TEESSIDE ’ S BEST RESTAURANTS
My Top 3 Katie Woods-Ruddick ( px Group ) 1 . Vadah 2 . Café Lilli 3 . Cena
Last year ’ s winner - The Bay Horse .
2nd ( 1st ) The Bay Horse , Hurworth-On-Tees
Twice winner of our poll , The Bay Horse gives up its title to sister restaurant Muse . Owned by Jonathan Hall and Marcus Bennett , The Bay Horse is a much-loved stablemate to Muse , Cena and The Devonport . Tucked away in Hurworth , near Darlington , the 15th-century coaching inn ’ s awards have included the Michelin Bib Gourmand , while chef-patron Marcus has been crowned Gastropub Chef of the Year , blending the modern and traditional to offer a sensational eating experience .
3rd ( 4th ) Chadwicks Inn , Maltby
Chadwicks Inn is a former poll-winner and top-five stalwart in our annual poll – and rightly so . A truly British pub dating back to the 19th century and boasting a wealth of original features , the inn sits on the fringes of the stunning North York Moors . With a well-deserved reputation for food excellence , two AA Rosettes and the warmest of northern welcomes , Chadwicks Inn offers locally sourced and beautifully prepared dishes , not to mention great fun wine-tasting evenings .
My Top 3 Erika Marshall ( Etc .) 1 . Chadwicks Inn 2 . Muse 3 . Bay Horse
4th ( 3rd ) The Crathorne Arms , Crathorne
Our poll-topper in 2016 and 2020 , this much-lauded pub and restaurant , situated in the quaint village of Crathorne , is a top five perennial in our poll . Wowing voters with impressive seasonal menu choices prepared with love , famed Teesside restaurateurs the McCoy family always go the extra step , ensuring the warmest of welcomes , while its popular pizza tepee is a big hit during the summer months .
5th ( 5th ) Café Lilli , Norton
A perennial favourite among Tees Business readers , Café Lilli is an established bistrovibe café on Norton High Street – and a go-to for locals and foodies alike , serving up contemporary cuisine with an Italian influence . Under the guidance of owner Roberto Pitalis , it offers creative dishes served in an upbeat and lively setting . Café Lilli is also loved for its live music and feelgood atmosphere .
6th ( 6th ) Cena , Yarm
A top 10 stalwart , Cena is a wonderful venue in which to enjoy a special meal in a cosy and intimate dining space . Located on Yarm ’ s bustling High Street , this chic eatery offers authentic Italian cuisine with vegetarian and vegan options .
7th ( 13th ) Rio Brazilian Steakhouse , Middlesbrough
Rated Middlesbrough ’ s best restaurant on TripAdvisor and town ’ s highest finisher in our poll for a second successive year , Rio crashes into our top 10 for the first time . A meat-lovers ’ paradise , opened less than two years ago to rave reviews . Rio perfects an eating experience that sees exquisite meat cuts carved and served at the table in a traditional rodizio style .
8th ( 11th ) The Masham , Hartburn Village
This small , terraced pub on the outskirts of Stockton returns to the top 10 . Run by the Eddy family for the past 30 years , The Masham offers a range of hearty food from a varied menu in premises full of character and atmosphere .
My Top 3 Jos Visser ( SABIC ) 1 . Crathorne Arms 2 . Cena 3 . Chadwicks Inn
My Top 3 Lily Brothwood ( Intelect ) 1 . Café Lilli 2 . Muse 3 . Il Mulino
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