunday for lunch and dinner.

Three Monkeys Cafe, Darby Street Eggs Benedict with a choice of ham off the bone, smoked trout or bacon, plus a coffee. Available from Monday to Friday for breakfast and lunch.

Too Hands, Lambton Pan-seared Atlantic salmon with miso broth, wakame, soba noodles and edamame bean with a glass of Tyrrell's chardonnay. Available from Monday to Sunday (lunch only)

The Junction Hotel, The Junction Baha fish tacos with pickled slaw, chipotle mayo, pickled onion and lime or crispy chicken tacos with pickled slaw, avocado and chipotle mayo, both paired with a house beer or wine. Available Monday to Friday (lunch only).

The Kent Hotel, Hamilton Braised artichoke with crunchy cauliflower bites, marinated portobello mushroom and sweet potato and carrot purée plus a choice of Stone & Wood pale ale or a glass of Stonehurst red. Available Monday to Friday for dinner from 5pm.

The Lucky, Newcastle Pasta of the day special, including a choice of house wine. Available weekdays for lunch and dinner.