To be recognised by the Michelin Guide is something many restaurant owners strive for.
The guide - which is arguably the most prestigious food travel book to be included in - showcases the best restaurants the region has to offer.
Its highest honours - Michelin Stars - are awarded to the top restaurants. Michelin awards one-star for a 'very good restaurant', two for 'excellent' eateries worth making a detour to visit and three for 'exceptional' establishments which are worth a long journey to in their own right.
Michelin also awards Bib Gourmands to restaurants which offer high quality at a great price, and lists other eateries which stand-out.
But how clean are the North East's 24 Michelin Guide restaurants? To find out, we took a look at their latest food hygiene ratings.
County Durham
Food Hygiene Rating: 5
Date of inspection: 10 January 2019
Food Hygiene Rating: 5
Date of inspection: 30 September 2019
Darlington
The Orangery - Hurworth-on-Tees
Food Hygiene Rating: 4
Date of inspection: 29 January 2019
Raby Hunt - Darlington - Two Michelin Stars
Food Hygiene Rating: 5
Date of inspection: 21 February 2019
The Bay Horse - Hurworth-on-Tees
Food Hygiene Rating: 5
Date of inspection: 26 June 2019
Stockton-on-Tees
Food Hygiene Rating: 5
Date of inspection: 11 March 2019
Food Hygiene Rating: 5
Date of inspection: 8 February 2018
Chadwicks Inn - Maltby - Bib Gourmand
Food Hygiene Rating: 5
Date of inspection: 4 December 2019
Newcastle and Tyne and Wear
House of Tides- Newcastle - One Michelin Star
Food Hygiene Rating: 5
Date of inspection: 27 June 2019
Route - Newcastle - Bib Gourmand
Food Hygiene Rating: Not available
Date of inspection: Not available
Violets - Newcastle - Bib Gourmand
Food Hygiene Rating: 5
Date of inspection: 21 March 2019
Broad Chare - Newcastle - Bib Gourmand
Food Hygiene Rating: 5
Date of inspection: 27 March 2019
Food Hygiene Rating: 5
Date of inspection: 7 March 2019
Food Hygiene Rating: 5
Date of inspection: 2 August 2018
Food Hygiene Rating: N/A
Date of inspection: Awaiting inspection
Food Hygiene Rating: 5
Date of inspection: 12 March 2019
Food Hygiene Rating: 5
Date of inspection: 14 February 2019
River Cafe on Tyne - North Shields
Food Hygiene Rating: Not available
Date of inspection: Not available
Staith House - North Shields - Bib Gourmand
Food Hygiene Rating: 4
Date of inspection: 6 October 2018
Northumberland
Feathers Inn, Hedley on the Hill
Food Hygiene Rating: 5
Date of inspection: 17 December 2019
Haveli - Ponteland - Bib Gourmand
Food Hygiene Rating: 3
Date of inspection: 24 August 2018
Food Hygiene Rating: 4
Date of inspection: 13 November 2018
Food Hygiene Rating: 5
Date of inspection: 2 December 2019
Food Hygiene Rating: 5
Date of inspection: 2 May 2019
