Castle Eden Inn in County Durham

The food was sublime the choices were excellent 👍🏻!! We attended a friend’s 70th birthday 🎂 party 🎉✝️

Lovely village pub , great food , highly recommended

We had an 80th birthday party at Castle Eden Inn there was 40 of us having food...the service and food was exceptional. All of the orders were accurate food was piping hot for everyone and everyone said food was gorgeous Well done for making our celebration extra special 10/10

Went here for a meal and honestly, wow, it was absolutely beautiful.. Was lovely atmosphere good music and some good customer service. Very friendly staff. Such a beautiful restaurant good parking I will for be going back again!

Great food and service the only issue we had was our table was located inbetween 2 rooms and with loads of people constantly hitting into my chair or me, it was very annoying when your trying to eat your food. Visited again and the food was excellent. The staff were really friendly.

Went for lunch, was quiet and well decorated. Staff were friendly and helpful. Food was top notch.

Nice Sunday dinners but both the fish and chips were cold. Reasonable service but the feedback on the fish and chips wasn't well received and wasn't followed up.

Great Sunday Lunch, quality service.

We returned to the Castle Eden Inn when the current owners took over. The previous 3 owners drove us away because of poor food, poor service and with one of them, we couldn’t book a table. You turned up and took pot luck. We have Sunday lunch here at least2-3 times a month with an occasional weekday visit and we have never been disappointed. It’s easy to see it’s a family run restaurant because the staff/family operate like it’s “their business”. They want you to return therefore you get great food with fantastic service. Keira and her brother looked after us today, always smiling always checking we are ok. Unfortunately, we are moving to Sussex and our local eatery isn’t as good as the Castle Eden Inn.

Second visit in the past three weeks, Sunday dinner both times and both times the food was plentiful, tasty and hot. Couldn’t fault the service and the place itself gives a very cosy feel, perfect for a cold Sunday lunch.

Sunday lunch was served by friendly, positive and confident staff. The food was delicious with great portions with eye catching presentation. Good value for money and will be returning 😀

Just had a lovely Sunday lunch , a party of 6. The food was so delicious, very friendly staff. Will definitely be going back again.

We had a beautiful Sunday dinner here today. The food was amazing, beautiful taste, excellent selection and fantastic service. The kids had the children’s Sunday dinner and loved it. Me and my husband had beef, wow, was amazing. The side of cauliflower cheese was beautiful too! Deserts were fantastic. Thank you for a great, welcoming environment with top notch food! We will come back soon.

Excellent steak, delicious Stilton sauce. Excellent service and great food.

60th birthday party great night

Amazing food. We went for a meal on Saturday evening as we had family staying with us. This was our first visit and it definitely won't be our last. The food was lovely, I ordered a starter from the specials and then had the sea bass and wild rice as my main. It was excellent. All of the family said the same thing. Both of my children demolished their plates of food. After two brilliant courses and a few drinks we were all stuffed but the dessert menu was very tempting so we ordered the brownie and cheesecake to share whilst finishing our drinks. Both were lovely. The staff did a great job and made us feel very well looked after. We will definitely be back in the future. Thanks for a wonderful meal.

I’ve never been here before and was totally shocked. Fantastic venue, fantastic service and lovely food. Four of us went on a Saturday evening at 6pm, the venue was busy but the staff were superb. The food was really really nice, portions were a bit big for me though, although I did finish everything. We had the fish cakes and prawns for starters, belly pork, scampi, curry and salmon for mains. Too full for a desert. Will definitely visit here again.

Gone back to been a traditional country pub serving traditional pub grub

New review. Just been again unfortunately the food was not as good as before. My wife's scampi was cremated and should never have left the kitchen. The battered fish was not good either smelling and didn’t taste good at all. Sorry but I think we will not be returning.

Lovely place in a great location with lovely staff. Parking is good Food was very very good and prices are good too 👍 highly recommended

Friendly warm atmosphere, with good food, well presented.

