Bouchon Bistrot Hexham

Absolutely fantastic dining experience here last week, I hope to go again and again! I’m not often in Hexham, but this restaurant is absolutely worth the trip.
They didn’t have much business on a Thursday lunch time, which is a shame as people don’t know what they’re missing! Perhaps dinner is busier. They offer a set menu, two courses for £14 and three courses for £15 which is an amazing lunch deal! We started with some charcuterie off the a la carte menu which would be ideal for two people to share. The rillets (like a terrine) was gorgeous, all the meat was beautifully made and went so well with the crispy toasts. I had beautiful cauliflower soup (soup du jour) for my starter. It was creamy, velvety, heavenly goodness — as good as the one I had in Paris. Next I had steak frites, what a treat! Loads of crispy frites, meltingly tender juicy steak — it was indulgent and marvelous. The mixed leaves salad and the buttered seasonal vegetables alongside were great for our table of three to share. The portions were very big for such low prices!
We all shared one dessert as we were so full, it was something like an almond pastry filled with cream and raspberries, and it was wonderful. Along with a carafe of sauvignon blanc and wonderful, attentive service (provided by real French people), I’m not sure it’s possible to have such a nice lunch. I hope to come back for special occasions, and really any excuse I can come up with!

Oh. My. Flippin’. God.
Wow, what a place. Bouchon Bistrot in Hexham is seriously, seriously good. Très bien even. No, really, the previous review stating this establishment deserves six stars is not wrong at all.
Am so chuffed to bits that my little town of Hexham has such a true foodie destination to rival many places in which I’ve had the pleasure of eating. I can totally see why Bouchon won the ‘F Word’ Best French Restaurant award in 2009, truly, truly deserved.
The only thing that has frustrated me here in writing this review is… why the heck have I not been to eat here before now?!
OK, calm down for a tick. And breathe. So, Bouchon Bistrot sits on Gilesgate, just outside the main town centre of Hexham, an easy walk down the hill from the Market Place. Inside, the décor is smart, warm and inviting but without being OTT and you are made to feel very welcome upon your arrival.
I was in a party of nine and we had the luxury of a private dining table upstairs, but downstairs there was ample space and a good number of people dining in on what was a standard Monday evening.
The menu is your classic French cuisine, with a good range on offer, althought not many vegetarian options. For starters, a number of our party had the cured salmon, others opted for the French Onion Soup (which smelt amazing) whilst I bucked the trend with the Goats Cheese. All plates came promptly and everyone was very satisfied with what came out.
Our mains were again divided between the rump steak and the confit of duck. I went for the latter and boy, was it good. Crisp skin, soft flesh, accompanied by a fondant potato stack that just melted and crisp cabbage with lardons, I really cannot describe in words just how delicious this was! The wine on offer was also excellent, this was a seriously good meal indeed.
To finish, the crème brûlée was very good, although for a pudding guy it was perhaps the weakest of the courses — if I am being severely picky that is. Not that it stopped me from cleaning up the entire plate.
The service was simply outstanding. Attentive but you didn’t notice it at the same time. Each course we were wished ‘bon appetit’ and it certainly lived up to expectations.
As you can tell, I am rather taken by Bouchon Bistrot. I cannot wait to get an opportunity to go back again to sample some of their other dishes. People, if you ever want a treat for the taste buds, get yourself out to Hexham and book a table at Bouchon. I promise you won’t be disappointed you made the effort.

My wife raved about this place after lunch there the other week. Can’t wait to try it for myself.

Traditional French cuisine but with vegetarian options! One of the best restaurants in the North East.

6 stars deserved.
Hexham despite lagging behind the Web 2.0 generation (thankfully) & being a town where often there are tractors driving up the high street is to me a «have your cake & eat it» place.
The beauty of Northumberland National Park 15 mins away, North Pennines similar — & places like Bouchon.
It is an absolute gem of a place & the diamond is real French people front of house & in the kitchen. I have held this view for a long time before Mr Ramsey popped onto the scene btw.
It’s classic French cuisine — service is impeccable — & the menu includes some of the best tasting meals I’ve had — this includes travelling to France for nearly 10 years.
But — don’t go in with British expectations of getting as much as you can for £2.99. This is the art form that is dining in France. Flavours are perfectly balanced, cooked to order with fresh ingredients — the size of the portion is balanced accordingly.
The maitre d’ is a true gentleman & credit to the town.
Probably one of the most civilised places in Northumberland — & Britain for that matter.