11-02-2025
North East coastal restaurant among Michelin-starred chef's favourite 'cheap eats'
A 'perfect' coastal North East restaurant has been hailed among the UK's cheapest for delicious food, according to a Michelin-starred chef.
It comes as Cal Byerley, from one-starred Restaurant Pine in East Wallhouses, Northumberland, suggested one of his favourite cheap picks in the region to eat at was Riley's Fish Shack in Tynemouth.
Introducing the list curated by Sky News, the publisher wrote: 'Throughout the last year the Money blog has been asking Michelin chefs to pick their favourite cheap eats - a meal for two for less than £40 - in their part of the UK.
'We've heard about hidden gems in every part of the country, from Northern Ireland to Norfolk, with the chefs revealing where they go for a budget meal when they have a night off - whether it's a top burger chain (see Merseyside), kebab shop, or more established restaurant with a great lunchtime deal.'
You can see the full list here.
Commenting on Riley's Fish Shack, Cal said: "My biggest bit of advice is to go after 2pm and miss the rush.
'Make sure to book and enjoy the deck chairs and windbreakers - get a fire pit for those colder days on the North East coast.
'Grab yourself a turbot chop and order the side selection of caperberry salad, fennel salad, hot plate potatoes, sourdough and aioli.
'This will leave you enough change from £40 for a can of their oyster lager.'
He added: 'I love Riley's that much I had them cater part of my wedding so think of them for those big events as well."
A customer who recently visited wrote on Tripadvisor: 'A lovely early supper before the football. Ace Brill with Cafe de Paris sauce and Monkfish skewer with a log fire behind us and Tynemouth Bay in front. Perfect.'
The Michelin chef also shared that Cook House by Anna Hedworth in Newcastle is among his favourites for tasty meals that won't break the bank.
He said it's 'one of the best spots to eat in Newcastle' and highlighted the 'northern rye' sourdough and corn dairy butter and chicken liver pate on rye with pickled cherries.
Meanwhile, Nick Grieves, former chef-owner of Michelin-recommended Ophelia in Gosforth, Newcastle, also gave a shoutout to Master Wang's in the city.
Additionally, Greg Lambert, from SIX Rooftop at The Baltic in Newcastle suggested Omni in Whitley Bay as one of his favourite 'cheap eats'.
Greg revealed: 'This is a fantastic little restaurant that serves authentic Thai and Malay food at great prices.
'You can spend £10-£15 and choose a dish that is generous in size and flavour.
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'At lunchtime, they do a pork shoulder Bahn mi, served with chilli fries, and it's amazing.
'If you're visiting the Northumberland coast, particularly Whitley Bay, make sure to hunt down Omni."
Also in Northumberland, Cal recommended Bouchon in Hexham when it comes to his other favourite cheap restaurants, which he said is his 'new favourite go-to'.
