Vennel's Cafe in County Durham

Called in with friends for a quick hot drink on a wet afternoon. Lovely little cafe. Obviously popular with uni students so a little bit noisy.

Traditional regional treats skilfully made with ingredients of high quality. The Hot Beef Scottie is a triumph and almost worth the university fees and the drive up from London. The soups are excellent and satisfying. The black pudding options are also marvellous.

Up a narrow alley in the centre of Durham this tea room and cafe is an excellent spot. It has a courtyard garden and a very nice upstairs room. We had coffee and cakes which were great but I was sorely tempted by the beef stottie. Good friendly service too

Popped in here for a lunch snack. Quick efficient, friendly service. We had the mushroom panini, ham and cheese panini, a filled baguette, and a piece of cake. Drinks were good, too. All excellent.

I have been here twice now and the cafe is such a quirky place The food was lovely, I had a baguette and coffee Served quick and fresh. Great place for food drinks and a good old chat with your family!

This is a great cafe in the heart of Durham. We had lunch there. The choice of food is plentiful and mostly home made. Had an outside seating area which we enjoyed. Has a nice comfortable ambience and would recommend. Would recommend if visiting Durham.

Lovely cafe. We were just visiting for the weekend and this place was recommended. It’s a bit hidden away up an alley but glad we found it! Lots of seating inside but there’s also a lovely garden area (dog friendly). Good food well cooked and presented.

We thought we'd give Vennel's another chance. A mistake! First, a breakfast, cost £12.50, for a bog standard English breakfast. Nothing special, just grossly overpriced. Second, a beef stottie, cost £9.50, again grossly overpriced. The beef was tender, but lacking in flavour, although the gravy was thick and rich and partly compensated. But the roll it was served in was most definitely not a stottie, not by a million miles. A traditional stottie is flat, has a crisp outer, a fluffy centre full of air pockets and has some body. This roll was round, domed, no air pockets, and was more like a brioche. To call it a stottie is a joke. There were a few leaves(?) served with it, which added nothing to the experience. Thirdly, a tuna panini, tiny, barely warm, with a small portion of salad. Once again grossly overpriced. Lastly, but I should have put it first, was the lengthy wait in the queue despite there only being three people in it. There was only one person taking orders, and she was very slow and seemed to make everything rather complicated. It was very frustrating. There are places to eat in Durham which are cheaper, serve decent food in better surroundings and who are quicker. Vennel's heyday is long past.

Hidden away, but a friendly gem of a place. We lucked upon this cafe for morning coffee and sat in the small outdoor courtyard. We did not have food, but it certainly looked tasty.

Was the first time I've been to Vennels and I found it amazing. Although the Cafe was busy the staff were super friendly and managing well. Had a lovely Cappuccino and a baguette. I was amazed by how dog friendly the venue is with doggy ice cream available and staff offering to help with carrying trays - thank you Sam! Overall I'd say this is a lovely hidden spot that I'm certain I will go back to.

Visited whilst in the city. Been before and really enjoyed our previous visit at lunch time. Today we decided to sample the full english breakfast. You go to the counter and order and pay and get what drinks you want and then they serve you at your table with your food. All staff we met were professional and really nice. The cafe is clean. Can't comment on the toilets as we didn't need to use them. Our breakfast arrived in good time it was beautifully presented and tasted really good. Good quality bacon and sausage used. Came with plenty of toast and butter. Would definitely recommend and come back.

Coffee, cake and a bit of food. We all really enjoyed it. Would definitely tell people to have a visit. Staff were run off their feet but handled it marvellously. Kept tables wiped and clean.

My wife and myself are currently holidaying in County Durham staying at the lovely Walworth Castle and spent today visiting Durham. Whilst there we spotted a sign for Vennel’s Cafe which is off the Main Street and 40 yards down the Vennel (a narrow passage way) - so very easy to miss. That said it is very popular with the local residents - particularly the students and was very busy on both our visits! I say both our visits as we found it very much to our liking with excellent coffees, cakes and scones! As such, I would strongly recommend this to other visitors provided, of course, they can find it!

