City Bistro in Sunderland

Please hire more staff for the weekend because it is very busy, and there is a long wait for the order to be taken

The food was shocking and the one who was heading up front of the house was awful and homophobic and transphobic I feel sorry for all the students who are getting pushed around and getting talk to like thay are nothing but dirt

Another of many excellent lunches we have enjoyed at City Bistro. Exemplary belly pork with a superb garlic fritter (a new taste sensation)

Absolutely spot on from staff taking the orders, and food it self was first class as always, looking forward to many more trips for delicious food

Curry night special 👍👍 One of their special nights £14.95 and very well worth it. Students did very well .👍👍👍 Service was very good Excellent venue We are attending the sea food night next week

Wow wow wow, each time I visit this restaurant it just gets better!! The food this evening and the service was outstanding. This is a place that needs to be well supported as the food they produce is outstanding. The quality is fantastic, I hope to visit a lot more in the future. Canapés to start with, followed by a scallop starter which was superb. Champagne sorbet to cleanse the palette, then fillet steak which was melt in the mouth with a beautiful sauce and the side dish was gorgeous. Then dessert, loved the candied orange!! Ending with coffee and macaroons. All for less than £20, not a lot more I can say!!

Called in for a coffee and ordered a cheese scone. Coffee great but the cheese scone was microwaved and made it inedible. It looked great and I was disappointed with the result of the microwave heating. They dropped the price of the scone off the bill👍👍 Will use the city bistro again

Some friends had recommended the City Bistro so we visited for Christmas lunch and had a lovely meal. There was a good choice of dishes on the menu, so you could have something different from turkey if that wasn't what you wanted. The food was beautifully presented and the main courses (I had turkey, my partner had pork belly) had a delicious blend of flavours. The puddings were excellent, the Christmas pudding was one of the best I'd ever tasted, really moist and with lots of fruit. The staff were very friendly,enthusiastic and helpful. Looking forward to visiting again.

Been many times and always really enjoyed the food. This time was very disappointing however. My starter was chicken terrine which was bland.only the blue cheese dressing had any flavour. Nothing like the Ham hock terrines sampled in the past. Main course of sea bream was disappointing. Sauce was a bowl of liquid difficult to eat with a knife and fork! Dessert was good. Hope next visit after half term is back to normal standard.

As the title suggests the city bistro is a wonderful surprise. It was a fish menu on the evening myself, husband and friend visited the city bistro. The meal was superb we all loved every morsel and to think the people cooking and serving were students! My friend is lactose intolerant and at the time of booking we informed the restaurant of that. When we arrived and gave our name they were completely up to speed and her meal was catered for her needs. I can't praise this restaurant enough and we look forward to returning.

Our first visit of the new term! And we will be back! Supberb food and fabulous service. Please please please make sure you gauge this a try. These guys are learning the trade and learning it well. Lunch time menu £9 for a top quality 3 course meal

Blown away with the choice of menu, quality of the food and the service. It is so easy to forget this is an educational facilty and credit to Alex, Katie and thier students for providing a fantastic experience. The bistro has a relaxing ambience and Its a stones throw from Park Lane interchange with plenty of parking choices nearby for the drivers.Well worth a visit and I look forward to returning after the college summer holiday.

The bistro is lovely - clean and welcoming - beautifully furnished and set. And that’s just the start of such a lovely experience. The food was delicious - superbly cooked and presented. The service was impeccable - quite an achievement for the young first year catering students who were waiting on us under the direction of and with assistance of the manager and staff. Incredible value for money £9 for three courses, £12 for a really decent New Zealand Sauvignon blanc. I can honestly say I’ve been to so-called top class restaurants, paid three or four times the price and not had such nice food. People of Sunderland if you haven’t been here you’re missing out on the best food and best value in town.

This is a wonderful midweek lunch spot. 3 delicious courses for £9! Superb. Service was attentive and bearing in mind they are mainly in training, their standards are that of many good quality restaurants I’ve been to. Highly recommend.

