Cafédral Durham — Restaurant in England

Where to start! First off the floor was gross. Looked like they'd just swept all the crumbs to the sides of the room rather than actually remove any of it... perhaps they'd just lost the dustpan? Staff were pleasant enough at first but as they realised that I wasn't just going to down my tea and swallow my scone whole, they started to make pointed comments nearby about how they had people "queueing into the road" and checking my cup as they walked past repeatedly to see if I'd finished my tea yet so they could hurry me out. Seem to be a lot more interested in turnover of customers rather than making it an enjoyable experience. Ah and finally there's the lovely signs on the table basically telling you it's not ok to sit and work on your laptop because as I say they're far more interested in making as much money as they can from your table than making sure you want to come back. I did ask if I could use my laptop, as requested, and was told it was ok "if you're eating, some people just sit there with a drink on their laptop"... how terrible 😂. Felt quite uncomfortable using it after that, as if I'd have to order more food to ensure I wasn't considered to be taking the mick. Suggestion to staff if anyone cares: get yourself some smaller tables. At one point I saw 5 tables able to seat 4+ people with only 2 people sat at them. Clearly people tend to come in pairs. This might mean you can make some more money from the same space and perhaps even let your customers enjoy their...

Really disappointing. The customer service leaves a lot to be desired. No greeting upon arrival - we were actually a bit early so waiting outside. The workers then stood by the door collecting deliveries after opening time, ignoring us (2 adults and 2 young kids) and left the ‘closed’ sign on the door.

Another worker arrived and just shouted up the stairs ‘can I open the door people are waiting?’ Then opened the door but never spoke to us.

When we went upstairs again no greeting was given - just ‘how many?’ And then not even taken to a table just pointed to the back of the cafe and told ‘you can sit there’.

Really lacking any kindness or warmth. The food was priced what I would expect for this style of cafe but typically a kind customer experience is expected to go along with this price (£30 for two drinks, a slice of cake, a scone and a panini).

The menu was also significantly different to the menu on there website - huge price increase (I understand pricing has gone up everywhere but a bit shocking to have an idea in mind from the menu on their website and then see such a jump upon arrival). Also there weren’t as many gluten free options.

I’d pay less for more food in Wetherspoons and have similar if not better customer service.

I know where I’m...

Cafédral Café in Durham is one of those hidden gems you don’t forget once you’ve been — and now we’re absolutely hooked, thanks to my wife’s mam who goes all the time and finally convinced us to try it. Safe to say, she was right!

Tucked away just a short walk from the cathedral, Cafédral has a lovely, cosy atmosphere that instantly makes you feel welcome. Whether you’re calling in for a coffee, a full lunch, or just a sweet treat, everything is made with care and served with a smile. The staff are friendly, laid-back, and really give the place a personal, local feel.

Their scones are unreal — fresh, warm, and packed with flavour (the lemon and blueberry are personal favourites). We’ve also tried the paninis and the breakfast bagels — both absolutely spot on. The portions are generous, the ingredients are fresh, and you can tell everything’s made with love.

They even bottle their own homemade “Durham Dressing” — which we’ve taken home because we couldn’t leave it behind!

Now every time we’re in town, Cafédral is a must-stop. Whether it’s a quiet coffee or a full sit-down lunch, we’re officially converted. Highly recommended to anyone looking for quality food, friendly service, and a...