More than two tables! Upstairs it’s lovely. And so is the food and the service. Real tasty coffee. Real tasty home made scones…with jam and cream.

Spacious yet cozy. Fantastic selection of savoury dishes and a mouthwatering choice of sweet cakes, pastries and more. I ordered a flat white and carrot cake. The cake was soft, sweet and delicious. The coffee also hit the spot. It was warm enough to sit outside as I was layered up nicely. I appreciate the extra touch of grey blankets on the outside seating in case it gets nippy. The women who served me even offered to turn the heat lamps on if I was cold, which was above and beyond. An excellent Café!

The Cafe looks deceiving from the outside, plenty of seating available. Great choice of lunch options. Service was v good.

Excellent place! Delicious food and exceptional staff. They were so kind. Best cheese scones I’ve ever tasted. Definitely worth going to!

Popped into here today after visiting the Cathedral. Fantastic cafe which was full of customers and had a great menu. Even though full inside outside was okay with covers and heaters going. Dog friendly too inside and out. Great food was devoured by all of us and friendly service. Highly recommend.

We had a long wait but worth it! Absolutely fantastic coffee and hot chocolate. We didn't have any food because we had eaten something dreadful earlier from another place! Angry at myself for not finding this sooner. The upstairs and downstairs very well decorated. Brilliant service.

We have visited this cafe quite a few times as we have always enjoyed it, but must comment we found a difference today,I had the Hamover pressed panini which is supposed to have ham cheese and caramelised onions. When the waitress brought it over to me I was shocked to see just the two triangles of panini ( that was debatable if it was a panini) on a oblong plate and that was it no salad garnish like in the past( it’s the little things) and I dont know if they had forgot to put the onions in it but there was none in, at £7.50 I think this was really expensive for a ham and cheese toastie because that’s what it was, my partner got a slice of corned beef pie he said it was nice but he got coleslaw and a salad garnish on the plate, I don’t know if we paid extra for that? We also had a latte each and a piece of carrot cake to share,we wanted a sultana scone but they had none left at 12:45, the bill was £26.50. Don’t think we will be back as like I said it’s the little things that make a place stand out from the others, we were very disappointed on our visit today.

Loved this place! Service excellent, very tasty Stinky Stilton Scone and a moist, delicious Carrot Cake. Coffee was OK too :-) Five stars because the food was super, the service excellent, prices very fair, the courtyard beautiful and I'd certainly go again or recommend!

We are touring around the North if England and most days have coffee and cake. The carrot cake here is by far the best cake I’ve had in a long time. Hubby loved his slice of tea bread too. Coffee excellent. Staff were very efficient and did my coffee as per my request. Perfect.

Looking for a genuine dog friendly place to go with my dog for coffee and this cafe up along with another in my searches. What a find! In a super cute location, was quite quiet thankfully when we went. Ordered coffee and cheese scone, but the other items on offer for lunch and sweet snacks looks amazing. Super friendly, chilled staff. So welcoming of my dog and helped me carry my tray outside. Would love to revisit for lunch but may not have chance this trip….will definitely come back though. I find it so hard to find places that have it all, are genuinely welcoming of you and a dog if you have one, friendly and offer super food and service. Small thing but made my day! Thank you ❤️

First visit for a while and have to say standards appear to have dropped significantly. One of the three dishes ordered, a pie accompanied by mushy peas, was tepid and the peas were actually cold. These were returned and took a long time to come back, they were only a little warmer on their return. A request for vinegar was met with" We don't have any". A cafe without a basic condiment like vinegar, really? The waitress gave the impression she just couldn't be bothered. One of the other two meals was also on the tepid side. All in all pretty poor and nowhere near previous standards.

