Restaurants and Cafés Just a Car's Drive from Morpeth
These top picks are worth the short drive from Morpeth
The Anglers Arms
Weldon Bridge, Longframlington NE65 8AX
01665 570271
anglersarms.com
On the banks of the River Coquet, this traditional coaching inn is full of character. Under new ownership, the restaurant has maintained its reputation for good food with many of the ingredients sourced from the surrounding farms.The bar is dog friendly and there’s a great sun-trap beer garden here too.
The Running Fox
2–4 Riverside, Felton NE65 9EA
Rothbury Road, Longframlington NE65 8AE
Farne Road, Shilbottle NE66 2XX
26 North End, Longhoughton NE66 3AG
01665 660721
runningfoxbakery.co.uk
Now with four popular outposts, this well known and much loved bakery-cum-coffee shop serves hearty breakfasts, freshly baked pies and quiche, soup, sandwiches and delicious homemade cakes. Best known for their generously-portioned afternoon teas, The Running Fox are a Northumberland foodie favourite.
Caboose at Blyth Boathouse
Quay Road, Blyth NE24 3PA
01670 359851
caboose-group.co.uk
Situated on the riverside in Blyth, Caboose is a family-run café, bistro and restaurant offering fantastic food at affordable prices. Their carefully-crafted menus are a mix of classic and contemporary locally-sourced, seasonal dishes and with a breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner offering, they’re a great dining destination at all times of the day. A children’s menu for each mealtime makes it an ideal place for all the family (even the four-legged members), as well as being equally good for drinks, with a well-stocked bar and beer garden.
Bewicks Kitchen & Coffee House
Church House, Church Street, Rothbury NE65 7UP
01669 621717
bewicksrothbury.com
Bewicks is a bespoke restaurant in the heart of Northumberland, known for its modern British cuisine served in a cosy and informal space. Head Chef Kevin Mulraney caters for all tastes with 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.
The Ox Inn
Middleton, Morpeth NE61 4QZ
01670 772634
facebook.com/theoxinnmiddleton
Max Gott (formerly of Jesmond’s Bistro Forty Six) took over this compact local pub last summer, and has taken its food offering to previously unimaginable heights while preserving its status as a local pub which welcomes all comers. The bar is open all week, with food served Thursday to Sunday. Check out their weekly ‘Meat Sauce Fries’ night on a Thursday, and epic Sunday lunches, or head down Friday or Saturday to try the eclectic blackboard menu, which is different every day but usually features something Max has shot or foraged from the surrounding countryside. Top tip: Joe behind the bar makes a cracking cocktail.
The Northumberland Arms
The Peth, West Thirston, Felton NE65 9EE
01670 787370
northumberlandarms-felton.co.uk
This country pub is popular for its extensive choice of beer and modern menu which changes regularly. The Sunday lunch is hugely popular so be sure to book, and you can dine al fresco here, or enjoy a drink in the pub’s beer garden beside the picturesque 16th bridge. You’re sure to love their Ponteland-based sister venue, The Blackbird, too.
Char Mausum
Station Road End, Stannington, Morpeth NE61 6DR
01670 789011
Despite its rather unusual locals (an old Little Chef beside the now defunct Great North Road) this renowned Indian restaurant is worth seeking out. It serves good quality, delicious Indian cuisine and is well worth a visit for an authentic curry.
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. The café is dog-friendly and a great place to stop-off in summer, where you can sit back, relax and take in the views with an award-winning scoop of Minchella & Co.’s ice cream.
