A small family-run restaurant in the heart of a North East village is celebrating national recognition after scooping two prestigious awards.
Known for its warm atmosphere and authentic Mediterranean flavours, Gilbey’s has quickly become a favourite among locals and visitors alike.
The restaurant, owned and run by mum-of-three Victoria Gilbey-Jackson, 39, from Marske, offers a true taste of the Mediterranean, inspired by her time living in Cyprus and Italy.
After taking home the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award and the Blue-Ribbon Good Food Award 2025/26, Victoria said she was “blown away.”
She said: “To be recognised by our customers and by national awards means the world to us.”
The mum of three scooped two awards for her restaurant. (Image: Victoria Gilbey-Jackson)
“We’re only a very small independent business – there’s only four members of staff. I opened the restaurant and then my mum and my dad come and help me out as well.
“For us to get this sort of recognition, it’s sort of blew us away really, that our customers value what we’re bringing to the area.”
She added: “We’re so proud to bring a bit of sunshine and Mediterranean soul to the village.”
The TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award places Gilbey’s among the top-rated restaurants worldwide, while the Blue-Ribbon Good Food Award celebrates excellence in quality, consistency, and customer satisfaction.
And after living in Cyprus for more than eight years, Victoria’s goal was to bring the authentic Mediterranean flavours to Marske.
The mum of three added: “Every meal that comes from our kitchen is freshly prepared for that customer, so it’s enjoyed at its best.
“When we opened the restaurant, we decided we were going to go down the whole traditional route with our clay oven, which we used when I lived out in Cyprus. You cook the food over smoked coals which gives the food the authentic flavours.
“Everything we do sort of goes back to using fresh produce. Everything in Cyprus was picked from the garden to make our evening meals.”
Despite the challenges of balancing being a mum of three, and the rising costs, Victoria said her loyal customer base and winning these awards have made the hard work worthwhile.
She said: “It is a challenge at times, as I balance the running of business with my young family – hence our opening hours, which accommodate me to be able to deliver the service that I want while still maintaining sort of me being the mother that I want as well.
“But obviously it’s difficult at times, with the way the economic climate is for people at the moment, but we have found a routine that works for us.
“We have an awful lot of repeat clientele, a lot of regulars that come back to us time and time again. We have customers that have now become friends.”
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When asked about her hopes for the future for her restaurant, Victoria hopes to keep the high quality that her regulars love.
She said: “All I want is for us to maintain the same quality and the same ambiance that we always have done, and to keep providing the service to Marske that the customers enjoy.
“Hopefully these awards will bring more business to the area for everybody.”
Dining and Cooking