Turreted Victorian grandeur meets the wild beauty of County Down at this Scottish Baronial landmark, where the Mountains of Mourne sweep dramatically toward the Irish Sea. The spa draws on the setting's elemental character—indoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna—while four restaurants champion local suppliers. A legendary links course sits adjacent, making this the natural base for golfers and walkers alike.
Where to Stay
Where to Eat
★ Michelin
A stone's throw from Kenny Atkinson's flagship House of Tides, this Michelin-starred intimate dining room delivers multi-course tasting menus of remarkable intricacy. Scallops and pigeon showcase the kitchen's reverence for prime British ingredients, while chefs personally present each plate with thoughtful explanation. The optional wine pairing deepens the experience, making this an essential reservation for serious gastronomes exploring Newcastle's culinary scene.
★ Michelin
A sixteenth-century merchant's house on the Quayside provides the atmospheric setting for Kenny Atkinson's Michelin-starred Modern British cooking. Flagged stone floors, cast iron pillars, and carved beams frame meals where punchy flavours meet deliberate restraint—chicken strozzapreti with spinach and parmesan exemplifies the kitchen's balance. The Sunday Feast menu delivers a polished reinterpretation of the traditional roast.
Michelin Selected
A zinc-topped bar lined with an impressive gin collection sets the tone at this smart brasserie, where red and black interiors create a polished backdrop for confident British cooking. The kitchen delivers a comprehensive repertoire of classics, from hearty mains to refined plates, while the menu du jour provides an accessible entry point without sacrificing quality.
Michelin Selected
Albanian-born Chef Kleo channels his Italian training into vibrant Mediterranean seafood at this Jesmond neighbourhood brasserie. The cooking favours bold, unfussy flavours—dishes arrive bright with colour and punch. Diners choose between à la carte, fixed-price, or tasting menus, each matched by sensibly priced European wines. Lisa, Kleo's partner, runs the room with natural warmth, making every table feel welcomed.
Michelin Selected
Chef-owner Lindsay named this slender dining room after his childhood dog, setting the tone for a restaurant that feels genuinely personal. Family artwork lines the walls while the kitchen delivers a seasonal set menu of refined small plates with contemporary lightness. The thoughtfully assembled wine list leans toward organic and biodynamic bottles, with pairings that reward the adventurous palate.
Bib Gourmand
A converted quayside warehouse on one of Newcastle's oldest lanes houses this Bib Gourmand pub, where more than fifty beers flow at the ground-floor bar and a rustic upstairs dining room delivers robust Modern British cooking. Haggis on toast and grilled calves liver with bacon, sage and crispy onions exemplify the kitchen's bold, regional approach—gutsy flavours served at honest prices by a genuinely welcoming team.
Michelin Selected
Anna Hedworth's trajectory from food blogger to restaurateur began with a shipping container café before evolving into this industrial-chic space on Foundry Lane. The hibachi grill anchors a fiercely seasonal Modern British menu, where vibrant dishes arrive with char and smoke. A stripped-back dining room opens onto a pleasant terrace, the atmosphere deliberately relaxed despite the Michelin Plate recognition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Newcastle neighbourhoods are best for upscale stays?
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Quayside offers riverside properties with views of the Tyne bridges, while Jesmond — a leafy suburb north of the centre — provides Victorian townhouse hotels and quieter streets. Grainger Town places guests within walking distance of Grey Street's Georgian architecture and the city's main dining districts.
How does Gateshead differ from Newcastle for visitors?
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Gateshead occupies the south bank of the Tyne and operates as a separate borough with its own cultural identity. The Quays area clusters major arts venues — Baltic and Sage — alongside waterfront apartments. It tends toward purpose-built contemporary accommodation rather than heritage conversions, and the atmosphere is markedly quieter after dark.
What is the dining character of Newcastle and Gateshead?
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The scene favours accomplished informality over stiff formality. Ouseburn and the Quayside concentrate independent restaurants, many occupying converted industrial spaces. Northeast ingredients — Lindisfarne oysters, Northumbrian lamb, Craster kippers — appear frequently on menus, though the cooking style borrows freely from Mediterranean and Asian traditions.
Newcastle
The Tyne bridges frame a city split across two banks and two boroughs. Newcastle's Quayside warehouses now house cocktail bars and converted lofts, while Gateshead's cultural quarter — anchored by the Sage concert hall and Baltic art centre — draws a different crowd entirely. Grainger Town's Victorian arcades remain the commercial spine, though the real energy has shifted to Ouseburn, a former industrial valley where breweries and studios occupy brick buildings that once processed lead and glass.
Dining here reflects the port city's contradictions. Fenwick's food hall supplies fine provisions to the county set, yet some of the most compelling cooking happens in railway arches and former shipping offices. The restaurant scene skews informal — tasting menus exist, but the regional preference runs toward sharing plates and natural wine. Morning coffee culture thrives along Dean Street and Pink Lane, where independent roasters compete fiercely for the city's caffeine loyalties.