Riverview Kitchen in County Durham

Really nice staff, pretty interior, nice view. The WiFi was not working so well, so wouldn’t recommend it for working online. And it was cold. I don’t know whether British people think more than 10 degrees outside is hot so they turn on cooling, because I had the same experience in another cafe yesterday. I guess I won’t be turning back again soon because I was cold, but if you’re not, I would definitely recommend going here.

We had Eggs Benedict which was very disappointing as eggs where hard

Been in today for Sunday lunch today and the restaurant was amazing, I have lived in Durham for 4 years and have never been in previously. I can particularly recommend Egg Royal and poached Eggs with avacado on sourdough bread both were outstanding dishes. My son had pancakes as well which he really enjoyed. Thanks to all the team and I look forward to visiting again soon.

Terrace is beautiful, service is friendly however I would like to suggest if you could also put a tap water outside or near terrace as I was by myself eating and the water station is inside and I didnt want to leave my food and my bag unattended so I asked one of the member if they had tap water when I had asked for a sauce and she told me there was a water station inside and I could get it. I do understand it's not part of their job to get me the water and she was respectful. For solo walk ins I think its good if the water station is also nearby the terrace so we can get for ourselves as I did not get it bcos I have to carry all my things with me just to get the water. But it's only a suggestion😁 Anyway all the service and food is amazing Thanks

Food was really delicious. Restaurant itself was very warm as it was full. Could have done with some air con or openable windows.

Only come here if you're seriously hungry! Food is excellent and plentiful so get yourselves down here for a lovely experience 😋

We are so fortunate to have a table at the corner of window side. Breakfast in river side of Durham.

As soon as we walked down towards the cafe, we were greeted before we even got to the door and asked if we would like to sit inside or outside. We sat outside. Not sure who the girl with long dark hair in a ponytail was, but give her a pay rise because her customer service was absolutely amazing and she genuinely seemed like she was enjoying her work. Food came out very quickly - halloumi burgers with chilli jam and a biscoff milkshake - very tasty! Water dispenser inside too, which is a nice touch. Great service and would recommend to others.

Quite place with a beautiful view.

We went in for a Sunday lunch with no booking but were seated promptly by the friendly staff since there were a few tables available. Service was quick and though they got one of our orders wrong, they took it back without any fuss and returned with the correct dish. The pancakes were slightly drier than we’d have liked, but the wraps and the Philly cheesesteak sandwich were delicious, as was the coffee.

A very cozy and homy restaurant by the river. We enjoyed the English full breakfast set, the pancakes and egg Benedict. The pancakes came in generous portion (we struggled to finish!) The restaurant was dog friendly as well!

Attended as a couple with dog in tow, lovely to sit outside, the outdoor tables were clean, staff attentive, lovely lunch menu.. had the prawn, smoked salmon and avocado on sourdough, was delicious and a generous portion. The homemade lemonade was gorgeous too! Not forgetting the puppuccinio

This cafe is gorgeous with its views and being right beside the river. It is, however, very expensive for what it is. Smoothies are £6.50, and a cuppa herbal tea is £4, which seems rather excessive. It is understandable prices have gone up with the cost of living, but this seems a bit too much. That being said, the Kendal Mint Tea is the best mint tea I've ever tried - it is very refreshing. The cakes are fresh, light, and moist. The soup, however, left me feeling hungry, as only one piece of bread came with it, which was small. It is a lovely cafe with nice staff, but sadly too expensive.

Such a hidden gem! Lovely place set right on the river, we were met with a warm greeting and fabulous serivce. The breakfast was amazing. 10/10 would recommend

What a find! We had a delicious breakfast here on our first day in Durham. The setting is lovely, right next to the river, and the pancakes are perfect - although the portion sizes are massive. The service was great too.

We’ve been three times now and each time the food has been absolutely delicious, and big portions. We’ve always sat outside which is so pretty, adjacent to the river, under the trees. It’s definitely our go to place for lunch in Durham.

Had the smoked salmon with avocado and baby prawns which was delicious the staff are very welcoming

Very nice location next to the river and very good food. Love it

Outstanding! We called in based upon a friend’s recommendation - he’s a local - for lunch with the dog and we were not disappointed; even the dog got a sausage to enjoy. Great setting and surroundings, wonderful staff, and excellent food (quality and quantity). Highly recommended if you in the vicinity; we’ll definitely return as soon as we’re here again.

