Restaurants in Northeast England
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A
Blake's Coffee House
There is nowhere better than this high-ceilinged cafe for a Sunday-morning cure on any day of the week. It's friendly, relaxed and serves up the biggest selection of coffees in town. Every second Thursday is Acoustic Night, which has featured big names such as Katie Tunstall as well as lesser known local strummers.
reviewed
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B
Almshouse
Fancy imaginative and satisfying snacks served in a genuine 17th-century house right on Palace Green? It's a shame about the interior, which has been restored to look like any old museum canteen. All the artwork on the walls is for sale.
reviewed
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C
Brown Sugar
This trendy coffee shop-cum-bar is a favourite with university students, who fold into the oversize leather couches, nibble on a ciabatta sandwich (no ordinary bread here, mate) and talk about how much study they should be doing. A perfect hang-out.
reviewed
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D
Big Mussel
This informal diner specialises in one of Europe's oddest national dishes – mussels and chips – the favourite nosh of the Belgians, ideally washed down with a fruity Flemish ale. There are ample pasta and vegetarian options and live jazz on weekday evenings (from 7pm).
reviewed
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E
Pizzeria Francesca
One of the northeast's best pizza and pasta joints, this chaotic, friendly place is how all Italian restaurants should be. Excitable, happy waiters and huge portions of pizza and pasta keep them queuing at the door – get in line and wait because you can't book in advance.
reviewed
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F
Secco Ristorante Salentino
Top-notch local ingredients such as Northumberland lamb and North Sea red mullet are infused with southern Italian essence by chefs from Salento in the Italian heel of Puglia. Surely a contender for the northeast's best Italian restaurant so reserve in advance.
reviewed
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G
Emilio's Ristorante
Durham's top spot for pizza, pasta and other Italian staples has a wonderful location overlooking the Wear. Try the malfatti al forno, a kind of oven-baked ravioli filled with ricotta cheese and spinach.
reviewed
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H
Paradiso Café Bar
Hidden away in a small alley off Pilgrim St is one of the city's most popular spots. Good food, a mellow atmosphere and a fabulous little balcony for alfresco action keeps this place full almost all the time.
reviewed
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I
Magna Tandoori
There's nothing much in this handsome Georgian room to suggest an Indian restaurant, but the huge menu, chock-full of dishes, makes this the best of its kind in town.
reviewed
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Foxton's
This decent brasserie-style restaurant has Continental dishes to complement the local fare, which means there's something for everyone.
reviewed
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Pantry
reviewed
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Greggs
reviewed
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Greggs
reviewed
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Valley Restaurant
Taking up the entire train station building, this temple to spice was declared 'best Indian in the north' by the Curry Club, and they're a bunch who know good subcontinental grub when they taste it. A group of 10 or more diners from Newcastle can catch the 'Passage to India' train to Corbridge accompanied by a waiter, who will supply snacks and phone ahead to have the meal ready when the train arrives!
reviewed
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The Black Bull
A menu of British comfort food, such as beef burgers, fish in beer batter and slow-cooked New Zealand lamb, and a series of low-ceilinged, atmospheric dining rooms, make this restaurant/tavern a fine spot to fill the hole.
reviewed
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L
Starters & Puds
Situated in a low-lit cellar next to the Theatre Royal, the idea here is to come for a pre-theatre starter, cross the road for a thespian main course then head back for a post-performance dessert (and drink). However, word has got round about the award-winning fare served up here so now there's a lunch menu (£10).
reviewed
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M
Scrumpy Willow & Singing Kettle
Voted one of the UK's top organic eateries by Guardian readers, this incredibly popular place bursts at the seams at mealtimes, and one mouthful is enough to understand why. Vegans, veggies and gluten-freers are all catered for with an eclectic menu featuring everything from peanut butter sarnies to Irish stew. All the art on the walls is for sale. Booking recommended.
reviewed
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N
Rumbletums
Down an inconspicuous flight of steps two doors along from the post office, this junk shop/art gallery/tearoom hides in a brick-and-stone cellar where a range of teas plus sandwiches, jacket potatoes and cakes are served to in-the-know punters. New owners have promised to leave things just the way they are.
reviewed
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O
Reivers Tryst
From the hearty all-day breakfast through to homemade pies for lunch and the likes of gammon and pineapple in the evening, this place specialises in stodgy English cuisine – nothing fancy, but very good.
reviewed
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P
Oldfields
With its strictly seasonal menus that use only local or organic ingredients sourced within a 60-mile radius of Durham, this award-winning restaurant is one of the county's finest, though it's not quite as good as its Newcastle sister. With dishes such as smoked haddock pan haggerty and wild boar pie on the menu, all served in the old boardroom of the former HQ of the Durham Gas Company (1881), it's still the best meal in town.
reviewed
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Q
Oldfields
Top-notch, no-nonsense British gourmet fare, using locally sourced ingredients wherever possible, is Oldfields' tasty trade. Tuck into rich and satisfying dishes such as Durham rabbit and crayfish pie, mutton hotpot and Eccles cake with custard in the circular, wood-panelled dining room, before finishing off with a shot of Wylam gin or locally microbrewed ale.
reviewed
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Market Tavern
Near Market Sq, this is the place to go for a traditional giant beef stottie (round loaf) sluiced down with a yard of real ale. B&B available (£30).
reviewed
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Jesmond Dene House
Head chef Pierre Rigothier is the architect of an exquisite menu heavily influenced by the northeast – venison from County Durham, oysters from Lindisfarne and the freshest herbs plucked straight from the garden – all infused with a touch of French sophistication. The result is a gourmet delight and one of the best dining experiences in the city.
reviewed
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Dipton Mill
This superb country pub 2 miles out on the road to Blanchland, among woodland and by a river, offers real ploughman's lunches and real ale by real fires – really.
reviewed
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R
Buee
Local and not-so-local ingredients are given a simple Gallic twist at this brand-new bistro just off the Quayside. A great light lunch spot with big-window people-watching possibilities downstairs or a more substantial dinner in the upstairs dining room with Tyne views – whenever you come the food, plated up by a real French cook, is first rate.
reviewed
