Chapters Tea Rooms and Restaurant in County Durham - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

Great location on the Elvet Bridge. I wanted some breakfast before a tour of the cathedral. The cafe had a special offer before 11 30am for a bacon or sausage roll with a coffee. I ordered a bacon roll and a coffee (a decaf latte) and took a seat inside. The waitress brought my order promptly and was friendly and welcoming. The bacon was well cooked and plentiful and served on a toasted brioche roll, accompanied by tomato sauce. This was a lovely cafe, with tasty food and friendly staff. It was one of the highlights of my lovely experience of a short stay in Durham.

Stopped for a quick and hopefully healthy bite, and it was good in that sense. Just a couple of reasonable salads and a cold drink, perfect.

Negative reaction to an inquiry. I’d like to make a point that when ordering breakfast here, I specifically asked if they had fresh ‘squeezed’ orange juice, the lady serving assured me that they did serve it, however, when I received my breakfast the orange juice they served was from concentrate, not fresh orange juice at all. The reason I’m making this review is because of the extremely negative response I had when trying to explain to the staff the ‘difference’ between fresh orange and concentrate. Just to make a point I’m allergic to the additives in concentrate that’s why I asked if they served fresh orange rather than concentrate.

Visited early on a Friday morning at around 9:30 with my Mam. We ordered a veggie breakfast and a full English breakfast. These arrived within 5 minutes of ordering- immediate red flag. To me this indicates the food isn’t being made freshly made to order. I would rather wait for my food and know what I’m getting is fresh. My Mam said her bacon was awful and hard and tasted like it had been reheated. Both of our sourdough toast had been burnt to a crisp, alongside some horrendous mushrooms out of a tin. The fried egg on the veggie breakfast had no yolk. Absolutely awful. We both left the majority of the breakfast. I didn’t bother saying anything as I felt the lady on the till was very abrupt and aggressive even when we just arrived and then went up to place our order. This put me off complaining as I cannot imagine receiving a polite response. A disappointing £30 breakfast that was a complete waste of money. Will not return.

Just want to say a huge thank you to everyone today. We stopped in for a quick cuppa and noticed there was an option of GF and DF cake (quite a rarity) After checking all the ingredients with the team I found out that it was also soya free and meant me and my son could enjoy a slice of cake with our cuppa. Thank you so much for brilliant friendly service and having this as an option

1st visit to Chapters and I will definitely be coming back. Perfect coffee with some beautiful latte art, very relaxing atmosphere.

There are so many brilliant independent cafes in Durham- do not give this one your business. Food was finished and cleared before the drinks arrived. They took about 25 minutes for two coffees. When they arrived one coffee was just hot milk. Server on till was rude and aggressive.

We were attracted by the menu and entered as a window table became available. Delightful lady at the counter taking the order. As you can tell dear reader I have written quite a few reviews and used to placing an order but on this occasion total confusion reigned over a request for the mushroom dish and a simple fried egg on sourdough. Repeated at least three times and ended up with three eggs and three slices of sourdough. Further confusion as to how the mushrooms were presented. Losing the will to live, was close to giving up. Five stars for the entertainment value, an extra for "medium" coffee, not "regular." We are not Americans, not that you would notice. One star down for plastic plants. A popular café. Possibly. 🇬🇧🇳🇿

After waiting in the queue to be served, the Server at the till (glasses, red hair) was incredibly rude to myself and family when we tried to explain we could not see a table number on the outside table we were sat at. They spoke down to us as if we were petulant children, despite us being polite throughout the interaction and so this has put us off another visit. The table next to us stated the same server had been rude to them as well. FYI the table number was incredibly worn down and difficult to see on the wooden outside table. Thankfully the rest of the staff were lovely, as were coffees and cakes. That server did really tar the visit however and needs to not be in customer service role if that’s how they speak to polite and patient customers.

