The best restaurants serving British food in North East

We debated for miles about lunch. Hexham is still a comfortable rural market town, the Abbey lending an authoritative stamp of history and longevity and gravitas to the delightful place. A sunny, bright October day looked on as we parked at the roadside and on the spur of the moment and the occasion decided to re-visit the Beaumont. Our only previous visit having been in company and for 'business' rather than pure enjoyment. So when we were graciously greeted and conducted to 'any' table for 2 it felt as if we were old friends. Our jackets were hung for us, a carafe of water came with the menus, and the server spoke with some knowledge about the choices when invited 'What would YOU have' We opted for a 'light lunch' variation, which was a good choice. The food was delicious, with those details that mark out some thought and care going into the item. Equally with the dessert, for alongside 'sticky toffee pudding' - which, let's face it, is a bit passé these days - there were intriguing desserts with intermixed chocolate and peanut, and figs, and suchlike unusual items. The delay in serving the desserts became suddenly clear when they arrived. No simple spooning a bit of sickly sponge on a plate with a smother of custard, these were hand assembled and decorated. It's said that you eat with your eyes, and that was as true of the desert as it had been of the main course. The real test is, of course, the flavour, and we agreed that the subtle blending of the flavours and ingredients at each stage of the meal spoke to a competence in the kitchen that is all too missing in these days of fast American rubbish. Well done to all the staff there, and a hoorah for the chefs, unsung heroes of a busy restaurant. But I had a complaint! They are too far away to eat there every week. An entire day out for lunch is a wee bit too much to ask. But then, maybe Hexham Abbey will lay on another exhibition that needs a visit. Or may be it won't really deserve a visit, - but we'll go anyway, and need a meal. Bring it on!

BEWARE of overcharging at this shop. They don’t take cash, a detail you only find out when you are at the till, and was then overcharged by 75% on the card machine. As I wasn’t offered a receipt this fact wasn’t obvious until I was in an area where there was phone reception. Two trips back to the shop have failed to recoup the money and now no one is answering the mobile number I was given. Poor experience all round.

Very tasty steak! We loved our food and the staff were really attentive. It was priced more for a special occasion

The service was great, everyone very friendly, didn’t wait long for food at all perfect time to fit a few drinks in and chill and enjoy the moment!

We went out of our way to eat here as we heard it was good. The food was poor. I had soup and steak pie, the pie was cold and very gloopy, my husband had soup and sarnie also poor very thick bread but hard to eat. The tomato soup was very peppery , why is it always tomato? Also i am disabled and no help was offered to get me in and out. Getting round the place in a chair almost impossible. We found a seat but were asked to move as it was reserved though not marked as such, the design of the cafe was very bad we had to push past people queueing to pay, no help was offered to get my chair through to new table. i felt as if i wasn't wanted there.

Great place.. fabulous views. Just had Sunday lunch, really nice, well cooked and the staff were excellent.. very friendly.

Excellent service, comfortable, clean and good atmosphere. The all day breakfast was outstanding....best I have ever had. We will definitely go back, next time it will be one of those excellent looking cakes.

Nice place for a drink. Plenty of choice and very friendly hosts.

I’m 61 and been going here few times a year since I was a little girl . It’s never changed and is as popular as ever. If yr ever in Redcar it’s def worth having one

We visited for lunch en route to Kielder and opted for the lunchtime special. Excellent selection of starters, mains and desserts, something for everyone’s taste. My partner and son were slightly disappointed with their food as the description on the menu stated that it had gammon and also duck eggs but when it arrived it was cold ham and the eggs were not duck eggs. My steak and ale pie was delicious though, and son’s partner really enjoyed the fish and chips. The desserts were fantastic! Chocolate mousse with honeycomb for the guys which they really loved. Dairy-free ice cream for son’s partner and I had the mixed berry cheese cake with some double cream. That was absolutely fantastic so much so that I am tempted to ask for a whole one to take home next time we visit, which I hope will be very soon. The pub itself is very homely, with a wood burning stove and I noticed a bookcase including kids’ books etc. The staff were extremely friendly and attentive, very typical of local Northumbrian hospitality. We went on a sunny(-ish!) day and the view was lovely across from the pub. It was very handy for a lunch stop on our way up to Kielder as it’s on the main route from Otterburn up to the border (Carter Bar). Thank you very much, see you soon.

The best ice cream in Northumberland can be found at this place. We had two ice creams - blue raspberry, strawberry, pistachio and walnut & maple. The blue raspberry wasn't to my taste, but the other three were nothing short of spectacular! We've previously had banana, coconut, marzipan and other flavours, and they've all be 5*.

We went here with family during a very busy restaurant week, I had the baked goats cheese, it was creamy and flavourful, came with a beautiful bread. Others at the table had the gambis pil pil, it packed a punch with chilli and garlic, then we had the iberico ham and manchengo cheese croutons, melted in your mouth. The table all decided on the steak, melted like butter, probably one of the best steaks we've had. We were left with a sweet taste from the sticky toffee pudding and the brownie. Cocktails were incredible and the front of house team have our upmost respect, Amelia, Lauryn and Rosie couldn't be better hosts. Friendly, making great recommendations and attentive without being invasive. Absolutely 💯 perfect.

We always try to support local independent businesses and Micahs is definitely worth supporting. Great food and great service is always on offer and the bonus there is always great welcome for our dog Orla.

Special treat to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Beautiful castle, attentive staff, food was amazing. Thoroughly enjoyed our visit. Only downside is its very expensive.

Food fantastic, good value for money very friendly staff would highly recommend to friends and family will go back soon