Where to Eat in Durham City Centre
For good food in Durham, here's where to go
Flat White Kitchen
40 Saddler Street, Durham DH1 3NU
21a Elvet Bridge, Durham DH1 3AA
0191 384 0725
flatwhitekitchen.com
A staple in Durham since 2010, this charming café within a renovated 17th century house is a firm favourite with the locals and students alike serving coffee, cake and unmissable brunch. 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. It also has a sister venue (Flat White Café) just around the corner.
Isla
North Road, Durham DH1 4SF
0191 3843378
islabycoarse.restaurant
The newest addition to Durham’s North Road (from the team behind Coarse), here you can expect small plates and elevated brunch classics like wild mushrooms on sourdough with black truffle, miso butter and poached eggs, or French toast with hazelnut cream, elderflower and strawberries. There’s a good range of drinks here too including teas, coffee and a ‘wellness drink’ menu.
Zen
Court Lane, Durham DH1 3JS
0191 384 9588
zendurham.co.uk
One of the most popular eateries in Durham centre, Zen serves authentic Thai Asian cuisine, based on a fusion of authentic street foods. Their experienced team make all their dishes from scratch and take pride in introducing wonderful Thai food to unfamiliar palettes. As well as eating under their Instagrammable blossom tree, you can dine al fresco or order to take away.
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. This is also a great spot to enjoy the warmer weather with outdoor tables overlooking the river.
Lebaneat
47 North Bailey, Durham DH1 3ET
0191 384 6777
lebaneat.co.uk
A classic haunt for students on Durham’s North Bailey, this restaurant has been serving up affordable Lebanese food in large portions for more than a decade. Think chicken skewers, slow-cooked lamb, rice dishes, wraps, shawarma and hummus sides.
Barrio Comida
34 Church Street, Durham DH1 3DG
0191 370 9688
barriocomida.com
This hugely popular taqueria serving tacos, tostadas and mezcal in Durham began as a pop-up before turning permanent and the team here go to great lengths to source and import artisan produce, including their heirloom corn (the backbone of Mexican cuisine) and host a great happy hour so make sure to grab yourself a margarita.
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 and a five-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.
Coarse
Reform Place, North Road, Durham DH1 4RZ
0191 380 5776
coarse.restaurant
Michelin Guide-recommend 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.
The Rabbit Hole
17 Hallgarth Street, Durham DH1 3AT
0191 386 5556
therabbitholedurham.co.uk
Take a tumble 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. Tucked into a quiet residential street, this is a true hidden gem. We recommend a selection of small plates, particularly the short beef rib and the honey and walnut shrimp.