Food was amazing, service was fast they couldn't do enough for you

Relaxing and comfortable atmosphere with top notch food and service

Such a shame as this is a lovely pub well decorated, very clean warm and friendly. The food however lets it down. Today we were pre booked for lunch and had paid in full prior to our visit. Some of the food served today was ok Xmas turkey dinner, Xmas Parmos were enjoyed. My prawn cocktail starter was a let down, served on an oblong plate with a couple of pieces of limp bagged lettuce with prawn cocktail on the top, tiny prawns no flavour to them or the Marie Rose sauce? and the worst thing ever was a slice of white bread served on the side?? Husbands belly pork starter was nice, his main course Steak pie & chips was not, the meat was black as it clearly had been re heated in the oven making the meat over cooked and the pastry hard? I had wild mushroom risotto I left most of it as it was over salted and greasy! So disappointed!! After the meal was finished we left and were outside saying our goodbyes when a member of staff came out to say we hadn’t paid all of our bill we owed £150? We had paid the food bill weeks before in full and someone had mid read their diary slightly embarrassing. We shan’t be eating here in future sadly as it is a cosy atmospheric pub

Excellent quality and excellent service.

Lovely Xmas party. Staff were amazing and just great atmosphere and food was incredible x

Food outstanding,but get funny looks off the locals

Our first visit here for quite some time and we were very impressed with the overall experience. A clean, well run place, courteous staff and the food we had was very good, we will be back.

Absolutely fantastic food, staff are amazing, service is outstanding. All food on the menu is excellent and the staff are happy to accommodate variations to the menu, so there's something for everyone. We had meal 6 Dec 2024 for 6 people and we all left feeling happy and content. All round fantastic place and service. Many thanks

Got the chicken katsu curry and rice and it was absolutely disgusting, they may aswell have just poured watered down milk over the top. Do not recommend at all!!! £17 for mush

First time quiet little background music great staff lovely menu loads of choice starred desserts also Xmas menu great prices

Very disappointed - dined tonight with friend. Ordered 10oz Sirloin & veg Sirloin was only just warm. Informed the waitress who said she would get the chef to flash it. Returned less than 2 minutes later and it was no better . Then tasted the broccoli which was cold . Ate over half because it was my evening meal and we had waited 40 minutes because there was a large party in and I was starving Informed the waiter who came to clear our plates said he would tell the manager . No one came , the bill was presented full price. Absolutely shocked , dissatisfied & disappointed.

Nice friendly staff good quality food cheese cake to die for

Sunday lunch was nice but not exceptional. The staff were a little distracted by another customer and ignored my request for the bill. Lovely location.

This is our favourite place. We took some friends last night and they said it was the best Parmo and Caesar Salad they had ever had. Food is lovely, very relaxed atmosphere and staff are great too. It is a hidden gem and I would highly recommend a visit. You won’t be disappointed!

Fantastic community pub - greatest atmosphere - friendly staff

Brilliant atmosphere, staff and food. Visited on many occasions since and still 5 stars.

Excellent food, superb service, draught Guiness was fantastic overall a lovely evening out.

Popped in today for a drink, lovely old old-fashioned pub we will be back Came as promise today for Sunday lunch, Hubby was very happy ale was great and beef Sunday lunch was great, mine was ok not sure about the cranberry Wellington ( not cooked) but the rest was lovely We brought our well behaved dogs with us, ( sat under the table) what I found is people were letting there dogs sit on the very nice seats ( surely that’s not right) if I don’t like it and I have dogs, I am not sure your customers who don’t have dogs would be happy

Recently visited the Castle Eden Inn and could not believe the transformation. This was our regular for meals and we visited weekly but then it changed hands and we no longer enjoyed the food or service. This has all changed and we have visited a number of times over the last couple of months and not only was the food absolutely lovely but the service is fantastic. Last night we had food from the Autumn Saver Menu ( 2 courses for £15) food was fantastic, big portions and arrived red hot couldn’t fault it (Full menu was also available). Staff were friendly especially the manager who has excellent customer service skills ensuring everyone enjoyed their experience. We’ll definitely be back very soon and highly recommend it.

