Restaurant Hjem, Northumberland's first Michelin-starred restaurant, will close its doors for the final time on August 16, as founders Alex Nietosvuori and Ally Thompson-Nietosvuori step away from hospitality to explore new opportunities. The restaurant, which has been operating from The Farmhouse at South Causey Inn since February 2026, will end its residency with a special barbecue celebration.
Background and Acclaim
Hjem originally opened in 2019 in Wall, Northumberland, and quickly earned national acclaim for its unique blend of Northumbrian produce and Scandinavian culinary influences. It retained its Michelin star for nearly five years until closing at the end of December 2025. The restaurant then moved to a temporary residency at South Causey Inn in County Durham, while preparations began for a new venture, Restaurant Freyja, a purpose-built restaurant with rooms at Close House, Wylam.
Decision to Close
In a statement, Alex and Ally said: "The past few months have given us time to reflect on what matters most to us and what we want from the next chapter of our lives. After much thought about what comes next, we’ve made the decision to step away from the Freyja project and draw our residency at the South Causey Inn to a close in August." They added: "We’ve become clear about what feels right for us and want to give ourselves the space to explore new opportunities and adventures. Hjem has given us more than we could ever have imagined."
Final Events and Booking
On July 19, a Mediterranean-inspired barbecue will feature dishes created with Alex's father, Ulf Nietosvuori, ahead of the World Cup final. The final service on August 16 will be a farewell barbecue. Bookings are open for Hjem's final six weeks via the South Causey Inn website.
