Sambuca in County Durham

Absolutely appalling service, mediocre food and to top it all they had no Pinot Grigio and second choice was a waste of time they said they had go fetch some 30 minutes later two people came back with bags from Sainsburys but no Pinot Grigio , waitress kept ignoring us it took from 18:10 to 18:45 to order food. What a complete and utterly waste of time.

Lovely meal for 7 of us chose the lunch special. Best pizza I have had for ages. Lovely attentive staff too. Thank you all.

Have always had a good experience, service is good and attentive, food was very nice and quickly served, parking is available as well.

Sunday roast was delicious very good value for money. Service excellent staff polite and professional. I would strongly recommend going

Great value food. Tasty and good portions. Attentive staff. The complimentary Lemoncello was a nice touch.

When I arrived He was so rude the guy serving his attitude was vile! Am in the hotel for 8 weeks training for a very large hospitality brand let’s hope I don’t get his experience, You need to act you’re losing due to this one male just read all the reviews. That’s all am saying!

Took me family for lunch me granddaughter 3 years old has celiac gluten free … we asked for gluten free Garlic bread and pasta we asked again to make sure before we give her any within half hour she was poorly Will not be going back very disappointed

Without exception, all of the restaurant staff, chefs, kitchen and bar staff are excellent. A special mention for Alan, Georgie and George who make every visit extra special. They are friendly, attentive and respectful and always make a fuss and spoil our granddaughter every time we visit. In summary Staff 10/10 Food 10/10 Ambience 10/10 Service 10/10 Value for money 10/10 See you all again very soon. X

This restaurant was alongside our hotel so very convenient and attractive. The Italian fare was not bad value and was quite tasty. On checking our bill later on it seemed that the prices shown on the menu were not exactly the same as those actually charged so perhaps the management of this otherwise satisfactory establishment might check on this.

Saved a star with the tasty Sunday lunch apart from that staff eating chewy while serving, smoking out the front and hanging out of the serving hatch staring at people eating not to mention a toilet with no lock and no toilet seat the place isn’t up to scratch and needs a health hygiene visit

Called in for Sunday lunch today which was excellent,good value for money and served by very friendly and helpful staff.Highly recommended!!!

Having always enjoyed visiting Sambuca, and making a special effort to travel there to get the family together, we were very disappointed by the evening. We went out with our sons and their partners. It was very quiet, but the service was incredibly slow. 20 mins after ordering, we were told one of our choices wasn't available, and they got the drinks order wrong. When the food arrived it was OK but nothing special - it wasn't overly expensive but portions were small and the food was fairly basic.

Although the staff were friendly they were far from professional. Staff members eating on the servery clearly in view, smoking out the front clearly in chef whites. I was handed my menu when I sat down, it was covered in “residue” and was sticky. When I ordered my food my cutlery was brought over that was watermarked and my fork had several clearly very bent prongs. Then the food…. Ordered the carbonara that turned up swimming in an insipid white sauce that was overpowered by dill, the smoked bacon lardons were chewy and had the texture as if they had been boiled. Yes the food is “cheap” and “you get what you pay for” but it’s like they aren’t even trying. Half the choices on the menu but done right would have the place packed every night. I was staying next door and had planned on eating there every night while staying but ended up in branded high street restaurants for the rest of my stay.

We stopped here for a late lunch / early tea around 3:30pm on a Saturday afternoon. We’ve been to others across the north east but never the one in durham. We we’re promptly seated and it wasn’t to busy when we arrived. It took them 20mins to take a drink order by which time we’d decided what we’d like to eat but staff seemed very reluctant to take both orders at the same time. The food was tasty and good value for money. It didn’t take to long to come. But again at the end we waited ages for the bill so went up to the bar to pay so we could leave. Would definitely recommend for the food but, service was below par.

After waiting 20 mns for a drink we waited nearly an hour for our food ,iordered prawns in tempura batter they came out nearly white didn't think they seen a fryer they were disgusting sent back immediately, rest of our party was OK put was pasta and pizza. We were in 2 hrs service disgraceful and want a lesson on cooking tempura prawns,I got free garlic bread it was my grandsons birthday and basically spoiled it .