Good food and service. Extensive lunch menu to choose from. Nice atmosphere with plenty of customers for a Tuesday lunchtime. Parking was a bit of an issue.

Good food, good service. Enjoyed meeting up with family in pleasant surroundings

We visited castle Eden pub on Thursday Evening for a birthday celebration 🥳 and as soon as we arrived the bar and restaurant servers were so attentive and helpful. Specially the girl behind the bar and the young lad who served our table. Our experience through out our evening was well received and everyone within the restaurant area was so friendly and helpful. I would like to thank the bar and restaurant servers for their hard work and friendly service. Also the food was really really tasty I had the two course set menu meal £15 and it was very well cooked and yummy thank you to the chefs for that.. . If you’re looking for a comfortable family outing or just a quick catch up and bite to eat. Castle Eden is a very good place to visit.

Excellent lunch. Belly pork and steak pie both fab.

Massive improvement in this pub over the recent months. Now becoming one of the nicest in the area with great food being served.

The food came and it looked absolutely abysmal. Burnt garlic bread. Chips that looked as if they’ve been dug out of the ground. I honestly wouldn’t waste your money it’s an absolute fortune to eat there as well I certainly don’t mind paying if it’s good quality but today was really really bad whoever the chef is needs to go back to cookery school.

First visit today , food was lovely ,fast service lovely staff, will visit again , menu is varied with lots of delicious choices

We went for a family meal on a Saturday, pulled pork sandwich was fatty and cold. Asked if I could ‘swap’ the fries for ‘skinny fries’ and was told that was fine - but wasn’t told they would charge me extra - so that wasn’t a ‘swap’ . Felt cheated, which is something you should never feel as a customer. My wife and daughter said their their fries tasted as if they were from the night before and had been re-fried. Burger was just ok, but Parmo had a fish taste to it as if it had been cooked in oil from fish and chips. Overall a pretty poor experience and won’t be returning.

Lovely little venue hidden gem for local community fantastic food and lovely drinks very reasonably priced would highly recommend brilliant service.

Visisted for lunch with friends on Saturday lunchtime. The gentleman who served us was very friendly and service was good. The food however was varied. The fishcakes were enjoyed and the Caesar salad was fine too. The steak pie was dry and the pastry very overcooked or reheated and the gravy synthetic. The gentleman who served us asked if everyone was happy with the meal. I did say the pie was overcooked and he did offer me something else from the menu I declined. I have just read a previous review who also mentioned the pie - maybe listen to the reviews and a new recipe would be beneficial to a lovely pub. Would return but wouldn’t have my favourite go to pub meal of homemade pie and chips - would have to pick something different.

Table booked for 2pm pre order was given food came out at 3pm and was not all served at the same time disappointed

First visit here, very good menu, food good quality, great homemade chips. Reasonable prices and a play area for children. Would recommend

Great atmosphere. Good food and lovely new decor

Great food and drinks service with a smile definitely will be going back.

Nice location and pub, food looked great. My drinks were delayed as the barrel needed changing. I was told they would bring it over when sorted. Fifteen minutes later I went back as no drink had arrived. The person behind the bar had clearly completely forgot and then suddenly remembered and said oh this is paid for isn't it. No apology, I didn't expect table service but if it assists in giving room to sort an issue fine but follow through, I was quite happy to return a few minutes later to collect the drink.

had a terrible meal. the pie my husband had we think had been in a keep warm for hours . and we think that the vegetables where the same As ex landlords we are quite critical on pub food { which is what the castle eden is} the standard we were served was disgusting gravy out of a packet just add hot water the staff was unatentive they have made a good job with the decor such a pity the service and staff fall short

Popped in for a quick drink...they have Neck Oil but it was currently off.

