Our Top 10 Pick of Restaurants Across Durham and the Tees Valley to Try
Whether you're looking to start your day right or wanting to book a table for a special occasion, there are plenty of great restaurants and cafés across Durham and the Tees Valley
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.
The Bay Horse
45 The Green, Hurworth DL2 2AA
01325 720663
thebayhorsehurworth.com
A cosy 15th century coaching inn which has been included in the Michelin Guide, The Bay Horse melds traditional charm and modern architecture to create two separate dining areas. Serving beautiful food by chef-patron Marcus Bennett, expect expertly crafted dishes with seasonal, local produce. There’s a great beer garden here too.
Black Horse Beamish
Red Row Estate, Beamish DH9 0RW
01207 232569
blackhorsebeamish.co.uk
Perched high above the Beamish conservation valley, the Black Horse is a restaurant and hotel with stunning views and delicious food. Bringing fresh, seasonal dishes to their restaurant and beer garden, they offer both relaxed dining experiences and private dining rooms. Look out for their classic Sunday lunches, afternoon teas and their platter, Prosecco and pornstar events – think 90 minutes of free-flowing drinks with delicious cured meats and Asian-style nibbles.
Café Lilli
83 High Street, Norton TS20 1AE
01642 554422
lillicafe.co.uk
A proud market-to-table restaurant, Café Lilli source all their produce from the North East, meaning their menu changes regularly. Expect a lively and
intimate bistro-style atmosphere in
which to enjoy creative dishes such as pan-fried chicken livers with cumin, spiced cous-cous, greens, tahini and lemon dressing. Don’t miss their homemade pasta of the day which owner Roberto Pittalis is renowned for for.
The Coach House at Middleton Lodge
Kneeton Lane, Middleton Tyas, Richmond DL10 6NJ
01325 377977
middletonlodge.co.uk
Head chef Ross Forder works closely with the Middleton Lodge gardening team to bring sustainably-focused food from the estate to your plate – and the team work with local producers to bring you the best of the North. The seasonal dishes here are always packed full of flavour, and whether you’re celebrating or treating yourself, you can be sure of a relaxed dining experience within characterful surroundings.
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.
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.
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.
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The Rose & Crown
Romaldkirk, Barnard Castle DL12 9EB
01833 650213
rose-and-crown.co.uk
In the Durham dales, this village inn blends old-world charm with contemporary touches. With an emphasis on local produce, the kitchen team (headed up by Dave Hunter) create dishes which tread the line between pub classics and fine dining – think homemade shortcrust venison and bacon pie or baked fillet of cod with crab saag aloo. Choose a table in the candlelit restaurant or head to the bar where you can sample local real ales, gins and wines from around the world with your four-legged friend at your feet.
The Seaview Restaurant
The Foreshore Building, Lower Promenade, Saltburn TS12 1HQ
01287 236015
theseaviewrestaurant.co.uk
Overlooking a long stretch of golden sands, dramatic cliffs and Saltburn’s historic Victorian pier, The Seaview Restaurant is a seafood dining experience with a difference. From proper fish and chips, luxury fish pie and Thai mussels to their iconic crab brioche served with celeriac remoulade and bloody mary ketchup, there’s something for everyone here.
