News

This northern restaurant has been named the best in the UK for 2024

The spectacular 19-course tasting menu probably did the trick

Amy Houghton
Written by
Amy Houghton
Contributing writer
pine
Photograph: Pine
Advertising

After sifting through thousands of reviews from diners and consulting a legion of in-house critics, Northumberland eatery Pine has been named SquareMeal’s best UK restaurant for 2024. It should be noted that the list excludes London – you can find out more about the separate ranking of restaurants in the capital here

Experts from the independent restaurant guide applauded Pine for its ‘many stroked of genius’ and ‘breezy and charming’ service while complimenting chefs Cal Byerleyand Ian Waller on their talent for ‘[assembling] dishes with surgical precision and a painterly eye’. 

Set in an old cow barn, Pine serves a spectacular (and sustainable) line-up of 19 courses. And as all the very best sustainably-minded spots like to do these days, it sources produce straight from its own kitchen farm or forages stuff from the surrounding Northumberland landscape. 

Pine then uses all of that good crop to create the kind of stuff culinary dreams are made of. Its lavish tasting menu changes regularly depending on what’s available and in season. In the past it’s offered mouth-watering dishes like blow-torched mackerel with sugar kelp and borage flower, chicory root with pineapple weed and raw scallop with rhubarb and rose geranium. 

Although this was the first year that Pine has made it into SquareMeal’s top five, a few regular award-winners made a return. Welsh restaurant Ynyshir was bumped up from third to second place and Moor Hall in Lancashire went from fifth to third, while last year’s winner, Grace and Savour, was pushed down to fourth. Luxury Yorkshire dining room Myse came fifth. 

You can browse the whole list here

Want more restaurant recs? 

We’re full of ’em. From London”s finest to Manchester’s very best, Edinburgh’s edible delights to Cardiff’s must-visits, we’ve got foodie guides to all your favourite cities. 

Did you see that: three UK cafés have been named the most popular in the world?

Plus: Five towns have been named the ‘most underrated’ in Britain for 2024

Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out UK newsletter for the latest UK news and the best stuff happening across the country. 

You may also like
You may also like
Advertising