10 Places Where Locals Love to Eat in Durham

Housed in a 17th-century townhouse, the Flat White Kitchen is more than just a café that serves excellent coffee and cakes. It’s also one of the top brunch spots in the city, serving tasty dishes like its famous avocado toast with poached egg and chilis, as well as baked eggs with tomato, red pepper compote and chorizo.

With generous portions and beautiful food presentation, this charming bistro has rightly gained its reputation as a favourite among foodies and Instagrammers. If you’re undecided on what to get, you can ask the friendly staff, who are more than happy to give their recommendations

Tealicious Tearoom offers a unique range of tea blends that’s sure to appeal to tea lovers. Enjoy your cup with a choice of dainty sandwiches, fresh fruit and cheese scones, and homemade cakes and tartlets. Besides its superb tea blends, the teashop also serves coffee and cold beverages.

The staff is friendly and welcoming, and the interior is cosy and quaint, making this place great for enjoying a quiet, relaxing moment in the historic Durham city centre.

Tucked away in an alley in central Durham, Vennels Cafe combines historic ambience with delicious food. Famous for its banoffee pie, this café also serves delicious scones that are freshly baked every morning. Its quiches and cakes also come highly recommended. For drinks, you can choose from a variety of teas, hot chocolate, latte, or even Prosecco.

As you enjoy your meal, make sure to take in the handsome interior of this venue. Occuppying a 16th-century building, Vennels Cafe boasts a breathtaking interior with high beams, crooked ceilings, original fireplaces, and old sewing machine tables.

Fat Hippo is an independent burger restaurant specialising in good old-fashioned burgers and fries. It offers a choice of patties from signature beef to boneless buttermilk chicken, as well as vegan, vegetarian, gluten- and dairy-free options.

Besides mouth-watering burgers and fries, Fat Hippo also offers a good selection of milkshakes and sweet desserts to cap off your meal. It even has something a little special for those who want a little buzz in their slushies and shakes. If you’re craving a juicy burger served in fluffy brioche buns, you can get your fill at this joint. 

Bells Fish and Chips in central Durham is a great choice for a traditional British meal. Enjoy freshly fried fish served in big portions for a satisfying dining experience. Whether you’re going with scampi, sausages, or cod with your chips, this resto doesn’t disappoint.

It also has a great selection of hot and cold beverages and delicious desserts to pair with your meal. Occupying 2 floors, you can get a good view of the historic marketplace as you enjoy your food.

Upon arriving at the Roses and Crown Inn, you’ll be greeted by said roses above the doorway. Known for its warm and cosy atmosphere, this country inn houses a renowned village pub that draws in foodies from all over. You can enjoy delicious dishes and an extensive choice of local ales and single malts. Don’t forget to try its local Raby Estate venison pie or the ham hock terrine.

You can enjoy your meal at the pub or in the candle-lit dining room. If the weather’s good, dining outside on the gravelled forecourt is a delightful option.

The oldest pub in Durham, Dun Cow Inn is a favourite among locals and is a great place to enjoy delicious food and warm hospitality. Dating back to the 15th century, this traditional pub continues to serve delicious, homemade meals to its patrons.

You can pair your food with any of their tasty cask ales, which include the Black Sheep Best Bitter, Moorhouse's White Witch, and Castle Eden Ale. If you stop by on Monday night, you can join Dun Cow Inn's weekly quiz night for added fun.

The inconspicuous Cellar Door is tucked away on the main street towards Durham Cathedral. This restaurant offers glorious river views to go with its seasonal menu, which changes every month to take advantage of the freshest produce available. In fact, some of its produce is sourced straight from the restaurant's back garden.

Housed in a 12th-century building, you can still see patches of the original stonework all over. Cellar Door has large open windows to let natural light in for an altogether warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Located inside the Hotel Indigo, Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill is the place to go for a fine-dining experience complete with signature steaks and timeless classics of European cuisine. Despite the grand interiors, you can enjoy a very warm and welcoming atmosphere. The menu changes seasonally to take advantage of the freshest ingredients available. 

The chateaubriand, roasted lamb rump, and shepherd’s pie come highly recommended. Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill also offers a good selection of premium cocktails to go with your meal.

Tango Durham offers both delicious food and a scenic view of the River Wear. It serves both classic and speciality burgers, juicy grilled meats, and tasty chips. You can round off your meal with sweet cakes and pudding. The restaurant also serves cocktails, beers, and wines if you want to enjoy a bit of a buzz after your meal.

The ingredients are all locally sourced, with the dishes prepared in-house so you’re assured of great-tasting, freshly cooked meals. The service at Tango Durham is also commendable, thanks to its friendly and hospitable staff.