From Street Food To Grazing Tables, Check Out The Coolest North East Foodies
If you’re looking for dining with a difference, the North East has plenty of cool places to try
ELEVEN
11 Main Street, Ponteland NE20 9NH
01661 598054
This is a neighbourhood restaurant in the heart of Ponteland that offers modern British cuisine in a relaxed and informal environment. Eleven is all about ingredientled cooking, with flavour a driving force behind everything the chefs do. Lunch menus offer tastes of charcuterie, from small plates to cheeses, whilst evening diners will experience a five-course set menu of Eleven’s unique interpretation of seasonal cooking. Meet the talented trio behind this new venture at livingnorth.com
LOST PROPERTY
135–137 High Street, Yarm TS15 9AY
07752 313292
A causal affair with great food is what to expect at Lost Property. There’s an enviable selection of spirits, wines, cocktails and craft ales at this seafood and steak house where locally-sourced seafood and speciality Yorkshire beef appear on the menu. Can’t decide between the two? Try the Surf and Turf sharing board for a feast from both land and sea.
HORTICULTURE
1–3 Market Lane, Newcastle NE1 6QQ
0191 261 7222
Horticulture is all about modern British dishes created under the watchful eye of head chef, Peter Breckon, who develops forward-thinking small plate menus with a focus on locally-sourced, organic and environmentally-friendly produce. Newcastle born and bred, Paul has worked under some of the biggest names in food including Heston Blumenthal, Marl Hix and Terry Laybourne. Refined cooking in a relaxed and social space is what you’ll find here – a firm favourite amongst diners is the Confit Cauliflower Steak with caramelised puree, brown butter and pomegranate, while the Sri Lankan Kiri Hodi Curry with crispy cabbage and green chutney is a new contender too. No matter what you choose from the new small plates menu, the produce is mainly sourced from the local area (including their meat, which comes from Charlotte’s Butchery in Gosforth). Horticulture’s custom cocktails are also proving very popular and they have an incredible 40 different espresso martinis to try, all created using local roasters, Ringtons, as their coffee base.
OMNI
12 Front Street, Monkseaton
NE25 8DF
0191 251 2819
This family business brings a taste of Asia to the North East, with ever-changing menus and weekly specials. Omni creates Vietnamese-inspired dishes made from locally-sourced ingredients,
with influence coming from executive chef, Corrie, who spent time living in Hanoi. Dishes of note include Omni’s famous spicy coconut soup and the Vietnamese caramelised belly pork, which goes perfectly with a side of ginger rice.
NEST
260 Chillingham Road, Heaton NE6 5LQ
Set to showcase the talents of Chris Wood and Jack Brown, and their love of good food and wonderful wine, Nest will open its doors later on this year. The ethos behind this new restaurant is all about offering a one-of-a-kind, quality dining experience, with reasonable pricing. Nest promises to move away from formal fine-dining, to offer a more relaxed, comfortable approach. Expect to see well-thoughtout wine flights and unique dishes such as The Nesting Egg — a delicious combination of artichoke, truffle mouse and butternut squash purée.
PABLO EGGS GO BAO
12 Station Road, Whitley Bay NE26 2RA
Up your breakfast game with a morning bao bun run down the coast, courtesy of Pablo Eggs Go Bao in Whitley Bay. Taking orders from the hatch, these friendly bao-making bakers are not to be missed. Choose from either veggie or meat (a sausage patty is included in this one) and receive a crispy hash brown over a soft omelette, topped with melted cheese and slightly spicy and sweet sauce, all nestled into a warm, bouncy bao bun.
THE TRUFFLED HOG
28 College Square, Stokesley TS9 5DN
01642 714745
This relative newcomer to Stokesley’s hospitality scene is already proving popular thanks to its chilled-out Moroccan-style vibe. The Truffled Hog is all about laid-back dining with a luxurious twist, combining modern restaurant dining with traditional delicatessen practices. Expect artisan cheeses and carefully-curated wines, alongside charcuterie boards and small plates made for sharing. Brunch is also big news here, served daily until 3pm. We love the banana dosa; cardamon, sultana and hazelnut pancakes with Zambian dark honey, dukka and whipped cream.
DOT. BAGELS
250 Chillingham Road, Heaton NE6 5LQ
19 Acorn Road, Jesmond NE2 2DJ
Dot Bagels, bring the iconic New York-style bagel to the region. Serving both sweet and savoury bagels, and with a new outpost on Jesmond’s Acorn Road to hep meet demand, Dot’s bagels are handmade and baked on-site, all filled with exotic and exciting filler flavour combos. From New York classics, such as the Rueben, to the locally-inspired North East Parmo there is a bagel for everyone. Look out for collaborations with other local foodie businesses, the most recent being with Bedlington’s One Dining.
ELDER AND WOLF
171 Whitley Road, Whitely Bay NE26 2DN
Heading to the coast? Try award-winning restaurant Elder and Wolf for delicious handmade pizzas, posh kebabs and wood-fired tacos. With a woodburning oven that’s design is around 3,000 years old, quirky Elder and Wolf is open Thursday to Sunday, with great vibes and music until late every weekend. Watch out for their lethal cocktails – the mango and basil margaritas with hibiscus are our favourite. As winner of best newcomer restaurant outside London, it’s highly popular so book if you can (although they do take walkins) and there’s a great outdoor space under the pergola here too.
