The best places to eat in County Durham 

With an array of excellent eateries scattered across the county, there’s plenty of choice for dining here too. Enjoy a week or two sampling local food and drink in County Durham’s welcoming cafés, traditional pubs, fine dining restaurants and farm shops. 

If you’re looking for some inspiration for your foodie adventures, here’s our round-up of the best places to eat in County Durham, with something for all tastes. Bon appétit! 

Flat White Kitchen

Best for: Brunch

Set over two floors in a charming 17th century townhouse on the cobbled streets near Durham Cathedral, Flat White Kitchen is the city’s go-to coffee shop. Enjoy an excellent coffee from North-East roasters Baristaocracy Coffee, and take your pick from the popular brunch menu, featuring the likes of caramelised banana pancakes, fish finger sandwiches or the classic eggs benedict. Find a table to settle down in the light-filled dining area or sit out in the café’s secret garden if the weather allows. Or, if you happen to be visiting on a Friday or Saturday evening during their late opening hours, you can stop by for an espresso martini, some delicious small plates and a vibrant atmosphere. 

The Cellar Door 

Best for: Riverside fine dining

Also nearby the Cathedral, tucked away through an inconspicuous entrance and a flight of narrow stone steps, you’ll find The Cellar Door. This fine dining restaurant is housed in an ancient cellar conversion, making it a unique and intimate setting for dinner for two. There’s a lovely outdoor area too (open in the summer) with views of the River Wear and Elvet Bridge. Whether you sit inside or out, you’ll find beautifully-prepared European cuisine on both the lunch and à la carte menus. The options change monthly, but you can expect locally-sourced ingredients and gorgeous flavours all year round, with dishes that showcase the best of what this county has to offer. 

The Rose and Crown

Best for: A cosy country inn atmosphere  

If you’re looking for a charming historic pub in the heart of the County Durham countryside, you’ll love The Rose and Crown. This 18th century coaching inn is set in the picturesque village of Romaldkirk near Barnard Castle. One of the best places to eat in Durham, the oak-panelled restaurant, open fireplace, dog-friendly bar and friendly service create a gorgeous cosy atmosphere to unwind with a hearty meal. Choose from pub grub like cider battered haddock and triple cooked chips, or à la carte dishes like treacle marinated pork chop, creamed spinach, anise carrot, and triple cooked chips with charcuterie sauce. There are plenty of good walking routes in the surrounding area to get some fresh air and stretch your legs afterwards, too.  

Saltfish Seafood & Wine Bar

Best for: Seafood

For quality, fresh seafood, visit the beautiful Saltfish Seafood & Wine Bar, housed within the Houndgate Townhouse Hotel, an 18th century mansion in the historic centre of Darlington. Indulge in freshly shucked oysters, moreish crispy whitebait, or charcoal grilled market fish in the sophisticated-yet-relaxed restaurant setting. Or for a taste of everything, pre-order the seafood platter which includes a satisfying selection of mussels, whitebait, prawn cocktail, smoked mackerel paté, whole red prawns, dressed crab, a selection of sauces and breads, seaweed butter and more. Pair your seafood with an organic natural wine from an artisan winemaker on the well-curated wine list.

Rudy’s Pizza

Best for: True neapolitan pizza! 

Pizza fans should head to Rudy’s on Silver Street. The Durham branch of this Manchester-born pizzeria chain offers a warm, lively atmosphere and exceptionally good Italian pizza. The bases are made fresh daily with double fermented dough and traditional Italian ingredients, then cooked for 60 seconds in traditional handmade pizza ovens for an authentic Neapolitan pizza – soft, light and fluffy with an airy and raised cornicione crust. Choose from their creative specials menu or for the purist taste of Naples, order the Margherita, a triumph with San Marzano tomato, Fior di Latte, basil, Grana Padano and olive oil. Wash it all down with a glass of crisp Italian white wine or a refreshing craft beer. 

Tealicious

Best for: Tea and cake 

For a good old-fashioned cup of tea and a slice of cake, head to Tealicious, a quaint pastel blue tea room in the heart of Durham City. Their impressive selection of 24 loose-leaf teas has been blended by a master tea sommelier to ensure the perfect cuppa, with some flavours exclusive to Tealicious like the Durham Miner’s Brew. Pair your tea with a freshly baked sweet treat; perhaps a wedge of classic Victoria Sponge or decadent chocolate mint cake, or a buttery fruit scone loaded with jam and cream. There is also a good range of delectable sandwiches, sausage rolls and ploughmans on the menu if you’d prefer something savoury for a light lunch or afternoon snack.

The Rabbit Hole 

Best for: Opulent Asian cuisine  

The Rabbit Hole on Hallgarth Street in Durham is a gorgeous restaurant for a dining experience with a difference. Intended as ‘an ode to a bygone era of decadence and indulgence’, here you’ll find lavish interiors and appetising Cantonese-fusion dishes. The food is designed for sharing, so choose a selection of small plates for the table, such as roasted peking duck, honey glazed char siu and fried pumpkin cake. Or savour a satisfying dish to yourself like flavourful satay chicken or rich monkfish curry. To top it all off, take your pick from the delightfully named ‘Giggle Water’ cocktail menu – we love the sound of the Ramos Lotus Blossom, made with pear vodka and lychee liqueur. 