Slightly off the beaten track, but well signposted. Dog friendly! Lovely soup and cheese toastie. Very tasty! Had a piece of brownie, which was also very tasty. Hard to choose as all the food in the cabinet looked great.

Great dog friendly cafe off the beaton track, up a wee alley and you find a courtyard with seating and plenty of seating inside and upstairs. Varied menu, we enjoyed soup, a toastie and quiche of the day which was so light. Drinks too. Only thing I would have preferred table service, you ordered at the till and had to carry everything to your table, I needed two trays for three people then they bring out any hot items when ready. Would not stop me from revisiting though.

A hidden gem. Initially we just stopped for coffee, but the men was interesting and the food looked great. It was as good as it looked. We were very impressed and there were so many things on the menu either of us would have happily chosen. Staff were polite pleasant and friendly.

A lovely somewhat traditional cafe. Plenty of seating in a lovely little courtyard area as well as inside seating area. Really good coffee and a lovely tea loaf cake were purchased. Dog friendly too.

This place is full of charm and character. The food was on the expensive side for a tea room but nice quality. The bowl of wedges did not meet the description, it was a saucer with what looked like 8 very thin and I mean very thin slices of jacket potato, the accompanying dip was delicious though.

I remember Vennels from my time as a student and was glad to see it just as busy years later. Somehow we managed to avoid a rush and get a table, but for the rest of our stay there was a queue out the door. The stairs and alley layout would be harder for buggies bigger than our small one. The only disappointing this was one of our two coffees was definitely not decaf, despite us ordering both of them to be.

3.75 for a bottle of lipton iced tea 😳😳😳 Very overpriced in my opinion a sausage sandwich slice of quiche (no salad etc), brie and bacon sandwich with "wedges that looked like half a baked potato cut into strips nothing like wedges... Single person pot...

Wow, what a find in the little back alleys of Durham. Desperate for coffee and breakfast. We hunted around the area to find this little gem. Best breakfast we have had in a long time. Coffee, excellent. Definitely will look to go back and sample...

Came across this little gem by chance when I was in Durham for the day with my grandson. The cafe is up a little side street and would be easy to miss. I'm glad we found it though. Beautiful home cooked food, generous portions (...

We always try to eat here when in Durham. Cold snowy day yet this place is packed with both locals and tourists. Food is wonderful and home cooked. Only downside is sometimes you wait for a table to become free . Back again next time...

Stumbled upon this for lunch and what a gem. Atmospheric, great freshly prepared food and dog friendly. Baguettes were great, fab scones & good quality tea and coffee.

This dog friendly café has outside seating, ground floor and an upstairs area. It is counter service and two flat whites cost £6. It was very busy with the university set when we visited.

Excellent food great choice. Hidden up an alley this is a gem. The best cafe in Durham. Food served piping hot at a really good price. Don'y queue for Flat White cafe walk a short distance to Vennels you will not being disappointed.

Lunchtime visit for snack. Not cheap as cafe food goes but of a high standard , Toilets upstairs and a not easy for people with mobility issues .

Not easy to find, but once there it's very good. Sit in the courtyard if the sun is out but can be a bit nippy in the shade. Lunchtime can be busy but there a lots of seats inside. You have to order the food...

In upstairs seating area management allowed customers to bring a dog to table. The animal was held over a table normally used for human consumption of food and beverages. As someone with an allergy to dogs, this standard of hygiene is not acceptable when outside...

Stopped by for a light lunch on a Saturday, service was very pleasant, and food was really very good! Had quiche and a bacon sarnie with lattes. Would highly recommend!

I love the atmosphere in this cosy little cafe! We ordered scrambled egg on toast with salmon and I can honestly say it was the best scrambled egg I’ve ever had! We sat upstairs where there was plenty of room and it was cosy, with...

