Whether it’s fine dining in Durham, an Italian restaurant in Darlington or an Indian in Hartlepool, Sugarvine has an extensive directory of the best restaurants and places to eat in County Durham, covering every type of cuisine. Use the Sugarvine guide to point you in the direction of the finest eating places in Durham and throughout the county.
I have always looked on a visit to Barnacles restaurant as a treat something special Good food and service . The decor is nice too. Then there are the birthday wishes sent every year to me dont get them from other places. H Stokes
Barnacles – Stockton-On-TeesWhat a delight to the palate and to the eye. This beautiful old chapel has been restored to glory and it is the first thing that hits when you walk in. My friends and I were greated at the entrance and shown to our table with a smile and welcome. We had a drink while looking through the well designed meue and as the vegetarian I was delighted to see more than one choice! Food ordered we chatted till our starters arrived, followed by main course and deserts. The staff made occasional visits to us to ensure that we had all we required and that we were happy with out meals. I asked for some more vegatables as they were perfectly cooked and delicious. The wine was perfect as well. The price we felt was at the right amount for the meal and service we had received and all in all it was a wonderful evening. My compliments to the chef and it was a joy to find a vegetarian choice that I was excited about. My friends and I have told everone about the resturant and we will be visiting again and often!
Mary Rowntree’s – HartlepoolI have been getting fish and chips from this chippy since it opened what a lovely chippy and staff are friendly and chatty keep up the good work best chippy for miles around.
i Fry – Chester-le-StreetI have visited Saxon Inn a few times now, and each time we have been met by professional, friendly staff who go out of their way to please their customers. The food is well presented, plentiful and absolutely delicious. Roll on the next meal there. Well done Saxon.
The Saxon Inn – Bishop Aucklandbest fish n chips I have ever had!!
i Fry – Chester-le-StreetWell worth a visit. Excellent value for money. Friendly staff and a great range of foods to choose from the menu.
i Fry – Chester-le-StreetAMAZING!! I cannot fault this place at all!!
Beach Taco – DurhamMy friend told me how good Mary Rowntree's was and we made a visit at the beginning of this week. I was so impressed by the surroundings and the food that I took my husband a few days later. He was very impressed also and we plan to try out the evening menu. Hopefully, this will be as good.
Mary Rowntree’s – HartlepoolWent for a friend's birthday treat, but disappointing as the waiters were surly and, although there were only 8 other diners in the restaurant the food was ages in coming and not worth the wait. Vegetables are extra and starters are tiny. Was as hungry when we finished the meal as we were beforehand. Prices are hefty too and service charge is added to the bill. Bistro 21 is NOT on my recommend list.
Bistro 21 – DurhamMy boyfriend and I visited the pub for the carvery on Sunday 22nd July. The beef was lovely but we did not enjoy the meal at all. The mushy peas were hard. we had pay an extra £1.25 for mashed potato, (usually included when you go to any other carvery) which was not mashed up properly and along with the rest of the different kinds of patatoes they had on were generally not very nice. I couldn't cut my yorkshire pudding as it was overcooked. Would NOT recommend and will not be returning!
Coach and Horses Inn – DurhamI have been here twice and both times was impressed with the food and service in general. What has prompted me to write a review here is that I recently went to a 1 Michelin star restaurant in Lancashire and was disappointed that it didn't come anywhere near the Orangery impact for the food. The Orangery was 'WOW' with almost every mouthful zings and pops of intense flavours and fascinating combinations and my Michelin experience last week was somewhat flat and flavourless in comparison even though it was presented as beautifully as Kenny's. I can't now wait to go back to the Orangery and see if it is still as fantastic as I remember!! I especially remember the confit shin beef tart....a revelation....and I see they at the moment have it done with duck leg....
The Orangery at Rockliffe Hall – DarlingtonExcellent Value - friendly staff.Try it for yourself.
George The – DarlingtonI took my parents to Mary Rowtree's for lunch, to celebrate my mother's birthday. We booked table, and saw the notices advising that the food was cooked to order and please be patient. We waited an hour and were going to leave when it arrived, the fish and chips were fine, the beef and mushroom pie was without its puff pastry lid, presumably burnt and removed! The potatoes were dry and the roasted vegetables unappealing, I should have sent it back but my parents by this time were quite distressed. The fourth meal offered was sent back, it was not as ordered, cold and quite frankly a disgrace. We ate and left. The wait staff are excellent and were so embarrassed by the incident, which apparently happened the day before. Whilst we were paying, several table left and others were starting to complain. The owner has spent a lot of money converting the former Church into a cafe. They have good wait staff but a kitchen team who either need to be replaced or retrained. I am writing to the owner to complain and hopefully get some of my money back. We will never return. Please take heed, it is very expensive and you may be disappointed.
Mary Rowntree’s – HartlepoolAn oasis in the desert!! Finally The Headland can boast about a fine dining experience which the area has badly needed.Called in yesterday for lunch and we were greeted with a warm smile by John, the owner. He apologised in advanced for a possible delay as all the food is cooked to order - this was encouraging as it was not going to be a 'boil in the bag' dining experience! We were shown to our table upstairs with a fantastic view over the harbour and across to the Cleveland Hills. Drinks order taken and menus perused. I settled for Liver with mash and seasonal vegetables. My wife had the fresh locally caught cod with proper hand cut chips and peas. Both meals arrived in a reasonable time - so the owners apology wasn't needed. To be honest we were too busy looking at the surroundings and interior to think about the time. Both settled for Vanilla Cheesecake with ice cream for dessert and suitably impressed. Good choice of lager,beer wines etc to suit all palates. Overall we were extremely impressed with the quality of food, service and surroundings and would definitely go back. I particularly enjoyed the courgettes,onions and peppers accompanying my main course. I understand they are soon to opening evenings with a new menu so we will be giving it a try.
Mary Rowntree’s – HartlepoolI would never go back. they do NOT sell cod. The whole shop is a scam. Buy fish and chips for 3.50 get 1 for a £1. the 3.50 wasn't cod it was something else. £1 fish were bits of thin fish like skin battered. i heard a lot of people saying that they are selling pangie which is a cat fish. Don't waste your money there. much better fish and chips next door
i Fry – Chester-le-StreetGood food, well presented by a seemingly hand-picked and dedicated staff
Three Horseshoes Inn The – DurhamA1
Beefeater Grill – DarlingtonPleasant surroundings, top quality service, lovely good quality food. Will be back soon.
The Seven Stars Inn – DurhamLunch: 2 courses, £15.95.
1 course, £10; 2 courses, £14; 3 courses, £18. Available Monday to Friday 12pm-6.30pm, Saturday, 12pm-6pm, Sunday 12pm-6.30pm.
1 course, £14.95; 2 courses, £18.95; 3 courses, £22.95.
We have various drinks offers available during the week.