Visited this restaurant a couple of times and again today. I fail to understand why people do not visit here and give it a try. Food was superb once again. Students learning the trade from very competent chefs and front of house. We had a 3 course excellent lunch for £9 each. Where on earth in Sunderland could you get anything of equal quality and value. Give it a try you won't be disappointed!!

We came to the beef and beer night on 15/6/18 and it was fantastic - the food was superb and the complimentary beers from Darwin Brewery were so good. Also the commentary and info about the food and beers were really interesting and informative. Faultless and we will be back soon.

We went to City Bistro for their "beef and beer" night (15th June 2018) and the food was so good that I have officially awarded them the award for "the best food in Sunderland". They run events such as this occasionally, this one was 5 courses with a different beer selected to compliment each course. The menu was inventive and the food was simply stunning, a rival to any restaurant. The ambience could still be improved so I am not yet ready to give them the coveted "best restaurant in Sunderland" award, but the food is superb and I would recommend this place to anyone who enjoys excellent food.

First time here, family meal, really tasty food and good service from the students, excellent value for money, will definitely be back

Great venue and the lunch special is very good. Good portion size Had a sweet which was fabulous Brilliant staff Amazing food Prices very competitive

Have visited for lunch a number of times, superb food and lovely, enthusiastic staff! Highly recommended!

Wow. The food is amazing and the service was fantastic. The restaurant itself was immaculate and had a really nice welcoming atmosphere. A true hidden gem in Sunderland. Couldn't get a starter for the price of three courses at a restaurant of the same standard anywhere else. Can't wait to visit again. Thank you

This was my first visit and the restaurant was beautifully decorated. There was plenty of space between tables and the background music was subtle so did not inhibit conversation.

Fabulous food at bargain prices. The set menu was delicious, cannot rate it higher. Shame its only really open at lunch times and early evening Thursday and Friday.

City Bistro is in a perfect location, part of Sunderland College, right in the city centre. Great ‘high end’ surroundings with a lovely ambience. The food was fabulous - very high quality & beautifully presented. Good selection of wines & other drinks. The service was really good - you can tell the staff are ‘training’ but that makes it unique & it feels really nice to be part of that & supporting it. This restaurant is equally as good as many other fine dining restaurants we have been to all over the country and it is fantastically excellent value for money. It deserves to be number 1 on trip advisor & we have no doubt it will be!

it is criminal this restaurant is not in the top 10 - its reviews are universally five star and it is unbelievably good value - probably half the price of its competitors. £10 for 2 superb courses plus excellent wine! Do NOT be deterred by its being part of the College. It is simply outstanding. The only pity is its opening hours are so limited. If it was open at the weekends and better known it would clean up. Combine a meal here with a visit to their equally fantastic spa and the salon if you want to live the high life for a more than reasonable price. Congratulations to all involved.

Don’t like going out to eat on Mothering Sunday everywhere over crowded and over priced / but this year a daughter in law found the exception to the rule City Bistro /what a lovely place clean spacious and relaxing . It is usually closed on a Sunday but they opened with a set three course meal for 15 95 and worth every penny .you had the choise of 4 starters 4 mains and 4 desserts. The men thought the drinks were reasonable as well . The food was delicious and for once the pork tasted like pork used to . Heaven .

Wonderful location, superb talented staff led by a authentic, honest meat eater! ( check out Head Chef Kelvins tattoos!) my boyfriend and I sat at the chefs table in the kitchen, watched every dish lovingly and professionally prepared by well trained and enthusiastic students. Take a tour of the kitchen and you can see how proud everyone is of this place. Have Sunderland finally got something to be proud of - hell yes! Ten course menu with paired wine for only £110 for two. Perfect night - thanks guys x

never mind best in sunderland, this is a fine dining experience worthy of any city in the world. the tasting menu and chefs table is a real treat. the chefs table is a lovely raised spot in the corner of the kitchen, and watching the chefs calmy create these dishes is quite therapeutic. the head chef spends a considerable amount of time chatting about the set up with the college, the food, the restaurant and supplements it with a casual tour of the kitchen, which is an interesting side to the main event. the students show great composure and skill, meaning the high quality dishes are served at incredible value. wine tasting included for an extra £10 is also well worth the effort, as 5 glasses paired with the food adds another dimension. anyone interested in fine dining, and real quality, imaginative food, needs not leave sunderland now. 10/10. bravo

