Must-see restaurants in Northeast England

  • House of Tides

    Newcastle-upon-Tyne

    A 16th-century merchant's house is now the home of Newcastle's most celebrated restaurant, the Michelin-starred House of Tides. Established by acclaimed…

  • Raby Hunt

    Northeast England

    A two-century-old, ivy-clad drovers' inn 11 miles east of Barnard Castle is now the staging post for gastronomic expeditions by self-taught chef James…

  • Knitsley Farm Shop & Cafe

    Northeast England

    It's worth stopping off 12 miles northwest of Durham en route to Northumberland National Park and Hadrian's Wall to stock up on Knitsley Farm Shop's…

  • Riley's Fish Shack

    Northeast England

    Steep timber stairs lead from East St to the beach and this rustic, tucked-away shack. Phenomenal local seafood underpins wood-fired dishes from wraps to…

  • Bay Horse

    Northeast England

    It's well worth the 19-mile trip east of Barnard Castle to this 15th-century coaching inn in the pretty riverside village of Hurworth-on-Tees, but book…

  • Corbridge Larder

    Northeast England

    Gourmet picnic fare at this fabulous deli includes bread, over 100 varieties of cheese, chutneys, cakes, chocolates and wine (you can get hampers made up)…

  • Mizen Head

    Northumberland Coast

    Bamburgh's best place to eat and/or stay is this stunning restaurant with rooms. Local seafood – lobster, mussels, crab, salmon, squid and more – is the…

  • Broad Chare

    Newcastle-upon-Tyne

    Spiffing English classics and splendid cask ales are served in the dark-wood bar and mezzanine of this perfect gastropub. Starters such as crispy pig ears…

  • Blackfriars

    Newcastle-upon-Tyne

    A 13th-century friary is the atmospheric setting for 'modern medieval' cuisine. Beautiful stained-glass windows frame the dining room; in summer tables…

  • Staith House

    Northeast England

    Opposite the fishing quay where catches are landed daily, gastropub Staith House has a sunny beer garden, bar made from recycled timbers and an…

  • Garden House Inn

    Northeast England

    Dating from the 18th century, rustic country-style inn Garden House does great lunchtime sandwiches, such as lobster or crab, fennel and 'Nduja (spicy…

  • Potted Lobster

    Northumberland Coast

    Bamburgh lobster – served as a creamy egg and brandy thermidor stuffed in the shell; grilled with garlic and parsley butter; or poached and served cold…

  • Bouchon Bistrot

    Northeast England

    Hexham may be an unexpected setting for some true fine dining, but this Gallic affair has an enviable reputation. Classically inspired dishes range from…

  • Ship Inn

    Northumberland Coast

    Set around a village green, this idyllic pub brews over two dozen different beers – blond, wheat, rye, bitter, stout and seasonal – using local River…

  • Jesmond Dene House

    Newcastle-upon-Tyne

    Executive Head Chef Michael Penaluna is the architect of an exquisite regional menu – venison from County Durham, oysters from Lindisfarne and herbs…

  • Ship Inn

    Northumberland Coast

    Always humming with local chatter, the traditional, wood-beamed Ship has all the comfort of your favourite armchair. Its walls are pleasingly cluttered…

  • Fat Hippo Jesmond

    Newcastle-upon-Tyne

    Humongous burgers arrive on wooden planks with stainless-steel buckets of triple-fried, hand-cut chips at this local success story. Stinky Pete comes with…

  • Herb Garden

    Newcastle-upon-Tyne

    The Herb Garden lives up to its name with a wall of barrel-like cylinders where herbs and salad greens grow under glowing lights. Its 17 different pizza…

  • Cross Lanes Organic Farm Shop

    Northeast England

    Sheep graze on the grass-covered roof of this award-winning farm shop and cafe 1.5 miles south of Barnard Castle. The cavernous interior brims with all…

  • 1st Class Food

    Northumberland Coast

    It may be part of Lindisfarne's post office, but you can cast aside any concerns you have about 1st Class Food's unusual location: it's actually one of…

