News Beat
Two North East restaurants make Harden’s Best 100 list 2026
The North East featured prominently in the newly released 2026 edition of Harden’s Best UK Restaurants, with two eateries making the national top 100 and 49 establishments across the region being recognised.
A highlight for the region is that Pine, in East Wallhouses, Northumberland, ranked 38th in the prestigious list.
Reviews say Pine remains an “exceptional” restaurant offering a “hugely inventive” dining experience.
Cal and Sian Byerley’s “Scandi-style, airy dining room” stands out with sustainable, hyper-local sourcing, seasonal ingredients, and “clean flavours, ferments and vinegars”.
Guests praise its relaxed atmosphere and the “interest of watching the chefs at work”.
Joining Pine on the list is House of Tides in Newcastle, which made it to the 82nd spot.
A constant on the North East fine-dining scene, the Quayside restaurant by Kenny and Abbie Atkinson offers “Michelin-star quality” dishes in a 16th-century townhouse.
The restaurant is celebrated for its “elegant, well-presented dishes” that showcase “amazing tastes and textures”.
Commenting on the resilience shown by the culinary industry this year, Harden’s co-founder and editor Peter Harden said: “It’s understandable that over the last 12 months the hospitality industry has been toiling away under a cloud of gloomsterism.
“Hit by food inflation, rising wages, relentless rent increases and soaring utilities – some long-term operators say that 2025 is the toughest year they can recall.”
Despite the challenges, Mr Harden commended the perseverance of the culinary sector, stating: “What is challenging for suppliers can be good for consumers.
“Customer expectations are so high now, restaurants have to work ever-harder to cut through.”