Excellent service. Separate celiac menu. This is the first time I've seen intolerance separated from celiac. Bravo! 👏 A rare occasion I could fully enjoy a meal safely with my family 🙂

We visited for a coffee. The location and views over the river were lovely and the key attraction of the cafe. The coffee itself was very weak, much closer to hot milk than coffee. It also arrived in a strange plastic vacuum cup snd not the porcelain cups we had seen in previous reviews. Price for a coffee was gbp 4.75. The most expensive coffee we had in Durham. If you love coffee, perhaps not here. Three stars for the location. I suggest trying a cup of tea.

I've had multiple lovely breakfasts and brunches at Riverview and would highly recommend it. The food is very tasty, especially the pancakes and it has an extremely charming atmosphere. If you can, arrive very early so that you can score one of the tables along the windows overlooking the river. Riverview is often very busy and you will probably have to queue. The service is friendly and helpful, but can sometimes be a little slow because of how many people there are. You can also bring a dog with you!

Great food, view and atmosphere but the dog friendly policy is too lax. Letting customers have their dogs on the seats, the dogs nosing about on the tables - staff were encouraging it. If you are nervous around dogs, this is not the place to eat. I don't mind dogs in a place, but they need to be well behaved and on the floor!

Really lovely food and staff. Big fan of the American pancakes. Try to get a table next to the riverside window if you can!

Awesome menu choice. Quick service. Dog friendly.. massive bonus

Went twice while in Durham and on both occasions the food and service was excellent. The cafe is situated on the river side and there is both indoor and outdoor seating, often in tables for two but tables for four are not an issue. First time, I had the burger and fries, they were great. The second time I had the full breakfast and it was substantial and reasonably priced at £13. Service was excellent. The pancakes are very popular and very filling I am told by my colleague.

The BEST vegetarian breakfast stottie EVER 🤤 I could have eaten this again - it was too good! And there was a decent gluten-free breakfast menu too, which is very rare. Staff were super friendly and knowledgeable about allergies and dietary requirements.

I came for some breakfast this morning, initially the man who took our order and brought over our meal was nice. I ordered a meal with bacon, sausage egg avocado and siracha mayo which was stated on the menu. It arrived and i was disappointed as there was no siracha mayo and the bacon was burnt. I felt awkward to complain but i asked an older lady with glasses and curly hair if i could swap out my meal as it was not eaten and i even said i would still pay for the meal but just to order soemthing different. She was completely rude and told me she was unable to swap it even though i told her i would still pay. Then told me to just take off certain parts of the food off, which is just stupid cos i ordered that dish for the ingredients on the dish. I then told her there wasn’t siracha mayo like stated there was on the menu. She bluntly replied i need to ask for it. Overall the pancakes i ordered after were nice but she was rude and not understanding. After ordering the pancakes just walked away without taking away the meal and ignored my last question and also didn’t smile once.

Really good food and service, nice view from the window over the river. Only drawback was the decision to play a club mix over the speakers… not really the ambience you want with breakfast

The entrance is difficult as steep stairs to manoeuvre.

Really good, it is right next to the river Wear, the pancakes are excellent

This is a lovely place: great location, friendly staff. But please: it is not nice to clean the cafe while there are still guests there and to push chairs around with great noise is rather rude! It makes the guests feel uncomfortable and unwelcome.

Riverview Kitchen in Durham offers a pleasant dining experience with its charming riverside location. The restaurant exudes a cozy atmosphere, making it a great choice for a casual meal or a special occasion. The menu features a variety of dishes. Standouts include their fresh salads, highlighting their commitment to quality and flavor. Service is attentive and friendly, with staff knowledgeable about the menu and eager to assist. The highlight of Riverview Kitchen is its scenic river view, providing a peaceful backdrop to your meal. Overall, Riverview Kitchen is a solid option for those seeking good food in a relaxed setting with a lovely view.

Amazing place to sit outside during sunny days. Had just pancakes and iced coffee and all was tasty, massive pancakes. The staff is friendly and it's good value for money. Will be back for sure.

Lovely spot with delicious vegan options! I ordered the avocado toast with mushrooms, hash browns, and sriracha. It was very tasty and filling.

Best view restaurant in Durham ! Also food is not bad , wonderful! Good choice for After noon tea or brunch

If you're looking for a yummy meal, this is a good option. I had the goat cheese sandwich, and I liked the tea so much that I ordered a second pot.

Really good view, would highly recommend the pancakes, the entire vibes were very aesthetic!

