Dunelm Ridge Brewers Fayre in County Durham

Stress free dining… Food was great, hot & not waiting long for meals… And the lee was amazing there make us comfortable and satisfied too🫶

thank you for a very nice atmosphere. we arrived without a reservation but Lee and his team welcomed us very nicely. the drink and food were very delicious. Thank you so so much

It was really amazing place and service. I went there with my friends and the service was really perfect and food delicious. We will back soon because its really difficult to find some friendly place like exactly there. Thank you Lee!!!

Food was over 40 minutes after 7pm and the place was dead. We had a “hangry” toddler so I did go and ask 30 minutes in where the food was. They were setting up for breakfast so plenty of staff sitting about but still no food. When I ordered the kids drinks (cloudy apple cartons) that came with their meals the waitress came back to apologise that she couldn’t get the drinks for the kids meal as in her words “the manager is in the cellar doing stock check and tilling up so we aren’t allowed in at all” she then offered me fruit shoots in their place of them but I said I don’t give those to my toddler so offered me pure apple juices in their place and give I agreed to buy hubby then seen we were charged wrong this way for teeny drinks. When the food eventually came it was overdone, tough, crunchy and dry. I had to ask again where the kids puddings were that were paid for with the meal which they eventually got before 8;30pm. I asked for maybe to help my little girl eat her chicken pops that were really dry and over done only for someone to come back and say they have no mayo (?) We are staying in the hotel attached (premier inn) for 3 days but may find alternative food venues for our evening meals now. Our breakfast is added and paid for so I’m hoping that’s better 🙏

Stress free dining with son, daughter in law & 3 grandchildren (age between 1 & 11) 😊😌 Food was great, hot & not waiting long for meals… even the kids sat & ate their meals with no fuss 😊… 😳😮‍💨 Quiet day but kids still enjoyed the soft play and made some friends too… We had the delightful Emma & Jess looking after us today, Tuesday 20th May, who couldn’t have made our afternoon any easier… my wife & I had travelled a couple of hours to see our Son, daughter in law & our grandchildren so this made a great impression for a lovely stress free ‘play,eat,play’ moment… I would definitely recommend, especially with Emma & Jess ready to make your experience special… thank you 🙏🏽 Smothered platter, chicken platters tried & tested… kids 2for£4.99 or 2for£5.99 all decent quality & value Cheers to Emma & Jess for making our stay easy & stress free from their lovely manor & customer service 🙏🏽

We arrived at 11.50am (understanding they don't start serving until 12 noon). We were able to place our order at 11.55am - and waited... and waited... and waited. Others who ordered after us were served their meals well ahead of us. When the meals finally arrived at 12.35 (a 35 minute wait) the waitress was questioned about the delay and curly replied that there is a 20 minute wait - which didn't address the question. The Meal - gammon and eggs and smothered chicken - the eggs on my plate were solid - like rubber - I couldn't even cut them with a steak knife! It would appear that our meals had probably sat for some time under the heat lights in the kitchen. I subsequently rejected the eggs and they were replaced. This must rank as one of our worst dining experiences. Highly disappointed.

Emma and emily were both amazing and fabulous

Served today by Emma B who was wonderful! All staff were so friendly and welcoming and the food was served hot, well presented and in a timely manner! Great pub with wide variety and good value!

Took my partner to Dunelm Ridge Brewers fayre for the first time and although the food was okay. The service is a completely different story. We place an order for a mix grill and smoother platter at 6:10pm and we received our food just after 10 past 7! Obviously me and my partner were talking away then we realized how long we had actually been waiting atound 45 minutes at the time. My partner went to see one of the waitress, she came over and she asked us again what our order was as apparently our order didn't go through, even though we had paid.The server asked us if even paid? We found her attitude and her body language appalling as she was saying well I didn't take your order! I've worked as a waitress and in customer service for many years, and I would never speak to a customer like that. There was another couple next to us who's order also got missed and luckily they checked about their order and got free desert. However, they did order a starter and main and the specifically asked for the starts and order to come out separately and they brought the full order out. They did say it was fine but because they had been waiting ages I think they just wanted their food. The waitress who served us did come and speak to us and apologize and gave us a refund. I think the waiting time and how not one worker checked on us in the time of us ordering and just sitting there for 45mins patiently waiting (there were plenty of the staff walking around and it wasn't busy) was really frustrating and disappointed with our overall experience. Don't think we'll be visiting anytime soon.

