Prince William Bar & Grill
Set in the heart of our very own Forget Me Not Country Park, the Prince William Bar & Grill is the perfect place to relax after a day exploring Northumberland. Enjoy hearty home-cooked meals, refreshing drinks, and a welcoming atmosphere. With seasonal specials and family-friendly dining, it’s a favourite spot for making memories over delicious food. Check out the menu here.
Ord House Lounge Bar & Grill
Nestled within Ord House Country Park, the Lounge Bar & Grill offers something for everyone. Families can enjoy tasty meals while little ones make the most of the soft play area, while adults can unwind in the exclusive lounge. With freshly prepared dishes, Sunday carveries, and a relaxed setting, it’s a true home-from-home dining experience. Check out the menu here.
A modern British gastropub with farm-to-table at its heart. They showcase Northumberland’s bounty by working with as many local farmers and producers as possible. Their seasonal menus celebrate what’s fresh and sustainable – think Coquet Valley pork belly with local apple compote in autumn, or North Sea halibut with Border peas in summer. The ethos: food that hasn’t traveled far simply tastes better.
A Michelin-starred restaurant set on a farm, with a Green Star for sustainability. Pine literally grows much of its produce on-site in a kitchen garden and forages the nearby landscape for wild flavours. Chef Cal Byerley’s beautifully inventive tasting menu might include vegetables plucked hours prior or honey from their own beehives. Dining here is an experience in being truly connected to Northumberland’s land – all served in a rustic barn setting with views of the surrounding countryside.
This hotel’s restaurant is renowned for its sustainable, home-grown menu. They cultivate extensive vegetable gardens and polytunnels on-site, meaning your salad greens, tomatoes, and herbs are as fresh as possible. What they can’t grow, they source from nearby farms and producers. Battlesteads’ commitment to low food-miles and seasonal cooking earned it multiple eco-awards. It’s unpretentious fine dining – enjoy a gourmet dish of garden-glut soup or local roast grouse knowing it’s truly of its place.
The acclaimed Scandi-Northumbrian restaurant that put Northumberland on the foodie map (Michelin Star 2021). Hjem (pronounced “yem”) takes farm-to-table to artful heights – they even have a dedicated local farmer growing specialist vegetables just for them. The chefs pick up produce daily and craft a tasting menu that balances New Nordic techniques with Northumbrian ingredients. From estate venison to coast-foraged sea herbs, every element of Hjem’s menu has a local story. They also offer vegetarian and even vegan tasting menus.
Worth mentioning again for its pioneering role in local sourcing. Years before it was trendy, The Feathers was forming close relationships with nearby farmers, hunters, and foragers – resulting in an ever-changing menu deeply tied to the land. One evening might feature wild game pie with foraged mushroom gravy; another, pan-fried trout caught that morning in the Tyne. Their motto is to use “the freshest seasonal produce from local small-scale farmers”, which has created an outstanding dining reputation. Enjoying a meal here, in a cosy pub setting, embodies the soul of farm-to-table dining in Northumberland.
This country-chic inn offers a variety of vegan options, including a fully plant-based Sunday roast with all the trimmings. Enjoy a nut roast or vegan fish and chips in the stylish bar after a walk along the River Coquet – they pride themselves on catering to all dietary needs without compromising flavour.
A beloved local bakery-café (with sites in Felton, Longframlington, Shilbottle and more) famous for its fully vegan afternoon tea and vegan full English breakfast options. Picture towering tiers of egg-free sandwiches, scones with plant-based “clotted” cream, and creative cakes – all vegan. It really showcases how indulgent and hearty vegan baking can be
Hexham’s only exclusively vegetarian/vegan café, and a social enterprise to boot. This cheerful café serves up excellent meat-free lunches, from veggie quiches and soups to vegan burritos. It’s proof of the community spirit: you’ll enjoy wholesome, affordable food that’s doing good for the community, too.
