Two foodie hotspots in the North East have been revealed among Britain’s "most quintessential” (essentially, they're perfectly British).
A shop in Northumberland making the “perfect kipper for breakfast” and a fish café in Tynemouth offering “immensely high-quality” British seafood were praised by The Telegraph.
Introducing its food guide, the publisher said: “If you want to discover the nation’s soul, look to its food.
“From coronation chicken at Buckingham Palace to the Gurkha cuisine of North Yorkshire, jellied eels on the banks of the River Thames to a pie at the football, our food tells the story of Britain; the land we grew from, the values we celebrate, and the way we see ourselves.
“There’s a sublimely practical quality to British food, homespun and hearty, cobbled together from what is available at the time. Look around and you’ll find inventions and artistic licence everywhere.”
The Telegraph added: “While the nation’s restaurant establishment has rightfully earned its flowers over the past few decades, you don’t have to spend a fortune on a 47-course tasting menu to experience the best of British. Instead, look closer to home, into the shops and cafés in your area, the chippies and food trucks you love.
“To give you some inspiration, we have identified 50 quintessential dishes or places to eat that sum up Britain’s food story best, evoking the places and the people that made them.”
You can see all 50 “quintessential” places and foods across the UK here.
The UK's favourite takeaways
Where to find the 2 ‘most quintessentially British' places in the North East
Craster Kippers by L Robson & Sons
Location: 9 Haven Hill, Craster, Alnwick, NE66 3TR
The Telegraph praised: “At L Robson & Sons’ 130-year-old smokehouses, herring is hand-selected, soaked in brine then smoked over oak and white wood shavings for 16 hours to produce the perfect kipper for breakfast.”
Over on Tripadvisor, a recent customer shared: “This is a shop, not a restaurant. They make the best ever kippers here. But on this visit we were looking to source something for a picnic lunch.
“They offer a wide range of goods and we purchased a dressed crab and some rolls: excellent they were too. We could equally well have chosen some smoked salmon or kipper pate. We will be back, obviously.”
Do you eat kippers often? (Image: Tripadvisor)
Riley’s Fish Shack
Location: King Edward's Bay, Tynemouth, NE30 4BY
“If you’re after immensely high-quality British seafood, there’s nowhere better than Riley’s,” complimented The Telegraph.
“The semi-portable fish bar based on the Tyne Estuary has a menu which changes daily, based on what is available from the shout auction at the North Shields Fish Quay.
“If you can, try the North Sea langoustines which are something of a speciality.”
Recommended reading:
- Do you like mussels? Some of the top seafood restaurants in County Durham
- 'In a league of it's own' - North East sustainable eatery among best on the coast
- Fancy a stottie? Foods you can only find in the North East according to readers
Additionally, Riley’s Fish Shack is also highly rated on Tripadvisor with an impressive 4.5/5 rating from 1,707 reviews.
“This must be the best kept secret of bonnie Newcastle!
“Absolute beauty of a find, we had the freshest Oysters here.
“It is rustic with a very charming menu and the ocean views from the bay are second to none.”
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