Absolute disgraceful service would not recommend our waiter was so rude wouldn't go back . I think the staff need retraining how disappointing

We were staying at the Travelodge next door snd after a busy day walking around the town we wanted to stay local. The service was very good, the pizzas were tasty and prices were reasonable.

Well where do I start. Been here now three days in a row after work. Can't get over how amazing the food is. The service..... Well wow. Bless you guys 100% accommodating. I so recommend to come. Meet the guys/girls. So warm welcoming.

If you visit Durham, UK…you must better not miss SAMBUCA (Italian food), to enjoy an excellent food and best service from Bebe, Ari, Lenti and all it’s great team. Perfect dishes, best ever attention at very good prices. Thank you Bebe. What a nice team...

The best food in Durham! Great service. Great people. Great food. Tank you!!!! A excellent team!! Willing to be back

This is a scam. I ordered to collect. They rang saying they would neither fulfill the order nor refund me. I told them I would come to the restaurant. They locked up and left before I arrived, closing an hour early. Some local people in...

After I found a server and selected a table, I then had to clear the table. Then find cloths to clean the table. After a long wait, I went and found a server and gave her my order. The food was OK - but the...

Just got back from Sunday Lunch at the Durham Sambuca. The welcome from the staff alone makes coming back to the Sambuca a total pleasure and everyone we saw come through the doors was greeted in the same friendly fashion. Children especially are treated like...

I had an issue with my food and will still give a 3 star rating as I ate the rest (which was tasty) and left the issue visible on my plate and they told me they didn't believe it was up to their standards and...

Food was well below par . Calzone dough was like shortcrust pastry and bottom was stodgy , undercooked . Lasagne nothing to write home about probably as good as Tesco finest . Minestrone soup lacked content and flavour served in bowls with large chips in...

It's become a bit of a tradition on our overnight stays in Durham and we've never been disappointed yet. Great Italian food at good value price and friendly staff. Can't wait for our next visit, next year.

I am shocked to see how many people visiting this restaurant have had the same experience as myself and my daughter. We only ordered a couple of cold starters each. How could this end up turning into such a disastrous Evening. I sent my one...

Myself and hubby went here for our wedding anniversary and all I have to say is wow! They made us feel so special and from our starters of potato skins to our mains of quatro staggionni and carbonara everything was beautiful. We asked for extra...

We just popped in for a drink so can't comment on the food. Not sure of it's authenticity as an Italian restaurant. I imagine that this place is quite popular with weekenders at the adjacent Travelodge. Not a great feel with sticky carpets, damaged banquettes...

I came here with my mum and dad for a meal out. It had such a nice atmosphere and the food came fresh, quickly and tasted lovely. The menu is also quite affordable with lots of options. The meal was made even better by the...

The Sambuca has fantastic pizzas, also available in GF versions. I can only recommend it for that. Service was also quick and friendly. However, both the disabled and regular male toilets were in a disgusting state today. The toilet seat in the latter was totally...

Passed Sambucas today and thought we would have a cheap and cheerful Sunday Dinner, and pasta for the little one. We are regular visitors to Cassia and Newcastle Quayside sambucas and enjoy those. We've eaten here before but that was a number of pre pandemic...

Just enjoyed our evening meal here with family and friends from Valley Brass Band. Great service, food and value. Highly recommended - you’ll have to try it and enjoy the experience for yourselves. We’ll be back.

A family friend and I decided to meet here for a quick late lunch. I ordered a calzone, but was told I’d have to pay extra as it wasn’t available on the three course special (this isn’t the case in other Sambucca restaurants). I said...

The staff were very friendly and the food was OK. The mussels starter was nice. We were staying in the next door Travelodge so convenience was a big factor.

Not usually one for putting reviews but I feel I really need to. Chose Sambuccas (Durham) because you can rarely go wrong! Everyone loves a Sambucca’s! It’s cheap and quality food…….WRONG! Me and my friend went for food and drinks, first of all the lager...

Not shocked at all by reading these reviews, visited on Saturday and both food and drinks were so poor, messaged the Facebook page, message was looked at but ignored, sent a further message to say ill just write review on trip advisor to then get...