This is a four star cafe. I've knocked a star off after unclear / confusing guidance by a staff member on the availability of gluten-free food. I asked if gluten-free was available and was told, we have gluten-free bread. The server didn't seem prepared to...

After a good hotel breakfast, and anticipating a nice meal in the evening, what is wanted for lunch on a cold day is soup and a sarny/ baked potato. Vennels do this and more very admirably. Just opposite Pandora and along from Greggs.

We took our little dog here for a spot of lunch and had such a lovely time. The staff are so friendly and accommodating and the setting is beautiful, like something straight out of a Harry Potter book. Our little dog got a big bowl...

Met up with family for the day in Durham for lunch. Decided to try Vennels, as I’d heard positive reports. Very busy, with long queue but we persevered. Counter service a bit slow due to how busy the place was, plus no seating downstairs but...

Stopped here for lunch having read reviews. Well worth the short wait for a table. Service was friendly and helpful. Venue was characterful and good ambience. Menu was extensive and portions generous. We had delicious mushroom soup with toastie and a breakfast bap. All great...

My wife and I called into Vennels for coffee and cake while enjoying a walk along Durham Riverside with our dog. Sat in the courtyard area and ordered ( and thoroughly enjoyed! ) our drinks and cake, lemon slice and carrot cake respectively. Left and...

Been lots of times in my life in Durham, over about 15 years it has been my family's go-to place for lunch. Sadly, possibly due to cost of living or rent the prices have sky-rocketed. A sandwich with no salad or sides was £6.50 ish...

For years and years we’ve been visiting this cafe , then after covid we went to visit but it was closed for renovations but when we finally got back to visit we were so disappointed. The quiche was always the best but the portion has...

Lovely food, great staff and cosy atmosphere Great prices too for large portions Everything we ordered was delicious

Vennels you can't visit Durham without paying a visit here i cannot recommend them enough stopped for lunch on Saturday 20th August had warmed quiche and salad wow it was scrumptious. Nice service aswell

We met friends here while passing through Durham on our way south. It was really busy, but managed to get a table upstairs. There was a bit of a queue to order the coffee and cake, but well worth it.

Yesterday in a different establishment we witnessed perhaps the worst scones in Durham, Hapily Today in Vennells we were reunited with the best scones in durham allways fresh - sometimes you can be too late they have all been eaten so no yesterdays leftovers !...

Excellent tasty food and prompt service. Nice to see a place with character. More than dog friendly. Welcoming. Dogs allowed inside and menu items available.

The most amazing utilisation of space adding to a unique ambience both inside and out is this hidden gem where my son and I enjoyed Sunday brunch. Can fully recommend ‘The Good Egg’ which is the most tastiest smoked salmon with scrambled eggs, together with...

I was pleased to take my family to my favourite cafe in Durham. It is hidden away but well worth finding. All food is made freshly each day and everything they do they do well. Seating is outside, inside and upstairs. 1 guest has celiac...

Lovely rustic interior, delicious lunch bites and friendly staff. You honestly can’t ask for more. My dad’s toastie took a while to arrive but not really an issue and the waitress apologised profusely for the wait which was nice.

We went for lunch, and when we asked for another drink, the girl behind the counter, Amiee I think she was called, was too busy taking insta selfies to take our order. The whole time we were there all she did was take pics of...

Found Vennels in a hurry during a downpour when we just needed to get out of the rain. What a find! A stunning, rambling old building that clearly had loads of history makes for a wonderful setting for the most delicious sandwiches. Quick, friendly service,...

This is such a cute cafe with plenty of tables downstairs, upstairs and outside. Decor is really fun and quirky. Both hot and cold food was fantastic, coffees were lovely, and the service from the ladies behind the counter was brilliant. Didn’t try the fresh...

Excellent chicken pie and mushroom and ham quiche. we liked it so much went again the next day! The pastry was just right, not too much and you could taste the cheese in the quiche which I think is rare. Definitely worth visiting.