16 August 2024Visited for lunch arrived just before 11.30am ordered meals for my wife myself and my 2 grandchildren. The staff were pleasant and helpful meals arrived after a short wait which was enjoyed by all of us.The play area is certainly an asset for parents with young children. Worth the visit. Revisited -15 May 2025 Good value meals, staff excellent, quick service I would certainly recommend this restaurant.

Stayed at the hotel next door all week, terrible staff, order came wrong twice, they don't seem to know their menu, long wait, every surface is sticky. Only here because of work, I wouldn't choose to come here. Food is ok when it is right.

Went for breakfast for my sister’s birthday. Fabulous food and service, a huge thank you to Emma and Julianne for sorting us a table

Had lunch on Friday it was lovely

Used to always be a great place to eat, but staff in the kitchen really don't care when you ask for things to be left off. Always the day time staff it's almost as if they couldn't care less. Hubby always gets same burger, plain cheese burger with no salad, onion, gherkins or anything. Yet every time they leave something on it. Hubby is autistic and when he takes it back he has to make it clear he doesn't just want it scrape off which they like to do due to the taste. We don't pay to eat out only to order food he likes for someone to add something he dosn't like Its not even a one off it's literally every time. Despite explaining it clear when we order. He had stopped ordering the burger for a while but his diet is limited and some of the other options he likes are no longer available. He orders the burger on an evening shift and had no issue with it was spot on. But as soon as we go back to day shift they messaged up.

Great atmosphere. New food to the menu is unreal! Thank you to Jess for looking after us 🙌🏽 cleaning our plates away as we finished, fab hard working member of staff!

Came for quick lunch and sat outside as lovely day. Chairs def need replacing but they were kind and brought out a comfy chair for elderly aunt. Meals were only a fiver and were decent enough. Staff couldn't have been nicer. Good sized car park and next to Premier Inn

It was the worst meal I ever had from they

Had lunch on Friday food was nothing special but what you would expect at the value, service on the other hand was exceptional I was served by one of the mangers Jess and she was fantastic always going above and beyond and smiling

Visited on Friday for a quick lunch can’t fault the service especially from Jessica she couldn’t do enough for you! Fantastic customer service

Five Glorious Stars for Dunelm Ridge Brewers Fayre! From the moment I stepped into Dunelm Ridge Brewers Fayre, I knew I was in for a treat — and oh boy, did they deliver. I kicked off my feast with the lasagne and garlic bread, and let me tell you, it was divine. The lasagne was rich, cheesy, and packed with so much flavour I was tempted to write it a love letter. And the garlic bread? Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside — basically everything I aspire to be as a human being. In between courses, the staff (Jessica? and others) were absolute gems. They were friendly, attentive, and so well-informed they could probably host a TED Talk about the menu. It’s not every day you meet people who can chat about food like it’s a fine art — absolute legends. Now, onto desserts: heartbreak struck when I discovered the sticky toffee pudding had left the menu (RIP, you beautiful caramelized beast). But I bravely soldiered on and ordered the chocolate brownie instead — and wow, what a comeback. Warm, gooey, and decadently rich, it was like being hugged from the inside. Honestly, it was so good, it nearly erased my sorrow. The food experience was so fantastic it even helped me get over the crushing disappointment of being “too tall” to play in the kids’ play area. (Height discrimination is real, people.) I stared longingly at the ball pit while munching on my brownie, but in the end, I realized I didn’t need childish fun — not when I had top-tier lasagne, garlic bread, and brownie joy coursing through my veins. In short: brilliant food, wonderful staff, and a reminder that while I may be too tall for slides, I am the perfect height for lasagne. Will definitely be back — and maybe I’ll bring a fake ID to sneak into the play area next time.

