SquareMeal Top 100 Restaurants UK: Five Newcastle restaurants make the top 100 including Hjem & House of Tides

2023 has seen the return of the annual restaurant awards from SquareMeal as they announce the 100 best restaurants in the UK. Newcastle is well represented on the list, having five restaurants make the cut.

Spanning the whole of the UK, Newcastle has two in the top 20 with Solstice Newcastle and Hjem, which is located at the Hadrian Hotel. According to SquareMeal, “this year truly must have presented the highest calibre of restaurants yet”.

According to IbisWorld, there are currently 32,659 Full-Service Restaurants Businesses in the UK in 2023. These cover a number of different cuisines such as Chinese, Italian and many more.

Number one spot goes to Grace & Savour which is located in Hampton Manor, West Midlands. On SquareMeal, they say “David and Anette Taylor have crafted an idyllic countryside retreat.

“Lifting up sustainable producers and craftspeople around them with an unwavering commitment to ethical, bio-diverse farming. The resulting 15 course tasting menu is a thing of beauty - Grace & Savour is a gleaming jewel with a very bright future.”

Which Newcastle restaurants are included in SquareMeal’s top 100?

Solstice Newcastle - 17

SquareMeal says “Not content with having one champion restaurant in Newcastle, Kenny Atkinson has opened another one just down the road. The UK isn’t short of great tasting menus these days, but Solstice is right up there with the best of them.”

Hjem - The Hadrian Hotel - 20

SquareMeal says “The serene, Scandi-style dining room provides a calming backdrop in which to indulge in some of Swedish chef Alex Nietosvuori’s intricate cooking. Hjem’s food offering comes in the form of one 15-18-course tasting menu, where Northumberland produce is treated with Scandinavian techniques.”

House of Tides - 54

SquareMeal says “Kenny Atkinson is still Newcastle’s big name, and his restaurant remains a joyous place to spend lunch or dinner. Dishes are rooted in local, seasonal produce and classic technique.”

Peace & Loaf - 81

SquareMeal says “British classics are deconstructed and reimagined by Head Chef Dave Coulson at this Newcastle restaurant. Favourites include the ‘deconstructed’ fish and chips - fondly named ‘The Chippy’.”

Route Bistro - 94

SquareMeal says “With an ever-changing menu, you can visit Route on a number of occasions and never have the same dish twice. The seasonal British menu focuses on simple dishes executed to perfection, along with a 70-strong wine list.”