These are the North East winners of the Good Food Awards 2023/24.

A total of 30 restaurants, cafés and eateries in our region have been bestowed with Good Food Awards this year, with everything from seafood restaurants on the Northumberland Coast to city centre takeaways getting the nod. The awards were established in 2002 and use customer votes to ensure that the awards reflect the views of members of the public.

Over the years, the awards have built up a reputation for shining lights on "hidden gems" and unearthing "culinary gems". Also known as the Blue Ribbon for Delicious Dishes, awards are given to establishments which excel in food quality, service, and value - with hygiene ratings also taken into account.

• Read more: North East restaurants Pine, Hjem and House of Tides taste success in prestigious world restaurant guide

• Get all the latest updates on food, drink, entertainment and events in the North East with our free What’s On newsletter

On of the new winners this year is Punto Italian Kitchen in Heaton, which won its first blue ribbon. It follows on from its TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice award in October, which placed it among the top 10% of restaurants globally according to the review-driven travel aggregator.

Damiano Rea, director and co-founder of Punto Italian Kitchen said: "It is an absolute privilege to win such a prestigious award, especially following our recent TripAdvisor success. It is a huge pat on the back for the whole team who work extremely hard to deliver the excellent dishes we have gained our reputation for."

Good Food Awards - Blue Ribbon

• Punto Italian Kitchen, 208-210 Heaton Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE6 5HP

• Beadnell Towers, The Wynding, Chathill, NE67 5AY

• Soamis Trio, 23 Newmarket Street, Consett, DH8 5LQ

• The Old Boat House, Leazes Street, Amble, NE65 0AA

Good Food Awards - Gold Seal*

• Le Olive Verdi, Pelaw Inn, Shields Road, Pelaw, Gateshead, NE10 0QD
• Jashn Restaurant, Whickham Bank, Swalwell, NE16 3BP

Good Food Award for Takeaways - Blue Ribbon

• Chilli Padi, 6-10 Leazes Park Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 4PF
• Creel & Reel Seafood Trailer, Links Road Carpark, Bamburgh, NE69 7AX
• Shandiz, 22 Vine Place, Sunderland, SR1 3NA
• Fat Hippo, 36 Saddler Street, Durham, DH1 3NU

Good Food Award for Cafes - Blue Ribbon

• Vennels Cafe, 71 Saddler Street, Durham, DH1 3NP
• Blue Bramble Teahouse, 251-253 Whitley Road, Whitley Bay, NE26 2SY
• Cafe Bungalow, Pier View, Roker, Sunderland, SR6 0PR

Good Food Award for Cafe - Gold Seal

• Cafe des Amis, 52 Newgate Street, Morpeth, NE61 1BE
• Chantry Tea Rooms, 9 Chantry Place, Morpeth, NE61 1PJ
• The Drift Cafe, Cresswell, Morpeth, NE61 5LA
• Old Stables Tea Room, Broomhouse, Alnwick, NE66 2LB

Good Food Award for Fish & Chips - Blue Ribbon

• Fisherman’s Bay, 6a East Parade, Whitley Bay, NE26 1AP
• Mr C's Fish and Chips, 161a Kirkwood Drive, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE3 3BE
• Lewis's Fish Restaurant, 22 Main Street, Seahouses, NE68 7RQ
• Fry Fare Fish And Chips, 1 Alexandra Road, Ashington, NE63 9HQ
• Carlo's, 7-9 Market Street, Alnwick, NE66 1SS

Good Food Award for Fish & Chips - Gold Seal

• Downey’s Fish & Chips, South Street, West Rainton, DH4 6PA
• Downey’s Fish & Chips, 6 Silksworth Lane, Barnes, Sunderland, SR3 1LL
• Downey’s Fish & Chips, 4-5 Pier Point, Marine Walk, Sunderland, SR6 0PP
• Downey’s Fish & Chips, 5 North Terrace, Seaham, SR7 7EU
• Dhillons Fish Inn, Blanchland House, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE15 9EB
• Dhillons Fish Inn & Restaurant, 43-45 Station Road, Hebburn, NE31 1LA
• Dhillons Fish Inn, 51 Front Street, Prudhoe, NE42 5DB
• Chip & Fish, 363 Benton Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE7 7EE

*The only difference between the Good Food Awards Blue Ribbon and Gold Seal is that the Gold Seal signifies the winner has achieved an award for three or more consecutive years.