You cannot fault the service and the food at this venue. We opted for the great value lunch menu which were very tasty and plentiful. We had a lovely young lady called Jess (and another gentleman but didn’t get his name) that served us, great customer service, very friendly and offered good recommendations on the menus. We will be back.

Meeting up with family. £5 for lunch dishes you can't go wrong and right next to the Arnison centre. Staff were friendly And helpful.

Staff very friendly and helpful, great with kids

Carl was excellent! Very good service.

Connor gave great service 10/10

Get what you expect from the food. The staff are absolutely brilliant!

Food and service was exceptional fully taken care of by the team 🤩 Lee was super at checking in on us

Some food OK, other food overcooked, and extra portion not served/ forgotten.

Really good mothers day lunch. Made extra special by the attentive waitress Leona. Once again well done Leona

Beautiful staff and unreal food even the kids loved it x

Couldn't fault the staff as they asked if the could help carry my glass as I use a walking stick and they walked around asking everyone was happy with their meal

Every Friday I have my breakfast here. Food is always cooked to my liking. Service is outstanding from a lady called Faye. Both Faye and Holly are very friendly, welcoming and accommodating where they can. Always happy to answer any questions. Highly recommend. Always asked about dietary requirements. Calm quiet atmosphere just as I like.

Good value food for a reasonable price. Friendly and pleasant staff. Nice and clean restaurant. Only downside it was extremely warm in the restaurant, uncomfortably so! The heating needs turning down.

Really good service the food was really nice and we were served by Jess and Emma and they were so friendly and pleasant

Went for sunday carvey it was poor , veg were over cooked and very sloppy meat was end of joints wouldn't recommend

A wonderful place to have breakfast. Julieanne and Rhea are a wonderful team that work seamlessly together to make the breakfast experience just like being at home. I would recommend to others and come again without hesitation.

Recently was relocated to the Premier inn across the road whilst insurance was sorting my house out I was really nervous and anxious as I was being discharged here straight from hospital and I'm not a person to right reviews unless service is exceptional and here at the Brewers Fayre all the staff have been outstanding however being a retail manager in my past I see phenomal service at its best and certain staff members went above and beyond and deserve the recognition for helping me settle in at difficult circumstances in my life. I would like to show my Gratitude to the managers Emma, Lee & Jess and 2 ladies called Julie Ann and Fayre who all I'm very grateful for. When I first came here I was in my wheelchair and they went above and beyond to reserve tables in quiet areas, brought my good and hot drinks to the table but treated me not differently to anyone else infact they all were very supportive of my rehabilitation journey showed interest in my illness in a week I've grown confidence with them and jow I come in on my stick and they're like a proud family happy for me I feel like they've helped me got stronger. I have alot of respect for you all and very thankful from the bottom of my heart. Very friendly team nice atmosphere everyone works together, full of smiles and food is exceptional I'm never rushed with my food, they briught food over for my lunch and just always did it with kindess nothing was a effort for these memebers of staff. Thank you so much everyday I look forward to coming across as makes me feel lifted up when I leave. Keep being yourselfs never change as we need more people like this you're prime example of how every restaurants should support disabled and non disabled human beings.

Great food and brilliant staff. would come here again

Perfect service. All staff, Jess, tori and Lee at the bar were very friendly and made sure we had everything we needed.

Good meal. Waitress julieanne I think was exceptional. Very friendly and helpful. Excellent

Food good, but could do with a couple more staff on the bar to take orders. Would go again though.

Lass called Leah was really lovely and welcoming

Lady with brown hair was very nice.

Great service from Leah. Would recommend. Also stayed at the premier inn next door. That one was a bit a scratty but Leah’s lovely personality made up for it. 10/10

10/10 proper banging service. Emma's an absolute legend.

