Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Durham/County Durham

OpenTable

Updated 05 October 2026

Looking for the best overall restaurants in Durham/County Durham? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Wallis & Co

4.8

4.8 (419)

£25 and under

Modern European

Hartlepool

About the restaurant

Wallis & Co is a modern Bar & Kitchen nestled on the picturesque setting that is Hartlepool Marina. Our aim is to provide a warm and cosy atmosphere for our customers to enjoy, and with a huge focus on quality in every aspect, we're sure your visit to Wallis & Co will be a happy one.

We serve lunch from 12pm till 5pm Tuesday to Saturday and evening service from 5pm till 9pm. Our Sunday lunch is served from 12pm till 4pm and from 5pm on a Sunday evening we offer Sunday evening menu.

Disclaimer- We are no longer taking reservations for OUTDOOR tables, they are first come first serve.

If booking Bottomless brunch please specify in your booking notes (Service times Tuesday to Sunday between 12 and 4pm)
Any tables above 6ppl must be booked directly through the restaurant via telephone or FB messenger.

Top review

Josephine

Dined 1 day ago

Was simply perfect. Staff , food , service , great value foe money

The Herdsman

4.9

4.9 (77)

£26 to £40

Gastro Pub

West Auckland

About the restaurant

Nestled in the up-market village of North Cowton, The Herdsman is a charming country gastro pub. Upon arrival you will be met by a well lit and spacious car park. Enter via the front or side doors and weave your way to the reception area. From here, choose to enjoy our fantastic range of alcoholic drinks, spirits, wines, soft drinks or warm drink selection in the cosy bar area. Featuring two log burners, mood lighting and blanket boxes, it’s the perfect setting to relax and enjoy a drink. This area is dog friendly too! When visiting for food from our Grill Kitchen, make the decision between eating in The Stable Room or Twilight Wood. Both with their own unique decor and features, sharing the same menu but with very different experiences. Head chef Roberto, and Sous Chef Molly will cook your meal to your liking and be sure to exceed your expectation. Pair your meal with one of our fantastic wines from the Firth & Co range, featuring our own signature Herdsman Blanc & Herdsman Rouge.

Top review

frederick james

Dined on 11 Oct 2026

one word outstanding service from the minute we went in and quality of the food for the price was something we don't get in Liverpool and now is a far way but we will be back and even might stay with new accommodation they are building so well done to the two brothers who have set up the herdsman

Aioli Restaurant by chris finnigan

4.9

4.9 (68)

£26 to £40

Mediterranean

Durham

About the restaurant

We believe Aioli is the perfect place to take you on a culinary journey and bring the nostalgic feeling of being in the Mediterranean. Our cooking style can be described as modern Spanish, classic French, contemporary British and rustic Italian, serving simple food using simple ingredients but treating them with love, care and attention to make you want to keep coming back time and time again.

We hope you love Aioli as much as we do.

Top review

peter

Dined today

Absolutely fantastic as usual we have been many times just superb

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4.7

4.7 (53)

£25 and under

Italian

Durham

About the restaurant

For tasty Italian food in Chester-le-Street, you needn’t look further than Fabio’s in the city centre. Boasting friendly service and a spacious dining room, this welcoming restaurant on Front Street is all about offering locals a typical Italian dining experience – good food, lively atmosphere and genuine hospitality. Fabio’s family-friendly menu will have something for everyone, from rich pastas and creamy risotto to pizzas, grilled steaks, fresh seafood and more. Their cocktail and gin bar is also worth mentioning, offering a great range of drinks and an easy-going atmosphere which is perfect for meeting up with friends or colleagues. Fabio’s is a real crowd pleaser, popular with many Chester-le-Street locals for good reason. Making an advance reservation is highly recommended.

Top review

Lynne

Dined 1 day ago

Fantastic food & service, as always. Thank you! 10/10

Estabulo - Darlington

4.6

4.6 (1783)

£26 to £40

Brazilian Steakhouse

Darlington

About the restaurant

Located on Horse Market in the heart of Darlington, Estabulo brings the vibrant spirit of Brazilian dining to the town with an unforgettable restaurant experience. Our authentic rodizio menu offers continuous tableside service of expertly grilled premium meats, alongside unlimited access to our gourmet salad bar featuring fresh seasonal salads, hot dishes, and traditional Brazilian sides.

For guests seeking a different dining style, our dedicated vegetarian and fish menu offers a carefully selected range of flavourful dishes, with full access to our unlimited salad bar included.

