seven North East restaurants have been ranked among squaremeal’s UK’s top 100.
The website SquareMeal has named its top 100 British restaurants for 2023 – and seven North East destinations have made the guide.
“After what can only be described as a hellish two years for the hospitality industry, as it battled the various hurdles of living with Covid, 2022 saw a renewed sense of purpose and passion. Getting back to doing what they do best, our homegrown hospitality professionals have put on quite a show over the last year, wining and dining customers with flair, ingenuity, and true individuality. With a whole host of new openings included in the ranks below, there’s never been a more exciting time to explore our Great British Isles in pursuit of a once-in-a-lifetime meal. That being said, it’s some of the old-timers, the classics, that stood out to us most. While you might have already heard of them, we’re here to tell you they’re still at the top of their game and are worth adding to your eating itinerary over the next 12 months,” said SquareMeal.
Northumberland’s Pine Restaurant has been ranked in sixth place – the highest-placed restaurant in the North East. The one Michelin-star restaurant by chef Cal Byerley and his partner Siân Buchan offers a tasting menu, featuring ingredients foraged from the Northumberland countryside or grown within the onsite garden. The menus are designed to showcase the best of what Northumberland has to offer in the changing seasons.
Newcastle’s fine dining restaurant Solstice is 17th on the list. Set up by husband and wife, Kenny and Abbie Atkinson, Solstice serves up a single tasting menu focused on quality ingredients, emphasising simplicity, seasonality, and sustainable practices.
Checking in at 20th place is Northumberland’s Hjem, which was awarded its first Michelin star in 2021. Hjem is the dream of Swedish chef Alex Nietosvuori and his partner, Northumberland-born Ally Thompson who joined forces to create a destination restaurant which represents the very best of their respective backgrounds, in the heart of Hadrian’s Wall country.
Placed at number 28 is the two Michelin-starred Raby Hunt in Darlington. Chef patron James Close is self-taught and he trained himself through pure passion, obsession and determination. The Raby Hunt’s tasting menu of 12 to 15 courses is inspired by James’s travel experiences.
In 54th place is Kenny Atkinson’s House of Tides. House of Tides is Newcastle’s only Michelin-starred restaurant and Kenny and his wife Abbie’s vision for the venue was to create a casual and informal space where everybody should feel comfortable and relaxed with no compromise on quality.
Chef Dave Coulson’s Peace & Loaf comes in at 81st place. The restaurant uses locally-sourced produce and the seasonal menus incorporate the former Masterchef: The Professional’s finalists’ signature dishes. The food here is inspired by traditional British cuisine mixed with Dave’s own inventive flare.
Newcastle’s Route – in 94th position – serves high-quality ingredients sourced to create clean, clear flavours in a casual bistro setting. Guests can expect small plates from a bi-weekly changing menu. All dishes are cooked to order and designed to share
To see the full list, head over to SquareMeal’s UK Top 100.
