The Perfect Places to Take Your Mum this Mother's Day in the North East
Looking for somewhere special to treat your mum?
AIDAN’S KITCHEN
11 Starbeck Avenue, Newcastle NE2 1RH
0191 261 6852
aidanskitchen.co.uk
Although small in size, the flavours and food offerings at this independently-run coffee shop are mighty. Treat your mum to the best meal of the day at Aidan’s Kitchen and enjoy everything from eggs Florentine to shakshuka, steak and eggs and giant fluffy pancakes. Keep your eyes peeled for Aidan’s second venue opening in Gosforth soon – it’s bound to be just as popular as their Sandyford café.
GLASSHOUSE CAFÉ AT BRADLEY GARDENS
Sled Lane, Wylam NE41 8JH
01661 852176
bradley-gardens.co.uk
The 19th century glasshouse which once grew fruit for Bradley Hall is now home to a beautiful, light and airy café and restaurant serving traditional breakfast dishes six days a week. Why not let your mum sit back and relax with a breakfast cocktail too – we love the raspberry bellini. The Glasshouse Café also serves a delicious homemade afternoon tea which is a real treat, complete with finger sandwiches and homemade pastries and scones.
FLAMINGO BAR AND CAFÉ
Unit 3 Castleside,Seaham Harbour Marina SR7 7EE
flamingobarandcafe.com
If you’re looking for a shoreside breakfast with beautiful interiors and deliciously healthy dishes, look no further than Flamingo Bar and Café in Seaham. Showcasing how tasty clean eating can be, this independent café has everything from granola bowls and loaded bagels to super smoothies and honey nut lattés – plus they’re dog-friendly too!
FLAT WHITE KITCHEN
40 Saddler Street, Durham DH1 3NU
0191 384 0725
flatwhitekitchen.com
Sitting pretty towards the top of Saddler Street, this airy bistro has established itself as one of the go-to breakfast spots in Durham. Open seven days a week, Flat White Kitchen serves classic brunch dishes such as avocado on toast and stacks of ricotta pancakes, as well as baked eggs with toasted sourdough and ham hock hash with poached eggs and mustard dressing.
THE WHITTLING HOUSE
24–25 Northumberland Street, Alnmouth NE66 2RA
01665 463001
thewhittlinghouse.co.uk
Set back from Alnmouth’s spectacular beach, The Whittling House welcomes you with roaring open fires and it’s the perfect seaside spot to take your mum. Using handpicked local suppliers to source the finest ingredients and freshest Northumbrian produce, enjoy roast sirloin, lamb leg, chicken supreme or a nut roast, each served with roast potatoes, a homemade Yorkshire pudding and lots of gravy. Going all out? If you can manage it, we recommend the Northumbrian cheeseboard to finish.
HIGH FORCE HOTEL
Alston Road, Forest-in-Teesdale DL12 0XH
01833 622336
raby.co.uk/high-force
Retreat to High Force Hotel for a delicious Sunday roast this Mother’s Day and treat your mum to a lunch served with all the trimmings. Using the finest cuts of local meat, alongside homemade Yorkshire puddings, crispy roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables and lashings of gravy, enjoy a traditional roast washed down with a glass of wine, a hand-pulled real ale or a gin from their impressive collection. It’s dog-friendly here too.
LORD CREWE ARMS
The Square, Blanchland DH8 9SP
01434 677100
lordcrewearmsblanchland.co.uk
There’s simply no better way to spend a Sunday than with fabulous food and a glass of wine in hand, and you can do just that at the Lord Crewe Arms. This historic inn in the honey-stone village of Blanchland serves delicious Sunday roasts in The Bishop’s Dining Room, alongside real ales, cocktails and an extensive wine list. Start with the ham hock terrine, followed by the roast pork loin (served with roast potatoes, seasonal veg and Yorkshire puddings) and the chocolate and hazelnut cake to finish.
BEADNELL TOWERS
The Wynding, Beadnell
NE67 5AY
01665 721211
beadnelltowers.co.uk
In the heart of this Northumbrian coastal village, Beadnell Towers is the perfect destination after a blustery walk along the beach. The Sunday roast menu changes weekly, but if you’re wanting to treat your mum this Mother’s Day we recommend going for three courses, with roast sirloin dry-aged beef, leg of Northumbrian lamb and pork loin with sage and onion stuffing on the menu. Save room for dessert, as their sticky toffee pudding with toffee sauce and clotted cream is a must.