Just visited the restaurant tonight for the first time after reading numerous good reviews. The atmosphere and service is first class and this is before the food arrives. The menu is carefully chosen using only the best ingredients, is perfectly cooked and presented with careful attention to balancing the combined flavours.

Visited on a very quiet Monday lunchtime. The food & service absolutely first rate & could definitely be classed as fine dining. The restaurant is also beautifully appointed. We will certainly be back.

Fabulous food that is freshly prepared and tasty. Excellent value for money, all the staff are friendly and helpful. Excellent seats near the kitchen to see the chef working. Would recommend a visit if you want quality food for a reasonable price.

Great ambience and food - very much enjoyed our lunch here last week. Fine dining at mid-range prices - what's not to like?

This was our first visit to City Bistro and after hearing great reviews we booked for the Tasting Menu evening Nose to Tail.

Attended City Bistro which is on Sunderland College’s Park Lane campus and have to say the food was fantastic.

Had lunch here today. Food was beautiful and good quality. Staff very helpful. Would recommend and will be going back.

Just tried City Bistro for lunch & had a lovely dining experience with lovely food, wine & excellent service & very affordable. Strongly recommend this restaurant!

Quick and ace service. Everything was very good, especially the dessert. The Stilton and onion was lovely. The only thing I didn't think worked was the hard cucumber chunks with the Mackrel. ..and there was hardly any of the dressing to go with it. But all in all still very good . A lovely place to go to.

Went here for lunch with my family. Wonderful food, beautifully presented in a nice setting. Surprised this place isn't more busy!

Had lunch with colleagues in City Bistro - amazing food, we all found plenty to choose from - all fresh ingredients

Quality ingredients, well cooked presented and served. Other restaurants should aspire to be as good.

We lost our passion for eating out after so many mediocre meals at high prices. This place was absolutely fantastic. The menu was inspiring, food wonderfully presented, perfectly cooked and tasty. It feels like a proper restaurant, no gimmicks or theme, simple and classy. Service was excellent too. We had 3 courses of fine food for £55 and an excellent bottle of Chablis. Absolutely credit to the college and it's students and staff. We had a wonderful night and we'll be back in a heart beat.

We came here for the evening for one of our thank god it's Friday nights we were not sorry.

First time and certainly not the last Fabulous venue Brilliant staff Amazing food Prices very competitive

We had lunch today at the City Bistro and awesome doesn't even come close to describing it! The food, service and surroundings were the best. There was lots of options, and I'm an incredibly picky eater. This is a hidden gem in Sunderland and I'd absolutely recommend it!

We hadn't realised we'd booked during restaurant week so we got 3 courses for £15 inc a glass of wine or pimms. Excellent value!

Fabulous family meal in lovely surroundings. Fantastic meal with plenty of choice and excellent service. Would highly recommend it.

What a lovely meal. I went during the restaurant week. The black pudding scotch egg was absolutely superb. The fish was cooked perfectly. An excellent creme brulee too. Service and ambience was great. All 3 courses including wine for only £15. Fantastic

Had lunch at the City Bistro with my wife today. It is tucked into the Sunderland College City Campus at Park Lane. It seems to be a well kept secret at the moment. However once you dine here you won't be disappointed. The food and service is second to none. Very plush surroundings and friendly helpful staff. The food is restaurant quality at pub prices and will be my go to place from now on. Already booked for a jazz evening in November.

I visited City Bistro today for lunch, the food is outstanding and excellent value for money.