Found a screw in my lasagne. Managers Attitude disgusting. Wanted us to still pay for meal. Toilets were horrendous. Avoid at all costs.

We ordered the three course Sunday lunch. There was 3 of us, I ordered the minestrone soup, it was ok, a lot of liquid and some tiny bits of vegetables, a 2 inch piece of spaghetti and maybe 4 small pieces of roast potato. The...

One of the rudest waiters I’ve ever experienced. Pretty clear they couldn’t wait to finish for the night. The waiter was basically argumentative about everything. Friend pointed at the merlot on the menu, waiter insisted it was not that, and the house wine. Grabbed the...

We stayed at the travelodge Durham and decided to get a takeaway. We ordered a meat feast pizza soggy and the ham tasted processed together with the rest of the ingredients - Pizza Hut is miles better. We also had dough balls garlic butter soggy...

We ordered the Three course Sunday Lunch, Starters good, Beef good,Yorkshire Pudding was thick lump of stodge, Sloppy Potato and a piece of cauliflower a piece of broccoli a few slices of carrot and a few peas all mixed up in a pile. The third...

We visited for lunch and ordered from the £7.95 special menu. For starters you can choose from minestrone soup, potato skins or liver pate. Main is any pizza or pasta and you finish with ice cream or coffee. We chose potato skins and they were...

This is the worst sambuca I have ever been to ! The staff are all rude . The place where we sat had the strongest smell of Bleach , when I asked the man he said they were cleaning . I told him of my...

Sambuca is very good value. The Sunday lunch was excellent. Also my son thought his Italian was very good. Service was very good. Good menu with something for every one.

We were staying at the Travelodge next door for 2 nights, and as we have eaten in a Sambuca in north Newcastle previously, and enjoyed it, we decided to eat here for dinner one night. There seemed to be plenty of staff and they were...

Absolutely awfull, staff unbelievably rude , food cold , very small portions and took over an hour to arrive . The restaurant wasn't even busy and am not suprised, worst sambuca I and my friends have ever been to

A really nice restaurant an absolute treasure with a good choice of menu relaxing atmosphere wonderful dishes and lovely staff.

Cannot fault this place, our service was wonderful and the food was delicious, great value too! Will definitely be returning in the future, just a shame they weren’t full of people, they deserve it.

Popped in at 20.45 said they have stopped serving meals ? Said OK to have a drink someone with an East European accent said will tell you in 20 minutes. Turned round walked out never use one of these places again .

We ordered a take-out of pizza, chips, and garlic bread. I went to collect had to wait an extra 10 minutes for collection. Poor service when asked about our collection forgot I was there. When I got food home pizza was a flatbread, completely tasteless...

Not informed of no specials on but watched us choose from special menu .Poor quality food ,child portions but adult prices, overcharged, unpleasant staff

Christmas day dinner over crowded freezing cold food basically slop party of 5 all left there food ruined Christmas never again

I enjoy a little creative license when eating out but there are limits. Garlic mushrooms served on a slice of untoasted bread, half portions of pasta with enough sauce to classify it as a soup and a risotto made from basmati rice are a few...

Wouldn’t recommend to anyone anymore. Came here with my family for an end of year catch up. Half of us ordered bruschetta or starters with bread, usually when you go to an ITALIAN restaurant you don’t expect what looks like everyday value white bread. The...

Doubled in price and halved in taste since the last visit. White shop sliced bread used for the bruschetta, no evidence of olive oil or garlic. You what? Risotto made with basmati rice? Certainly not arborio. My sister in law and I jokingly discussed whether...

Just avoid service from a very rude waitress ( the one with glasses)..the meals were well below average..chose from the main menu..both pastas were terrible chicken prawns like rubber ..the sauces were like water..had better out of a tin..poor experience....better restaurants near by..

Unfortunately when an italian(“”) restaurant can’t cook pizza’s you’re on a slippery slope! Pleasant staff let down by undercooked/ raw pizza. I chose not to complain but all three pizza’s were totally undercooked. It was a reunion of our family so no one wanted to...

