Bells Fish and Chips Restaurant in County Durham

Stopped here BH Monday with the family, we’d had a walk on the beach and without planning ahead opted to eat in here. It was about 1/3 full with 3 wait staff. Typically you’d expect chip shop restaurants to be fairly quick, esp given the takeaway set up next door. Order was taken after a little longer wait than we’d usually expect but not major. It then took about 30-40mins for 2 teas (strictly for one as per the menu) and a Pepsi to arrive!!! We then found the mystery of why places like this use tea pots that can’t do 1 of the 2 jobs it’s required to do (hold water and pour water). Upon pouring about 1/4 of the tea ended up all over the table. For the record I’ve worked in catering so I’m fully qualified to pour tea but these pots were obviously a cheap stick option and not tested. By the time the food arrives, some 15mins after our drinks our remaining tea was cold. The food was ok, nothing amazing as suggested by the constant reminders of the awards one of their sister restaurants has won (about 10 miles away). Being a seaside town there are no shortage of chip shops, I’ve used a few and had much better food, just sadly for us, this was the only sit in place open at this time. I wish we’d got takeaway from somewhere else and eaten in the car. The wait for the food was almost to the point we got up, paid for drinks and walked out. It’s possible on a BH Monday the staff were fully worn out at the end of a busy day but in that case advise us that there is a wait for food, at least we know what we are expecting. When a table behind us of around 6 who walked in about 10mins after us got their food before us suggests there is something wrong in the kitchen. Wouldn’t recommend

Excellent quality fish white and tasty and lovely crispy batter .tasty chips large portions . Only complaint no smaller portions on offer, the portion was just too large for me and I had to leave quite a bit My grandson who is 13 left quite a bit too. Service was quick and efficient will definitely go back

Probably the best fish n chips I've ever had. The mushy peas said they were home made and you could tell they were. The fish was beautifully cooked. Restaurant was spotless and staff friendly. Definitely would return if I'm in the area again

No real problems, good service but mediocre food. Decent cod but would seriously only give 6 or 7 out of ten. Nice restaurant but for good fish and chips, choose Downeys.

I parked in the car park, having driven through a partially open barrier. The owner approached me aggressively saying I couldn't park in the car park, I stated the barrier was open to which he proceeded to tell me it was his land and that I should f"""k off, this was intimidating and left my gf quite traumatised. We have eaten there before with no concern.

Highly recommended, best fish i ever tasted. Clean tidy, serving staff were excellent

Fabulous fish and chips, lovely and clean throughout. Friendly staff

A gem of a place, loved the decor. Bright and comfortable. Cod and chips were lovely.

First time and we was happy with the lovely cod and chips meal great fresh fish light crisp batter nice tasty mushy peas and not that high prices for dining in we will be back

Our server could not have been nicer, a little slow in taking the order but very polite. The food however .. fish massively overcooked, the chips green and it felt as if they were warmed over. They were very hard and almost inedible. Will not be going back

Love the fish , chips & salad, prices seems reasonable, plenty of food for one person, nice atmosphere, friendly ppl. Thank you, credit to the community.

Great food and excellent staff. I certainly recommend it. XX

Not the best chips we've ever had unfortunately. My wife asked for them to be brown rather than the usual insipid pale things, some fish and chips shops try to palm off to people. Usually to get them out of the door as quickly as possible. Asking for them to be brown though, the staff looked very confused and she had to say just cook them a bit longer. Other customers were also saying we like brown chips too. Sadly, even though she stood for nearly 20 mins, they STILL came out pale. Quality not the best either. 😒

Called in today with mam and my partner as a treat for my mam. Fish and chips for mam/ spam fritter & chips for me. Sausage and chips for the partner. 2cans of pop. £26 chips absolutely awfull. Chips are Scrag ends and hard like chizzels and bits and pieces. 2 bells chippy's I've tried and won't again . Awfull and expensive

Don't know why this is only rated 3.9, best fish and chips I've had in a long time.

Asked for fish bite meal (adult) told don't do an adult fish bite meal, so asked for small cod and chips to be told don't do small on Fridays, why? Found batter on fish greasy, so ended up leaving half my meal, very disappointed considering the cost, it was really very poor.

I've wanted to get F&C from Bell's for a while. We had a fish each which came with the skin on, you don't get that always at other places. We enjoyed it very much and the next time we are in the area we will go again.