Our à la carte menu also showcases a variety of carefully curated dishes, from premium steak and burgers to signature favourites. Recently enhanced with our Café de Brazil additions, inspired by the world-famous French butter sauce with a Brazilian twist, these flavour-packed dishes bring a bold new experience to the menu and are not to be missed.

Top review

Nelson

Dined 5 days ago

Was the perfect anniversary spent with the wife with really nice food and drinks, the only down side was the wine but I can’t blame it either way because we don’t drink alcohol, it was a one time special so thank you very much for all the attention and suggestions and I’ll see you all again shortly.

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Experience

The Rodizio Experience

4.6

4.6 (20)

£26 to £40

Farm-to-table

Darlington

About the restaurant

Albertos Farmhouse is our Italian farmhouse restaurant, open Thursday to Sunday, 5:00 pm–9:00 pm. Expect hand-stretched pizzas, fresh pasta, and shared plates built around seasonal ingredients, good wine, and long, unhurried evenings.

Please note that Albertos is not dog-friendly.

Top review

Lloyd

Dined on 16 Oct 2026

Great meal for my birthday with my wife, we loved the food and drinks and we had great interactions with the staff. We shared a starter that was on the specials and it was really nice, we then both had pasta and shared a side of cheesy pizza bread, these were lovely and finished the meal off with a dessert. My wife had a couple of cocktails and said the tiramisu one was amazing! We were made to feel very welcome by the 3 members of staff we dealt with who were friendly and attentive and really added to our evening, thanks Sam, Minnie and Tom Looking forward to returning already!

Turkish Kitchen Durham

4.7

4.7 (917)

£25 and under

Turkish

Durham

About the restaurant

Welcome to Turkish Kitchen, you will enter the world of tastes and aromas of Turkish cuisine with a modern twist and focus on sensational seasonal ingredients from diverse Turkish regions.
We also have a good selection of vegetarian & vegan options along with a great list of wines and cocktails.

Top review

Anne

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent authentic meal and very attentive service.

The Workshop at Kip & Nook

4.6

4.6 (127)

£26 to £40

Italian

Darlington

About the restaurant

Kip & Nook — Eat, Drink, Gather

The Workshop is our relaxed, all-day spot for brunch and wood-fired pizza. Brunch runs Monday to Sunday, 8:30 am–2:00 pm, serving fresh-baked pastries, cooked breakfast favourites, lighter bites, and great coffee. From 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Monday to Wednesday, The Workshop switches to dinner service with our famous homemade pizzas, sides, and specials — dine in or take away back to your cabin. The Workshop is dog-friendly, with a pool, ping pong, and darts to enjoy alongside your meal.

Top review

Janine

Dined 6 days ago

Absolutely outstanding venue, service and food. Will definitely return.

Black Rabbit

4.4

4.4 (58)

£26 to £40

Contemporary British

Durham

About the restaurant

The Black Rabbit offers a sophisticated yet welcoming retreat for those seeking refined British cuisine and masterfully crafted cocktails.
Whether you're visiting for a relaxed three-course Sunday feast or a late-night cocktail in the glow of the chandeliers, The Black Rabbit provides a premier dining experience defined by style and flavour.

Top review

Janet

Dined on 15 Oct 2026

Its not often I m impressed with the quality of food when dining out but on this occasion I was impressed by the food and wonderful service from the staff. Although this was a gift with set food/drink choices I was able to make changes without any hesitation or argument from staff. I would definitely consider visiting the Black Rabbit again

The Raby Arms

4.5

4.5 (223)

£25 and under

Gastro Pub

Hartlepool

About the restaurant

Located in the small and charming Hart Village, just North of Hartlepool, The Raby Arms Pub & Kitchen is a traditional local landmark that has undertaken extensive refurbishment to create a cosy and welcoming atmosphere. At heart, we’re a true ‘local’, and we’re all about proper pub dining, served with craft and international beers and ales, a diverse wine list, tempting cocktails and top-tier spirits.  Our food menu offers tasty pub favourites given a very special touch, perfectly executed by our chefs and kitchen team.  Join us for a drink, a meal, Sunday roast, or a snack, we’re open all day, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Dogs are welcomed into the sports bar only , on a first come first serve basis - not bookable. They must be kept on leads at all times.

Top review

Doreen

Dined on 14 Oct 2026

I’ve been 3 times in a week with different friends and family always very pleasant staff and food always good

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