I visited with friends the last weekend in April, I did try to book ahead as it stated you could on the website yet when I called I was told abruptly this wasn’t the case any more (their website should be updated to reflect this). We managed to get a table when we arrived and we went down to order food. The food did arrive quite quickly but I waited a long time for my drinks, everything else had arrived 5-10 minutes prior. When my pot of English breakfast tea arrived it didn’t come with any milk or sugar, just a pot and a dirty mug (I didn’t bother mentioning the mug as I was thirsty at this point). I politely asked the waitress with dark hair if I could get some milk with my tea, to which she said unfortunately she was too busy, she would “try” and find someone to get some but they were busy so probably wouldn’t be able to. I was rather shocked that a cafe that I assume serves tea every single day refuses to bring milk with their tea, even when asked. She left and didn’t come back. In the end, my friend went downstairs for me to get some (I’m 8 months pregnant so running up and down the stairs is a bit of a struggle!), and the same waitress was stood behind the counter doing nothing. I would’ve gave one star but the food was tasty, but the customer service was shocking. I wouldn’t recommend.

This is a really busy café full of nooks and crannies and we really enjoyed our time there. On the main street not far from the river it has indoor and outdoor seating and is well located. I had the full English breakfast which was big and full of great quality ingredients especially the sausage and bacon. Our other dish of Garlic mushrooms with rosemary was also very big and delicious as well. They didn't have English mustard or Tabasco when we were there but we still enjoyed the meal and the coffee was a great taste as well. The service was fast and friendly and it is definitely recommended.

We visit Chapters often and as usual coffee and cake was delicious. The only fault I found today was that it was Armistice Day and at 11 am the staff carried on serving as normal with no 2 minutes silence. We held our own but I thought it was very disrespectful.

Great place to enjoy something to eat and a nice coffee. I changed my order just as my husband had ordered and the gentleman who served me was more than accommodating and happy to change it, I didn’t feel like anything was too much trouble. The food was delicious, home cooked and very tasty. We would not hesitate at calling in again if we’re in the area.

I wanted to write a review in response to the most recent negative comment on Chapters. As a university student who comes to Chapters on a very regular basis, I have never had an experience such as the one described below. Considering the busy nature of this cafe, the quick service and respect that the staff show customers is something which shouldn't be overlooked. With its amazing price point, attentiveness of staff and quality of food/drink, Chapters has become a huge part of my time in Durham and is unique in the experience it offers compared to other cafes. So DO come and visit and give these guys your service, I promise you won't be disappointed and I hope you all fall in love with this place as much as I have!!!

Absolutely dreadful. The guy on the till took my order for a takeaway cappuccino and proceeded to do nothing with it. I waited 15 minutes. St one point a waitress asked me if everything was ok and I said I was about to ask for a refund. Mr Attitude on the til muttered something to the other staff about "complaint" but still did nothing. Finally, Mr Attitude walked straight past me with the tea for the young man who had come in 10 minutes after me. I walked out minus my £3.50 refund. DON'T GIVE THIS PLACE YOUR BUSINESS until they change the nasty piece of work on the til.

As far as I'm concerned this is the place to go for coffee in Durham. On two levels and slightly shabby inside shouldn't put you off . Nice cakes and great coffee. Nice outside seating too where you can watch the students go by. Can get busy.

I find the food good..[I have been several times].. The tea was excellent.. The only issue I have is staff can be a tad cold and seem to be capable of only flat responses..one must choose a table number first..which I find awful..[particulary as it was necessary to go upstairs to do so]its not THAT big..customer relations means a lot and if you can't be bothered to know your customers..thats not so good..so summing up.. try to be more 'human' in your approach..I think others have had this issue here ..as I scanned reviews... And finally..get some real houseplants! Plastic are OK.. but with addition of even one real one ..large palm in a corner

Staff are always lovely and treat everyone individually and with respect. The manager is really friendly and makes everyone feel so welcome! The lady with the black hair that made our drinks was absolutely spot on and everyone was smiling!😁

What a find.Wonderful veggie breakfast. Lovely location, the staff very friendly will definitely be back. Full English breakfast a hit with my husband to.

Welcoming venue in the charming area of old Durham. Good coffee and cake. Sit at window and people watch. Friendly staff

Popped in for lunch and glad we did! Had grilled cheese on sourdough bread, one of the best I’ve tasted. It came with hand cut chips and garlic dip. Coffee was lovely too. Didn’t have a slice of cake, but they looked delicious. If downstairs seating is full, there is plenty upstairs.