On Lindisfarne, Pilgrim’s Coffee offers a wide range of vegetarian and vegan-friendly bites and sweet treats. They always have at least one vegan cake (try the chocolate beetroot brownie or Biscoff flapjack!) and dairy-free milks for your coffee. Sitting in their garden under the shadow of the priory ruins, enjoying a vegan lentil pasty and locally roasted coffee, is a little oasis for plant-based travellers making the pilgrimage to Holy Island.
A 100% vegan bakery and café by the Berwick coast, serving delicious cakes, brownies and also some savoury bakes like curried chickpea pies. Their indulgent cupcakes and gooey tiffin slices prove you don’t need dairy or eggs for a top-tier treat. It’s run by passionate locals who wanted to share cruelty-free goodies – don’t leave without a jar of their homemade jam or chutney as well!
This quirky café in Alnwick delights in catering to vegan diets. They offer things like jackfruit jacket potatoes with vegan cheese, plant-based “cheesy” nachos, and lush fruit sorbets. It’s a lovely spot for lunch when touring Alnwick and yes, they do have strawberries on the menu (in summer they source them locally for their desserts).
Ever fancied dining by candlelight in a 14th-century castle? At Langley Castle Hotel’s restaurant, you can. This magnificent medieval fortress turned hotel lets you enjoy a rosette-awarded dinner in an intimate hall within its thick stone walls. It’s high-quality modern British cuisine served in a truly fairy-tale setting – an experience of history and luxury intertwined.
Talk about a twist: this restaurant is built up in the treetops! Nestled among the limbs of mature lime trees, connected by rope bridges, it’s a cosy, twinkling hideaway of log fires, handcrafted furniture and lantern lights. The Treehouse serves local Northumbrian produce, like estate-reared lamb and Alnwick Gin cocktails, with a side of pure magic. Dining here feels like being in an enchanted forest, especially at night when the tree canopy sparkles with lights.
Set in a 9th-century coaching castle, this restaurant marries medieval charm with contemporary style. The dining room features grand fireplaces and wood paneling but also modern plush seating and an updated menu. It’s a Grade II listed castle with a relaxed bar and restaurant that retain original character while the chefs serve up hearty British classics. Eating here after a day at nearby Redesdale or Kielder feels like stepping back in time and enjoying today’s comforts simultaneously.
As we’ve mentioned, The Running Fox offers a legendary afternoon tea. At their Felton location by the River Coquet, you’ll be presented with a cake stand filled with treats – sandwiches made with their bakery bread, quiches and pies, huge fluffy scones, and a parade of cakes. They even do a fully vegan afternoon tea. Be sure to book – locals rave it’s one of the best teas in the North East.
Take tea at the birthplace of Earl Grey! Howick Hall (former home of Prime Minister Earl Grey) has a charming tearoom in its glasshouse. They naturally serve Earl Grey tea alongside classic Northumbrian baking like singing hinnies and seed cake. After wandering the gorgeous gardens, nothing beats a Grey’s blend tea with a view of the flowers that bloom where the blend was born/
Enjoy a luxurious afternoon tea in the elegant lounge of this country-house hotel. Fine china, finger sandwiches of Northumberland ham and Pease pudding, delicate pastries and a warm Northumbrian cheese scone are typical. Doxford’s tranquil gardens and maze provide a lovely post-tea stroll. It’s a serene, nature-focused tea experience not far from The Kaims Country Park.
This boutique hotel by Hadrian’s Wall serves afternoon tea on a sunny terrace overlooking the Tyne Valley or by a cosy fire in the drawing room, depending on the season. Their menu often incorporates local ingredients – try a nettle & cheese savoury scone or a heather-honey éclair. With views of rolling parkland and maybe a deer sighting or two, it’s afternoon tea with quintessential Northumberland countryside vibes.
A unique spot in a converted convent near Alnwick Castle. Their afternoon tea is a decadent spread including mini tarts, macarons, and their signature “Monkey Bread” cinnamon cake, all served in what was the old chapel. It’s luxurious but with a playful twist – fitting for a place named the Cookie Jar. After tea, step out to explore Alnwick Castle or Barter Books just around the corner.
