Newcastle and Gateshead burger spots make the British Burger Awards final

If you've been meaning to work your way round the North East's best burgers, the British Burger Awards 2026 finalists list makes a handy hit list, ChronicleLive reports.

Run by Oceanic Awards for the second year and presented by QSR CNCT, the awards name ten finalists in their Best of North East England category: - Meat:Stack, Newcastle (go for the triple patty if you're hungry) - Lola Jeans, Newcastle - Wings 'N More, Newcastle, shortlisted for its chicken burgers - 40 Ounce, Gateshead - The Staiths Cafe, Gateshead - Ati's Home of Smash, Sunderland - Friez & Burgz, South Shields - Tango, Durham - Simply Smash Burgers, Durham - Craft Burger, Hartlepool

40 Ounce is the one with the story. The hip hop-inspired, US-style spot started as a van on Team Valley, went viral on TikTok and has since expanded into Newcastle. It's on the national takeaway shortlist too, alongside Newcastle's 2Knives Bar & Kitchen and Smok'd & Smash'd (formerly Spice Hut). Craft Burger's Durham branch is also on a national list.

Winners are announced at a ceremony in Wolverhampton on 9 November, so there's just about time to try a few and pick your own champion first.