Taste Durham – breakfast, lunch and dinner

Durham is a town that is bursting with cosy cafes and delicious, atmospheric restaurants. So much so, that a quality benchmark has been established called Taste Durham, a label only given to the best eateries and pubs in the county. All you need to do is look out for it.

If you want to indulge in a culinary tour of this beautiful northern English county, the best way is to rent a car and start exploring the many cafes, pubs and restaurants on the Taste Durham list. To make this easier, here are three recommendations to start you on your way for a satisfying breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Breakfast – Kaffeehaus Amadeus

1 Percy Crescent, Lanchester, Durham DH7 0EU

For a nice, calm start to your day, head to Kaffeehaus Amadeus. The owner is from Vienna and aims to introduce you to a small taste of his home city. The friendly staff and lovely atmosphere gives a good first impression, which will last through the whole visit. So sit down with a newspaper and enjoy their fabulous continental breakfast, including fresh baked croissants, homemade bread, butter, ham, eggs and jam. Of course they serve delicious drip-filter coffee that compliments the wide selection of cakes and sweets, like traditional German waffles or pancakes with fresh fruit or Nutella.

Visit while in the area: Diggerland, a family adventure park with real diggers for both kids and adults to drive.

Lunch - The Crown at Mickleton

Mickleton, Barnard Castle, DL12 0JZ

When it's time for lunch, drive to The Crown at Mickleton, where you'll receive a warm welcome. This charming little place offers home cooked lunch, made from local meat, fish, cheese and other produce. Try English classics like Yorkshire pudding and slow roasted pork and if your tummy isn't to full be sure to have some homemade ice cream too. If you are lucky enough to not be driving, sampling the home brewed Real Ales is a must. The Crown at Mickleton is a delightful place to eat, set in beautiful surroundings and gorgeous views.

Visit while in the area: The Bowes Museum, housing internationally renowned collections of European fine and decorative arts.

Dinner - Oro at The Pumphouse

Farm Road, Houghall, Durham DH1 3PJ

After a day on the road, head back to Durham city for dinner. Oro at The Pumphouse is an authentic Italian restaurant, serving the best in Italian modern and traditional cuisine. The à la carte menu is filled with classics such as Caprese, Chicken Parma with a four cheese sauce and ravioli with tiger prawns, garlic and chilli. The atmosphere is relaxed, the scenery stunning and when the weather is warm you can enjoy your meal in the tranquil garden. Top your meal off with some bubbly Prosecco for the complete Italian feel. With high quality food and service, this place will offer you a dining experience you'll want to relive again and again.

Even though it might be nice to drive around the county, you really don't need to go far to experience good food, as the Radisson Blu Hotel, Durham is also part of Taste Durham. Dine at Filini Restaurant, where you can choose from an innovative menu of pizza, pastas, antipasti, steak and seafood. For breakfast, indulge in the daily Super Breakfast Buffet, presenting over 80 international favourites. It is the ideal place for a relaxing start to the day or a nice evening in. After a day filled with new impressions and experiences it may be time for a well-deserved rest. The hotel guarantees a comfortable stay by the riverside. Its location is perfect for exploring Durham County, with dazzling views amidst the rugged countryside.