Excellent little spot for breakfast with friendly service and a warm atmosphere. We’ve called in here a couple times, both during the week and at weekends and it’s always a busy little place but the staff are very attentive with great service. Would definitely recommend Riverview Kitchen to anyone visiting Durham.

The food was fantastic , what i liked most was the happy atmosphere music taste. The portions were made for giants and the price is ok. Great value!

Looking for Brunch? Definitely visit Riverview Kitchen. I’m very picky when it comes to brunch and this place exceeded expectations in every single category. 5 stars for: ambience (beautiful river views, soft lighting, cozy interior), service (were sat instantaneously on a busy Saturday morning, order taken within 5min of sitting down, waitresses delivered everything with courtesy and a smile), food (excellent quality, toast came hot, smoked salmon cold, range of choice was incredible, pancakes, full english, halloumi fry up, et cetera galore), free water and excellent drink choices, and its also dog friendly! Love love love

I have been looking so forward to eating here as every time we go there is a huge queue. Not today!! It was around 3pm and there were plenty of tables inside and out. We sat outside as was a lovely day. I ordered Halloumi open sandwich and Husband ordered Philly beef sandwich with chips. My Halloumi was hardly cooked. I normally do it so it is chard and soft. This was diced with hardly any evidence it had been in a pan. Salad was nice. Husband said his sandwich was lovely. The chips though were huge and hard in middle. Anyway had to go and spend a penny . Toilets were dirty. Floor dirty . Not good enough really considering the bill was around 35 pound for two sandwiches and two coffees.

Lovely food and you can bring your dog also! Only thing missing a star is price but the food is really lovely and the smoothies! Breakfast is the best by far and the pancakes are a 5/5

Called in on spec Very busy, sat outside which was fine, free coffee and a huge slice of moist carrot cake Service quick and friendly

Great food in an amazing location in Durham, every time I've been has been thoroughly enjoyable.

Absolutely unpleasant experience, food is overpriced and not even that good. Half of my order came so late, when I already finished my food. Absolutely blant taste. BBQ with pulled jack fruit was such disappointment, cost 14 quid and taste like 7. Can't recommend, nothing special other than a nice view

great food and friendly staff. in a great location with lovely view of the river! chips were 10/10, and it’s dog friendly too :) a bit loud just because it was so busy but that was expected. had a lovely time here and would come back next time i’m in durham!

Best breakfast we’ve had in years with best pancakes ever! Great location. Quick and friendly service and reasonable prices. Loved it!

The only redeeming quality of this visit was the food, which was very good. However, there are only 3 high chairs in the place which is absolutely atrocious. Our 8 month old daughter was crying for food and unable to have any until we were able to find a high chair, by which time our own food had arrived. There was also no children’s menu. The kitchen messed up the breakfast order, and the entire restaurant was incredibly cramped and rushed. Additionally I’m disgusted to report that not only were there no baby changing facilities in the women’s toilets, but they were in the GENTS, and positioned right next to the urinals. I was incredibly uncomfortable with my daughter being changed in there. My husband came back to report there was no nappy bin there either. Really terrible place, will not be returning and I urge everyone else not to go with small children.

Great burgers, the coffee is good too. I had table right beside the window, the view is brill!

Very nice location next to the river and very good food at a reasonable price which for Durham is not a common find! The drinks were over priced though in my opinion. I had the pancakes which came with a generous amount of toppings and syrup which I was afraid of not being the case as it so often is. Only main negative point is service. It was busy so I can understand slow and scattered service but we always had random waiters some over to our table with no continuity meaning there was confusion over what was order at our table and had to ask for the bill multiple times until we eventually went up to the counter to pay.

Yummy food, one of the best places to have breakfast in Durham. very friendly staff, and variety of food choices.

Love it here! I come pretty often and the food is fab in a lovely location by the river. I always get Eton mess pancakes or a veggie breakfast wrap and they’re always so good. I’ve noticed that it’s pretty much always busy, both weekdays and weekends because it’s flooded with students, but even so the wait isn’t usually too long.

recieved the wrong order and told to order again which means I loose delivery fee and service charge. honestly do better.