Absolutely awful food. Didn't eat a thing off the plate. Do they even have a chef 🤔 My dog didn't even want it.

4 of us ate, 3 had Scampi and I had Caesar Salad which I normally love but very disappointed. Should have sent it back.... The Scampi went down well. The salad had the wrong type of lettuce, no parmesan shavings and very little caesar dressing. Also croutons should be fried, I had dried bread, tasteless. Also pepper and tomatoes should not be in a Caesar. 3 out of 10. The chicken, small amount, and bacon acceptable but not thrilling for £13.50.

Roast dinner was OK, nothing about it that will entice me back. Busy, so the service was slow and the server was more interested in chatting to friends and failing to provide the accompaniments requested. Much better food around and about.

Fantastic, they seated a group of 36 people for my partners birthday. The lady that was managing my booking made it really easy to organise and was very helpful. Everyone commented on how amazing the food was. The service was very quick for a big group and no one was waiting for food. Definitely recommend for large parties! Thank you again will be back soon ☺️

Fantastic, they seated a group of 36 people for my partners birthday. The lady that was managing my booking made it really easy to organise and was very helpful. Everyone commented on how amazing the food was. The service was very quick for a big group and no one was waiting for food. Definitely recommend for large parties! Thank you again will be back soon ☺️

Really nice looking pub with friendly and helpful staff and some very delicious food. The location is a bit out of the way so it's a short drive out (just off the A19) but worth it. Two good ales on and a great lunch menu. Check it out for a lunch break or a drive out.

Fillet steak was cooked well (rare) but the meat had no flavour. Rest of the plate was nice. Good service.

Loved this place, warm welcome, Waitress was very pleasant, food was good fish & chips and hunters chicken good portions, lovely pint of moretti , toilets were clean 👌 new owner since last time I was here food was still good, service was good

Good food, good service, good staff, children welcome, very busy, parking

Lovely fish and chips and enjoyable surroundings

My wife and I went to this pub for a meal this week, and we thought it was ideal, as it was dog friendly. As we walked in, there were a few empty tables. As we sat down, a young lad who worked there stated that all of the tables in that area are reserved fit the quiz. Then, he just walked off without informing us that there was an alternative area we could go to. Needless to say, we just left. Very poor customer service. And a place we will never visit again.

Great food & great staff. You won't be disappointed. We'll definitely be back soon.

Booked Sunday Lunch for the two of us on 28th April. First time that we have both been since the change of ownership. It was an amazing experience, we both had the roast beef and it was superb. The atmosphere is lovely and service very good. Highlights - beautifully cooked beef, great Yorkshires and a cube of stuffing which was lovely. Both had pudding, Eton Mess was lovely and sticky toffee pudding amazing. We will definitely be booking again soon.

Excellent meal. We'll presented tasty food and friendly staff. Great atmosphere in the restaurant

Just popped in for lunch on the way home, glad we did, great food

The food was really good, the staff were very helpful and considerate. Lovely atmosphere.

Very busy but didn't delay food, great atmosphere. Food was excellent, proper chips. Staff very nice both in restaurant and the bar. A great pub all round and would go again 👍

Upon visiting the pub, my 6 year old nephew and I headed to the outdoor play area. We spotted traffic cones, but assumed they were for the grass. The cones were randomly placed and you could see patches had been re seeded. Turns out the play area had only just been concreted in. We found this out by a very rude employee, manager I believe, running out shouting at us. I understand it needed to set, but my gosh, you don't speak to kids that way. It was your own fault. I told the man that we weren't psychic and they should put up signs. He ignored me, didn't respond and 30 mins later I could see signs up. I really won't be going back. Not kid friendly! Play area or no play area. EDIT: Thank you for your response. I stand by review, so please feel free to post the CCTV.

