Just as families are debating where to celebrate Mother's Day this year and North East restaurants gear up for a mass of bookings, a new list of top brunch and lunch spots has been revealed which adds even more food for thought.
A meal out is usually first choice for a special Mother's Day treat, given that mothers often spend so much of their time cooking for others, and - just in time for the big day on March 19 - OpenTable has come up with its new round-up of 'the UK's 'most beloved brunches and Sunday lunches' for 2023 - and three of them are in the North East.
The online reservation site says its 'top-rated spots' are determined by more than one million diner reviews, adding: "Mums deserve more than your average lunch on Mother’s Day". And included on the list is a restaurant in Newcastle; another across the Tyne in Gateshead plus a coastal favourite.
Read more: 12 top Sunday lunches to book for a Mother's Day treat
The North East has plenty highly-rated restaurants serving brunch and lunch and a similar list drawn up last year by OpenTable included Blackfriars and Fuego in Newcastle. Below are the ones that made the grade this year, just in time for Mother's Day.
Hinnies Restaurant
The restaurant on the Whitley Bay seafront describes itself as "a relaxed, warm and friendly neighbourhood restaurant serving the comfort food we all like to eat - rustic and hearty Geordie-influenced classics made properly from scratch using local and seasonal produce to give a real taste of our beloved North East".
Diners clearly agree, with OpenTable showing 2,293 four-and-a-half star reviews saying the likes of "Great Sunday dinner with tasty food, lashings of gravy and dog friendly!" and "Best Sunday lunch going".
Kiln
The menu at this little gem in the Ouseburn area of Newcastle includes Middle Eastern-style dishes with brunch options including Shakshuka with Greek Feta and Focaccia alongside the likes of Smoked Mackerel, Sea Salt Focaccia and Poached Egg. It says: "We make everything ourselves and push to be better than the day before." Happy diners awarded 667 four-and-a-half star reviews.
Comments included: "Georgeous food and a lovely setting" and "All good food and service, nice to see alternatives at brunch."
Six Baltic
The restaurant on the top floor of Baltic art gallery on Gateshead quayside serves up modern British bistro dishes - using top local produce - alongside those panoramic rooftop views. Brunch is available Wednesday to Sunday.
It earned 409 four-and-a-half star reviews and praise included "fantastic food and great location". One reviewer said: "We had a lovely brunch for my 70th birthday. The staff were very pleasant and helpful with my gluten-free diet."
For OpenTable's full list of 100 top-ranked restaurants for brunch and Sunday lunch see here and check out more brunch ideas here.
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