The food served in the City Bistro is prepared by catering college students under the tutelage of their accomplished chef Kelvin. This method of teaching is clearly successful

My wife and I dined here as we won a competition on facebook. I have to say it was the nicest meal we have eaten in a long time, a fine dining experience in modern surroundings for pub prices. We were genuinely surprised that it was so quiet, we could only surmise the training element or the location inside the college could put people off. This should'nt however as you can just walk in or make a reservation and the staff are very welcoming. The food is cleverly presented and perfectly cooked-delicious! The staff were also very efficient and friendly- this place is now our go to restaurant, the best prize we have ever won!

I believe this place is some sort of training establishment for the Uni, but don't let that put you off (or the slightly odd location near the bus station).

Had wild mushroom risotto and vanilla parfait and peanut brittle for afters pub prices and top class restaurant food can't be beaten. Restaurant decorated very plush can't wait to return.

I have just returned from a visit to the North East at Sunderland. As part of my visit I was invited to eat dinner at a lovely little hidden gem of a restaurant. named the City Bistro. The restaurant is situated within the college campus and is staffed and run by students with all proceeds allowing the students to dine and be offered placements within busy restaurants and kitchens as part of their development..

The new City Bistro in Sunderland College city campus is ideally placed for either lunch or dinner being located by Park Lane.

Visited last Friday with Family. Ideally located near public transport links. Meal was 5*, Service was faultless. Highly recommend the Pork Main Course & Rhubarb Fool Dessert from the A La Carte Menu! Will definitely return and considering the food and service is run by students they were very professional and did not disappoint!

We went as a group of 6 on Friday evening. The food was excellent and very well presented. The staff are all trainees learning the trade and therefore credit to them. We were well looked after and I would encourage people to go and sample the excellent food and give young people the opportunity to succeed. Wine list and drinks menu was varied and catered for all tastes. We booked again.

Myself and my friends had a fabulous meal hear on Friday night, from walking in to a very nice contemporary style bistro we were warmly welcomed and didn't wait at all for lovely attentive waiting staff to serve us, I didn't have a starter mainly because I had my eye on the deserts, but my friends did they had smoked haddock risotto and two others had the pigeon ( which I tried a taste of, and it was delicious ), I had the stone bass with back squid ink, new potato and samphire ( which was to die for ) followed by rhubarb, panacotta and shortbread ( just gorgeous ) this gem of a restaurant is fine dining of the highest standard and we will definitely be back, if I have a fault portion size could be a little bigger, or I should have had a starter ! .

We came for restaurant week and we were really impressed. Squid starter was so tasty and well seasoned and melted in the mouth. My chicken was lovely but when I saw husband's salmon steak on a bed of risotto I was a little envious. My pannacota dessert with shortbread was to die for and husband enjoyed chocolate dessert. The student's who served were really professional and were guided by the manager who was very attentive and friendly without being intrusive.

Visited City Bistro for the first time with my family for Mother's Day. When I was told where we were going I must admit I wasn't expecting much but I turned out to be completely wrong. The restaurant itself is inviting, relaxed and modern (despite some iffy music) and for £13.95 for 3 courses it turned out to be unbelievable value for money. A good choice of starters great mains and delicious sounding desserts. The starter of salmon was nice enough but the sirloin of beef as a main was lovely. Big portions lots of veg and a massive Yorkshire pudding to top it off. The addition of cauliflower cheese as a side dish was a huge hit with the table! Desserts also went down a treat! As its a training restaurant there was bound to be a few minor grumbles... It would have been nice to be asked if we wanted more drinks half way through the meal as we had empty glasses.. But then again.. We didn't ask! We also may have had tea and coffee after dessert if we were asked but again we weren't. On the whole it was a great experience and the fact that the staff are students and just learning was never even an issue, it was that good! I would recommend this restaurant to anyone and it's nice to see a bit of class in Sunderland at last.

The food was absolutely delicious!!!!! Me and my mother couldn't believe students still in training can cook so well (they have clearly been trained by the best). All food was absolutely perfect, no fault whatsoever.

