Restaurants in Durham

You’re probably not coming to Durham expecting the weather of the Italian coast but the city can definitely deliver on the flavours. La Spaghettatahas been a favourite on Durham’s Italian food scene since 1996 and has recently branched out to bring diners a wider range of specialities, incorporating more seafood and steak into its menu, which can only be a good thing. Offering simple, hearty Italian cooking, La Spaghettata uses local ingredients where possible, with food cooked to lip-smacking perfection and served by the friendliest staff this side of the Med.

Not to be overlooked, Bistro Italiano has a loyal following thanks to its highly-trained chefs, commitment to fresh ingredients and a much-loved menu of Italian and European favourites.

For a little bit of the familiar, you can watch chain restaurant Zizzi whip up their signature rustic pizzas and a wide variety of pasta dishes in their open-plan kitchen. With a plentiful allergy-aware menu and an abundance of guilt-free options, like their skinny pizzas and hanging skewers (and a decadent dessert menu if you want to undo all your good work), there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

For a touch of Krabi in County Durham, the city has a mouth-watering selection of Thai restaurants to tickle your taste buds. A popular favourite, Zen serves up a contemporary Thai and pan-Asian menu in sleek surroundings. With beautifully presented food and a range of adventurous cocktails, the restaurant does get extremely busy, so it is worth making a booking to make sure you don’t miss out.

Across the Framwellgate Bridge, Nadon Thai and Thai River are just a few steps away from each other. Both offer separate lunch and dinner menus and serve the full gamut of fresh salads, hearty curries and noodle dishes, all cooked with authentic Thai flair and packed with flavour.

From cosy, casual dining to award-winning haute cuisine, Durham’s not short on appetising options when it comes to Britain’s favourite cuisine. The Capital challenges itself to continually evolve and innovate age-old favourites with diners reaping the benefits. With an award-winning chef at the heart of it, The Capital marries traditional cooking techniques with a European edge and such aplomb you won’t want to waste anything spillt on those fresh white tablecloths.

It isn’t just The Capital that’s winning awards; the Spice Lounge also boasts a ‘Chef of the Year’ winner. A bustling restaurant, Spice Lounge serves culinary favourites from all across the vast country of India, and its menu is a testament to its size and variety. It handily comes with a ‘chilli guide’ for those who are a little spice shy!

Rajpooth is a stalwart on the curry scene, bringing joy with their exotic flavours to Durham diners since 1982, thanks to their robust menu, house specialities and good value for money.