The best restaurants in County Durham North East

Still the best Italians in the area by far! Never disappointed and the best value for money you can find!

Absolutely lovely food, always top quality and taste 10/10.

This was the second time that we have visited this fantastic restaurant in a large family group. The first time 9 of us attended for our grandson's 21st birthday and it was so good that we booked again for our annual Christmas get together. This time there were 15 of us. Some chose from the Christmas Fayre menu and the selection was amazing. Others selected from the main menu which was a plus for us as other venues that we have been to for our Christmas 'party' only offered choices from their Christmas Fayre. I have to say that no one was disappointed with their meals. Perfectly cooked and presented and great portions. However, I must commend the service. Nothing was a problem and we were not rushed at all. Some restaurants that we have been to hardly let you get your starter down and they serve you your main course. Not here. A lovely civilised break in between so we could all enjoy being together. That said, the wait wasn't overly long that we were all awaiting our next courses. We had a great night, good food, fantastic service and certainly not over priced. We will all certainly book again, either individually or for our next family celebration. So, if you are looking for a nice meal, either just couples or for a bigger celebration, this is the place for you. Thank you Little Sicily and we look forward to visiting again.

Fantástico descanso en el Royal Oak. Gente cálida genuina, pub encantador, habitación acogedora con todo lo que pueda necesitar. ¡Y la comida! Cocinado en casa, abundante y delicioso; eso incluye el desayuno! Muy recomendable ☺️

Had chicken tikka masala, chicken pakura , onion bhaji ,and they gave me extra cool creamy mint sauce , plz don’t change your recipe on all yr food 10 out of 10 😁

Absolutely beautiful food great value for money should of taken a photo but no one wants to see empty plates

As for flavour, WOW it was bloody lovely and brought back memories of how fish nd chips used to be. Dont expect light crispy batter or firm crispy chips because its not going to happen. This is due to the beef dripping which doesnt cook as high temp as oil. I do feel it is rather heavy on the grease so therefore chips are limp and batter is soggy but get plenty salt n vinegar on jobs a good one. You go there for the original taste of the past. Staff are great as are the prices so whats not to like. Probably best taste outside of Beamish museum with same coal fired set up

Nice and reasonably priced Lovely garlic bread with cheese Nice carbonara and Bolognese

Very flexible prices at Molly's Tearoom and antiques. Today 16/9/23 I went in for a mannequin that I had seen priced at £250 a couple of week ago. No price tag today, so I asked how much, the guy said £495. Now, was that optimistic price because I had a southern accent, I reckon that he assumed I was on holiday. I actually live in Teesdale not that far away. Definitely think he was taking the micky.

Variety of tasty food available - a nice place to pop in for breakfast or lunch! The staff are friendly and helpful. It doesn't take long to get served and prices are reasonable.

Absolutely fantastic meal & service for a party of 11 people. The food was some of the best Italian food we have eaten and the service was first class. Shelley our main waitress was super helpful and attentive, she’s a real asset to the business. We would 100% recommend and return. Thankyou for a lovely evening.

Great night on New years Eve with Kara Morgan. Great friendly staff and a wonderful buffet supplied by Maggie and friends, thankyou 😊

What a lovely place! Great food- lovely pizza and pasta carbonara. Seating is rather close on high stools but this adds to the experience. A little chilly near the door. Excellent staff. Barber shop in lover floor. Great for casual supper or date night! Definitely will visit again.

We took this way as a change from Barnard Castle, Middleton in Teesdale, Alston route. What a super drive through Stanhope and up lovely quiet roads in beautiful countryside. Hill and dale, valley after valley, rivers and burns and more stone barns than you can imagine. We just happened upon this eating place and decided that it might be the last option. We were glad we did. The staff were very friendly and helpful with a bit of humour which always goes down well. The loos are upstairs, period in style and immaculate. The whole building must have been Edwardian Tearooms and still retains many of the original features. Furnishings are “ eclectic “, I think that is the right expression. The food is homemade not the often seen homecooked. The latter is really factory food heated up like you get at Franky & Bennys. I had homemade Steak pie, very tasty and filling. I forget my wife’s choice but she enjoyed it. They had a new lady cook who took over the day before. On this experience we will be back. Aside from the food, most of the antiques seem to have disappeared except the ones we were sitting on. Don’t except to see the stuff shown in the photos, it’s not there unless they restock. Look forward to our next visit. Thanks.

Ordered Cantonese Ribs (which were nice and get the food 2*) but the fried rice was mushy, chips still cold/uncooked in middle, peeking chicken and king pawn was inedible (you could tell by smell and texture of food it really wasn't fresh... and I'm not chancing old pawns and chicken) and even the pawn crackers were discoloured with brown tinge from age...