If you're looking to expand your horizons when it comes to eating out in 2023, then checking out the best restaurants that the North East has to offer is the best place to start.
It's reassuring to know what you're getting when you try somewhere new to eat, and luckily there's no shortage of venues in the region that have earned hundreds of stellar reviews from diners according to travel website Tripadvisor. But a handful of restaurants, pubs and cafés have beat all other competitors to become the number one place to go for food in their area, making them a definite must-try.
Whether you fancy steak on the Quayside, Italian tapas in Sunderland, pub grub in North Shields or afternoon tea in Hartlepool, there's sure to be something to suit you among these top-rated places. We've rounded up the ten most searched-for places in the North East and the top restaurant in each of them - plus the two closest runners-up - according to thousands of Tripadvisor reviewers, to bring you the ultimate list of places to visit in 2023.
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Newcastle’s Number One: Rio Brazilian Steakhouse
It’s no mean feat to be crowned the top restaurant in all of Newcastle - but with more than 1,000 Excellent reviews, Rio’s on the Quayside takes the coveted number one spot on Tripadvisor. With branches across the North East and plans to expand even further, the steakhouse promises to take diners on a “culinary journey” as they enjoy a traditional Brazilian Churrasco experience.
“An incredible experience,” one diner who visited in November praised. “Beautiful meat carved at your table, attentive staff and an amazing atmosphere. If you're near one of these and you love meat then you HAVE to visit. Superb!”
Another customer wrote: “Fantastic food, loads of variety, the meats were perfectly cooked and even the salad bar was top notch. The service was excellent. The waiting staff were really attentive. Very impressed.”
“I have never experienced a more beautiful restaurant!” said a third. “The staff are five-star as well as the food! We came for our second anniversary and cannot fault the place - we will be returning.”
Runner-up: Simla
Third place: Saray Turkish Grill House
Sunderland’s Number One: Aperitif
This Italian bar and restaurant has won over diners in Sunderland,with nearly 650 Tripadvisor users awarding it the top rating after their experience. Serving up Italian tapas and a la carte menus, Aperitif has earned page after page of stellar reviews.
“We can now see why this restaurant is always so busy,” one visitor wrote on Tripadvisor. “The food is amazing as well as the hospitality. A very warm and welcoming vibe about this place too.”
A second diner added: “One of the nicest meals we’ve had in a long time. Restaurant was very busy, understandable as food and presentation was absolutely spot on. Excellent service and beautiful cocktails.”
“Absolutely delicious food. Best food, very fresh, incredibly tasty and yummy,” a third customer wrote. “Recommend the scallops & seafood risotto - best we’ve ever tasted in the UK. Great service & lovely place.”
Runner-up: The Scullery
Third place: Miller & Carter
Durham’s Number One: Turtle Bay
Turtle Bay has venues across the UK including Newcastle, Middlesbrough and York - but it’s the restaurant chain’s Durham venue that seems to be a particular stand-out, with diners voting it the top place to eat in the city. Inspired by the founder’s trip to Barbados, Turtle Bay is a homage to the beach shacks of the Caribbean with food and drinks to match - and its Durham branch has earned over 970 Excellent reviews.
The staff at this Turtle Bay seem to make it a favourite among Durham diners, with one reviewer writing: “Excellent night, food was lush, burger was unreal and our waitress Carly was brilliant.”
“Mia was excellent with our group - the food was great and the cocktails came out quick and tasted amazing, can’t recommend enough,” another diner praised.
“I loved my experience here at Turtle Bay Durham,” someone else wrote on Tripadvisor. “Pav was extremely accommodating, and to be honest, he made the whole experience! His friendly nature and riveting convo made the trip worthwhile.”
Runner-up: Rio Brazilian Steakhouse Durham
Third place: Shaheens Indian
Gateshead’s Number One: Giuseppe’s
Another North East favourite that brings a taste of Italy to the region, Giuseppe’s Italian Bistro takes the top spot in Gateshead with more than 350 Excellent reviews on Tripadvisor. Serving up all the classics like pizza, pasta, risotto and antipasti, Giuseppe’s in Kibblesworth is popular with locals and tourists alike and has received outstanding feedback from diners.
“Warm welcome, and great service throughout,” one visitor said in their review. “Great tasting food, beautifully presented. Made my birthday celebration with friends and family special.”
“The thing that makes going to Giuseppe's such a pleasure, apart from the quality of the food (especially the homemade desserts) and the more-than-reasonable prices, is Giuseppe himself,” another satisfied diner wrote. “He makes you feel that you really matter as a customer: everything from the warmth of the initial welcome to offering alternative dishes to those featured on the set menu, but not charging extra, to the presentation of the food.”
A third customer said: “We all thoroughly enjoyed our meal here, the food was gorgeous and the staff were friendly and attentive. Will definitely recommend and return.”
Runner-up: Le Olive Verdi
Third place: Saj’s Restaurant
Darlington’s Number One: Bombay Gate
This Indian restaurant sets out to “delight, tantalise and sate” diners with its menu full of different flavours - and it looks like it has certainly achieved its aim, with Tripadvisor reviewers declaring it the best place to eat out in Darlington. Bombay Gate has racked up more than two hundred Excellent ratings from customers, with many praising its friendly staff and delicious food.