No management and low standards. Unbelievably slow to place a order with staff squabbling over who should be on the tills or cleaning. And then almost an hour for starters to arrive with even the waitress admitting that the kitchen staff must have forgotten us... Well done to her for chasing up for us. Seriously go somewhere else if you want fed.

We were served by Jess and Leona who were both very friendly and accommodating! They had so much patience with the 3 boisterous and loud children we had with us.

Emma and the team are always amazing great with the kids and always look after us. The team are the only reason we revisit.

Nice and cosy beautiful mixed grill nice and tasty staff very helpful and very pleasant will be returning

Fabulous food as always. Jess on the bar is amazing, very understanding of our families additional needs. Emma who served the food was so accommodating, there was some coleslaw on my asd childs plate and he had a little freakout but straight away she took it back changed the plate put the coleslaw in a bowl for another family member. Overall a great experience and will be back again

Table booked for 4 people at 7:30 on a Saturday evening. Walked in to be surprised at how quiet it was. After waiting several minutes to be seated, we were eventually shown around most of the dining area as the staff member didn't know where our table number was. No request for drinks upon arrival, no instruction as to whether it was table service or go to the bar. After 20minutes of nothingness we walked out. Had a lovely Chinese at home. Don't waste your time or fuel travelling here.

Always a friendly welcome , plenty to choose from on the Menu at a fair price, Service is Great special thanks to Emma and Carl 👍

Great pub great atmosphere, Emma made sure nothing was too much

Service is good and food was delivered promptly. Holly is pleasant and attentive

Always good service and food. Holly is great 😃

Just been into dunelm Ridge for my lunch. As always wonderful service. Thank you to our server Holly. She is always so happy and friendly. Nothing is too much trouble. ❤️

Great service today from Hollie and the team :-))

Came for Breakfast and Holly was Excellent service, will definitely be back, food was great and the coffees where lovely

Brilliant place to stop for a drink. Friendly staff, especially hollie and Connor who always greet with a smile.

Called in last minute for a Sunday lunch , dinner just say hot sloppy mash and a mix of carrot and swede very sloppy and very sweet , roast potatos more like big chips , meat tasteless and gravy like water , only nice thing was the stuffing ball , would not return

Food here is excellent. A great selection and is always hot and fresh. The staff are really friendly and hard working especially Hollie who goes out of her way to greet us every Sunday when we come for dinner. The menu is up to date and has a good selection for everyone.

Jess served us today. She was great and interacted with our child which is always a win for us. Food was great

Great customer service great food from Jess and staff

Nice food, kids friendly with little play area. Clean toilet, busy parking

Emma and Jess are fab, always smiling and happy to help. Couldn't fault the girls here

Great service from Emma and Jess. Food was hot and plentiful. Love the coffees too.x

We waited over an hour for a starter, and another 40 minutes for our main course. Cutlery was grubby and floor needed clearing of dropped food. If it hadn't been part of a meal deal with Premier Inn we'd have left. Got a full refund for 4 nights and won't be going back. Absolutely appalling service.

Women’s toilets are disgusting, no soap, poop and wee all over toilets and floor. Young lad who was very helpful informed his manger, who dismissed it. Watched her go in to the toilets and walk back out. 30 minutes later I went back to the toilets to find nothing had be done!!

Emma and the staff are so friendly

Emma and Carl were brilliant food was prompt and the kids were right at home

Upon arrival I had an open mind as to the experience I was to have on this establishment, I didn't want to be disappointed....there was no need to worry. Myself and my group were immediately greated in a way that I felt was both warm and comforting. We ordered our food and we were met with what can only be described as a feast for the senses: the presentation- flawless, the smell- invigorating and the taste, wow let me tell you about the taste. It was like there was a party in my mouth and everyone was invited. Our group ordered a range of items and each one hit the spot more than the last- we had arrived.... In flavour town. Population 3. The starters were seasoned to perfection, the mains were mouthwateringly moreish and the desserts were as sweet on the tongue as they were kind on the eye. If I was to sum up this fine restaurant in one word it would be- Majestic. In two words- Absolute Perfection. Breakfast was not bad, had better.

