SquareMeal has announced its top 100 UK restaurants for this year, and two establishments hailing from Northumberland have made the rankings, with one even taking the top spot.

The task, described as an 'excruciating job' due to the 'highest calibre of restaurants yet', took months of planning and deliberation.

Rankings for the top 100 list were a combination of both critic-led viewpoints and votes from diners.

Achieving the top spot on the list is Pine, a Northumberland restaurant, situated in a renovated cattle barn.

Chefs Cal Byerley and Ian Waller are said to 'embrace boundless creativity and techniques from all over the world', leading them to create 'exciting new flavours and dishes'.

The old cow barn was transformed into a 'truly transcendent destination restaurant' by Cal and Sian Byerley.

Compliments were given for precision in even the smallest details.

SquareMeal said that 'even the smallest details are executed with watchmaker's precision, but Pine still manages to be effortlessly charming and relaxed'.

SquareMeal also praised this for being 'an incredible achievement'.

In position 33 on the list sits Hjem, located in The Hadrian Hotel, Hexham.

Its Scandinavian-style decor offers a 'calming backdrop' for patrons to appreciate the 'intricate cooking' of Swedish chef, Alex Nietosvuori.

Hjem's dining experience comes in the form of a single 15-18-course tasting menu that marries Northumberland produce with Scandinavian techniques.