Caffè Nero

Caffè Nero Group Ltd was founded in 1997 and is currently the largest independent coffee retailer in the UK. They also expanded into Turkey in 2007 and the Middle East in 2008.

Caffè Nero aim to provide a European style coffee house experience offering premium espresso-based gourmet coffee, authentic Italian food products and a relaxing atmosphere.

Esquires

In 1993 the first Esquires Coffee House opened in Vancouver, Canada. Ever since it has been spreading far and wide, entering the UK for the first time in January 2000.

Esquires offers top quality, fairtrade certified, coffees, teas and hot chocolates in a relaxing atmosphere. They even offer 20% discount to all students upon production of I.D..

Costa Coffee

Costa Coffee was first poured on these shores in 1971 at 9 Newport Street, London by Sergio and Bruno Costa.

Costa pride themselves in providing a warm, welcoming atmosphere alongside a great range of authentic coffee drinks.

Café Continental

Café Continental is located just a couple of minutes away from Durham City centre in a picturesque little shop towards the bottom end of Elvet Bridge overlooking the river.

On the menu is a range of drinks, snacks and cakes, plus a specials board with some additional delights. All the food is served in a timely manner by the friendly staff. Definately worth a visit.

Café Rouge

With a combination of delicious food, great wines and a real ambience, Café Rouge has embodied the style and je ne sais quoi of French dining since it opened way back in 1989.

The menu covers a range of French classics from croques and baguettes, ideal for a quick and easy snack, to more substantial fare such as steak frites and boeuf bourguignon. Likewise, the wines are predominately French, many made by lesser known producers, and provide the perfect accompaniment to the food on offer.

Chapters

Chapters is fairly new to the scene in Durham but nevertheless, it still shines with friendly staff and a fairly modern feel. Located just outside the city centre near Elvet bridge, it is within easy walking distance for many.

The food is reasonably priced and quite varied. With a fairly quiet atmosphere and lots of seats this is the perfect place to meet some friends and relax.

Vennels

Vennels Café is a hidden gem, accessable from one of two small alleys that lead off Sadler Street. The café is spread across two floors of an historic building and boasts a 16th Century courtyard outside.

Bread and scones are freshly baked each day and a wide range of drinks are available. A great place to meet friends and have a generous portion of their famous cake or something more.

Saddlers

Saddlers is placed on Saddler Street and is a fairly typical English Café inside.

Prices are reasonable for drinks and a bit over reasonable for food. Saying that however, the full English breakfast is a sight to behold and should be tried at least once.

The staff are promp at serving and there are some great cakes to boot. Whether you want a drink, snack or meal there is something here to fill you up.

Hide Café Bar & Grill

Hide’s modern styling and charm blends perfectly with the aged cobbled streets as old meets new in Durham.

That said, people have mixed experiences here with the food. Some say it is excellent and others that they run out quickly. Whatever they say there's one way to judge for yourself, go and have a look.

Leonard's Coffee House

Leonard's Coffee House is located behind silver street and is one of Durham's treasures. It blends the old with the new in a clean, calm and relaxing setting.

All the food is freshly prepared and sourced locally plus the portions are certainly not small. You can eat in or take out and there is plenty of vareity in the food as well as a good range of quality drinks. Well worth a visit.