Hjem Closure
Restaurant Hjem, which gained Northumberland its first Michelin Star, will close its
doors on December 31, 2025 after a remarkable six years which redefined the North
East’s fine dining scene.
Opened in May 2019 by Swedish chef, Alex Nietosvuori and his Northumberland-
born partner (now wife), Ally Thompson-Nietosvuori, the restaurant immediately
caught the attention of Michelin Guide inspectors and became a must-visit for food
lovers from all over the region, the UK and beyond thanks to its signature style,
which married the best Northumbrian produce with traditional Scandinavian cooking
techniques.
Restaurant Hjem, named in honour of both the Swedish and Northumbrian word for
‘home’, achieved the county’s first Michelin Star in January 2021 – retaining it year
on year as Alex and his team continued to impress with their culinary excellence,
creativity and commitment to showcasing the finest local and seasonal ingredients.
“We want to make Restaurant Hjem’s final year its best one yet,” said Alex. “We're
excited to celebrate everything we've achieved and leave a lasting impression in the
hearts of those who’ve supported us along the way before we start a new chapter.
2025 will serve as a glorious celebration of everything we have accomplished at Hjem
as we look forward to our next adventure."
“Making the decision to close has not been an easy one. The past six years has
been an incredible journey, filled with amazing people, unforgettable experiences,
and a passion to create something truly special."
“It gave a platform for me to showcase my abilities and share my passion for food. It
has shaped who I am and will always hold a special place in my heart.”
Ally, who manages operations at Hjem, added: "When we first dreamed of opening Restaurant Hjem,
we wrote down what we hoped to create. Looking back now, we can honestly say we've done it - beyond
anything we could have imagined."
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“Hjem has always been more than just a place to eat – it has been a family. From our
team to our guests and everyone in between, it's been the relationships that have
made this place so special."
“It feels fitting that as we break ground on our next project, we spend time celebrating what
we’ve created at Hjem. That’s why we’re making this announcement now, to give as
many people who want to return to Hjem – or visit us for the first time - the chance to
do so.”
As they make plans for their next venture, Ally and Alex are inviting guests to join them
for a series of one-off events, including a special sixth birthday event – details to be revealed soon.
Meanwhile throughout the year, tasting menus will feature some of Alex’s most
beloved and popular dishes, including pink fir potatoes, blackcurrant leaves and
North Acomb farm butter; chicken liver parfait - currently on the menu with Pedro
Ximenez syrup and walnuts; and the 2015 experiment which became a menu fixture,
horseradish ice cream with warm apple caramel and fresh horseradish.
“Closing Restaurant Hjem is bittersweet, but we want to give our guests lots of last
chances to experience the magic of what we've created here,” said Alex.
“The journey at Hjem has been an adventure, and we’ve grown stronger as people
through it all. We've faced challenges, embraced the unexpected, and built
something truly remarkable together.”