Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United Kingdom
  3. Durham/County Durham

Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Durham/County Durham

Red OpenTable logo
OpenTable
Updated January 05, 2025

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


A photo of Wallis & Co restaurant
4.8
4.8 (345)
£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
Lynn
Dined on Dec 6, 2024
Really nice food and friendly and welcoming staff
A photo of Turkish Kitchen Durham restaurant
4.8
4.8 (729)
£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
Farhad
Dined 2 days ago
delicious food, friendly staff, reasonable price, good location, fast service
A photo of The Duke of Cleveland restaurant
4.8
4.8 (114)
£25 and under
British
Hartlepool
About the restaurant
The Duke of Cleveland is situated on the Headland in Hartlepool, just a short distance from the coast and next to St Hilda's Church. It is a listed building and the oldest one still in use in the town. Our establishment is a restaurant and pub with an excellent reputation for serving traditional homemade British dishes. We take pride in sourcing produce from local businesses as much as possible and use these ingredients to create the best dishes for our patrons. Our signature dishes include Haddock in our special beer batter with hand-cut chips and the local speciality, the chicken parmesan. We believe in keeping things simple and making them well. On Sundays, we offer a traditional roast dinner with a choice of Roast Rib of Beef, Loin of Pork, Breast of Chicken or Lamb Shank.

The Duke of Cleveland is the ideal venue for weddings and other special occasions or events. It has a choice of function rooms suited to your requirements. In the summer months, we open our cosy bear garden.

Top review
Dave
Dined 1 day ago
Never had a bad experience fortunately and safe to say the same again. Always a pleasure to frequent, look forward to returning again. Easy five of five.
A photo of Bayberry Hollow restaurant
4.8
4.8 (87)
£25 and under
English
Stanley
About the restaurant
Bayberry Hollow’s journey began in 2011 whilst strolling through the picturesque village of Tanfield. We fell in love with, what was, the village pub; The Pack Horse.

Here at Bayberry Hollow our ethos is simple... Great tasting home made dishes in a relaxed dining environment with welcoming service.

Our food menu is not huge, but there will be something on there that everyone will love.

Please note serving times for food:

Breakfast: Sunday-Friday 10am-11:30am & Saturday 9am-11am

Lunch Sunday- Friday 12pm- 3:30pm & Saturday 11:30am-4pm

We still serve our Coffee, Scone & Cake menu but on a walk in basis only. No reservations for this, you will be charged for this.

All of our team are from the local surrounding area and we all pride ourselves in making each of our customers welcome and appreciated. Our newly refurbished bistro provides the perfect destination for you to relax with friends and family, we are looking forward to welcoming you in store soon!

Top review
DAVID
Dined 2 days ago
Top food Top service Top staff We will back soon !!! Again
A photo of The Warehouse Kitchen & Bar restaurant
4.6
4.6 (263)
£26 to £40
Barbecue
Stockton-on-Tees
About the restaurant
A unique venue serving exciting range of food and drinks in Stockton on Tees
Top review
Lucy
Dined 1 day ago
Lovely food and great service. Would definitely recommend
A photo of Estabulo - Darlington restaurant
4.5
4.5 (1873)
£26 to £40
Brazilian Steakhouse
Darlington
About the restaurant
Estabulo Rodizio Bar & Grill honour the Brazilian Gaúcho’s traditional method of cooking. This involves taking the most delicious and flavoursome cuts of meat, which are then skewered and cooked slowly on open flames.
This method of cooking also means that all the meat served to you fresh at your table, straight from the grill. You can eat as much or as little as you like, and we have a large selection of meats on offer, so you can stick to what you know or try something a little bit different!
We also have a selection of Vegetarian, Halal and Fish dishes on offer and the salad bar which is the perfect start to your meal, and accompanies our entire menu perfectly as little palate cleansers between each skewer that reaches your table.

