Vennels Café — Restaurant in England

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We had one of the best full English breakfasts of our entire time in England at Vennels Café. Everything was cooked to perfection – from the sausages and bacon through to the baked beans, eggs, and roasted tomatoes. The portions were generous, the ingredients fresh, and the flavours spot on.

The service staff were amazing – warm, friendly, and very accommodating. The drinks were equally impressive: the hot chocolate was indulgent and rich, while the coffee was proper coffee (and as an Australian, I don’t say that lightly!). Prices were also surprisingly reasonable, especially considering the café is right in the middle of the city.

What makes Vennels even more special is its charm and character. Tucked away down a little laneway, it feels like a hidden gem. The café itself is quaint and cosy, with a fantastic selection of sourdough, sandwiches, and cakes on display. There’s also a lovely outdoor seating area, perfect for the summer months.

Whether you’re after a hearty breakfast to start your day, or a relaxed lunch in a beautiful historic setting, Vennels Café is well worth a visit. Get there early to secure a spot – it’s popular for...

Popped in for a quite bite after the Cathedral tour and I was not disappointed. Tucked away behind the shops it almost felt like I was walking into someone's service area. As you round the alley you are greeted by a cozy courtyard with covered seating.

I found myself a table and surveyed the menu, all sounded tempting and all very reasonably priced. (Probably because I'm used to London prices).

In the end I went for a hot beef stottie which was slow cooked pulled beef in a delicious toasted roll slathered in a yummy gravy.

In line with a somellier I paired this with a lemon iced tea which was made by a Lipton and Co. Crisp and refreshing and was a nice paring.

The stottie was delicious, meat was tender and flavourful and the extra pot of gravy was delicious and a nice addition. It was clear to see that it was made from the cooking liquid from the meat as it had chunks of beef in it.

Totally delicious and served with pea shoots.

All for a bargain price of 13 pounds.

A couple of lightly fried or even thinly sliced raw onions may have been a nice addition however certainly not needed.

10/10 good British...

This is a four star cafe.

I've knocked a star off after slightly unclear / confusing guidance by a staff member on the availability of gluten-free food. I asked if gluten-free was available and was told, we have gluten-free bread. The server didn't seem prepared to expand on if there was a separate prep area or prep utensils available / measures in place, or if they felt comfortable accommodating celiac or gluten allergens, so I bought some crisps and bottled drinks, and left it at that.

We also chose not to return for breakfast the next day due to the confusion.

There is plenty of seating, even during busy times, and the food (containing gluten) looked very good at a decent price. The menu was varied. In this regard it was one of the better cafes we visited in Durham during our stay.

Their website said gluten-free options available so disappointing the server couldn't expand or...