The best restaurants in County Durham North East

We booked Coghlans at Barningham to do some external catering for us for our Wedding at The Blackton Grange Estate, on the 9th December 2024. Andrew and Janet were fantastic!! I would highly recommend the team to anyone needing their services. They were amazing from the point of contact, all the way up to the big day. We had an initial consultation over the phone a few months prior to the wedding, where we sorted out the wedding breakfast and a meal plan for the day before the wedding. This was all sent over via email and a price was agreed. The day before the wedding Andrew came to the venue and dropped off a meal for us to reheat in the oven as we arrived, he brought fresh bread, jams, pain au chocolates and croissants for the morning of the wedding, along with fresh local milk and butter, which was all delicious. On the morning of the wedding, Andrew and Janet arrived promptly and set everything up in the kitchen. They provided all of the crockery, cutlery and table linen and set out the table following our seating plan. Andrew and his team even went the extra mile pouring us some celebratory glasses of bubbles after the ceremony, and then announced us into the dining room, we really weren't expecting them to do any of this for us, but they absolutely pushed the boat out and made us feel so special on the big day. The food was all delicious, a full 3 course wedding breakfast and plenty of extras for those with big appetites. There was more than enough food for all of our guests and everyone commented how tasty it all was. It didn't stop there, Andrew then made sure all of our guests had drinks and kept the wine and bubbles flowing all afternoon, they even went to the trouble of carving my fathers meat up for him as he is disabled. After the meal, Andrew and Janet cleared everything away, including the dirty dishes, and they left the kitchen spotless!! Coghlans also provided a grazing table for the evening, which they left with us. What an absolute credit to the day Andrew and Janet were, they really made our day go without a hitch. We would absolutely recommend Coghlans for a catering service to anyone getting married in this area, you will not be disappointed!! Mark & Anna

This place hits all the boxes !

Absolutely fabulous place to eat, drink and relax! 100% recommend

Lovely cafe for coffee and cake

Beautiful decor, great choice of wines, wonderful service with sharing boards of food.

Loved it despite the rainy weather today. Will definitely be back again when it's drier. Lots to see, enjoyed the school, church, the pit tour, the farm and visiting the shops and different houses. Had to try the coal ice cream! Who knew only the male canaries chirped?!

Top draw. Pro tip stay off the carbs, Meat! Meat! Meat! It's better then one at Newcastle. Staff and food are better.

This is an absolute gem of a bar, plenty of atmosphere, fantastic beer and just a nice place to go and unwind.

Food, service , surroundings and atmosphere all brilliant. We are so lucky to gave this family run restaurant in our village.

Takeaway chicken tikka dansak very nice delivered nice and early keema pilau rice and peshwari nan bread delicious pleasant delivery driver all in all 5 star service

Visited this evening after a recommendation. We were not disappointed! The pub itself was very quiet due to the storm... however we were warmly welcomed. The food was absolutely delicious - best I've had in a long, long time. Our 19 month old had a whale of a time and, again, was warmly welcomed. Very reasonably priced too. Would highly recommend and we'll definitely be back.

Delicious food, spotless upstairs cafe, friendly staff. What more could you ask for?

Our very 1st visit here & Booked in for the Burns night meal, food was absolutely spot on, total credit to the chef/kitchen staff lot of prep in the background had been done. Surroundings very disappointing, best way to describe this is your placed in a corner, & other non Dining peeps are sat over you & atmosphere was too loud, then whilst your eating half way through your meal the music is cranked up as if your in a night club. So your having a meal & cannot engage in any conversation! Spent £80 tonight in there & frankly not worth it Don't think we'll be in a hurry coming back! Shame as the waitress that looked after us was embarrassed & apologised for the noise increase. Personally they should have put restaurant seating one side of the pub!

Nice quiet restaurant and the food was delicious. Very reasonably priced too, with big portions.

I love coming here for my lunch break. Big fan of the tofu and mushroom banh mi and the service is always excellent.