Bēodern at Ad Gefrin – fine dining in Northumberland

By Ania Askwith

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Bēodern, Ad Gefrin, South Road, Wooler NE71 6NJ.

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Best for: relaxed evenings, fine dining, dining in Northumberland

If you’re looking for a dining experience that mixes heritage, elegance, and a bit of a wholesome, Northumbrian feel, Bēodern at Ad Gefrin is a place to try.

Already a popular daytime destination, Bēodern have just introduced evening dining, so every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening you can enjoy this beautiful experience.

Right at the edge of Northumberland National Park, it’s the perfect spot for a celebratory meal, a date night, or a night out with friends. We recently got a taste of what this beautiful venue has to offer, and we were super impressed.

An unexpected gem in Northumberland

The Ad Gefrin site is home to the beautiful Anglo-Saxon Museum and Distillery. The atmosphere is a great mix of cozy comfort and fine dining.

And the entrance itself is breathtaking! I am not sure how many photos I’ve taken before we even entered the actual restaurant – the wooden entrance with a dome right at the top is so beautiful!

The restaurant itself is really elegant too, I really appreciate the light features and the gorgeous fireplace. Not to mention the open kitchen concept – it is no secret that I love this idea and find seeing the food being prepared and readied for service is very exciting.

The menu: a perfect balance of tradition and innovation

The menu has been created by the Head Chef Olivier Borja who has over 30 years of experience in fine dining, including numerous 3 and 2 Michelin starred restaurants, as well as cooking for the French President at the Palais de l’Elysée (I mean – WOW!).

The menu is full of mouthwatering options, all crafted from the best local Northumbrian produce; it’s clear that the kitchen is passionate about showcasing the very best of the region’s flavours, and the result is truly exceptional. We enjoyed our night from start to finish – it was simply stunning.

Here’s what we tried:

Appetizers and starters

Bread with Olive Butter on arrival: the perfect way to start your meal—soft, warm bread with creamy olive butter. And the crust was irresistible.

Lindisfarne Oysters: I said it many times – oysters are my happy food and I will always order them if I see them on the menu. These oysters are fresh with that unbeatable taste of the sea—just perfect.

Mackerel Escabeche, Saffron Mayonnaise with Sourdough Bread & Compressed Cucumber: a great combination of mackerel, silky saffron mayo, and refreshing cucumber—balanced beautifully on top of sourdough. It looks beautiful, but I can tell you that it tasted even better. I am not sure how they cooked the fish but it was the softest, smoothest mackerel we have ever tasted.

Mains

Honey & Soy Glazed Salmon, Miso Roasted Hispi Cabbage, Chili Oil & Crispy Onions: such a beautiful, well thought out dish; the salmon was super tender, the glaze was perfectly umami, and the roasted cabbage was lovely and rich. It was one of the best salmon dishes I have had (and if you have followed me for a while, you’ll know I have it a lot)

Duck Breast, Fondant Potatoes, Pickled Blackberries, Celeriac & Apple Puree: this one was pure perfection. Decadent, earthy, fresh. I have never seen duck cooked this beautifully; I honestly don’t have words to describe how stunning this dish was. And the fondant potatoes? My mouth is still watering thinking about those!

Side of seasonal vegetables: simple yet gorgeous, these veggies were perfectly cooked, and I really enjoyed the seasoning on them. I usually go for fries as a side dish but I am making a conscious effort to have less fries and these were a great substitute (although I have seen their fries being served and I am DEFINITELY ordering them here next time).

Desserts:

We also shared some desserts.

Extra Bitter Chocolate Tart, Pistachio Ice Cream: as you’d expect it was rich and SUPER indulgent. The pistachio ice cream was a lovely addition with its refreshing sweetness. It was a stunning combo and I loved it with my cup of earl grey tea. Just delightful.

Madagascan Vanilla & Tácnbora Whisky Crème Brulée: A STUNNING twist on the classic crème brûlée. We expected a hint of whisky but it was unmistakenly whiskey rich – I have never had crème brûlée like this. Of course it was perfectly smooth and silky, and the serving was the biggest crème brûlée I have ever seen! Not something you expect from a fine dining restaurant which was a super pleasant surprise. Paired with their delicious double espresso – yummm.

When dining out, I will normally have my favourites but having sampled six different dishes here I couldn’t commit to one, or even two that I loved most – they were all incredible. Even desserts, and I will usually rank them last since I have more of a savoury palette.

What we love about Bēodern at Ad Gefrin

• The vibe

I was in love with the vibe from the moment I stepped into Bēodern. The entrance itself will impress you – especially on a light evening just as the sun sets – this place looks stunning.

• The staff are also super welcoming, and their attention to detail really makes the experience feel personal.

It is a feel good place for sure.

• Celebrating local ingredients – the fine dining way

Chef Olivier Borja with his Michelin-starred background has done a brilliant job crafting a menu that highlights the region’s rich history while offering something new and innovative. I really appreciate the way they blend tradition with creativity. The whole experience is steeped in the heritage of the Anglo-Saxon royal court, but the food feels fresh, modern, and so exciting. Have a check of their menu – you will see exactly what I mean.

• Great portion sizes

I bet you didn’t expect to see this in a fine dining review? And I don’t mean relative to any other fine dining experience; the portions are generous as compared to any standard meal out, you really won’t leave hungry.

• Drinks options. We were driving so had soft drinks, but they actually give you drinks suggestions under each menu item, so you know what would pair well with your chosen dish. A great idea.

• The taste. This kind of goes without saying if you got this far but I honestly can’t tell you how beautiful the dishes are. You need to try this place for yourself.

Location
Bēodern is located at Ad Gefrin, South Road, Wooler NE71 6NJ. It’s an easy drive from Newcastle and there is loads of parking available in their free car park.

Tips for Visiting

• Book in advance. The evening menu is a new addition but as it is an already popular spot, definitely make a reservation. Dinner is served Thursday to Saturday and reservations are taken from 5pm to 8.15pm with last orders for hot food at 8.30pm. We went on the 21st which was the first night of service and it was full.

• Twilight tour package. If you want to make the experience extra special, I’d recommend booking a Twilight Tour package. It combines a guided distillery tour with your meal—such a unique and fun way to experience the space! I think we’ll be going for that option when we visit next time.

• Drinks options. You are in a distillery, so it is a good idea to sample some of Ad Gefrin’s own creations: Tácnbora Blended Whisky, Thirlings Gin, Flyte Whisky Cream. The drinks list also features some great local suppliers, including Marlish Water, Alnwick Brewery, and Cheviot Brewery, so you certainly know you are in Northumbria!

• Check out their menus. The chefs promise to serve seasonal ingredients, so I expect that the menu will change frequently. It is super exciting as it means you will be able to try something new every time you go. We are already thinking about our next visit, so watch this space for more Bēodern at Ad Gefrin content…

If you love discovering things to do, places to go, and the best spots to eat and drink in the North East and beyond, be sure to follow my blog for more reviews, recommendations, travel tips, and hidden gems. And for a closer look at my day-to-day experiences, follow me on Instagram @ania.askwith for behind-the-scenes content and even more discoveries! Let’s explore together!

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