First time dining at the bistro and will most definitely return. Fine dining at its best excellent quality food, wine and service. A must if looking for somewhere to eat in Sunderland.

Wow, fabulous meal and service from this Sunderland College training facility. Visited last night as part of the restaurant week - comfortable and smart decor, smart staff who were welcoming and attentive. Showed great knowledge of my Gluten free requirements and were helpful in tweaking a starter to suit GF. Dishes came beautifully presented and everything we had was delicious. Will definitely be returning soon!

So good I have been 3 times in 10 days. At the moment it's a hidden gem as they have not gone crazy on advertising. Looking forward to my next visit. By the way did I mention this is one of the best restaurants I have been to.

It has to be said that in the normal course of events, fine dining and Sunderland are not usual bed fellows. The city has some great Thai, Italian, Indian etc but if you want something a bit special you had to go further afield. Until now. Sunderland College's City Bistro is not just a training restaurant for the next generation of chefs but is also run as a really smart, upmarket eatery with some imaginative offerings.

A college restaurant with a difference! - This isn't your run of the mill student dining - This is a purpose built commercial venture for both the college and students. Here students get to wow you with their fine dining experience, at prices which reflect the learning taking place. Sunderland College is producing some of the best food in the City at the moment - go along and support the students and be part of some amazing! Mothers day menu looks great!

Visited City Bistro during half term with family and it was a great lunch. We enjoyed a three course meal at a great price, the portion sizes were perfect so we could enjoy all three equally and left more than satisfied.

Situated within Sunderland college campus, there lies a hidden gem. With easy access for all, the City Bistro was a fresh, modern, and stylish restaurant.

Like other customers who have reviewed this restaurant we were recommended to visit the City Bistro. We pulled up outside the building which is part of the college.

Visited the City Bistro after a recommendation from a colleague at work whose son is a student here.

A fabulous dinner - well presented and to a high standard. The students who work in the kitchen and front of house are amazing. Well worth a visit.

This was our second visit and we have already booked for Mothers Day and Restaurant Week. Friendly and professional service and food to die for. This is just what Sunderland needs!!!

First time at this recently opened Bistro at Sunderland College. Very impressed with the layout and choice of tables. There were six ladies for lunch. The lunch time special menu was lovely apart from the veggie choice which was not to one ladies taste but the manager was very attentive and brought the a la carte menu from which a choice was found. Those that had wine found it to their taste and at a reasonable price. Carafes of iced water with lemon were brought while making our selections and a basket of freshly made bread rolls were delicious! The desserts were spot on and a lady appeared with samples of macaroons that were being made in the kitchen and explained what they hoped to achieve with the Bistro and up and coming spa & shop. we had a lovely long lingering lunch with lots of chat being attended to by two lovely helpful waitresses with no pressure to vacate our table! Very well done the City Bistro will see you again soon.

A great meal in a lovely setting. 6 of us for my mams birthday had a great night. Service excellent and friendly. Food was top quality. I had the pigeon to start and duck for main both cooked to perfection. The cheeseboard from the dessert menu was amazing. We will definitely be returning!

Exceptional food and a relaxed environment for a business lunch. The service was professional and timely.

Delicious meal in a very relaxed atmosphere, served expertly by trainees. A good selection of wines and spirits. Competitively priced for the city centre. Highly recommended.

Absolutely beautiful food and brilliant service. By far the nicest food in sunderland and very reasonable price. Will definitely be returning

Our 1st visit to the City Bistro was simply fab. The service was second to none in a beautifully furnished and spacious setting. The food was absolutely amazing and the choice of wines and spirits was vast. Highly recommended.

Excellent lunch here today.3 courses for only £11.95. Very good quality food and value.Open to the public for walk ins or bookings.

Delicious food coupled with outstanding service!! CityBistro's lunchtime menu is amazing value for money - we really couldn't believe the standard of food for the price. Having eaten in a number of fine dining establishments, this is by far the best. Will be coming back on a regular basis.