Awful experience at the 'Unlimited Breakfast' due to lack of availability for both hot food and juice. Many other customers complained about the same thing.

Food was nice didn't have a long either. Lovely staff always eager to help, especially Emma who the kids all seem love.

Very quiet night, Service was good except when asking for sauce never recieved it

Service a bit slow but food we had was good. One blip we have a reward card called Tasty rewards and they refused to take it. The second night it was different staff and it was accepted.

Quite empty tonight the food 5* the beer (draught real ale) 5* the young servers Tori and leona are a credit to the restaurant highly recommended

Lovely visit, staff was excellent (jess and ethan) food was lovely cheap and arrived very quickly , my little girl loved the play centre and was given bubbles and chocolate off jess:)

Stopped off for one of their value meals just after lunch whilst my car was being MOTd. Enjoyed the food (tomato soup then bangers and mash). Staff very friendly and helpful (especially Jess). Total cost about same as a big coffee and something to eat at one of the main street coffee shops and I was under no pressure to leave whilst I drank my bottomless cup of tea after the meal!

Tables dirty, staff polite, kids running riot in pub.

An unexciting menu to start with, and the worst apple crumble I have ever eaten.

Food was nice, what you would expect for the price. Jess took our order and helped with allergies etc she was really friendly and helpful

Incompetent staff, people queuing at a bar incorrectly, had to ask 4 times to have table cleaned, microwaved food. Large lady who works there is especially bad at her job.

Went for christmas dinner, food was okay but took a while to come out then had constant issues with card machines. Kids enjoyed the soft play

Service was hands down the worst I’ve ever received, not even rude just incompetent. It took me 15 minutes to complete an order of three meals because the staff didn’t have a clue, a mixture of wrong items ordered, sides missed & wrong drinks. The atmosphere is like something from the league of gentlemen. It is hands down the worst pub I’ve ever visited, and I already wasn’t expecting much with a chain

visited yesterday at 4.30 pm, waited at the desk/sign10 minutes for someone to acknowledge us, eventually seen, told no seats for 90mins as no staff, asked if we could go in the play area with our two small grandchildren and she told us no seats there either. I understood she had no capacity for us but she was so abrupt and unpleasant! won't be back!

Dreadful evening and venue . Service was horrendous from bar staff who snapped at my wife for ordering a cocktail from a staff member in training. Great start to your career. Food was over cooked and tasteless. Tables dirty and waiting on “YOU” to clean them. Rather hit the McD around the corner for more flavour.

Terrible meal at dunelm ridge brewers fayre today! Arrived just before 2pm ordered everything (1 Boxing Day 3 course, 1 kids 3 course and 1 normal main and dessert) at 2:11pm starters came out quite quick. But the main took an hour to then come out followed by another entire hour wait for desserts!!! Which came out just as I was cancelling and refunding them so sent them back as it was just gone 4 :30pm at this point!! There was only a handful of tables in (it was not what I would call busy) I had to repeatedly ask for someone to check on the food there was only 3 members of staff on and not one of them cleared the table down after we finished a course until they came to place down out next one. Our main dishes were still sat there when we left! There was multiple other tables left with dirty dishes on around us. Overall very very disappointing experience and put me off visiting the place again! There’s no excuse for bad service.

Shocking waiting times. Pre booked Christmas dinner 1pm starter didn't come out for a hour when it wasn't busy. Then 45mins wait for main then again 45mins for dessert. Attitude of staff (excluding waitress) was disgusting said my 8month old daughter was hungry and upset she said put her in soft play. Food wasn't great either Never going bk gone right down hill.