THE PATRICIA
139 Jesmond Road, Jesmond NE2 1JY
0191 281 4443
A mixture of English bistro cooking brought together with European influences is what you get when you dine at The Patricia. With experience in Michelin-starred London restaurants, owner and head chef Nick Grieves offers a sixcourse, no-choice menu designed to showcase the best seasonal produce. Dishes are created using the very best ingredients alongside wine made without chemicals, but with love. Nick is also in the process of opening a new outpost, Ophelia, in Gosforth.
SALT
20 Grange Road, Darlington
DL1 5NG
01325 262520
From burgers to burritos, and wraps to bao buns, with loaded fries thrown into the mix too, Salt in Darlington have you covered when it’s real comfort food you are craving. With a fun and casual approach to dining, Salt serves street food that has been prepared with passion. Notable dishes include the Devil Loaded Fries, Your First Rodeo Burger and the Rendang Pork Belly Boa.
BOAT SHACK CAFÉ
Pow Hill Country Park,
Durham DH8 9NU
07766 077380
One of Country Durham’s best kept secrets is the Boat Shack, on the south shore of Derwent Reservoir. Take a seat with a jaw-dropping view over of the water and countryside beyond whilst enjoying some delicious food and one of their famous milkshakes. Favourites include, Lotus Biscoff, Oreo and Kinder Bueno flavours.
NOURISH BUD
These expertly-designed, sustainably-packaged vegan meal plans are delivered straight to your front door, providing you with the broadest range of great nutrition possible. Ingredients are seasonal, organic and locally sourced where possible, so whether you are vegan, wanting to reduce your meat intake or simply want to eat a little healthier, let the experts at Nourish Bud help you along the way. Whether you build-your- own or get a pre-built plan, simply enjoy and focus on you. Read all about Rebecca and Luke, the brains behind Nourish Bud, at livingnorth.com.
GRAZE AND GORGE
Creative caterers Graze and Gorge style the most Instagrammable (and delicious) grazing tables platters, and individual boxes, perfect for any size event or special occasion. From delicious charcuterie, speciality cheese and freshly-baked artisan breads, to fresh fruit and sweet treats, each graze is truly bespoke, with no event or occasion being too big or small. Forget the same-old canapés and order up your own feast from this cool, creative catering company.
SCREAM FOR PIZZA
21–25 Starbeck Avenue, Sandyford NE2 1RJ
0191 261 7974
Pizza worth screaming about can be found at this independent pizzeria. Having trained as pizziolos in Naples under world-renowned chef Enzo Coccia, founders Victoria and Alex add a playful twist to pizza making, whilst retaining traditional Neapolitan techniques. With popular fusions of flavour, Scream for Pizza deliver surprising topping combinations using locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients. Check out their Brooklyn Bee – a San Marzano tomato sauce topped with fior di latte and parmesan cheeses, spianata salami and pepperoni, finished with basil and chilli honey drizzle.
THE PRICKLY PEAR BISTRO
The TAD Centre, Middlesbrough
TS3 7SF
01642 989380
A hidden gem on the outskirts of Middlesbrough, The Prickly Pear Bistro is tucked away in The TAD Centre, but it’s worth seeking out as this unique bistro is all about the famous Teesside dish, the Parmo – with 35 different versions on offer. Oozing rustic charm, The Prickly Pear Bistro also has a range of delicious lunch and dinner dishes, including succulent meat skewers and hearty burgers, and the bistro even has its very own signature cocktail, The Pear Drop – a refreshing tropical drink with soft, sweet flavours, perfect to enjoy on a summer’s day.
NO2 CHURCH LANE
2 Church Lane, Sunderland SR1 3PT
0191 567 8412
2-church-lane.business.site
Number two by name but certainly not number two by nature, No2 Church Lane offers an extensive gourmet burger menu, with more than 20 different combinations and a selection of veggie options too. This relaxed venue is the perfect spot for a laid-back meal, washed down with one of the more than 500 beers on offer. There are weekly specials too, alongside the daily menu of burgers, hot dogs and fried chicken plates.
CELLAR DOOR
41 Saddler Street, Durham DH1 3NU
0191 383 1856
A hidden gem in every sense of the word, once you find the hidden doorway and head down the narrow steps you are in for a treat. Set in a 13th century cellar with stunning river views, the food here is created with real passion and you can expect an eclectic menu featuring dishes such as beef Wellington with buttermilk onion rings and truffle chips, and Bombay potato pie, cauliflower and coconut. Round it off with a dark chocolate fondant with honeycomb and you might struggle to get back up the stairs!
THE POTTED LOBSTER
3 Lucker Road, Bamburgh NE69 7BS
01668 214088
Located in one of Northumberland’s most popular coastal villages, The Potted Lobster is the place for simple yet delicious seafood dishes sourced from local catches. This laid-back and relaxed restaurant offers bistro-style dining headed up by chef Richard Sim, who sources ingredients from suppliers around Northumberland. Having been included in two editions of the Michelin Guide, The Potted Lobster has expanded its restaurant, offering a new dog-friendly area, a small outdoor pavement area, as well as the capacity to cater for private events. Our favourite is the Half Lobster served either poached and cold with garlic mayonnaise, hot with Thermidor sauce or grilled and accompanied by garlic and parsley butter – and chips!