A hidden gem: this walled garden and glasshouse café does a delightful afternoon tea featuring produce grown on-site. In summer, enjoy strawberry tarts made with their own berries; in autumn, maybe spiced apple cake from their orchard. The setting of the Victorian glasshouse amid manicured gardens adds an extra charm. It’s also near High Hermitage Country Park, so guests can easily pop over for a peaceful tea in nature.
Overlooking the windswept Druridge Bay sands, the Drift offers spectacular sea views from its garden and heated marquee. Watch surfers and seabirds as you savor a hearty breakfast bap or a slice of homemade cake. It’s especially popular with walkers and birdwatchers because Cresswell Pond nature reserve is a short stroll away.
Tucked in a Holy Island garden, Pilgrim’s lets you gaze at Lindisfarne Priory’s ancient stones and the distant castle while enjoying a frothy flat white. This roastery café’s courtyard catches the sun; on cool days you can sit indoors by the window with views of the flowerbeds and ruins. Peaceful mornings here, when the tide cuts the island off and day-trippers haven’t arrived, are pure bliss for scenery lovers.
Perched near Craster harbour, Shoreline offers a picture-perfect outlook onto bobbing fishing boats and the rugged coast up to Dunstanburgh Castle. Try their famous crab sandwich or kipper pâté on the patio for a real Northumbrian lunch with a salty sea breeze. You might spot dolphins off the coast as you sip your tea!
In the courtyard of Kielder’s old hunting lodge, this café is surrounded by the enormity of Kielder Forest. Mountain bikers and hikers refuel here with soups, sandwiches, and excellent carrot cake. Grab a picnic bench outside and enjoy the green backdrop. Afterwards, you can walk a short trail to Kielder Water’s shore or up to an observation point for expansive reservoir views.
A cute spot on Bamburgh’s Front Street whose upstairs seating has direct views of Bamburgh Castle. Enjoy a barista coffee and perhaps their namesake “Rocky Road” traybake while gazing at the mighty castle ramparts rising above. Alternatively, take your treats to go and picnic on the village green under the castle’s shadow. Between the castle, beach and the village’s rose-lined lanes, it’s a feast for the eyes.
Not a standalone café, but this country hotel near the North Tyne has a lovely little coffee terrace open to non-residents. Overlooking the river and Bellingham’s fields, it’s a serene spot to enjoy afternoon tea or a light lunch. Watch trout jumping in the river below or simply soak in the pastoral scene. It captures the gentle beauty of the Northumbrian valley landscapes, complete with the soothing sound of the river as your background music.
As mentioned, Pine boasts a Michelin star for its dazzling 14-course tasting menu celebrating organic and foraged Northumbrian produce. Set in a stylishly rustic barn, the open kitchen takes centre stage, and dish after dish arrives more imaginative than the last. The experience is elevated but unpretentious and enhanced by thoughtful sustainable touches, such as house-made juices, homemade wildflower seed packets for guests to help the bees at home.
Fine dining meets relaxed coastal charm. This light, airy restaurant by Bamburgh Castle is beloved for its focus on fresh local seafood in a “Scandi-nautical” setting. The head chef achieved his mission of creating a high-quality yet unfussy seafood restaurant sourcing from nearby harbours. Langoustines caught that morning, Lindisfarne oysters shucked to order, wild herb sauces – it really is heaven for seafoodies. In summer, grab a patio seat and pair your platter with a crisp rosé; in winter, enjoy rich bouillabaisse inside. Either way, it’s fine seafood without stuffiness, and dog-friendly to make it even better.
A bit of a well-kept secret, this boutique restaurant offers a short but sophisticated menu that changes weekly. The chef is ex-London Michelin scene and returned home to Northumberland to do farm-to-table elegantly. There are only about 20 covers, making it an intimate experience. A typical main might be Tarset pheasant breast with wild mushroom duxelles, or locally shot hare ragu pappardelle. A cosy fire, soft jazz, and an excellent wine list round it out. It feels like dining at a friend’s beautiful country home – one who also happens to be an excellent chef.