This cafe offers more than just a meal; it's an experience nestled in the heart of the city by the river. The scenic view alone makes it worth a visit, but it's the brunch menu that steals the show. Their specialty? Massive stacks of pancakes that come in two sizes: two stacks or four stacks. Trust me, go for the two stacks if you're dining solo; the four stacks are a challenge even for the hungriest brunch enthusiasts! My friend and I opted for four stacks each, and we were not disappointed. I indulged in the chocolate indulgence pancakes, which were heavenly, while my friend savored the Banoffee pie pancakes. Both were incredibly delicious. To complement our meal, I enjoyed an oat flat white that hit all the right notes. One thing to note is that while the ambiance is welcoming and child-friendly, accessibility might be an issue for some as the cafe is only accessible by walking down stairs on the side of the bridge. Overall, Riverview Kitchen offers a delightful brunch experience with picturesque views, delicious food, and a cozy atmosphere that's perfect for any morning outing.

My order was delivered over 2 hours late and the estimated delivery time kept increasing. The food was delivered cold and bad.

Great breakfast, coffee, service and atmosphere. Can't fault the place

Very nice and cosy restaurant with a fantastic view over the river. We were sat by the window and we were so comfortable here. The food was very good too and service was quick and efficient.

I visited yesterday and was really excited that they had a specifically coeliac friendly menu. I ordered my food and was told that I wouldn't have chips because of gluten cross contamination which was fine. I asked for the order to have a note saying I have coeliac disease asking to be careful. I was assured the order would be okay. When the food came there were chips so I asked if it was gluten free, the food was taken back to the kitchen and I was told it was, i then said I was told I wouldn't have chips because of gluten and to check again. The chips were taken to check and then the guy came and took my food saying they were going to get me a new one because of cross contamination. It came back and i was sure it was the same meal that had just been put in the kitchen for a few minutes but I felt too awkward to ask again. When I got home it was clear that I had been glutened despite being reassured multiple times. I have been really unwell. Please can you educate the staff about this or stop claiming to be coeliac friendly (or gluten free at all). Really disappointed because I will likely be unwell for the rest of the week.

Great, needless to say, if you miss this veggie breakfast, you are doomed to live a life of relative failure. The scones were delicious, the coffee was average, and the ice cream was terrible. The river view is invincible, and there is currently no rival in Durham. There will be a lot of dog hooks during peak dining hours🥰

We stumbled upon this place on the way home from Northumberland and so pleased we did! You could tell from the amount of local customers that they don’t need the footfall, but I thought I’d let the world know anyway. Great friendly service, didn’t have to wait long for the food and it was all cooked beautifully and lots of flavour. Really nice coffee too!

Staff friendly , we had English breakfast everything was lovely except bacon was underdone but lovely place and we will back 👍🏽

I love pancakes, and those were spectacular. There is a reason there's usually a line of people outside. It's also the first time I didn't manage to finish a portion of pancakes in the UK: that only ever happened in Canada to me 😂 But the 4 pancakes stack is HUGE, so if you're not too hungry, 2 pancakes should be more than enough. They are also very generous with maple syrup, were usually I have to ask for an extra. Overall, fantastic experience, and if you're just to visit one place for brunch in Durham, this should be it.

First visit here , looked on Tripadvisor where was good in area and it brought this up so thought would try . We certainly wasn’t disappointed. Staff really friendly . Cafes dog friendly which was great and food delicious. Highly recommend the pancakes .

Great food, great location by the river, friendly and helpful staff team. We had breakfast here both days we were in Durham, and it was the best start to our days! Note that it's pretty much down at river level down a little path from the main street, but well worth the short walk.

Exceeded expectations. Great staff. Good coffee. Best Full English Breakfast ever! Thank you.

Me and my friends love Riverview, it's very quickly become our go to! The food never misses, the cafe is so cute and the service is fantastic. We were served by Charlotte today and she was so lovely, brilliant customer service and really made our visit x

Very friendly staff, great location with amazing view of river and bridge.

Nice feel to the cafe and menu really tasty - but it is popular so can get extremely busy.

Must visit. Great food, calm vibe! Will come back soon

Love the staff, great place for afternoon tea.

This is a place not to be missed if you are passing through Durham. I go there to eat pancakes every time I visit the city. In addition to a soothing and pleasant setting, the cuisine is delicious. I particularly recommend their pancakes. The dough is extremely successful: the pancakes have a perfect texture. Although the portions are large, they are not difficult to finish. The toppings are also delicious. Go for it, you won't be disappointed!

Great food, great service, and a lovely atmosphere. I will definitely be visiting again when in Durham.