Lokale man tipte ons - en je moet wel even zoeken - klein gangetje door en dat is de moeite...

Luke warm coffee and expensive. Told the server and she looked like she couldn’t give a toss. Didn’t sample the food so can’t comment further. Not recommended however.

We recently had a 3 day stay in Durham. Kennels proved to be our 'go to' tea room. Excellent quality drinks and food with something for everyone including vegans. Very friendly efficient staff too.

Service too rushed, despite no queue. Hence, luke warm coffee, which was a complete waste of what could've been a good coffee. Shame.

Some of the things people put in reviews are absurd. "The inside is dated ..." of course it is! The premises are part of old Durham! What did you expect?!? The place has character and age. "We had to queue for a long time" -...

We ordered 2 ciabattas, a juice and a coke at a cost of £17. Although the ciabattas were tasty they were small and came with no side salad or coleslaw. Very disappointing and extremely expensive for what we got. Will not be returning.

Off the high street , but very popular. Indoor and outdoor seating available . We went there as it is dog friendly. Sat indoors with the doggie as it was a bit chilly outside . Three floors of seating available. The queue to order was...

We sat as a group outside and had to queue inside for food and drinks. Long and slow queue. The scones and quiche were lovely but the whole system is disorganised and slow. The inside of Vennels is dated and looks like it needs a...

We called in here because it has outside seating where you can take your dog. I thought it was very expensive. I ordered a burger, I didn't take too much notice of what it was served with. When it came out it was served with...

Very expensive and disorganised serving. It’s like the left doesn’t know what the right is doing won’t be visiting again.

Met up with family today and had lovely quiche and cakes, then the lady brought out two cute cupcakes for our two little dogs - lovely gesture

I attended Vennels last Monday with two friends. I bought three coffees which were fine. On leaving l decided to purchase a piece of Carrot cake and a corned beef pie. The person serving was very quietly spoken and l did not hear the price...

I have visited this cafe on numerous occasions but today will be my last. I was charged £11.00 for a piece of average quiche and a coffee. I realise that times have been tough but £11.00 is obscene even by Durham city standards especially when...

Super lovely cafe! We had the chocolate and carrot cake, which were both very tasty and very large slices. It's a lovely setting and well worth a visit.

I would expect prices in Durham to be lower than London but this place has a flat white and breakfast that equal to that of London. The egg dish is ok- but not worth the £8.50. The flat white is good . Interior is rustic....

This is a great venue and have been a regular visitor over the years. However based on previous comments it is clear the management do not hear the people’s voice. I waited over 45 mins in the queue for tea and scone. They simply could...

Overrated? I think so, overpriced as well. Quaint site and popular no doubt. May be it’s me but to queue for a ciabatta that was at best satisfactory only is startling. Indeed ciabattas are best toasted but when this results in a warm outside and...

Excellent food. Plenty to choose from on menu. We chose the mushroom soup to start, followed by the sausage with onions and mushrooms in crusty slipper bread. Very tasty and filling. Pleasant staff and surroundings. Seating available inside and outside. Definitely recommend. Very busy with...

We have visited this place many times & love it. The courtyard outside is lovely whilst inside is warmly decorated & feels cosy. Sandwiches & toasties are lovely whilst the cheese scones are really delicious. Good service & good value for money.

GET A SIGN PLEASE USE OTHER DOOR! Great food, nice locale, terrible system. Cafe entrance has been moved to inner courtyard but this is not signed. Consequently everyone comes in and is told to exit and go round the other way. We were sat near...

We sat outside under the awning of this very characterful cafe in Durham which is really worth visiting. I had a BLT which was really good but my partner's North Sea Chowder looked really splendid and i at least got to taste the prawns! Quite...

Fantastic place. Just off market place, hidden up a ginnel but well worth searching out.very quaint inside, and deceptively big, has upstairs rooms as well. Food is fantastic and very reasonably priced. The wife loved her” Stinky Stilton Scone!! Staff are fantastic, reall make you...