SOUTH CAUSEY INN
Beamish Burn Road, Stanley DH9 0LS
01207 235555
southcausey.co.uk
It’ll be hard to find a mum who doesn’t want to spend an afternoon indulging in delicate sandwiches, freshly-baked scones topped with clotted cream and jam and tempting homemade goodies, alongside free-flowing tea, coffee or hot chocolate. At South Causey Inn in Stanley, you can treat your mum to this quintessentially British tradition in the surroundings of the Farmhouse set in idyllic grounds – add a glass of fizz or a tempting cocktail if you’re really looking to spoil her.
SPANISH CITY
Spanish City Plaza, Whitley Bay NE26 1BG
0191 691 7090
spanishcity.co.uk
Take a seat under the iconic dome in Spanish City’s Gallery or head to 1910 for incredible sea views, and enjoy an opulent afternoon tea. Treat your mum to endless teas or coffees, or add a glass of prosecco or Champagne before savouring freshly-made finger sandwiches, quiches, savoury pastries and homemade scones. Head pastry chef Kristian Branch is at the helm of the talented team, so you know you’re in good hands when it comes to wow-factor cakes like the carrot cake sundae, the rhubarb and custard macaron and the chocolate and orange tart.
SIX BALTIC
South Shore Road, Gateshead Quays, Newcastle NE8 3BA
07922 427019
sixbaltic.com
What could be more enjoyable than a long and leisurely afternoon tea on Mother’s Day overlooking the city of Newcastle? Serving afternoon tea on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from their rooftop restaurant, SIX at Baltic serve ham and pease pudding finger sandwiches alongside cream cheese bagels, parmesan and spinach tarts and coronation chicken wraps, as well as sweet and savoury scones and a selection of beautifully presented cakes. Upgrade your tea and coffee to prosecco and Champagne to enjoy an afternoon in style.
Read More: Review: A Cosy and Elegant Visit to 1910, Spanish City in Whitley Bay
WALWICK HALL
Humshaugh, Hexham NE46 4BJ
01434 620156
walwickhall.com
Few experiences can match the indulgence, elegance and sheer bliss of an afternoon tea, especially at Walwick Hall. Served in the relaxing Drawing Room, which has an open fire for the colder months and a pretty bay window overlooking the Tyne Valley, choose between traditional afternoon tea or Taittinger Champagne afternoon tea. Tuck into beautifully decorated sweet pastries, as well as sausage rolls, quiche and a selection of sandwiches, as well as delicious sweet and savoury scones.
Read More: We Catch Up With the Head Chef of Lovage a New Mediterranean-Inspired Restaurant in Jesmond
ELEVEN
11 Main Street, Ponteland NE20 9NH
01661 598054
elevenponteland.co.uk
Treat your mum to dinner at this neighbourhood restaurant which offers an informal-yet-refined dining experience. Run by three friends, Eleven is all about flavour-driven and ingredient-led food, working to a modern and hyper-seasonal menu which changes weekly. Foraging for a lot of what goes into their dishes from the surrounding area, Eleven introduces diners to new ingredients and techniques but with a familiar feel, providing real value for money found in few other places.
RABY HUNT
Summerhouse, Darlington DL2 3UD
01325 374237
rabyhuntrestaurant.co.uk
A trip to this two Michelin-star restaurant in County Durham is the ultimate Mother’s Day treat. Dining here is on every true foodie’s bucket list and as it was the North East’s first Michelin-starred restaurant we can understand why. Self-taught head chef James Close is passionate about food and showcases local produce alongside flavours from across the world on his tasting menu. Book a table here quickly as this restaurant is high on most people’s list.
REBEL
150 Heaton Park Road, Heaton NE6 5NR
0191 691 2720
restaurantrebel.co.uk
Having only opened their doors in April last year (and already received recognition in the Michelin Guide) Rebel has become a go-to dining destination in the North East. Chef-owner Lindsay Rushton creates a warm and friendly atmosphere alongside an ever-changing, hyper-seasonal tasting menu focused around locally-sourced ingredients – think featherblade beef with a roast squash purée and roast apple parfait with a butterscotch sauce. Read our interview with Lindsay here.
FERN AT JESMOND DENE HOUSE
Jesmond Dene Road, Newcastle NE2 2EY
0191 212 3000
jesmonddenehouse.co.uk
Fern is an upmarket neighbourhood dining room serving contemporary meals created by head chef Danny Parker and his team. The emphasis here is on fine, flavoursome food inspired by the seasons, and alongside classic and modern cooking techniques (not to mention the informal Geordie hospitality) makes for the perfect dining experience. Opt for the two- or three-course set menu, or order from the à la carte menu, which includes everything from Lindisfarne oysters and beef fillet steak tartare to roasted duck breast, lemon sole and double-baked cheese and spinach soufflé.