3.6 Röetgen, not great but not good either.

Consistently poor service and ridiculous amount of time to cook reheated food ( 2 - 2.5 hours every night)

Ordered 2 burgers, a cheeseburger and a Big Stack burger. My big Stack burger was almost cold, so I approached a staff member to point this out and when asked if I'd like a replacement meal, this would have meant another 20 minute wait. She offered a refund and asked me to resume my seat. We waited another 25 minutes but as my wife had finished her meal, we gave up and left The quality of food was average at best, and if this is the attitude and standards, we won't be returning.

Order lasagne took 25 minutes to come then burnt on bottom told waiter no comment £10 for burnt microwave lasagne sadly not best meal eaten out

Had a lovely greeting as we got to Dunelm Ridge for our Christmas Fayre Lunch. The staff could not have been more helpful. We chose the Christmas menu and ordered at the bar. Before we got back to our seat, the starters had arrived. We had first class service from very friendly helpful staff. The food was very nice well cooked and to our taste. We had turkey with all the trimmings and a side of cauliflower cheese, it was very tasty. Could not fault the service or food.

Very helpful staff with my friend who is blind and has a guide dog! Nice clean place, lovely atmosphere, lovely tasty food at a great price, definitely recommend

Went 6th Dec note on door short staffed 40 mins delay. Waited over 40 mins husbands grill plater ok my scampi and chips COLD sent it back chips too hard to eat scampi reheated and chewy total waste of £32 and 2 hours of our life. If they couldn't serve food because of staff issues they should have closed till fully staffed

Waiting forever for our tea...50 mins and counting!!

Took forever to get served at the bar. Staff were disapearing for long periods of time from the bar and carvery, once we finally managed to get something to eat it was just warm enough to eat but didnt taste bad just a standard carvery , staff didn't look like there gav a crap tbh

Been here a few times , food has always been fantastic , party of 7 last time all for the carvery, all satisfied and it did not break the bank

We had my son’s 4th birthday party here and were blown away by the incredible service! Emma made the whole process so easy and stress-free and was amazing with the kids. The food options were great and the kids loved it, and the cake was even cut and put into party bags for us. A free play session for each kid on their next visit was a great bonus too. We will definitely be back and I think other parents will be too!

Firstly this is no reflection on the staff working at the time, and previously have never had any issues at this outlet. However today's visit was atrocious, ordered and paid for 3 mixed grills, food arrived 35 minutes later they weren't over busy at the time but it appeared they had one member of staff in the kitchen and one lad trying to run the bar, and the play area as well as wait on tables, needless to say that when the food arrived it was only lukewarm, I spoke to the lad trying to run the front of house on his own, and requested the full order to be replaced. I did say that I realised it wasn't his fault, then a female member of staff came out asking what the problem was, she wasn't happy at having to get a fresh order cooked but complied. Still waiting now for replacement food 20 minutes later. I will update this review later. Latest edit: Went here this evening for a meal, and again they didn't seem overly busy plenty of staff running around We decided to go with the festive menu and both ordered turkey dinner, the wait for the meal was quite long, and when it did arrive surprise surprise! Both meals were barely warm, after speaking to the waitress they were taken away to be rectified. It took 15 minutes for them to return from the microwave, turkey was dry and tough, roast potatoes had gone soggy, Yorkshire pudding was doughy, carrots dried out and the gravy was like jelly. By this point we were so hungry we just got on with it. Wife couldn't finish hers. After waiting a further 15 minutes for the desserts, I had to go to the bar and ask for them as waiting staff had become non existent. Another 10 minutes waiting, mine was an icecream sundae there wasn't much they could do to mess that up, however the wife's apple and blackberry crumble although hot wasn't very nice, the topping was dry and floury. To be totally honest we've given this place enough chances and will not be returning and will be advising others to avoid it, I've had better microwave frozen food from Iceland a hell of a lot cheaper. Also Blue light card holders be aware that they don't class the festive menu as part of the main menu therefore you don't get BLC discount on your meals, on over 35 pounds cost I recieved 62 pence discount. 🥴