- Play Hard
- 6th Mar 2026
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The best places to eat in Durham, according to a local
By Erin Malik
When people say three square meals a day, they clearly haven’t experienced Durham.
Here, it’s more like brunch, coffee, lunch and dinner – all within walking distance.
Durham city centre is renowned for many things: Durham University, the iconic Durham Cathedral, its famously steep cobbled streets and, of course, an ever-growing list of incredible restaurants, cafés and coffee shops.
With so many places to eat in Durham, it would take weeks to try them all. So we’ve put together a full-day foodie guide to Durham city centre, taking you from brunch to coffee, lunch and dinner, while showcasing some of the best Durham restaurants and cafés along the way.
BRUNCH IN DURHAM
Isla, North Road
From the creators of Coarse, the award-winning tasting restaurant in Durham, Isla has quickly become one of the most talked-about brunch spots in the city.
With an impressive 4.9 rating on TripAdvisor and a menu packed with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, it’s no surprise Isla is considered one of the best places for brunch in Durham.
The brunch menu is full of tempting choices. Think giant crumpets topped with spicy sausage, house granola drizzled with authentic Durham honey and beautifully crafted brunch classics.
Families are well catered for too. Isla’s kids’ breakfast menu includes an incredible brunch sharing board featuring a rainbow bagel, croissant, Nutella, jam, fresh fruit and vanilla yoghurt – all for just £10.
TOP PICK OF DURHAM COFFEE SHOPS
Cafédral, Owengate
After climbing the famous hill towards Durham Cathedral, Cafédral feels like a well-earned reward waiting on the corner of Owengate.
This much-loved Durham café offers an extensive drinks menu, from expertly brewed coffee to their award-winning hot chocolate — the perfect pick-me-up while exploring Durham city centre.
Alongside your drink, you’ll find plenty of light bites including sandwiches, paninis, pies and, most importantly, freshly baked scones.
Cafédral’s scones are made from scratch every day and served warm with generous helpings of jam and cream. One of the reasons it stands out among Durham coffee shops is that they offer plain scones alongside the classic fruit variety – ideal for anyone who prefers a simpler sweet treat.
ONE OF OUR GO-TO LUNCH PLACES IN DURHAM
Rio Brazilian Steakhouse, Riverwalk
Following its long-awaited relaunch at the end of 2025, Rio Brazilian Steakhouse’s new home on Durham’s Riverwalk has quickly become one of the best lunch spots in Durham.
The experience is best described as a premium all-you-can-eat. Expect unlimited cuts of meat carved tableside, alongside a bottomless salad bar and endless hot sides.
Servers bring an impressive variety of meats, including beef, pork, chicken and lamb, directly to your table until you simply can’t eat another bite.
Lunch costs £29.95 on weekdays and £34.95 on weekends. Even better, children under 10 eat free, making it a brilliant family-friendly restaurant in Durham.
AN UNEXPECTED DURHAM RESTAURANT FOR DINNER
Flat White Kitchen, Saddler Street
With so many restaurants in Durham to choose from, Flat White Kitchen might not immediately come to mind for dinner, but it absolutely should.
A staple of the Durham brunch scene, many people are surprised to learn that Flat White stays open until 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Once the daytime brunch queues disappear, the team serves a delicious evening menu featuring both small and large plates, perfect for winding down after a day exploring Durham.
The small plates include dishes like garlic focaccia, gambas pil pil and bang bang cauliflower, while larger plates feature options such as a beef burger, Korean chicken burger and steak frites.
And for anyone who can’t resist their daytime favourites, good news: the famous pancakes remain on the evening menu. Pair your meal with wines or cocktails, and it’s easy to see why Flat White has become one of the most popular restaurants in Durham city centre.
Rachael Ellis
Head of Content
After gaining a first in her BA Media and Journalism degree at Northumbria University, Rachael worked at Newcastle’s leading regional newspaper with her stories being picked up in national and global newspapers. She spent two very successful years giving a voice to those communities across the North East who otherwise…
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