2 Best Restaurants in The Northeast, England

The treetop location may sound gimmicky, but the effect at this extraordinary restaurant is quite magical and unexpectedly romantic, especially when the place is lit up at night. Here, an enormous complex of buildings spreads out over more than 550 square meters, with a roaring log fire at its center and furniture made from fallen branches; the kitchen serves excellent, decent-value modern British fare. You might find Craster kipper pate on toasted ciabatta on the menu, or North Shields mussels with pale ale and garlic cream. There's also the odd international influence, like the tofu katsu curry with Asian salad. The Potting Shed bar, part of the treehouse complex, is a great option for pre-dinner drinks.

A Newcastle classic, this sleek, modern bistro is a local favorite for romantic dinners as the crisp white table linens and mix-and-matched light fixtures lend it an upmarket but quirky look. The menu focuses on contemporary, flavorful versions of classic British food using local ingredients, from Lindisfarne oysters (served natural with shallot vinegar and lemon as sashimi or as crispy tempura) to Northumbrian roe deer venison (served as medallions with cherries, walnuts, and pistachios).