Houndgate Townhouse Hotel & Saltfish Seafood Restaurant

Featured reviews

• G

  Google user

  ·2 months ago

  “This is a gem of a hotel. In the historic centre of Darlington the rooms are comfortable and the Saltfish restaurant superb. the wonderful staff could not have been more helpful organising taxis etc for me. Thoroughly recommended.”

• G

  Google user

  ·3 months ago

  “We visited Saltfish on 05/05/2026 to celebrate a special occasion. The food was fantastic and easily deserves 5/5. The service from the team serving our food was also excellent, attentive, and professional throughout the evening. Unfortunately, our experience was affected by the waitress who served our drinks. From the moment we ordered, both my wife and I were left feeling unwelcome, which was disappointing, especially given the occasion we were celebrating. It's important to stress that this feedback relates only to the drinks service and not to the staff serving our food, who were excellent. Had it not been for this aspect of the experience, I would have happily given a 5/5 review. The quality of the food was outstanding, but the atmosphere created by the drinks service meant we chose not to stay for additional drinks and instead went elsewhere to finish our evening. I hope this feedback is taken constructively, as the food and the rest of the team were genuinely excellent.”

• G

  Google user

  ·4 months ago

  “Had a lovely Sunday lunch at Saltfish the other week. Rolled roast pork belly for me with Yorkshire pudding and all the veg. Very tasty”

• G

  Google user

  ·4 months ago

  “My wife and I enjoy a great dining experience at Darlington Salt Fish this evening. I wanted to say to the staff “I can’t remember the last time I had such a great meal’ … but my wife does most of the cooking at home, so I thought best not…. Seriously, the Salt Fish food and service is second to none and total value for money… Paula and Frank (Uplands Road Darlington.”

• G

  Google user

  ·5 months ago

  “I stayed at the houndsgate townhouse this weekend. And ate Sunday lunch at the Saltfish restaurant. This place is gorgeous and deserves all the great reviews. The room was stunning and the roll top bath in the bedroom was an extra touch of luxury. The people working there were friendly and welcoming - and the night porter Jake was really lovely. The food was outstanding!! The breakfast was one of the best I’ve had. And the Sunday lunch was gorgeous. The dessert the banana baked cheese cake is the stuff dreams are made of! The chef and kitchen sent fresh, tasty, thoughtful and beautiful food for all of us. Thank you so much.”

• G

  Google user

  ·6 months ago

  “Houndgate Townhouse is an incredible spot to enjoy food food and good hospitality, owners Jack and Ellie have created something really special here — the kind of place where everything feels intentional, relaxed, and genuinely welcoming. The service is top‑notch. You can tell they care about every little detail, and nothing ever feels too much trouble. And the food is on another level! Everything feels thoughtful, seasonal, and full of flavour — you can really taste the effort and passion behind it. Recommended 100%”

• G

  Google user

  ·7 months ago

  “We had the most gorgeous stay here for a friend's birthday. Overnight in room 3, beautiful! Dinner amd breakfast were incredible. One of the largest dinner menu's I've seen, and everything cooked for you. Staff were amazing and that's not enough of a compliment for them. Attentive, helpful, smiley and so friendly, nothing was too much. The specials board was 'WOW'. This is a gem of a place and we'll be back, thank you everyone 😊”

• G

  Google user

  ·8 months ago

  “Visit - 28 Jan. What an amazing first time at this restaurant. Surprised my partner at this restaurant for her birthday, and it was a first time visit for both of us. We were greeted by Kayleigh who was very professional and gave a sense of calmness considering how busy it was. We also had another server called Grace that came across very professional very lovely. Both Kayleigh and Grace equally shown outstanding customer service skills. The timings between meals, and asking how our meals were were SPOT ON! It was refreshing to see a, nearly, all female back of house crew, minus the male pot-washer. The food was amazing throughout but will have to mention the rice was clearly microwaved and overcooked, but sometimes these things can't be helped when it's very busy. However, the overall taste of all the food we had was too nice to let some unsatisfactory rice turn our noses away. I have previously worked front and back of house and know very well how chaotic things can become and the pressures involved, so bravo to the kitchen team for providing great food and the additional detail of writing happy birthday for my partner on her dessert plate. To finish this off, Kayleigh and Grace, if you are reading this, you are a credit to the hotel, management and to customers, you both delivered fantastically well and are a TRUE example of how service should be delivered. Everything you both have delivered for us from pouring our water, to the smiles, politeness and calmness was above and beyond. It's those little details amongst everything else that makes the experience truly amazing. A couple of gems 💎 What we had- Snacks (before starters) 1. Fish goujons and tartar sauce. (Absolutely beautiful tasting batter and tartar was best I ever tasted. 2. Sourdough with seaweed butter (was gorgeous. Starter- 1. Twice baked coastal cheddar soufflè, crab mornay sauce. 2. Smoked mackerel patè, pickled cucumber, sourdough crostini. Both were equally as gorgeous. Mains- Both of us had Thai yellow king prawn coconut curry, basmati, pak choi, crisp Shallots, coriander. Desserts- Both of us had flourless chocolate and almond brownie, white chocolate namelaka, chocolate soil. Both very delicious 😋”

• G

  Google user

  ·9 months ago

  “Myself and partner went for a friday lunch. I had 18 Oysters cooked various ways but mostly as i like them simple and au naturel. The cooked ones were perfectly done and the tempura is the lightest tastiest batter ive tried in a ling time. The raw ones lacked any shell hiding in the oysters which would of pissed me off, So my compliments to the Chef that prepared them. My partner had roast loin of cod on a celeriac mash which she thought a delicious well cooked and adequately sized portion. She followed up with a dessert cinnamon apple crumble type dish which she raved about afterwards. I had a coffee and brandy which was well priced. The coffee delicious with a nice kick to it. The service was great from start to finish the girls answered all my questions including questions about our upcoming Xmas day meal with this Hotel. All in all i cannot fault our visit today and we will be returning not just for Xmas day but hopefully many more days/evenings to come. NB ... Those Oysters were spectacular, sea fresh Ozoney and second to none you must try them.”