Top review
Alaine
Dined on Dec 25, 2024
The beautiful staff and amazing food made Christmas Day brilliant. Everything was perfect thank you ❤️❤️❤️
A photo of 19TWENTY restaurant
4.5
4.5 (327)
£25 and under
Grill
Durham
About the restaurant
Located in the heart of Durham city centre, we offer the finest steaks, best gourmet burgers and premium cocktails. While you’re here try our succulent and tender hanging kebabs. Come and experience fine dining at affordable prices, with incredible river views and immaculate service.
Top review
David
Dined on Dec 24, 2024
Incredible steaks. Loved the food, service was great too.
A photo of The Rose & Crown at Romaldkirk restaurant
4.4
4.4 (278)
£25 and under
British
Barnard Castle
About the restaurant
Our kitchen team create great tasting food that utilises the best of local produce and ingredients with excellent provenance. It's about dishes that reflect our stunning rural location using both classical and contemporary cooking techniques with an eye for detail.
Top review
Christine
Dined on Dec 7, 2024
Modern English food, carefully prepared and presented. The oak- panelled and candle-lit dining room provides a great atmosphere
A photo of Estabulo - Durham restaurant
4.4
4.4 (560)
£26 to £40
Brazilian Steakhouse
Durham
About the restaurant
Estabulo Rodizio Bar & Grill honour the Brazilian Gaúcho’s traditional method of cooking. This involves taking the most delicious and flavoursome cuts of meat, which are then skewered and cooked slowly on open flames. This method of cooking also means that all the meat served to you fresh at your table, straight from the grill. You can eat as much or as little as you like, and we have a large selection of meats on offer, so you can stick to what you know or try something a little bit different! We also have a selection of Vegetarian, Halal and Fish dishes on offer and the salad bar which is the perfect start to your meal, and accompanies our entire menu perfectly as little palate cleansers between each skewer that reaches your table.
Top review
Jane
Dined 2 days ago
Our first time visiting today and it definitely won’t be our last. The food was exceptional and the staff were so friendly and welcoming and couldn’t do enough to help. The meat was so tender and tasty, the salad bar had plenty of choice and the deserts were amazing. Definitely 10/10 from us!
A photo of Runa Farm restaurant
4.3
4.3 (421)
£26 to £40
English
Barnard Castle
About the restaurant
WELCOME TO RUNA FARM
Runa Farm, is an intensely rustic inspired hotel, country pub and wedding venue quite unlike any other, combining natural rural beauty with cool Balearic vibes to deliver something wholly unique, as its guests will discover…

In brief, it was our plan to create an individual and special destination for “boho, honest and earthy” experiences with the farm and its produce at the very heart.

The result is a loveable, laid-back and luxurious County Durham country retreat complete with standout spaces and suites, cool glamping and field-to-fork dining, inviting people to gather, feast, stay, and enjoy every element of its feelgood spirit and endless appeal.

Top review
Rohan
Dined on Dec 28, 2024
Nestled in a secluded area near Barnard Castle, this restaurant offered a dining experience that was almost flawless. The menu boasts a variety of dishes, and our choices for the evening were both diverse and delightful. The steak frites was an undeniable highlight—cooked to perfection with a crispy, golden portion of fries that complemented the tender, flavorful steak beautifully. Each bite was a testament to the chef’s expertise. Equally impressive was the chicken parmo, which came with a perfectly breaded coating and a rich, cheesy topping. It was indulgent, comforting, and utterly satisfying. The focaccia bread was a lovely nibble—warm, fragrant, and with just the right balance of crusty exterior and soft, airy interior. It added a rustic charm to the meal and was excellent for dipping into the accompanied red pepper hummus. The service was another highlight of the evening. The staff were attentive, friendly, and seemed genuinely passionate about ensuring we had a memorable experience. From thoughtful recommendations to impeccable timing, they added a personal touch that elevated the meal. Unfortunately, the dessert left us slightly underwhelmed. The pineapple tart, while visually stunning, was overly tart and carried a surprising hint of spice that felt too overpowering for our tastes. While creative, it lacked the balance we were hoping for in a sweet finale. Overall, this restaurant impressed us with its savory dishes and exceptional service, but the dessert could use some refinement to match the excellence of the earlier courses. A strong 4/5, and we would happily return for another meal—just maybe not for the pineapple tart.
Explore Diners' Choice best of Durham/County Durham
Explore more Diners' Choice lists
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo