A restaurant hotly-tipped in both the Michelin and Good Food guides has closed suddenly.

Ophelia in Gosforth, Newcastle gained plaudits for its food and service after opening in January 2023.

But the owners said on Thursday (September 19) that the restaurant had held its final service, and will permanently close with immediate effect.

Taking to Instagram head chef Nick Grieves said: “It is with great sadness that i have to announce the permanent closure of our restaurant.

“The circumstances have been sudden and I apologise to the many guests that were due to visit us in the coming months.

“I don’t want to say too much at this time, but would just like to thank the wonderful people that have helped me for almost the last decade in my Newcastle restaurant adventure.”

He added, “It’s been a pleasure,” before signing off for the French-inspired restaurant, saying: “Merci”.

Its website has been taken down and says, "Ophelia is now permanently closed".

In July the restaurant was named one of the top 100 local restaurants in the UK for the second year in a row by the Good Food Guide.

Meanwhile, the Michelin Guide previously said of the restaurant: “There is a pleasing lack of over-complication to the food at this slick neighbourhood brasserie that wears its French heart on its sleeve.

“Great care is put into the cooking by an on-view kitchen team and the Gallic influence can be seen across the range of thoroughly enjoyable dishes, which are presented with a friendly smile. The French focus also extends to the low-intervention wine list.”

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Customers were quick to express their upset at the venue’s closure.

One said: “This must be the saddest news for the Newcastle food scene.”

Another added: “A beautifully designed and executed restaurant, should be very proud of what was achieved. Some of the best food I've ever eaten been cooked by Nick Grieves and team -massive loss to the Newcastle eating scene.”