Best Restaurants in Hexham

Hexham punches well above its weight when it comes to eating out. This ancient market town on the edge of Hadrian's Wall Country is home to an impressive spread of independently run restaurants — French bistros, Greek tavernas, celebrated gastropubs — alongside reliable local favourites that have been serving the community for years. Whether you're a visitor exploring Northumberland or a local looking for somewhere new, here's where to eat in Hexham right now.

The Best Restaurants in Hexham

Bouchon Bistrot

Bouchon Bistrot on Gilesgate is arguably the jewel in Hexham's dining crown. Owner Gregory — originally from the Loire Valley and trained in Michelin-starred kitchens across France — has created a genuinely authentic French bistro with exposed beams, a roaring fire and a sun-trap roof terrace. The kitchen turns out classic country-style French cooking with locally sourced seasonal ingredients, and the set lunch menu represents extraordinary value. Winner of Best European Restaurant at the North East Restaurant Awards, this is the first choice for a special occasion in the Tyne Valley.

The Rat Inn

Just a mile from Hexham town centre in the village of Anick, The Rat Inn is one of Northumberland's most celebrated gastropubs. Phil Mason was crowned Pub Chef of the Year 2023 by the Craft Guild of Chefs, and the daily-changing blackboard menu showcases the very best of local produce — Northumberland steaks, North Sea fish and oysters, all cooked with real skill. The Rat Inn has featured repeatedly in the Good Food Guide's Best Pubs list and holds a place in the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs.

Stalida Greek Taverna

Tucked away on Battle Hill, Stalida is a family-run labour of love from Billy and Selena Truta, who met on the island of Crete and ran a seaside restaurant there for eight years before bringing their food to Northumberland. The menu runs from moussaka and lamb kleftiko to a generous selection of mezze and a thoughtful vegan menu. Warm, unpretentious and absolutely worth booking ahead.

Saathi Indian Cuisine

On Priestpopple in the heart of town, Saathi has built a loyal following for its authentic Indian cooking. The kitchen combines traditional techniques with regional flavours from across the subcontinent, with standout dishes including a chef's special spicy curry with orange peel and excellent vegetarian and vegan options. Relaxed, informal and consistently well executed.

Danielle's Bistro

A short walk from the Market Place on Eastgate, Danielle's Bistro has been a Hexham favourite for years, offering a blend of British and Mediterranean cooking made from locally sourced ingredients. The menu changes with the seasons but regularly features slow-roasted pork belly, grilled salmon with tarragon cream and a legendary sticky toffee pudding. There's a good-value set lunch menu and a set evening menu — ideal if you want a proper sit-down meal without the a la carte price tag.

Vercelli Restaurant

Vercelli on Priestpopple is Hexham's Italian stalwart, a family-run restaurant with a modern cocktail bar at the front and a menu of well-executed Italian classics behind it. Best sellers include pizza nduja, rigatoni salmone and chicken pomodoro, and the kitchen caters well for vegans with a broad plant-based menu. Regular live music nights give the place an informal buzz.

The Heart of Northumberland

The Heart of Northumberland on Market Street occupies a Grade II listed building and does exactly what the name suggests — it's the beating heart of the local dining pub scene. The kitchen produces entirely homemade food with a mix of British classics and seasonal creations, and the bar is stocked with local cask ales. Dog-friendly, log-fire cosy and within easy walking distance of the train station.

The Beaumont Hotel Restaurant

The Beaumont Hotel on Beaumont Street sits at the centre of Hexham with views across to the Abbey. The open-plan restaurant and bar has a seasonal menu from an open kitchen — think light bites and small plates through to charcoal-grilled meats — with the bi-folding doors opening in summer to create a lively cafe culture atmosphere. A reliable choice from breakfast through to dinner.

Dipton Mill Inn

Two miles south of Hexham in a wooded valley, the Dipton Mill Inn is the kind of place that rewards those willing to make a short detour. The inn runs its own brewery on site and won Northumberland Pub of the Year from CAMRA, but it's the home-cooked food — from Sicilian lamb and ratatouille to the famous Saturday curry night — that keeps people coming back. The large garden with a stream running through it is a genuine draw in summer.

General Havelock Inn, Haydon Bridge

About six miles west along the South Tyne valley, the General Havelock Inn is worth the short drive for its converted barn dining room with river views and a traditional British menu that takes Sunday roasts seriously. Using locally sourced ingredients and catering well for dietary requirements, it's a classic Northumberland country pub with food that goes well beyond pub grub.