Always amazing and worth the queue. Food quality suoerb and staff always friendly. We love to sit outside and admire the view and location. Eggs always perfectly cooked and service with a smile. Large hot portions

This place is efficient and the coffee is really good. The pancakes are massive, so 2 will do for most people. 2 large lattes, 1 teacake, and 1 order of pancakes was almost 24 quid. It was a bit expensive to visit often but as a treat its great - and dog friendly!

Awesome pancakes, bigger than you'd imagine!

Visited with my son both had the full English! Amazing food!

Very busy on a Thursday but people were being served very quickly. Food was really nice and not too expensive. Nice location too 😊

The BEST burger I have ever had!!

Family visit for breakfast Staff were efficient and friendly and it's in a beautiful setting by the river. We all ordered breakfast and when it arrived there was a meal missing. When the missing meal arrived the fried egg was totally solid and we had to ask for a replacement. All of our bacon was overcooked , dry and very fatty but the sausage and hash brown's were lovely. Quite disappointed and would be apprehensive to return.

Amazing breakfasts and a great view of the river. My kids (10, 8) were delighted but ultimately defeated by the thick American pancakes. The salmon, avocado and poached egg was extremely tasty and filling.

Lovely cafe situated right on the river. Great for breakfast or lunch. Dog friendly too which is a bonus for us! We would definitely return.

2nd time for breakfast. Very enjoyable, will definitely be back.

Be prepared to wait good coffee though

No better place for breakfast in Durham!

I absolutely love it.. tasty food, friendly staff and very cosy atmosphere

Great brunch spot overall with delicious pancakes. My favourite one is the banoffee pancakes but I'd recommend all the pancakes with fruit. Amazing views and dog-friendly as well so loads of dogs to boost your happiness. Can be quite crowded and queues are expected on weekends or sunny days but it moves very quickly so it's not a huge issue. Fair prices for the portions. No compulsory service charge which is a bonus.

Best take away I’ve had in a long time! Arrived hot, well presented and tasted amazing! Will most definitely order again! Thank you 😊🙌🏼

Lovely little place with friendly service and lovely food.

I use this place religiously and it's glorious, normally 110%. Good food, quality ambience and just generally all around amazing. Today however fell way short of the mark. Arrived as usual on my own for breakfast, it appears there has been a slight reshuffle of layout. When showed to my table I politely asked if i could sit near the window, which is normal and there were many free spaces. I was flatly told no, because I'm alone and those tables are for more people. I wouldn't normally mind, but the place was scarcely half full. If it was rammed I would fully appreciate the declined request. Instead I was placed in what felt like a makeshift table cramped with customers in front and behind me , needlessly . I apologise if this feels a little extreme but I felt let down and needed to voice my concern

We go to the riverview kitchen quite often. Amazing foor for both Breakfast and Lunch. Service is second to none. Atmosphere today around 2 o'clock on a Saturday was buzzing which was great. Can't recommend this place enough!!!

We went for breakfast today 24/2/2024 at the Riverside Cafe . I have an allergy to Onions . I asked the waiting staff if there was any onions in the Pork Sausage . I was categorically told there wasn’t any onion in the sausage . I have now been bent double and extremely ill since lunchtime . I was clearly given an opinion and not fact as no checks were made . I will be speaking to Durham CC on Monday morning to take this matter further .

Food was lovely but it was so busy. It was chaotic and the most stressful eating out experience I have ever had. The staff were friendly but really keen we had literally just sat down and they were asking for our order we hadn't even had chance to pick the menu up. As soon as my knife and fork touched my plate after I had finished eating my plate was taken straight off the table. Everything felt really rushed. Such a shame as the food was worth another visit but I doubt I would return.

Lovely food and great atmosphere. Sometimes a wait to get in, but it's worth it!

Went here with my parter for breakfast and it was absolutely beautiful we both had pancakes and they were so fresh really enjoyed them and will be back x

Busy but we were sat quickly and served very quickly. Breakfast options were very nice and enjoyed the pancakes

We were so happy with the views and the friendly welcome. Food arrived promptly and was beautiful.. I had a vegan breakfast and my husband had a traditional breakfast and we also shared some Pancakes with blueberries and syrup. Highly recommended great food and service will be back soon!

The food was delicious, the pancakes were amazing!! I had the avocado / berry toast which sounds a bit unusual at first but it did taste wunderful!

Amazing - gorgeous vegan breakfast and berry smoothie, both at a very reasonable price. My friend and I both enjoyed thoroughly. The staff were super helpful and we had a nice window seat too. Will definitely come back!!

Definitely one of my top 5 breakfast place. Great view, great food, great service.