
Chapters of Durham
Quick info
About Chapters of Durham
On Elvet Bridge in Durham, Chapters of Durham serves breakfast, lunch, and coffee with table service and waiting staff taking orders. Full English breakfast sits alongside dishes such as roasted cauliflower flatbread, mushroom sourdough, and chorizo hash, with a burger a recurring choice. Coffee runs from an Americano to a flat white, and a white hot chocolate is on the menu too. A selection of cakes, bought in rather than made on site, is displayed near the counter, including gluten free and vegan options. The restaurant takes walk-ins rather than reservations, and dogs are welcome inside. Finding a table can be a challenge, as the room gets busy at peak times.
Good to know
- ReservationsWalk-in only
- ParkingPaid parking lot · Paid street parking · Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- AccessibilityWheelchair: seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs
- DietaryVegan options · Vegetarian options
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention cakes at the counter, handmade burger, soggy/burnt fries and coffee (americano/flat white).
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention cakes at the counter, handmade burger, soggy/burnt fries and coffee (americano/flat white).
Customer Review Summary
Cakes draw the most consistent praise, with the display case near the till singled out repeatedly and standouts like the Chocolate Orange brownie, Peanut Stack, Oreo stack, and Berry muffin called out by name, alongside a white hot chocolate described as excellent. Coffee also earns steady approval, with an Americano and flat white both called rich and satisfying. Savory dishes are more mixed: the Falafel Salad, burger, mushroom sourdough, chorizo hash, and Roasted Cauliflower Flatbread win praise, but others report a tasteless burger with a soaked bun and burnt fries, a soggy oil-heavy portion of fries, solid poached eggs that were ordered runny, and avocado described as tasting fake. Service is generally called friendly and efficient, though one diner found their waiter inattentive and forgetful of an order. A couple of reviewers also flag table and washroom cleanliness as needing attention. One reviewer highlights a particular server's welcoming manner as making the visit memorable.
Customer Review Summary
Cakes draw the most consistent praise, with the display case near the till singled out repeatedly and standouts like the Chocolate Orange brownie, Peanut Stack, Oreo stack, and Berry muffin called out by name, alongside a white hot chocolate described as excellent. Coffee also earns steady approval, with an Americano and flat white both called rich and satisfying. Savory dishes are more mixed: the Falafel Salad, burger, mushroom sourdough, chorizo hash, and Roasted Cauliflower Flatbread win praise, but others report a tasteless burger with a soaked bun and burnt fries, a soggy oil-heavy portion of fries, solid poached eggs that were ordered runny, and avocado described as tasting fake. Service is generally called friendly and efficient, though one diner found their waiter inattentive and forgetful of an order. A couple of reviewers also flag table and washroom cleanliness as needing attention. One reviewer highlights a particular server's welcoming manner as making the visit memorable.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Wonderful little treat set in a small street just off the scenic bridge. I feel that I need to give a special mention to our waitress, Lilly. She was charming and welcoming. She made our experience wonderful. Highly recommend”
- Google user
“🤢 hmmm stopped here for lunch, I wish we hadn't. Had the handmade burger, tasteless meat and the bun was soaked with sauce that made it wetter than an otters pocket! Came with thick cut fries that were burnt to death! Lovely, not! Gwenders was similarly naff, wet bread 🤮 Good cup of tea though 👍”
- Google user
“Food was not very tasty, the menu is also not appealing. waiter that served us was polite but inattentive and was quite blasé. I ordered a mocha, they forgot about it initially, and when it came it was not very nice. I had some fries which were either undercooked, or cooked in oil that is not hot enough as they were soggy and had absorbed a lot of oil. The cakes are also not made in house, but bought elsewhere,,, to be honest, based off the quality of the rest of the food, that's a wise choice as it seems the cakes are enjoyed by people here. wouldn't wish to spend money here again”
- Google user
“Had brunch there on father's day. My poor husband had a nit very nice full English breakfast. My poached eggs were solid even though I asked for particularly runny yokes. Avocado tasted a but fake. Coffee and cakes are good though”
- Google user
“Great place to eat or just have a drink (though with a stunning array of cakes near the till it’s hard to resist!). Nice atmosphere and the staff were kind and helpful. I had the chorizo hash which was just my kind of meal, delicious! Highly recommended.”
Highlights
“Welcome to Chapters, the delightful café located in the heart of Durham city. Situated in a bustling and vibrant area, Chapters is the perfect destination for breakfast, lunch, and coffee lovers alike.”
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Paid parking lot
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed inside
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Show more amenities
- Good for kids
- Vegan options
- Bar onsite
- Cozy
- Onsite services
- Coffee
- Dining options· 7
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Seating
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Pet-friendly· 1
- Dogs allowed outside
- Offerings· 5
- Alcohol
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Atmosphere· 2
- Casual
- Trendy
- Highlights· 2
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Crowd· 3
- College students
- Groups
- Tourists
- Parking· 2
- Paid street parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Family-friendly· 1
- High chairs
Location
Restaurants near Chapters of Durham
- Malatang Express | 千味麻辣烫4.73250.2 mi£10–20
diy malatang customization, sauce bar condiments, spicy bone broth
- Ruben’s Golden Fry4.21155 mi£10–20
fish and chips, haddock and chips, cod and chips
- The Grill4.81015 mi
chicken kebab, donner pizza, pizza
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chapters of DurhamOutdoor seating · Vegan options · Vegetarian options | 4.1434 | — | £10–20 | cakes at the counter, handmade burger, soggy/burnt fries |
| Malatang Express | 千味麻辣烫 | 4.7325 | 0.2 mi | £10–20 | diy malatang customization, sauce bar condiments, spicy bone broth |
| Ruben’s Golden Fry | 4.2115 | 5 mi | £10–20 | fish and chips, haddock and chips, cod and chips |
| The Grill | 4.8101 | 5 mi | — | chicken kebab, donner pizza, pizza |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
Similar Restaurants nearby
Browse more
Explore more of Durham, or find Restaurants in other cities.