I went her with my girlfriend. The food was absolutely disgusting and the women serving us was unbelievable rude. I tried to explain that my paste was inedible, but the waitress refused to listen. I hate complaining, but this place is really awful and not...

We were staying in the adjacent hotel and as it was raining heavily visited this restaurant rather than walk into Durham I had a chicken dish that was well cooked and well presented and my wife had a seafood risotto that was also very good...

I ordered the diavolo pizza and they served me spoiled minced beef- it smelled DISGUSTING, which physically made me gag. The rest was fine, but when I raised the complaint to who it may seem their ‘manager’ she was completely unapologetic, and she actually argued...

Visited here with my girlfriend. Ordered two lunch deals and a main of spaghetti and meatballs to share (we were hungry). My girlfriends pizza was a spicy one (I don’t remember the name exactly). This had toppings of jalapeños and mince, of which had a...

This is a cheap and cheerful restaurant and we were on the lunch menu so cost was low. But we ordered risotto which says on the menu it is Aborio rice, but was long grain which really took us by surprise in an Italian restaurant....

Sharing the same building as the Travelodge I was staying in, I was not expecting to be amazed. However, I was quite wrong. The atmosphere was completely immersive and the food was phenomenal. I had the Fillet Surf and Turf, followed by Tiramisu for dessert,...

Visited as a family for dinner as staying in the Travel Lodge attached. Staff friendly and fun. Food very tasty. Only not 5 stars because they were out of some puddings, but tbh can’t complain as it was actually very funny and we were given...

Possibly the worst service I’ve ever recieved in my twenty years on being on this plannet. Took 20 minutes for food to be ordered after asking twice to order. The food came and the carbonara was watery and bland and when asked for a new...

Ho ordinato una caprese e una bruschetta. Riguardo la caprese, la qualità della mozzarella era pessima e il piatto consisteva...

We visited here as a party of 10 for a family birthday. The staff were wonderful and couldn’t have done more to make our meal perfect. The food was amazing too, everything from pasta and pizza’s to steak and ribs…all cooked and presented superbly. Excellent...

Staying nearby this seemed like the ideal choice for an early dinner. First impressions were good, it's a stylish building with quirky decor and spacious inside with a selection of booths and freestanding tables. We ordered the selection of Italian meats as a starter. The...

We arrived around 4:30pm in the afternoon ordered out drinks which were fine we had a wonky table so one of the drinks got spilt but they cleaned the table and it was fine they gave us another drink. Food: I have an allergen to...

Friendly service and good food in a spacious restaurant. The pizza and pasta looked good. My chicken dish with asparagus and roast veg was very good and reasonably priced. There was very little choice for desserts so when strawberry ice cream was not available the...

Rang on Monday to book for 7 people for lunch the following day. They took the booking, we turned up to locked doors, nobody there and no answer to the phone. Thankfully La Spada accommodated us without a problem. La Spada are far superior anyway....

Popped into here when we arrived. Just in time for the te time special menu. Great tasty food and great service.

Delicious food, cooked to a high standard. Staff friendly and efficient. So good we went back the following evening. Plenty of space inside to feel safe during these covid times. Lots of choice on menu, good portions, presentation on the plates so pleasing to to...

The service was second to none, the food cooked to the highest standard and the quality if the food excellent. The drinks were cold. Of our starters, the tempura prawns and the baked brie went down exceptionally well. For mains we had the fillet steak...

Great food and lovely service! Even got chocolate brownies and ice cream on the house since it was our last day at school, would recommend!

Appalling service apart from one guy who was very good with kids under 5... Food was nearly half hour and we were having 3 x table service carvery at £7 each per menu provided.. All different. No vegetables.. No offer as to whether we were...

Lovely family meal for daughter leaving to go to university soon, great food, staff were very friendly and entertaining especially LINO,we will return very soon x

Popped in for the ‘eat out for less’ deal. The normal ‘£6.95 special’ was still on the menu.....So potato skins, pizza and ice-cream was £3.50!! Fantastic!!

Nice meal but lacked something. The sauce in chicken dish felt like it had some sort of starch product added.