We had a Lovely lunch here, the staff are very friendly and welcomed us in with our 2 little dogs. Great relaxed atmosphere, would definitely recommend

Everything was excellent. Very reasonable price, excellent food and very helpful staff. Couldn’t fault anything.

Lovely warm, welcoming atmosphere. We wanted a coffee shop that was dog friendly and relaxing and this was the perfect setting

If I could give this a higher star review I would. 5 star service from very quick efficient polite staff that were brilliant at customer service. Food was SO memorable in the best way. One of the best lunches we have ever had and we are not easy to please. It made our visit to Durham on a cold wet July day. It could be said it was only a toasted cheese sandwich. However it was THE BEST. toaster cheese sandwich. The sour dough bread, the caramelised onions and not sure what cheese is used but it was amazing. Home cooked chips that were freshly cooked and piping hot. As prices go we were surprised that they compared very well with other places so e think it was excellent value for money. If ever I go back to Durham I would make a beeline for it.

Easily one of the best cafes in Durham, not only is it in a great location, but it accommodates people that are socialising, studying, or working. The staff are so incredibly polite and lovely to be around, so much so I frequent the cafe either...

Such friendly staff especially Kieron he made sure my experience was the best it could be. With quick service and all round well mannered chap.

Arrived here at about 945 am this morning. Lovely location on a lovely sunny morning, perfect to be sitting outside and having breakfast with our friends. Staff were busy setting up tables and chairs outside, so we politely asked if we could take a seat...

This place does literally the best breakfast I've ever eaten: Halloumi, fried egg, potato, avo! and oh my goodness - kale!! It's like my best friend's house - including the LGBTQ+ positivity.

Let's start with the positives, great food, reasonably priced, and a fantastic location in the middle of town. Unfortunately, the staff seem to need a crash course in customer relations - extremely rude and unhelpful. Even asking for a menu and some ketchup resulted in...

I love coming here for a coffee. The staff are all friendly and very attentive. I didn't have food on this occasion but when I have it's been delicious and their cakes are to die for! In fact hubby and I are popping in tomorrow...

Good food, quickly delivered. Then had coffee and a slice of vegan cake , both of which were lovely. Good service from a very pleasant and extremely professional young lady. Place a little stuffy and perhaps needed to be aired a little.

It's a bit of mixed bag of a review to be honest. First the good, I visited here following my trip to Durham Cathedral for a quick cuppa and maybe a cake. The tea was excellent and the cake, although Vegan, again was delicious. The...

My son and I happened upon Chapters by happy accident, having not read any reviews. The staff were all very pleasant and personable, and attended to us on our immediate arrival. We ordered the Sriracha Chicken Wrap and Veggie Breakfast. Both meals were fantastic value...

We came here for lunch. Had a sriracha chicken wrap which came with potato skins. Came very quickly and food was hot and tasty. Good value for money. We tried vegan biscoff cake and it was lovely. Would definitely return.

This wasn't our first choice for breakfast but we were so glad we ended up there. The Americano was very good and served in a proper mug, while my daughter's granola was really tasty. It was also no problem at all for the staff to...

Weak coffee, twenty five minutes wait for my (poor) veggie breakfast without even an apology for the wait in a cafe virtually empty when I arrived, just “calm down”. Utterly disgraceful - avoid at all costs

After a walk along the river with our pup, we needed to stop for a quick lunch. Chapters had some tables outside so we grabbed one. I went in to look at the menu and a member of staff noticed I’m heavily pregnant. For the...

We called for breakfast on Sunday morning and again on Monday, service was quick and food was excellent definitely recommend

I had a full English breakfast and my wife had 2 eggs, beans mushrooms and toast, both were delicious. Service excellent. Well done to all the staff. We will be back. Thank you. Paul and Tracey from Hartlepool xxx

Walked across the road to this lovely Tea room and sat outside in the sun on Tues 18th May.Service and food were lovely having walked away from Costa over the road where we waited in a queue behind 2 persons for 20 mins and got fed up waiting.So glad we ate here and would do so again.

