Our Favourite Restaurants in Durham
Looking to eat out in Durham? We've got you covered
Barrio Comida
34 Church Street, Durham
DH1 3DG
0191 370 9688
barriocomida.com
This taqueria serving tacos, tostadas and mezcals in Durham began as a pop-up before turning permanent. The team here go to great lengths to source and import artisan dried produce, including their heirloom corn, the backbone of Mexican cuisine.
Bistro Italiano
70 Claypath, Durham DH1 1QT
0191 383 0374
bistro-italiano.co.uk
With a long-established reputation for rustling up quality traditional Italian comfort food, Bistro Italiano is a staple on the Durham foodie scene. Using only the freshest ingredients, the team of chefs create classic pasta, pizza, risotto, chicken, meat and fish dishes.
The Cellar Door
41 Saddler Street, Durham
DH1 3NU
0191 383 1856
thecellardoordurham.co.uk
Tucked away down a set of narrow steps on Saddler Street you’ll find fine dining with impeccable views. Passionate about the environment, The Cellar Door is big on provenance, producing the best quality dishes with sustainable ingredients from the local area.
Coarse
Reform Place, North Road, Durham DH1 4RZ
0191 374 1123
coarse.restaurant
In the heart of Durham, Michelin Guide-recommend restaurant Coarse serves an affordable and accessible six-course tasting menu using local and seasonal ingredients. Head chef and co-owner Ruari MacKay started his career training under Michelin-starred chef Terry Laybourne at Jesmond Dene House, so you know the food is going to be good.
CoHo
Freemans Reach, Durham DH1 1SW
0191 374 1000
cohodurham.com
On Durham’s riverbank, this laidback drinking and dining destination serves quirky cocktails alongside hearty breakfasts, tasty tapas and main meals. The perfect sanctuary to escape the city, why not try the afternoon tea for two with a glass of Prosecco or house Champagne?
The Curious Mr Fox
35a The Riverwalk, Durham
DH1 4PW
0191 329 3559
thecuriousmrfox.co.uk
Overlooking Durham Cathedral and Framwellgate Bridge, Curious Mr Fox is a great place to enjoy drinks and delicious food. Enjoy snacks in the bar or head upstairs to the ornate Oyster Room or the floral-themed Ivy Room for a taste of seasonal cooking. The Sunday lunches are good here too.
Faru
29 Silver Street, Durham DH1 3RD
0191 380 5451
faru.co.uk
The debut restaurant of Jake and Laura Siddle, who both previously worked at Kenny Atkinson’s Michelin-starred restaurant House of Tides, Faru offers a 10-course tasting menu in the heart of Durham. The menu begins with a selection of snacks followed by carefully prepared dishes – there’s also a wine flight available alongside.
El Pincho
16 Riverwalk, Durham DH1 4SJ
0191 374 1298
elpinchodurham.co.uk
Serving traditional tapas, Greek appetisers and Moroccan specialities, El Pincho invite diners into their vibrant restaurant situated on The Riverwalk in Durham city. We recommend the grazing platters to share amongst friends, or for those feeling hungry, the minted lamb kebab wraps are delicious.
Flat White Kitchen
40 Saddler Street, Durham DH1 3NU
07936 449291
flatwhitekitchen.com
This charming bistro within a renovated 17th century house has been a staple in Durham since 2010. The pancakes here are more than worth the queue to get in – including their fluffy ricotta pancakes served with fresh fruit, maple syrup and cinder toffee butter.
The Rabbit Hole
17 Hallgarth Street, Durham
DH1 3AT
0191 386 5556
therabbitholedurham.co.uk
Fall down the rabbit hole and enter this 1920s Shanghai-inspired speakeasy where you’ll be richly rewarded with deliciously different pan-Asian dishes and perfectly-paired cocktails, wines and beers. We recommend a selection of small plates, particularly the short beef rib and the honey and walnut shrimp.
Whitechurch Durham
29 Church Street Head, Durham DH1 3DN
0191 386 8897
whitechurchdurham.com
An independent eatery which serves locally-sourced food and drink. Breakfast includes kimchi scrambled eggs, hot smoked salmon bagels and avocado on sourdough, and during the day you can enjoy buttermilk chicken, laksa noodle soup and pork banh mi. Whitechurch is also a popular choice for Sunday roasts, which come with all the trimmings of course.
Tango
39 Saddler Street, Durham DH1 3NU
0191 303 9039
tangodurham.co.uk
All the beef here is 100 percent prime cut, fresh from local suppliers, seared and seasoned on the grill. Build your own burger (they have chicken and veggie options too), dig into a plate of nachos or order the classic Teesside parmo or a side of chicken wings.
Zen
Court Lane, Durham
DH1 3JS
0191 384 9588
zendurham.co.uk
Zen serves authentic Thai Asian cuisine, based on a fusion of authentic, street and market fresh foods. Their experienced team of 14 years, led by head chef P’Art, make all their dishes from scratch and take pride in introducing wonderful Thai food to unfamiliar Western palettes. As well as eating under their famous blossom tree, you can dine al fresco or order to take away.