Now like my fish and chips and it definitely in my top 3. Good service good restaurant,

Lovely place, food was great and massive portions, staff friendly and helpful

I came hear with a large family for lunch today. I have recently had had gastric bypass and wanted to order a children's meal due to my restrictions. However they flat out refused and wasn't very accommodating at all. So while my family sat there with their meals I had chips. Even the manager couldn't be bothered to come and talk to me even after I asked to speak to them. I felt utterly disgusted with the service!

Best gluten free fish and chips up north, 2nd visit and did not let us down..

Best fish and chips I have had bit expensive but good quality food.

Just had 2 X fish and chips both very nicely cooked right and the girls serving are very polite and good manners will be back and just been back again same quantity great service

Had fish and chips tonight from bells fish shop in seaham. They were awful, they were cold and the batter was like cardboard the chips were dry it came to nearly £26 for 2 fish lots and a carton of curry sauce never again!!

I needed Gluten free Fish and Chips, not a diet choice but because I am Coeliac. Happy to report that the fish and chips were perfect. Service was first class and the prices were good. I recommend this wholeheartedly

Nice place a bit on expensive side

I visited Bells for the first time yesterday with my Daughter and Grandson for Mother's day. Luckily, we went before the outside formed! What I can say is, we were served brilliantly and efficiently. The food was simply beautiful. I had the code and chips, my daughter had the scampi, both meals were amazing, everything was perfect. Thank you. The restaurant itself is stunning! Love the hut idea, the toilets are the best I've seen! I was,even amazed by the nod to the mining, with the sculpture in the roof space. Well done everyone and we will be back. X To top it all, my daughter got a potted plant for Mother's Day, a lovely touch. ❤️

Ordered a haddock and chips pot of tea nothing special at all compared to whitby resteraunts no comparison really. The portion size wasn't worth the price.

went into downeys were talked to like dog dirt. from the old frier. told them we wernt staying. they done us a favour. bells totally professional. great service. fish was the best i have ever had that i have not caught myself. what a birthday treat. thank you. dont touch the foremensioned shop with a bargepole in my book..

Me and the wife had a chip butty with scraps salt and vinigear was so lush

Bells was recommended to us. We were not disappointed. Greeted with a smile as we walked through the door. We were shown to a table for which we did not have a reservation. Everywhere was immaculately clean. Spotless toilets. Our order arrived quite quickly. The haddock was really good. The chips were nice and the order included bread and tartare sauce. Other competitors charge for these separately. Great mushy peas too! Service was pleasant. Thank you Bells. We will be back.

Unusually poor meal today, my cod portion was mostly scrawny with only a fraction of cod flesh. Usually the meals from here have been good but not today and definitely not value for money.

Pie soggy out of the microwave, like rubber scrappy chips, very small portion not up to usual standard at all

Chips were all bitty pie ok nothing great Staff fine but most very young (not a bad thing Expensive for what we had !! Will not be in a rush to go back !!!

2 meals that I feel wasn’t up to scratch shame really hasn’t happened in the past. Basically a waste of £40 😠

Great service. Lovely food and gluten free!

Been to bells today Sunday 9th March . Looks great, but not very accommodating for children, no cod bites left for the children's menu, so that was it. Not helpful at all. Obviously didn't have any fish or a knife to improvise . Management didn't care at all so we walked out. Won't be back

Best fish and chips for a long while. Food and service fantastic. Got the cod and half chips and half salad. Salad was amazing in itself.

Nice place, staff friendly and service efficient.

Haven't even got my food yet and it's lovely and so kind service!

Visited here after a windy day on the beach and it was a real treat. The food was excellent, we had fish and chips and was the best we've had in a long time! Friendly service was great. Although it was quiet, there was still a nice buzz about the place. The next time we're in Seaham, we'll visit here again.

Restaurant was really busy when we came for lunch. But we were seated very quickly, and order was placed within minuets.drinks and food came promptly too. Staff were brilliant even sorting out stuff around my disability would give higher marks if I could. Food was delicious and cooked to perfection. Top marks Ladies could fault you on anything.