Had breakfast here on a Saturday morning- out door seating as still the rules.Nice people watching. Found service absolutely hands off. We was given menus and then had to go in to order and then brought cutlery out- might as well be self service. The breakfast granola was way too sweat.The bacon butty was requested to be crispy but came so dead and burnt that had to put brown sauce to make it edible. The only thing good was the flat white during that meal. Won’t be returning.

Great cafe, great location, and good food, nice to sit in the sun and enjoy the buzz and atmosphere of this vibrant spot in Durham city.

Went for brunch today with two flat mates and we all had the avocado toast, with cappuccinos. Coffee was great, and the staff were very polite. However, the food itself was not up to standard. I had to sub out the egg and feta on the toast, as there were few vegan options, but luckily I was given an extra piece of toast to compensate. The avocado, unfortunately, tasted very under-seasoned and slightly ‘off’. It wasn’t great quality for the price, but I would go back for coffee.

Quick takeaway of seasonal Gingerbread hot chocolate & cookies & cream cheesecake. Both really good & staff friendly.

This is such a welcoming cafe with a great vibe and excellent customer service plus dog friendly too 5*

I had avocado and poached eggs, they were the best eggs I’ve ever eaten! 🥚 lovely sunny venue in Durham this morning!

Completely disappointed at the awful service Totally Unorganised, no customer service, warmth or interaction.after another couple walked out, and after 40 min wait we had to again ask for even just the beverage part of our order, only To be told order hadn’t been put through. On leaving,......an empty coffee shop !!! we were told it was due to being busyNo apology and if it is busy, don’t even think of going in !

Great place for a full english and a cuppa first thing in the morning. Enjoy the early morning sunshine coming straight up old elvet. Great place to watch the world go by..... 👍

.a favourite spot for tea and cake or on this occasion cinnamon toast. Lovely service, nice location, decent value.

First time visit for the three of us but it will certainly not be the last. Staff are very friendly and efficient. We all got different meals from the menu and each one looked and tasted delicious. Well done to the chef. We absolutely enjoyed everything on the plate. This place deserves to be successful. Give it a try - I don't think you will be disappointed.

I travelled to Durham for a day out in the sunshine and decided to grab some food. Chapters was fairly busy outside but had lots of lovely seating inside. I really enjoyed the bacon sandwich I had and the food isn’t very expensive either. I would recommend Chapters for a quick cafe break whilst you enjoy the city of Durham.

An excellent cafe in a great location. We sat outside on a sunny Tuesday morning. Great service and great food. Felt safe too with the COVID controls in place. The staff could not have been more helpful and were very friendly, especially helpful after our lively puppy had spilt my coffee! Perfect spot to sit and watch the world go by and well worth the visit. We will certainly be going back.

I've started to visit Chapters a lot lately. It's my new favourite place! The food is delicious and freshly cooked, the staff are friendly and helpful, the seating areas, inside and out, are thoroughly cleaned and properly spaced between customers. Hand sanitiser is available as you enter the building and there's a one way system through the indoor area. Also, they don't make you feel as if they're terrified of you as a covid risk! I prefer to sit outside, when possible, watching the beautiful city of Durham going about its daily business but I've sat inside as well (contact details were politely requested) and still lots to see. One very happy customer!

I ADORE Chapters and come here several times per week to relax, unwind and do a bit of writing. Staff are very friendly and welcoming - animals are welcome too. I absolutely love their food and particularly their cake selection - for anyone who loves nut-based foods, I can not recommend the peanut stack enough (pictured). Food menu is simple but mastered - high quality ingredients cooked extremely well. Great options for all dietary requirements. Lovely outdoor seating on a sunny day and picturesque indoor seating when the weather is less nice. My favourite spot is in the window - perfect for people watching with a cup of tea and a book or newspaper.

We popped in for a coffee but left almost immediately because of the significant lack of Covid-19 precautions. The trigger point was when another customer was seated less than 1 meter from me. In addition to that there was no effort to take "track and trace" details, no sanitizer point and staff did not wear face coverings in what was a very crowded environment and the menus were normal menus rather than having a disposable menu brought to us.My advice is that during Covid-19 you go to this café at the risk of contracting this virus. DON'T GO!