Nice food at a fair price. Main issue was music played too loud for small talk, kinda killed the mood

Portion sizes are good. The restaurant had character. Lovely outside terrace, perfect for sunny days.

My partner spoke to the staff previously to us arriving to tell them he would be proposing.So my partner,4 of our children,mam,sister and i arrived. Staff were very friendly and helpful. We all ordered the 3 course meal deal which was fantastic value. Ignore the cheap skate - previous review complaining about a couple of quid increase.You get what you pay for bit this was worth more.We had potatoe skins,gorgeous pizza and the kids had ice cream. We had coffee (with an added extra baileys ha).We had all eating,my partner Lewis was very nervous,which Leno picked up on.Leno took over haha. He gave us a speech about how he can to England and met his wife etc. Fantastic lovely man. My partner proposed and our song was played,which staff had arranged.The whole experience was fantastic and we hope to visit again very soon. Well done to all the staff,sorry i didn't get your names but you did well! Thank You.

Thank you to the staff for making our anniversary that little bit more special was a lovely evening food was amazing lads the waiter was very attentive

Came here the other day but didn’t bother staying as the prices for the 3 course meal deal have gone from £4.95 to £7.95 so come on a slight increase would have been fine but this is a bit much

Reasonably priced food and attentive staff. I was staying at the Travelodge and this restaurant seemed like a sensible option.

called in on a lunch time for a meal, staff very pleasant food lovely great value for the price. Will b back

Excellent food at a very reasonable price. Early evening and the place was busy but service was quick and friendly. Sticky Toffee pudding was tasty.

My friend and I meet for regular lunches here as they are the best in Durham. The staff are always friendly, the food is always delicious with good portion sizes and the prices are incredibly reasonable. 11/10 would recommend for a great lunch.

Excellent happy hour menu - usual Italian style food - very good lasagne and beautiful minestrone soup

First of all, in the summer, it’s best to book.. we always go for the daily menu, 3 courses for a very cheap price.. it’s in a brilliant location on the beach. The staff are friendly and efficient. The food is made with fresh ingredients and very tasty.. drinks relatively cheap. I can’t think of anything bad to say about the place.

Went with family,good value meal lots of choice and very attentive staff. I had garlic mushrooms followed by seafood risotto, both delicious. Very good white wine. Everyone enjoyed there selections, woul recommend. I believe it is now called something different.

Great place with great food and drinks. Celebrating 16th birthday for 18 people all served hot and efficiently had a great night!!!

Visited here for my Bro-in-laws 80th and wasn't impress - 2 us have fillet steak which were massive, but they had been treated somehow to bulk them up? The pasta didn't seem freshly made (Microwaved?)

Absolutely Fantastic !! the food was delicious, the staff were efficient and friendly, the maître d'hotel, was a star. our food was delivered hot and it was plentiful, the food was cooked to perfection and I it will be the first place I go to should I return to Durham. It was not expensive, in fact, I was surprised at how reasonable the prices were. I highly recommend this restaurant, especially if staying at the Travel Lodge.

Sambuccas in dalton is one of the best places I’ve been to .very friendly and welcoming staff make u feel comfortable from walking through door to leaving. We go to sambuccas a lot .the Sunday carvery is well worth the money (not expensive at all) always full but you get a table within 10 mins of entering.The specials on a lunchtime are value for money potatoe skins are beautiful also the pasta dishes are nice too I can truly recommend this place if you haven’t tried it give it a go I bet it won’t be your last . Child friendly atmosphere too my grandson loves it his special favourite is chic cake and ice cream

I love this place! I does excellent good value food, the service is great, and its got so many things to look at in the building that its perfect to keep little one's entertained with 'I Spy'

Took the kids in to this place just after Christmas for a treat. Very cheap and quick service, however i find you get what you pay for.

Please be aware this is no longer Sambuccas. The menu is different but they still do the lunchtime special. The staff were different too and I have to say I didn’t think the atmosphere was as good.

Arrived at 5.30 on a Monday night. Restaurant wasn’t empty but not ridiculously busy either. Shown to booth, drinks and food order taken promptly.