Today we visited with our child who is on the Autism Spectrum Aged 13 years. She will only eat Chicken Nuggets and Chips. We asked if they could make Adult Portion as this was the only thing she will eat and we were told they couldn't do this in the Restaurant. Under the Equality Act this would be a reasonable adjustment. Previously they had done this in a previous visit. We were told that we could only have the Chicken Nuggets if we got them through the Take Out and they wouldn't even give us a Childs Portion in the Restaurant. The Waitress was quite short and rude, we asked to speak to a Manager and she would not come out of the Kitchen and it was stated she was too busy. We then left and went to you rival. Sadly you lost £60+ in trade and we won't visit again. This happened at about 1.15pm

Lovely restaurant, nice staff, nice atmosphere, lovely food...perfect end to our visit to Seaham!

Our first visit we usually go to bells at arnison. As we were at seaham we thought we would pay a visit the decor was really lovely excellent service too

Lovely tasty homemade fishcake and delicious 🍟.

I was really looking forward to Bells for their gluten free fish and chips. Unfortunately on the day we visited there was only one staff member serving and she was struggling to cope on her own. We waited for at least 20 minutes or more without even being asked if we wanted to order and sadly decided to leave.

Wouldn't even let me wash my hands in the restaurant side, when I've ordered in the take away side. How petty!

My friend and I tried Bells yesterday and have to say that I will carry on going to Downey 's across the road. We expected a menu with a smaller portion option or an expected Pensionr Special. The prices were far too high and no choices of cod bites or anything smaller, the tea and coffee was also a rip off.

The place is clean. Beautiful and inviting. The waitress was kind and nice and patient. We ordered a fish and chips code. It was fresh and tasty. I don't like fish that much in general and it was just delicious.

Lovely food and friendly staff

I had a wee walk along the sea front at seaham today and, as always, i wanted to finish it off with fish and chips. Usually I get a takeaway and eat my food near the sea. Today was a bit wild so I decided to go in to the Bells Fish & Chips, Seaham restaurant. What an absolute treat. The place itself is lovely. The service is nothing short of excellent and I have to say, the Fish and chips, beautiful. Licensed, so I could have a beer with it as well which was from the local Durham Brewery. Exactly what I was looking for. 5 out of 5. Strongly recomended.

Great food and service. I accidentally handed over £20 too much as two bills we stuck together. The lady at the till was very honest. I hope she is blessed for that and sees my thanks here.

Not impressed with this place at all. I went with 2 friends for the first time today. Ordered haddock, half chips and salad. Fish, although tasty, was small and not a lot of flesh on it. The waitress forgot to bring our bread and butter....only realising after we had finished our lunch!!!! It wasn't busy at all but service was slow. And at £14 a head it was pricey for what we got.....won't be returning.

Came into the shop as it looked lovely from the outside, the customer service was terrible. Lady did not want to give her name, but I won't be coming here again. Pot of tea came out after 10 minutes.. and tea bag was split. Place next door was a lot more friendly ...

Food was really nice and the whole place was clean and had some nice touches all over but the service was really disappointing. Our orders were taken, received our drinks and food.. No checking up on us to see if everything is alright, we had empty plates in front of us for quite some time(15-20 minutes). We tried to catch the attention of the waitress but she was miles away at the entrance setting up tables and polishing cutlery by the looks of it, our kids ordered from the kids menu where they get an ice cream, so I had to walk over and order their ice creams. The ice creams came over where one was the wrong flavour.... A new one came which was right. The kids finished their ice creams and then we struggled to get attention for the bill, so we had to get up and pay at the entrance. Great place, nice food but service was one of the worst.

Everything was OK. Usually, we have the carton it comes in wrapped so it's not to warm on our laps going home. Today, it was the carton let open. I asked if I could have it wrapped, and literally she just shut the lid and asked if that would do. I couldn't be bothered to mention the difference between wrapped and closing the lid. My son had warm legs by the time we got home. Everything else was good and will return

Popped in for lunch today. Few mins wait to get seated. Once seated, it took a while to get seen again to order food and drinks. Ordered drinks then if it wasnt for my wife asking where our order was we couldve been there for a while.even then our drinks seem to have been forgotten about. An older couple came in not long after us an had a much better service than us. For the price of the food, i expected better from them.

The most delicious fish and chips I've eaten in years. Lots of choice on the menu and I liked the quirkiness of the restaurant

Fantastic takeaway fish and chips. Would highly recommend. Staff were very friendly too.

Just been to Bells Fish and Chips, my word but the food was out of this world! cod was beautifully battered with a gorgeous chips, portion sizes were great, definitely going back. This lovely young gentleman named Hadi served me with the most beautiful smile i’ve ever seen, he served us and constantly made us feel like we were the customers in even though the place was full!!! Everything from start to finish was brilliant, 100 percent recommended.