Had the most welcoming and friendly experience, came in for a coffee and a nibble before the day started I had a chicken ceaser salad and a latte, was so delicious and my server Kieran was lovely and very attentive. I enjoyed a view of Durham while finishing off my coffee. Great service, great coffee, great staff and great place...

Went here for something to eat with my parents while in Durham. The service was quick and the staff made sure they cleaned the pots after people had finished. Also the staff allowed customers time to pick. The food was tasty but average. Since my dad and I ordered a breakfast and my mum got a panini. The bacon on the breakfast was okay but it was a little bit over done but other than that it was okay. The cafe itself was clean

So we were looking for place to go for coffe and stopped in this little coffe shop and decide to have a lunch aswell I've ordered steak sandiwich was so surprised it come in briosh bun that was so fresh even flaking in my hands and delishios fried mushrooms bunch of salad and twice cooked chips amazing! Also soup of the day was just jummy. My partner took club sandwich and was impressed by the size was huge very generous portion and looked and tasted so fresh. Also coffe was delishios overall is amazing place for luch I will be definitely coming back for more. Just a bit over 30 pounds and we left stuffed for all day long. Thank you! Also I have to mention staff is outstanding.

Popped into Chapters with my partner during a visit to Durham and had a lovely time. Not usually one for reviews but I'll always give smaller business credit where it's due. We were served by a fine young man who welcomed us warmly and took our order. We tried a few different cakes and had a coffee. My partner wanted to ask for the salted caramel cake recipe but I managed to to convince her to let the staff go about their jobs. I think we've found a new spot for whenever we're in Durham!

Arrived on a busy Sunday lunchtime with wife, daughter and baby in pram. Had a quick look in and decided it was maybe too crowded to get us all in. One of the staff had noticed and came outside to talk to us. Helped us in and to a suitable table. I’ve eaten here before and once again the food and drink quality was excellent. Staff were all ever so helpful and friendly. It’s great to find a place that is happy to assist in this way. And as a result they got our business again 2 days later when we were nearby.

Popped in for coffee and a quick bite to eat on my lunch break. Place was warm and welcoming. Coffee was the best I've had in Durham. Club sandwich was great value for money and very tasty. Special thanks to Kieran for taking his time to ask how my day was. Will definitely be returning.

Day out in Durham, called in for lunch. We both had Ham & Mushroom Omelettes, which came with salad and we had a pot of tea each. I do not know how they make their omelettes, but they were light, and very tasty and large. Good tea as well. Staff are very pleasant and helpful. Was our first visit, but not our last.!!

Really friendly staff, great space to chill out and the owner buys in proper barista soya milk making the coffee the best vegan friendly coffee around Durham!

Once again I enjoyed a coffee and bite to eat in Chapters perched in my favourite window seat watching the world go by. The menu has been updated since the last time I visited, no bad thing but it caught me unawares when I came to order my usual sandwich (see my previous review). A special mention must go to the owner (or at least I think that's who he was) who seemed to be taking great pride in the service given to customers and also made time to chat with people - genuine guy and a nice touch. Clearly, unlike some, he understands the lost art of good customer service and making people feel welcome. Afterall a happy customer is a repeat customer. Until next time Chapters!

As an avid meat lover, if I could have this rosti combination (pictured) that they serve everyday, I could be a vegetarian Plus they do a gorgeous df/gf cake, and the ambience is chill and proper, without being pretentious

Popped in for a brew and a bit breakfast (poached eggs on toast). Took a seat in the window away from the elements. A very good experience, nice simple food well cooked and a good brew. Lovely friendly and helpful staff. Will be back again in future visits to the olde city.

Popped in for a couple of lattes and a bit of cake, the service was great, very friendly, genuine but not overbearing or false, great coffee & cake and great view out onto the street to people watch. Highly recommended

The perfect break away from the madding crowd whilst exploring Durham. Very friendly, efficient service, delicious cake and drinks enjoyed all within a beautiful environment and delightful ambiance.