Bay Horse Inn 

Best for: A special Sunday lunch

In the village of Hurworth, just south of Darlington, is the 15th century Bay Horse Inn, an excellent gastropub with characterful dining rooms and a beautiful walled garden and terrace. On the seasonally changing menu, you can find top quality classic dishes with a modern creative twist – and their decadent Sunday lunch menu is especially alluring. Choose from mains like pressed belly pork, smoked bacon and celeriac remoulade, potato rosti, cavolo nero, roasted celeriac, caramelised apple puree and red wine jus. And how about warm coffee cake, vanilla and orange mascarpone, candied pistachios, salted caramel sauce and rhubarb sorbet for dessert?

Archer’s Ice Cream 

Best for: Ice cream!  

In the rolling green hills of picturesque Walworth near Darlington, you’ll find Archer’s Ice Cream. This third generation family-run dairy farm produces award-winning artisan ice cream using milk from their very own herd of pedigree free range Jersey cows. Jersey cow milk is extra creamy (high in fat and protein) – which apparently makes very good ice cream! On a visit to the ice cream parlour, you’re welcome to see the cows grazing and frolicking in the nearby fields. And, of course, you can sample the delicious variety of flavours on offer, including mint choc chip, cinder toffee and black forest gateau ice cream. For an extra special treat, try a slice of one of Archer’s’ delectable ice cream cakes.

Tango

Best for: Burgers 

Tango is a self-proclaimed “social bar and kitchen” and the go-to spot for burger-lovers in Durham. Their extensive menu features an amazing variety of mouthwatering choices, all made with prime meat cuts and fresh local produce. Take your pick from simple classics with beef patties, pickles, onion and burger sauce, or less conventional options like The Sunday Burger, which comes with a burger patty, a pork stuffing patty, cheesy potato spread, parsnip strings, proper thick gravy and a Yorkshire pudding. For the ultimate indulgent treat, pair your burger with topped chips and a thick and creamy milkshake. If the weather’s good, you can sit out on the Tango Terrace and enjoy the lovely view over the river as you tuck into your burger.

The Curious Mr Fox

Best for: Casual cocktails 

If you’re seeking an interesting spot for brunch, lunch or dinner with tasty cocktails on the side, head to The Curious Mr Fox on The Riverwalk in Durham. This distinctive bar-restaurant is made up of three connected properties, each with its own unique layout and design, resulting in a quirky multi-themed venue. Relish a delicious, leisurely lunch and a Dirty Martini in the ornate Oyster Room, or perhaps treat yourself to an Afternoon Tea and a refreshing Pimms in the beautifully floral Ivy Room. If you’re eager to try your hand at mixology, The Curious Mr Fox also offers an engaging Cocktail Masterclass led by their skilled team, complete with a generous mezze board to share. 

Gussto Tapas Bar

Best for: Tapas

Housed in an historic building near the river in the centre of Durham, Gussto Tapas Bar is a gorgeous restaurant serving authentic Spanish tapas. Its cosy atmosphere and warm, inviting ambience make it the perfect spot for a romantic evening out. The restaurant’s small plates take inspiration from Catalan to Mediterranean cuisine, and with an array of charcuterie, meat tapas, vegetarian tapas, seafood tapas, salads and paellas on the menu, there’s a great variety to appeal to every palate. Order a mixture of dishes and a bottle of fine wine to share with your date, and enjoy flavours that’ll transport you straight to the vibrant streets of Spain for the evening. 

Cross Lanes 

Best for: Farm shop produce

Situated in the green Teesdale countryside, Cross Lanes is a well-loved café, farm shop and traditional butchers – and a wonderful place to sample some of County Durham’s best local produce. Head to the café first to enjoy a hearty breakfast or lunch made with fresh, organic and locally sourced ingredients, some of which are grown just outside on the farm or in the greenhouse. Then make your way to the farm shop and butchers to browse the well-stocked shelves and deli counters for some quality food and drink delights to take home. From freshly baked bread, cakes, pies and biscuits, to store cupboard items and local fruits and vegetables, there’s plenty here to satisfy your appetite and explore the region’s flavours. 

Faru

Best for: A 10-course tasting menu

Inspired by the old English meaning ‘journey’, Faru is a restaurant in the heart of Durham that lives up to its name. The Michelin-starred dining experience here will take you on a true journey of flavour, with fine dishes prepared from the open kitchen. The 10-course tasting menu is their signature but you can also choose a 5-course option, should you fancy something a little lighter. On the sample menu you’ll find the likes of duck parfait with cherry and hazelnut, and lobster with carrot and yuzu. There’s a vegetarian option too, as well as an exquisite Sunday roast menu. Whatever’s being served during your visit, it’s sure to be immensely flavourful and beautifully prepared by the restaurant’s talented chefs. 

Staying in County Durham

If you’re searching for a beautiful base for your culinary escape to County Durham, we have just the spot. Cinnabar Nest is a gorgeous, handcrafted, rustic-luxe cabin for two, tucked away on a working farm near Sedgefield in the heart of the countryside. It’s the perfect hideaway to unplug from your busy life, connect with the surrounding nature, soak in the outdoor wood-fired bathtub under stars and, of course, explore the county’s wonderful array of eateries. 

Discover more things to do in County Durham in our guide here.