I'm a visitor from Yorkshire staying with family in Seaham, we visited Bells for a family meal. From the atmosphere, staff to the food everything was amazing. Firstly we were greeted and seated by a lovely server named Shannon who took our order, she was so friendly and helpful. Our order came in short time, it was very hot, appealing to the eye and tasted absolutely delicious, the nicest cod I have had in a very long time, another server Peter brought us extra drinks, another smile helpful and courteous staff member. I believe the fish fryers name is Theresa, any boy can she fry fish! 10/10 will definitely be returning on my next visit. If your considering visiting make sure you do you won't be disappointed

Visited Bells with my family. From walking in the door to leaving the whole experience was relaxed and enjoyable. We were shown to our table by Shannon, given menus and enough time to peruse and decide what to order. I ordered Cod and chips and all I can say is the Cod was delicious, white, flaky and chunky. The batter was light and crispy and the homemade chips were also very tasty. I was told the lady who was frying was called Theresa and was actually the manager of the restaurant. Many many compliments to her, 1st class ⭐️ Both Shannon and Peter (2nd server) were very friendly, welcoming and attentive, not intrusive and we never once felt pressured to hurry our ordering or meal. Your staff are a credit to you and your restaurant is one of the nicest I have visited. Your link to mining is everywhere you look and we were greatly impressed with the wheel. The cleanliness of your restaurant is exceptional and I shall most definitely be visiting again in the near future. Finally, the cost of our visit was extremely surprising, as in I had expected to pay more than I actually did. If you are in the area and looking for top class service and food fo not hesitate to visit Bells at Seaham ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Best fish and chips I've had in years. We were in the area looking for sea glass and decided to try here for lunch. Batter wasn't too stodgy or greasy, chips were decent too. Also had battered black pudding which was nice too. Place looks newly built too and done to high standard, very clean too. A real surprise.

Best fish and chips I have ever had and huge portions and attentive staff and comfortable surroundings

Called in with friends for chips 🍟 😋 nice and hot with salt and vinegar on, really enjoyed them .

Excellent food, even better, friendly staff

Absolutely amazing fish & chips

Bells can cook in 🍆🥒 Vegetable oil or Beef dripping. Just let them know. Freshly fried that's why there is a small wait. Chips just how I like them golden and crispy

Me and my wife had fish and chips with curry sauce. It was delicious service was brilliant we'll definitely be returning for more.

Great food, great service, fantastic decor.

Staff extremely helpful and friendly. Food excellent. The restaurant is very clean.

Great tasting food, would recommend

Excellent fish and chips from a great company, the service was friendly and welcoming in the very lovely Country Durham Town of Seaham.

Overpriced, small and basic portions.

What can i say outstanding restaurant. Had fish chips and salad it was the best fish I ever tasted. Staff very polite and friendly would 100% recommend it. Its a bit pricey but worth every penny.

Enjoyable Scampi chips and salad

Not letting paying customers bairns use the toilet is disgusting

The food was lovely, I would recommend. I'll definitely be eating here again. The staff are pleasant.

Food was lovely from takeaway but it’s disappointing that customers spending a lot of money in the takeaway section can’t use toilet facilities & are restaurant customers only

AVOID!! Absolutely shocking service, staff could do with some customer service training but it's hardly surprising when they have a manager like they do. Rude and arrogant. Refused children under 5 to use the toilet because we didn't pay for the privilege to sit in, eventhough we bought take out food from the establishment. Shocking!

Absolutely awful place how this stays open is beyond me!! Rude staff, food was cold like it had been put out then left for a while and the swearing and attitude between them was a disgrace! Toilets are a wipe your feet on the way OUT level.

Toilets are amazing and extremely clean , because they WILL NOT let you use them

Fish and chip restaurant. The food was good, although the Haddock could have done with being skinned before being battered and fried, like the Cod was. The bread could also do to being buttered and cut in half instead of just a slice of Warburtons served on a plate with a butter portion. Other than that, the meal was enjoyable.