A locally based friend took us here for our lunch. It was a very pleasant surprise with a lovely ambiance and good food in an ancient building. Highly recommended.

Lovely historic building with excellent food generous portions and really happy staff. Super fast service. Sorry we left a lot of food because I over ordered and I have a hideously picky other half. Really impressed on my first visit to Durham in 35 years...

The sandwiches here are amazing. I also tried breakfast and it was lovely. The scones are mega and the aesthetic inside is so cute! Will be back :)

Stopped off here while waiting for my daughter who was doing a tour of the university. Great pot of Earl Grey and delicious little cake

This is a unique, rare little find but it’s a shame they only serve press button machine coffee 🧐 for a quirky little historic cafe, i am surprised they don’t provide a barista style well ground coffee and have a full coffee machine on hand....

First visit and won't be our last. Carrot cake was delicious as was the Feta quiche, coffee was hot and a decent size mug. Vast selection of food which all looked delicious. Nice courtyard seating area, also a few tables inside. We will definitely be...

Staff excellent but shocking prices.£4.95 for a bacon sandwich....really?1 rasher.tea and coffee from a machine.recently took over by a family I hear have multiple eating establishments in the city.and it shows.all about the profit not a patch on previous owners.first rule of business.know your clientele.could have had a full English for a fiver at wetherspoons.wont be returning

Charged £17 for bog standard sandwiches and two teas. Sandwiches not as good as Greggs much cheaper equivalents. Cold and draughty - everyone sitting with coats on. Once bitten...

Excellent food, fair prices Very friendly and attentive staff Cooked on the day fresh by hand Lovely building

One of our all time favourite places to eat.My son and I popped in yesterday for a bowl of soup and a cuppa.Didn’t have to wait long for a table 5 mins or so.Sat in the umbrella covered courtyard with the patio heaters on and blankets for our laps, it was raining but we were well covered over.Soup was delicious and filling. Always lovely staff on hand to help.

Sadly, our planned high tea at Tealicious was cancelled due to Covid-related circumstances, so we came searching for an alternative lunch & cake place. We found Vennel's Cafe tucked away in a tiny alley in Durham's centre. The sandwiches here didn't appeal that much to us as they were all on white baguette bread, which can be rubbery, so we had the cheese & onion quiche to start with. It was nice but arguably the onions were a tad undercooked and the quiche could have been heated a bit longer.The cake selection was great though - they all looked really good. We shared a chocolate cake and an almond & orange cake. Both were really delicious. My husband even bought a millionaire's shortbread to take away, which he enjoyed very much.Service was friendly.Top marks for the cake.

Plce to study to Blast you Brain, fab coffe and hot choclate without topping, Staff was helpful understand your customize order

We have just been to this cafe today and ordered a take away soup, bacon sandwich and three cans of pop I couldn't believe the cost! I asked for a price break down to find out a can of coke was 2.20! I said I can't believe the prices you charge to which I was ignored! The soup I ordered was butternut squash it came in a paper cup (nearly £4 pound)and watery! overall really not happy with the price or service! Would not recommend this cafe to anyone I certainly won't be returning. There is suppost to be a pandemic and prices should reflect that! Not in this place I felt like saying at least dick Turpin wore a mask!

Visited for lunch and enjoyed sitting in the outside area with our dog who was made very welcome. The Durham Broth was delicious as was the Stilton scone. The service was pleasant and helpful. The Covid regulations were in place and relatively unobtrusive. My only concern was that staff were not publicising the QR code for track and trace or taking peoples details.

Was recommended this cafe otherwise we might have missed a wonderful experience. Its tucked away up an alley. A very warm welcome, excellent homemade food in an interesting historical building. Would recommend. Concluded a lovely trip to Durham.!

Great staff excellent food ...cakes to Die for and lush scones Sometimes have to queue but well worth the wait