Our Favourite Restaurants, Cafés, Pubs and Bistros Across Northumberland
From casual cafés to Michelin-starred restaurants, Northumberland has good food in abundance
Beadnell Towers
The Wynding, Beadnell NE67 5AY
01665 721211
beadnelltowers.co.uk
The stylish Towers’ kitchen, lounge and bar is a destination made for fine dining and enjoying good company. The menu here blends fresh local produce and food heritage with confident cooking and relaxed Northumbrian hospitality, and changes regularly to reflect the availability of the freshest produce. The menu details the food provenance (always a nice touch) so you know what you are choosing and where it’s from, and guests can sit back and enjoy watching their food being produced in the open kitchen, viewed from the calm and comfort of the dining room, or chill out in the dog-friendly bar.
Bouchon Bistrot
4–6 Gilesgate, Hexham NE46 3NJ
01434 609943
bouchonbistrot.co.uk
The chefs at Bouchon bring French-style cuisine to this corner of Northumberland. Hugely popular, dining here is an occasion and you can expect to find all the classics – for an authentic French dining experience start with escargots drizzled with garlic and parsley butter, followed by crispy duck confit served with Lyonnaise potatoes and red wine sauce. There’s also a good value Prix Fixe Menu which offers two courses for £22 or three for £24.
Matfen Hall
Matfen, Newcastle NE20 0RH
01661 886500
matfenhall.com
From seafood and steak in the courtyard Cloisters Restaurant and Bar, to fine-dining in the Emerald Restaurant, all the dishes here make the most of produce from the Northumbrian countryside, and the newly-refurbished Matfen Hall has options to suit all comers. Enjoy a drink in the gorgeous 1832 bar or in the Needham (where you’ll also find bistro-style all-day dining), take afternoon tea in the Orangery, or head down to the relaxed Keepers for gastropub-style dishes by the golf course.
Restaurant Pine
Vallum Farm, Military Road, East Wallhouses NE18 0LL
01434 671202
restaurantpine.co.uk
The tight-knit team here (led by Northumberland-born Cal Byerley and partner Siân Buchan) have this year retained both their Michelin star and their Michelin Green star in recognition of their sustainable practices. Dining here is something truly special, with exquisite cooking which makes the most of the local produce (much of it home grown or foraged) which fills the extensive tasting menu. It’s worth ordering one of their intelligent wine pairings, carefully designed by the restaurant’s brilliant sommelier.
The Glasshouse Café
Bradley Gardens, Sled Lane, Wylam NE41 8JH
01661 852176
bradley-gardens.co.uk
This chic yet relaxed café in the beautiful surroundings of Bradley Gardens makes its home in the 19th century glasshouse which once grew fruit for neighbouring Bradley Hall, and serves seasonal dishes made with local produce. It’s a seriously civilised spot for coffee, brunch or lunch, and their Sunday roasts are deservedly popular. Make time to explore the gardens and on-site shops during your visit.
Bewicks Kitchen & Coffee House
Church House, Church Street, Rothbury NE65 7UP
01669 621717
bewicksrothbury.com
Bewicks, in the heart of Northumberland, is known for its modern British cuisine served in a cosy and informal space. Renowned Head Chef Kevin Mulraney caters for all tastes with local salmon, pigeon, oysters and lamb all finding a place on his menu; the oysters of course being from Lindisfarne. They even keep their coffee local with North Shields’ Baristocracy’s blends.
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The Potted Lobster
3 Lucker Road, Bamburgh NE69 7BS
01668 214088
thepottedlobster.co.uk
They’re serious about seafood here, creating quality dishes using the freshest fish delivered daily, alongside lamb and beef from Bamburgh and beyond. Head chef Richard Sim curates a regularly changing menu (think Lindisfarne oysters, smoked haddock chowder and fresh dressed crab salad) but keep an eye on the specials board for the catch of the day too. It can get very busy here so be sure to book ahead (you can request dog-friendly seating if you need it).
The Drift Café
Cresswell, Morpeth NE61 5LA
01670 861599
facebook.com/thedriftcafecresswell
This popular coastal café in Cresswell serves coffee, tea and homemade cakes alongside delicious light lunch options including wraps, toasties, quiche and soup, and has a takeout service too. The café is dog-friendly and a great place to stop-off after a walk along the beach where you can sit back, relax and take in the views with an award-winning scoop of Minchella & Co.’s ice cream. They’re just about to launch their restaurant too, serving authentic Greek food in the evenings.
Spurreli
The Old Chandlery, Coquet Street, Amble NE65 0DJ
01665 710890
spurreli.com
Nothing beats an ice cream at the seaside and Spurreli is the perfect pit-stop, right in the heart of Amble. The main event here is the artisan ice cream and sorbet which Spurreli produce using milk and cream from Marley Cote Walls Farm near Hexham and their pedigree herd of Ayrshire and Short Horn cows (we can personally recommend their pistachio flavour). However, there’s also a range of vegan, dairy- and gluten-free ice cream, and it’s not just frozen favourites on the menu – the café serves hot drinks and homemade cakes too.
The Old Boat House
Leazes Street, Amble NE65 0AA
01665 711232
boathousefoodgroup.co.uk
A previous winner of ‘Coastal Fish Restaurant of the Year’, The Old Boathouse is not your average seafood restaurant. The views over Amble Harbour are fabulous, but it’s all about the food here. Go all out with their famous seafood sharing platter, or choose from the main menu which features everything from beer-battered cod to North Shields dressed crab.
Hjem
The Hadrian Hotel, Wall, Hexham NE46 4EE
01434 681232
restauranthjem.co.uk
Having once again retained its well-deserved Michelin star, Hjem is still near the top of the list for many North East foodies (as well as those from further afield). In the heart of Hadrian’s Wall Country, their exquisite tasting menu – with a touch of Scandinavian flair – is a unique offering. The intimate restaurant with its open kitchen offers a Nordic-influenced tasting menu of small bites and larger dishes, all created from ingredients sourced from the surrounding farms and gardens of Northumberland.
The Lord Crewe
Front Street, Bamburgh NE69 7BL
01668 214243
lord-crewe.co.uk
Having now been awarded an AA Rosette for its food offering (as well as an AA Breakfast Award) the Lord Crewe is a safe bet for a fabulous meal at the coast, just a stone’s throw from the iconic castle at Bamburgh. Expect luxurious seafood dishes here, with an emphasis on high-quality local produce. We can recommend the grilled queen scallops, the lobster Thermidor and the wild mushroom tagliatelle, and there’s a good set lunch menu here too, as well as light bites and sandwiches.
The Sycamore
Princes Street, Corbridge NE45 5AS
01434 239454
sycamorecorbridge.com
Serving brunch, lunch and dinner, The Sycamore showcases the best seasonal offerings sourced from a close network of local farms and suppliers. The tempting bar menu by day gives way to dinner, served Thursday through to Saturday and includes everything from Douglas fir-cured salmon with dill creme fraiche, and twice-baked Doddington cheese soufflé to start, followed by butter roasted coley or seared picanha steak with truffle mayo to follow. There’s a great wine and cocktail list too, and Sunday lunch here is served sharing style.
