Flat White Kitchen — Restaurant in City of Durham

I recently visited a small café that I’ve heard good things about. Initially, I stopped by their coffee-only location, but since I was in the mood for breakfast, I headed to their other spot just around the corner. Unfortunately, my experience was a bit of a letdown.

I was especially excited to try their Pistachio Latte, but it didn’t live up to my expectations. While beautifully presented, the taste wasn’t quite right for me—it had a sour flavor that made my face scrunch up. Maybe it’s an acquired taste, or perhaps it wasn’t made properly this time. Either way, it didn’t hit the mark for me, which was disappointing given how much I’d anticipated it.

For breakfast, I ordered the “House Fry,” priced at £14.75. While the flavors were genuinely good, the portion size left me underwhelmed for the cost. It included a slice of sourdough, two pieces of bacon, two sausages, black pudding, a mushroom (or maybe a couple?), a tomato, a rosti, an egg, and a small pot of beans. I might be forgetting a couple of items, but overall, it felt more like a small assembly than the hearty breakfast I was expecting. For the price, I’d hoped for a fuller plate.

That said, the staff were lovely—welcoming, attentive, and quick to seat us. We arrived just before the morning rush, so the timing worked in our favor. The service and atmosphere were pleasant enough, but for me, food and drink are the main factors in judging a café experience, and this visit fell short in that regard.

While I didn’t have the best experience this time, I’d still consider giving it another try. The presentation and service showed potential, so maybe this was just an off day—or perhaps some items are more suited to...

It’s a pretty cafe. I had food and coffee in here in April and last week. The food is not bad but over priced. I had classic benedict and Korean fried chicken pancake. I definitely would recommend the Benedict, but not the pancake. You charged me £17 and only gave me two small, side pieces of chicken… Furthermore, can’t tasted pistachio in the pistachio latte… But their filter coffee smelled and tasted good.

About their service, unstable and need more training! When I went in April half term, no student and not busy. The student and senior staffs who served me were friendly. However, they almost got my order wrong if they didn’t reconfirm it😅At the end I still paid the service charge as I enjoyed my time that day.

Last week, I went again. There are students and kinda busy. Still, I got my seat pretty soon. After that, I didn’t enjoy my time in this cafe. No one came to take my order for like 12 minutes. The student staff who responsible for taking order on that day… feel like he ignored me. As he only chatting with other customers who came after me. But before I left we talked so I guess it was a misunderstanding. The pancake was disappointing. And when I asked to have my bill to a girl staff, she acknowledged it. And no one came to me for 10 mins. Bro I want to leave 😂! When I went to the bar, the girl didn’t look sorry at all. I guess is because most of them were making takeout orders at that time? But one of them could deal with it right? Why letting your customers wait so long??? I talked to the senior staff about it. He didn’t charged me the service fee.

I think I would come again, but only for coffee...

I had a brunch with my girlfriend here and we have ordered 2 savory dishes and a sweet one. My girlfriend ordered house chorizo toast with avocado and fried egg. I have ordered a house fried breakfast with sausages, egg, toast, baked beans and mushrooms. Then we split a sweet pancake with toffee cream, berries, banana and house syrup. To drink we had a chai latte, fresh orange juice and a cappuccino. So starting from the place, it looks cool and we had brunch on the second floor near the window and inside the room was small but cute with hanging plants and vintage style. The place was quite busy and we had to wait around 20 min to get served which was fine if you are not in a rush. Definitely not a fast food place. The dishes were all nicely served and tasty. The only thing I feel wasn't great is the banana on the pancake that was too ripe and a little black, but it tasted good anyway. The waiters were friendly and professional. The prices are reasonable, I would say medium high but consider that you are in the center of Durham. I have attached a picture of the bill for the people interested in price. The other great touch is the toilets are really nice and clean, with aromatic candles inside and again an old fashion look, the toilet is the basement. This cafe has vegetarian and vegan options as well so if you are wondering if they only serve meat, definitely not. It doesn't have unfortunately access for wheelchair but the staff might help you and sit on the ground floor if you have difficulties. Overall very good experience and...