“Staff and food superb. Friendly happy guys, with a warm welcome,” one diner said in a review. “My food was very tasty and I loved every part of it.”
A second person wrote: “Excellent service, excellent food and amazing staff and service friendly and approachable, would recommend this place to anyone, I’ll be back.”
“Had a brilliant night in Bombay Gate. Food was exceptional, staff were very friendly, professional and efficient. In all, great value for money and a very enjoyable night,” said a third customer.
Runner-up: Viraj
Third place: The Black Horse
South Shields’ Number One: Italianish
This restaurant offers a mix of Spanish and Italian food, from pasta and paellas to tortillas and tapas which have all gone down a storm with diners. Tripadvisor users have reached the verdict that this is the number one place to go in all of South Shields, with more than 450 Excellent reviews.
“Myself and my family have been going here for the last few months and every single visit has been without fault,” one fan wrote. “Incredible food, great prices and fantastic service.”
Another diner said: “Wow, absolutely amazing food and service. The menu is unique and has so much choice, it took us a while to finally decide on what to eat. The presentation of all of the dishes were outstanding and the flavours really complimented each dish.”
“One of the most underrated restaurants in South Tyneside!” declared a third visitor. “The food is absolutely gorgeous, full of flavour and the presentation is exceptional. We visited with the kids and were made very welcome, very family friendly. Gorgeous cocktails ideal for date night or a mate date too.”
Runner-up: Delhi 6
Third place: Turkuisine
Hartlepool’s Number One: Glady’s
Offering something a little different when it comes to top-rated food venues in the region, Glady’s is a vintage tea room that will transport you back in time with its 1940s-inspired interior. The Seaton Carew venue’s menu full of fresh home-cooked food has earned more than 940 Excellent reviews from diners on Tripadvisor, making it the top food attraction in Hartlepool.
“This little place is chockablock with delightful retro charm and nostalgic knick-knacks - so much to look at,” one visitor wrote. “And not only are the friendly staff decked out in period dress, but the background music is period 40s/50s which adds to the whole sensory experience.”
“What can I say - an oasis of charm,” another person praised. “Properly lifted our spirits. Really friendly staff, excellent scones and cake, and proper tea - strongly recommended.”
A third fan said: “The food was a delight, plenty of choice. Lovely warm sausage rolls, different sandwiches, very light, fruity scones with clotted cream and jam, and a great, tasty choice of different cakes.”
Runner-up: Portofino
Third place: Ruskins Bistro
Whitley Bay’s Number One: The Milbourne Arms
You just can’t beat a traditional village pub according to diners in Whitley Bay, who have voted this Holywell Village venue the best place to go for a meal out in the area with nearly 400 Excellent ratings on Tripadvisor. Boasting everything you’d expect from your favourite pub including a beer garden, sports bar and Sunday roasts, The Milbourne Arms has been earning rave reviews from diners since first appearing on Tripadvisor back in 2015.
“Food was beautiful. Friendly family atmosphere. We will definitely be back,” one visitor wrote in their review. “Portion sizes were huge! We thoroughly enjoyed it.”
A second added: “Recently visited on a steak night, brilliant quality service and top notch food. Friendly bar staff with a great warm atmosphere. Would highly recommend it to anyone.”
“We have just moved to the area and have tried a few Sunday lunches - this one has definitely been the best so far,” a third diner said. “This will definitely be one of our regulars. If you haven't tried it, please do - you will not be disappointed.”
Runner-up: Shampan
Third place: Zamorins
North Shields’ Number One: Gunner
Another beloved pub that has earned the top spot, the Gunner sports more than 250 Excellent reviews from customers who have shared their experience on Tripadvisor. The number one North Shields food venue run by the Greene King group promises a comfy and lively atmosphere where you can watch the sport while tucking into some hearty pub grub.
“This is a pub I could comfortably sit in all day - so cosy with the fires lit giving it that welcoming feeling,” one visitor said on Tripadvisor. “Our first time here but it won't be our last.”
Another wrote: “The Gunner has a great menu to suit everyone. The food is really well prepared, presented, tasty and good value, and the pub itself has a fantastic family feel.”
“It's definitely the best place to eat in North Shields.” a third customer declared. “The value and quality is unbeatable, and I will recommend the pub to anyone who wants a decent meal at low prices.”
Runner-up: Low Lights Tavern
Third place: The Quay Taphouse
Alnwick’s Number One: The Rocking Horse Café
Known locally as The Rocky, this charming café housed in a former farmhouse dairy only opened five years ago in 2017 but has quickly cemented itself as the go-to place for food in the Northumberland market town. The café has not only earned the top spot in Tripadvisor’s list of best restaurants in Alnwick, but according to over 600 Excellent reviews comes in first place across the whole of Northumberland too.
“Fabulous food, first class service and always a great place to visit with four-legged family members,” one Rocky regular said. “The Rocking Horse is our favourite destination for a coffee and a catch-up!”
“A warmer welcome would be hard to find,” said another visitor. “The café was bursting with character and we loved the pride shown in the local, homemade produce. The scones and cakes we had were delightful.”
A third customer praised: “What a lovely place. The owner Andrew is such a lovely bloke and his staff are second to none. Such a wonderful experience.”
Runner-up: The Horseshoes Inn
Third place: Piper’s Pitch
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