  • Hop & Cleaver

    Newcastle-upon-Tyne

    Inside the magnificent Jacobean Bessie Surtees House, this hip spot is great for a drink (it brews its own small-batch craft beers) but the food is…

  • Peace & Loaf

    Newcastle-upon-Tyne

    A double-height space with mezzanine seating is the stage for creations by MasterChef: The Professionals finalist David Coulson, who subsequently worked…

  • Fat Hippo Underground

    Newcastle-upon-Tyne

    An arched brick basement houses this city-centre offshoot of Jesmond favourite Fat Hippo. Its namesake Fat Hippo burger comes with double beef patties,…

  • Duke of Wellington

    Northeast England

    Situated 3.2 miles east of Corbridge, this handsome 19th-century coaching inn serves both traditional favourites, including a pie of the day and beer…

  • Cellar Door Durham

    Northeast England

    Accessed via an inconspicuous door on Saddler St, this 12th-century building has glorious river views, including from the terrace. The internationally…

  • French Quarter

    Newcastle-upon-Tyne

    Wedged in a railway viaduct arch, this Parisian-style wine bar has small tapas-style sharing plates and larger platters based on recipes from the French…

  • Deyn's Deli

    Northumberland Coast

    Get your fix of Holy Island crab, Craster kippers and Loch Duart smoked salmon in various guises at this busy deli-cum-cafe. There's a handful of tables…

  • Rat Inn

    Northeast England

    Allegedly named for the publican who 'ratted' to the crown during the Jacobite risings, this charming stone country pub 2.5 miles northeast of Hexham has…

  • Quay Ingredient

    Newcastle-upon-Tyne

    Beneath the Tyne Bridge's soaring steel girders, this chic hole-in-the-wall has a devoted following for cooked breakfasts (scrambled eggs with white…

  • Conservatory

    Northeast England

    The pick of Navigation Point's waterside restaurants is this red-brick building with a timber-decked terrace. Breakfast is served until 11.30am, followed…

  • Craster Seafood Restaurant

    Northumberland Coast

    Adjacent to renowned smokery Robson & Sons, this seafood specialist overlooking the harbour and Dunstanburgh Castle not only serves Robson's famous…

  • Patricia

    Newcastle-upon-Tyne

    Named for owner-chef Nick Grieves' grandmother, the Patricia is perpetually busy; book ahead to feast on dishes like raw Orkney scallops with fermented…

  • Finbarr's

    Northeast England

    Behind a high stone wall, country manor Aykley Heads House's exposed beams, wide floorboards and whitewashed walls provide an elegant setting for modern…

  • Audela

    Northumberland Coast

    Named for the last vessel to be built at Berwick Shipyard (in 1979) and set in a former cockle shop, Audela is the town's top table. Local suppliers…

  • Plough Inn

    Northumberland Coast

    An 1896 coaching inn now contains this excellent gastropub styled like a contemporary hunting lodge. Evening dining is inspired: hot water crust mixed…

  • Barn @ Beal

    Northumberland Coast

    You can watch the causeway tides on webcam at this sociable mainland pub 1 mile northeast of the A1 turn-off (2 miles west of the island). Lindisfarne…

  • Sea & Soil

    Northumberland Coast

    The name reflects the surf-and-turf menu at this hip little bistro near Amble's harbour. Locals love the Northumberland beef and soft-shell crab burgers,…

  • Jolly Fisherman

    Northumberland Coast

    Crab (in soup, sandwiches, fish platters and more) is the speciality of this gastropub, but it also has a variety of fish dishes, as well as a house…

  • Tealicious

    Northeast England

    Inside this quaint pastel-blue and white building, homemade cakes (such as white-chocolate cheesecake or ginger and lime), soups and sandwiches are…

  • Fat Hippo Durham

    Northeast England

    Durham's biggest, best and juiciest burgers – served in brioche buns and accompanied by hand-cut, triple-cooked chips – are sizzled up at the city's…