Durham Restaurants

You're sure to find somewhere delicious to eat in our round-up of Durham restaurants. While the city is famous for its fascinating history and spectacular Cathedral and Castle, it's also home to some fantastic places to eat and drink, including fancy fine-dining restaurants, traditional British pubs, trendy brunch spots, and even a gaming and comic book café. So, if you're planning a visit to this stunning city, you're sure to be spoilt for choice.
In this list, we've picked out some of the best restaurants in Durham, including options to suit different tastes and budgets. Keep reading to start planning your perfect meal today.

 

Shaheens ·

48 North Bailey, Durham, DH1 3ET

Shaheens is a beloved restaurant among Durham locals, and with good reason. This family-run restaurant serves a huge choice of authentic Indian dishes, made using quality ingredients at fair prices. In addition to great food, Shaheens is also renowned for its service, which is friendly, welcoming, and exceptionally attentive. If you’re a big fan of Indian cuisine, you'll be absolutely spoilt for choice during your visit — take a look at our guide to Indian restaurants in Durham to find lots of other fantastic places to eat.

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La Spaghettata ·

66 Saddler Street, Durham, DH1 3NP

If you love traditional Italian food, you'll be impressed by La Spaghettata, which is located right in the heart of the city centre on Saddler Street. The menu is varied, with all the antipasti, pasta, pizza, meat and fish dishes you could wish for, and there are vegan and gluten-free options, too. It's one of the most popular restaurants in Durham city centre, so be sure to book, particularly if you’re visiting with a large group. Can’t get enough Italian cuisine? There are lots of other Italian restaurants in Durham, so you can eat pizza and pasta on every day of your visit if you like.

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Sense ·

80 Claypath, Durham, DH1 1QT

If you're looking for great Asian food in Durham, Sense is the place to go. Located on Claypath in the city centre, this little gem is the perfect spot for a filling meal after a busy day of sightseeing or before a trip to the theatre. The menu is seasonal and authentically Chinese, the décor is modern, and service is relaxed and friendly. A lot of dishes on the menu are also quite hot, so it's a good place to go if you like spicy food.

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Garden House Inn ·

Framwellgate Peth, Durham, DH1 4NQ

If you're looking to try some traditional English food during your stay, why not pay a visit to an old-fashioned British pub? The Garden House Inn is a quaint gastropub just outside the city centre, and offers plenty of hearty British dishes like fish and chips, liver with bacon and mash, and mince and dumplings. You could even go on a Sunday afternoon for a traditional roast dinner.

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Gussto Tapas ·

32 Silver Street, Durham, DH1 3RD

Gussto is a bustling tapas restaurant located right next to Durham's main shopping district, and a short walk from the theatre. It serves authentic Spanish small plates and paella that are ideal for sharing - so it's perfect for large groups. The décor is rustic and romantic, and the ambiance is lively. Make sure you order a jug of real Spanish sangria!

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The Cellar Door ·

Summerhouse, Darlington, County Durham, DL2 3UD

If you’re visiting Durham for a special occasion, you might want to celebrate with a high-end meal, and that's exactly what you'll find at The Cellar Door on Saddler Street. The service, food, and wine list are all exceptional, and the venue is pretty impressive too as it’s based in a converted 13th century cellar. On sunny day, you can even enjoy your meal out on their terrace, which offers beautiful views of the river.

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Zen ·

Court Lane, Durham, DH1 3JS

If you’re in the mood for Thai food, book a table at Zen, which is located over the River Wear on the East side of the city. Zen offers an incredibly extensive menu, and you can expect to find a huge range of different Thai and Pan-Asian dishes, including stir fries, roast meats, noodles, soups, dim sum, curries, and more. The venue is stunning and the atmosphere is lively, so it’s a great place to dine if you’re celebrating a special occasion.

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Tia's ·

84 Claypath, Durham, DH1 1RG

Lovers of Mexican cuisine will definitely want to pay a visit to Tia’s - a casual eatery that serves tasty enchiladas, chimichangas, fajitas, and huge racks of slow-cooked ribs. The atmosphere is lively and there's a fantastic cocktail menu that includes frozen rosé and margaritas, which are very popular with the locals. It’s located on Claypath, so it’s a great place to start a night out.

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Fat Hippo ·

36 Saddler Street, Durham, DH1 3NU

If you like a good burger, you’ll definitely want to check out Fat Hippo, which is located in the heart of Durham City Centre on Saddler Street. It's known for its inventive toppings and flavour combinations, which include everything from peanut butter and bacon jam to pineapple and hot sauce. Although they might be best known for their beef and chicken burgers, they have plenty of delicious vegan and vegetarian options on the menu.

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