The UK’s leading independent restaurant guide – SquareMeal – has announced the best restaurants the UK has to offer outside of London, with Northumberland’s Pine in the number one spot.
SquareMeal’s UK Top 100 is the only list of its kind to exclude London’s restaurants – allowing the wider UK to shine.
Using a combination of thousands of reader votes and feedback from expert critics, the list aims to reflect Britain’s varied dining scene – featuring everything from fine dining experiences to farm-to-table restaurants and gastropubs.
The number one spot in the 2024 list goes to Pine in Northumberland, which is run by Cal Byerley and his wife, front-of-house manager Sian – alongside head chef Ian Waller and his partner and head sommelier Vanessa Stoltz.
“We are absolutely thrilled and honoured to be recognised as the best restaurant in the UK by SquareMeal,” said Cal and Sian. “This achievement is a testament to the extraordinary dedication and talent of our exceptional team, whose passion and commitment to excellence has brought us to this incredible accomplishment.”
SquareMeal’s restaurants editor, Pete Dreyer, said: “Restaurants never cease to amaze us – every year we’re blown away by talented teams, who always seem to find new, innovative ways to push the boundaries of food. As always, we’re so grateful to everyone who works in hospitality, and we’re forever in awe of the passion and love that goes into restaurants up and down the country. A huge thank you also goes to the thousands upon thousands who voted to support their favourite restaurants this year.
“In Pine we have a true trailblazer leading from top spot. The team sticks resolutely to sustainable principles but is constantly striving to produce unique and exceptional dishes. Adventurous, entertaining, and absolutely impossible to pigeonhole, Pine is unquestionably one of the very best restaurants in the country.”
Meanwhile, Newcastle’s Solstice is ranked 15th in the list, and Northumebrland’s Hjem is in 33rd place.
To take a look at the full list, click here