It would have been great if I didn't have 3 massive pieces of gristle in my steak pie.. it was made worse by no table check from staff.. it was tasty but never again for the steak pie

Had the prawn n chicken thai curry it was really nice was plenty of it, and also pulled pork ciabata with chips,will definetely be back

Lovely Sunday lunch, great service from friendly staff. I would highly recommend this venue. 👌

We decided it was finally time to stop and see the inside of the place. The service was excellent. The food delicious. We ate from the small plate menu and we're very pleasantly surprised as it was as big as any meal you would want. Desserts were also delicious. We'll definitely eat there again!

The portions were so huge, most people seemed to leave some, I would have loved a dessert but couldnt justify one after leaving some of my mains. Smaller portions please so I can have a pudding with a clear conscience.

Lovely meal served by pleasant staff

Great food, decent prices, pub wasn't overly busy and it was good to sit outside facing the sun, we walked up with our dog along the old railway line, there is a car park if your driving and dogs are allowed inside. Very nice spot

Had a lovely meal with 6 friends recently the service was very good lovely pleasant people serving and very attentive. Food was delicious and prices are reasonable too we will definitely be back

This was our first time visiting after it being taken over. The food was excellent and value for money … but be advised the portions are quite large! Staff are very friendly, it has a cosy atmosphere and we will definitely be back with the family. Thank you to all your staff x

Absolutely beautiful food always, inexpensive and lovely service from lovely staff members. Always a lovely atmosphere and always take our children.

Terrible a few weeks ago we had the worst meal we’ve ever had. Gammon was days old Yorkshire pudding had been reheated therefore inedible. The steak pie had been reheated until it was black around the edges the pastry was disgusting. Never to return such a shame as a lovely pub but no one in. Just wanted to add that we did complain on the night we were told the information would be passed on no apology was given!

New owners have pulled out all the stops here. The food is fantastic and good prices. Have been 3 times now since reopened and a different meal every time and absolutely beautiful cooking and presentation. Totally recommended.

Just had a drink and some crisps and nuts but liked the feel of the pub.

Not to busy for a Saturday, excellent service, great table, food was good.

Called in for lunch first time since present owners took over in October. Both of us opted for Steak and mushroom pie. Must confess it was the best steak pie I have ever had. Brilliant. My compliments to the chef.

Been a few times over the last couple of weeks. Food has been delicious, drinks have been lovely and the staff/service had been outstanding. Would definitely recommend and will be back again soon

What a hidden gem this place is! Has a lovely warm, country pub atmosphere. Fantastic menu selection and the food certainly didn’t disappoint. We were a group of four and we all thoroughly enjoyed our meals. The staff were lovely. The lady who looked after us in the restaurant (sorry didn’t catch your name) was exceptional. Without a doubt one of the best places we have been for a long time. Our new favourite place and we’ll definitely be back…soon!

Did not get a copy of the bill.......

Back to it's best, lovely atmosphere and great decor.

My wife, me ,my sister and brother in law went today for lunch. The meals were excellent, large portions of very nice food. The staff were friendly and welcoming. Gave us plenty of time to choose our meals. It is the first time we have been for a couple of years but will happily go back again. Thank you

Had a delicious meal this evening , starters and main course Service was very good , pleasant and efficient staff We will be back

Lovely place to visit, would recommend to all! The only downfall is the lite bite fish and chips, if you're hungry go for the full portion as this will not fill you. Lovely but more of a child size fish. The other lite bite portions are more than enough and worth every penny👌🏼

Didn't have food. But brilliant pub

Fabulous food and staff will be back time and time again been today wonderful real ales just been back again for Sunday lunch staff fabulous very attentive food delicious only moved here 2 weeks ago this now our local highly recommended just reopened new owners have booked for Xmas lunch will post as soon as we have been back been again tonight for tea was full we had not booked owner explained lots of big parties in took our table number not a long wait for our order to be taken very professional food again fabulous best food in this area

First visit here celebrating a birthday, place is lovely and warm, staff very helpful and accommodating.