This is a fantabulous cafe. The coffee, cake and all the other drink plus food are definitely to die for.

Had just arrived and looking for somewhere to have lunch while our room was ready when we spotted the tea rooms, was quite busy but found a table upstairs and ordered food, I had the lovely roast beef sandwich with gravy and chips there was so much beef on the sandwich and so delicious. My husband had the cheese and tuna panini with crispy potato skins which he said so was different great service would definitely go back

We originally spotted this place for it’s milkshakes as my partner is milkshake mad but we actually never had a milkshake! We stayed in Durham for two nights last weekend at the Marriott just down the toad but ended up having breakfast/brunch both days at Chapters. Lovely quirky cafe with a small but perfect menu...I can’t cope with too much choice! I had different omelettes both days & both were amazing but I honestly think the cheese & mushroom omelette I had there was the best omelette I’ve ever eaten! Staff were so friendly, even when obviously busy & under pressure on the Sunday late morning! Highly recommend for breakfast or brunch!

Just visited this cafe by accident, had a lovely meal, soup was amazing, burger and chips really good quality and followed by a gorgeous berry muffin slice. The staff are really friendly and it's the best latte I've had in a while definitely worth a visit

Originally called in for coffee but decided to stay for lunch as it had a good vibe.

Popped in here for lunch, excellent service, excellent food. Burgers so moist, and Prawn cocktail sandwiches fresh and juicy, and excellent cup of tea. Good value for money. Recommended.

Ordered the all day breakfast. Came really quickly. It is the best breakfast in the city for sure. Well recommend.

Lovely little spot with very chatty and pleasant staff! The menu was extensive and our breakfast was very tasty! Definitely recommend.

Called into Chapters for a cup of tea and cake. Had an amazing rocky road and tea. Lovely food, drinks, service and an excellent choice.

Another visit to Chapters before a much needed tidy up at a very local barbers and it was on par as always. Love this place. Cold Gammon sandwich was excellent too! Until next time...

Good location near Elvet Bridge. Really friendly staff and a great choice of food. Prices are very reasonable, especially considering the location. A seat outside is perfect for watching the world go by in this student and tourist city.

Popped in for bacon baps which were very good; attentive and efficient staff. Very central location. Happy to go again.

We arrived at 4.45pm and told that we could order a milkshake or ice cream until 5.00pm. After climbing two steep flight of stairs to the second floor, the blond server who was very curt, said that she wasn’t making any more milkshakes, but we could have an ice cream cone or tub. After purchasing two ice creams we sat down at one of the tables. Other customers were still eating. She came over and snapped at us saying you will have to eat those outside! Very unfriendly service.

Great food, and those chips 🤤 great attentive staff and in a fantastic location, sitting outside feels like you could be on the continent especially when the sun shines like it was today.

This cafe has good cake but everything else is lacking. The coffee is no better than average - if you like coffee that tastes of something you are much better going across the street to Flat White. But the truely rubbish thing about this cafe was that it did not provide wifi or let you use their electricity sockets. The stench of money grabbing is hard to avoid in this cafe as the food is vastly overpriced and it would seem the only reason for not providing these basic services would be so they can make a greater profit.

Popped in for a mid morning coffee with a pal on a day out in Durham. Loved the décor, especially the astro turf on the walls studded with flowers. A very relaxing atmosphere with quiet music in the background. We returned for lunch and I had a very tasty poached eggs on toast from the all day breakfast menu. Staff friendly but not obtrusive.

A good find on a freezing Bank Holiday Sunday morning for hot drinks, a teacake, and an excellent bacon sandwich in a "stottie bun" (not being from the area, we had to look this one up!)

Cet endroit est très plaisant pour prendre le thé, le cadre est sympathique, et les cakes sont très bons. Le seul bémol est le thé en sachet qui est proposé... Mais sinon tout était très bon !

With the amount of choice you have in Durham you can’t afford to be bad, luckily this place is one of the better ones, greeted nicely when we arrived they have a laid back attitude allowing people to take there time to decide what you want. The service is great even when busy and you always feel looked after. We only popped in for a quick lunch but the food was fantastic although we were warned it would take some time to arrive. Cost was about average for Durham but I feel I got value for money.