It was a lovely welcoming place when we arrived and there was plenty of seating in the restaurant. We didn't have to wait long for the waiter to come to take our orders. As I've had weight loss surgery and can't eat a full adult meal, I asked if I could have a child's portion. I did say in the conversation that I noticed it said under 12's only, but the waiter agreed and took our order. When the food was ready, the server came over and served my husband with his, they said that they couldn't serve me mine and again I explained that I had weight loss surgery and can't eat a big portion. They then spoke to their manager who agreed (Without coming over and discussing it) they couldn't serve me the food I ordered. I ended up asking for a plate and took a bit of food from my husband's meal. The original waiter apologised for their mistake and I said that if in the beginning I was told sorry I couldn't have a child's portion then I would have adapted my order. I felt humiliated for the food to be refused and then it was just thrown away. To save me any future embarrassment I will not eat at any of their establishments.

it was delicious. interesting interior like being in a mine.

Popped in for our tea after a gruelling day hunting for sea glass. Lovely crunchy batter, tasty cod and fluffy beef dripping chips. The bread even came with actual butter! Highly attentive staff and funky surroundings. What's not to like..? Highly recommended.

From my experience here I am greatly disappointed while the food was nice the service and atmosphere was not up to my expectations especially when we wanted to order another drink when our food arrived we asked straight away if we could get another drink and she said absolutely one sec.half way though our meal we were still waiting on the drink we had to call over the server and say can we please have the drink today she left for a bit came back with the drink and had the audacity to slam the drink down on the table and just walked away without an apology or anything.further to this we would have ordered a dessert but no menus were offered so we got fed up of waiting cause she didn't even bring the bill to our table so we had to go up to the counter to pay the bill then left,never to return 😔

Staff brilliant food excellent very good atmosphere

Wow! The cod was amazing!! Such a lovely thing crispy batter, not a soggy bit in sight!! A little pricey but the service was great. The decor is just great, a combination of American diner and industrial! The love of their local mining history is evident and is shown in fantastic pictures throughout! Will definitely recommend and will be returning!

We had a lovely meal, my Dads 86th birthday and we were a group of 3. We all thoroughly enjoyed it. The staff are very friendly and efficient and the service is pretty swift too. The view from the window was great, a sea view and the decor was warm and evocative of the history of the area. The photographs on the way to the loo of older times in the mines are like museum pieces worth a look even if you don’t need to go. All in all a really enjoyable experience for us.

Bought nearly £60 worth of food for grandkids from takeaway… asked if children could use the toilet (3,3,7) told NO…. Company policy’s .. Never go back furious

Went to Bells in Seaham coz Downy's were sold out. Whole tail scampi was very small and not many of them at all. Onion rings were ugly. Cod was ok but not a very big portion. Half food arrived and had to wait another 5min for the rest. Downy's are bigger portions and wayyyy better taste.

Fantastic sites and great service. I recommend for everyone.

Atrocious behaviour, the staff wouldn't let a pregnant customer use the toilets in the restaurant when they spent money in the attached takeaway. I understand there are money saving policies, but have some compassion! It was blamed on 'the management' who should be ashamed of themselves, I'd strongly suggest reconsidering your policies for exceptional circumstances.

Excellent food,but quite expensive.

Long wait, refused access to toilet, no water available We used the takeaway entrance and firstly we’re waiting a while after our order was taken. No receipt given, our bottles drinks were not given to us when we ordered, and in a such small area it was packed with people waiting 10 minutes for food (and we only ordered chips!). When our food was a given it was ran like a shambles, and I had to repeat my order again and request our drinks, of which I was still give fizzy pop for my son when I requested fruit shoots numerous times. They also had no bottles of water so we had to go elsewhere to buy these. We sat outside with our food, and when my son needed the toilet, we went in and we’re told that he could absolutely not use the toilet. Even though I had said we are customers and have our food, they have no leniency and the girl smiled as she told me no. My autistic son was desperate and we had to go elsewhere for him to use the toilet as he was desperate. They have no leniency to this rule even with children and disabilities and when we are paying customers. I will not be back to any Bells restaurant again and I am quite literally appalled my this treatment.

Not the best by far. Portions are very small especially kids portions. 3 tiny chicken dippers that were more like rubber. You are left waiting a while for your food. I sat with a slice of bread for ten minutes which I expected to be delivered with the meal. We also received out drinks ten minutes before the food so had to make them last. Rather dissapointed with the whole experience. It was definitely a one off visit.

Lovely food, great staff. The woman with a bun in her hair behind the counter was very welcoming. Highly recommended!

Great food, very fast service, good people.