Ate here for a quick brunch / lunch on Sunday it was rather busy inside but we were seated straight away and given menus. The tables are quite small and close together but this wasn’t a problem for us. I went for the prawn cocktail sandwich with potato skins and it was amazing highly recommended and all the other food looked great too. Big selection of fresh cakes we didn’t have any but they looked fabulous. Would definitely return.

We booked to come here with around 15 people for a surprise baby shower and it was great! They’d booked out the top floor part for us and allowed to us arrive early and set out the tables with decorations. When we arrived we were served prosecco and cake for £8 and they gave us a selection of different cakes which were all absolutely delicious! They were very generous with the amount of cakes they gave us too, we couldn’t finish them all! The whole afternoon was lovely and the staff were great too. Thank you!

We had an excellent lunch, club sandwich was great although there was no cheese in it although advertised, salad was nice and fresh, we were however disappointed with the use of plastic straws when everything else seemed reclaimed and/or sustainable, paper straws are just as cheap! Overall a nice spot though

Second visit to Chapters this year. First time we sat inside and enjoyed our lattes and, delivered slightly later, our toasted teacakes but we're slightly intimidated by being barked at to find a table first (perhaps a sign near the menus would help since plenty of people on here have had the same issue?). The second time we brought the dog and sat outside. Coffees were served quickly but another ten minutes passed before the teacakes arrived, by which point one of us had already finished our coffee and the other coffee had gone cold in the outside air. Add to this the fact that the teacakes were almost cold and therefore tasted stodgy and we'll be trying elsewhere in future. Surely we can't be the only ones who like to have our drinks with our food - and surely staff must realise that if customers are sitting outside their drinks go colder quicker? Better organisation needed, Chapters.

Used to work in Durham not far from Chapters and always make a point of stopping here for a coffee and bite to eat whenever I'm back. Never disappoints. If your a people watcher, like me, try to get a window seat and for goodness sake get a table before you order, it's the first thing you'll be asked. Enjoy!

Had some time to pass before catching a train and dropped in for a snack. It was both different and relaxing - certainly different to commercial chains like McDonalds. Unaware that it was necessary to first find a table number before ordering at the counter downstairs I checked out the upstairs sections via narrow winding stairs. There were backrooms, at all levels, accessed via another descending stairs but I proceeded up to the 2nd level which had a tastefully decorated room with tables and chairs and was quite empty – I began to question was this a café or someone’s living room!

Called for lunch it was a little busy but a nice atmosphere a small selection on the menu but all the items looked nice. The full breakfast was well presented and Tasted great.

Disaster from beginning to end.

Visited for my friend's 21st and ordered a soya latte with a slice of vegan cake (I'm lactose intolerant) and the guy who served me repeated back my order so he had definitely got it. When my drink arrived, I took a sip and it definitely didn't taste of soya. Asked my friend to try it and she also said it tasted like cows milk. When the waitress came back I told her and she told me it hadn't been put through as so but would get me another. When she came back, I was told I had to pay an extra 50p for the soya milk! As if this wasn't bad enough, she came back and said I had to pay the 50p then and there before she brought the drink over! Whilst she was apologetic and I recognised it wasn't her fault, the whole thing was very awkward and unnecessary when it was their mistake with the drink to begin with and the drink should have been made correctly for free imo! The service overall was also very slow and all the food was brought at different times. Whilst the cake was nice, I definitely won't be coming back and the whole thing was pretty disappointing.

Characterful café with a range of beverages, cakes and light meals. All very good, a particular shout out for the hot chocolate, which is delicious and tasted like it was made with real chocolate! Staff very nice and good service. highly recommended.

Stopped in for lunch, lovely soup, paninis and an excellent club sandwich (huge!). Also, Fentiman’s drinks (always a winner). Busy, but lovely environment and splendid service. Great choice for lunch.

Me and partner went in because we thought it looked cute. Ordered a hot chocolate which was okay, both ordered a slice of cake took ages to arrive and we're EXTREMELY stale. Had probably been in the display for days on end. Would steer clear as there are plenty of nicer places to eat in Durham.