Whitechurch Durham

Featured reviews

• L

  Lauren Gilbey

  ·2 weeks ago

  “Where do we even begin?! Whitechurch was everything we could have dreamed of for our wedding day and so much more. From the moment we chose the venue, we knew it was somewhere special, but nothing could have prepared us for just how perfect our day would be. The venue itself is absolutely stunning, with such a beautiful, intimate and relaxed atmosphere. It was exactly what we wanted for our wedding – somewhere that felt personal, warm and full of love. So many of our guests commented on how incredible the atmosphere was and how much they loved every minute of the day. A huge, heartfelt thank you has to go to Sophie, our wedding planner, who was simply outstanding from start to finish. Nothing was ever too much trouble and her attention to detail, professionalism and genuine care made the entire experience so special. She made everything feel completely effortless, allowing us to relax and soak up every precious moment. We honestly couldn't have wished for anyone better! The service throughout the day was exceptional. Every single member of staff went above and beyond, and everything ran seamlessly. And the food…Absolutely unbelievable! We are still receiving compliments from our guests about how incredible it was. What made Whitechurch so special wasn't just the beautiful venue, delicious food or impeccable service but the feeling it created. The whole day was filled with love, laughter and the most wonderful atmosphere. It was everything we had hoped for and more. We genuinely wish we could do it all over again! To Sophie and the entire Whitechurch team, thank you for giving us the most unforgettable wedding day. We will treasure those memories forever. If you're considering Whitechurch for your wedding, we couldn't recommend it highly enough. Five stars simply aren't enough! 🤍 Lauren & Mike”

  Read more
• A

  A Tarapore

  ·1 month ago

  “Lovely location, and nice space but let down by the food and slow service. Sadly the Poke bowl served with regular rice and not sticky rice as it should be, and it was swamped with a generic sauce, it left a less than great impression. Burger was ok, but fries had an aftertaste of old oil. This place could be so much more if the food quality and service was improved. May return, but just for coffee and pastries.”

  Read more
• T

  Tracey Mills

  ·2 months ago

  “We have visited Whitechurch many times and every time the service and food is excellent… Usually don’t return several times to places for food but this is the exception. Consistent every single time . The food is excellent quality and cooked beautifully. The French toast is simply delicious.”

• L

  Lucy

  ·4 months ago

  “Decent coffee but it was lukewarm. The location and outdoor seating area are lovely.”

• T

  tiffin

  ·5 months ago

  “Thick, fudge-y brownie (not a cake-like one) that can be shared between 2 people easily if you are just having a cake and coffee chat. Hot chocolates are a bit watery - but if you stir in the whipped cream it makes it taste creamier. Lots of marshmallows too!”

• G

  Giles Polglase

  ·6 months ago

  “The Whitechurch Cafe: Good Coffee, Confused Operations - 3 Stars I'd heard great things about the Whitechurch Cafe in Durham. Being a bit of a coffee enthusiast, and seeing the consistently glowing reviews, I decided to brave the crowds on a particularly busy Sunday, smack in the middle of University Welcome Weekend. I was hoping for a sanctuary of excellent espresso. What I found was a case study in operational confusion, which unfortunately overshadowed a genuinely excellent cup of coffee. The chaos started with the ordering process. A queue snaked around the counter, blocking the ingress and exit of the staff, and after a good twenty-minute wait to finally reach the counter, I, and several others, were abruptly informed that we needed a table number first. This meant being redirected to a completely different member of staff for seating, only to be told to go back to the exact same counter we had just left. It was a pointless, frustrating loop that easily added ten minutes to the start of my visit. When I finally did place my order, I was told there would be a reasonable 20-minute wait for drinks due to the volume. I accepted this, but after 30 minutes, and no sign of my coffee, I gently enquired. The server, who was lovely and clearly trying their best, confessed my order had been misplaced and promised to expedite it. When the coffee finally arrived, it was, to its credit, excellent quality—rich, balanced, and clearly made with care. But the long, confusing wait had soured the experience. From a hospitality management perspective, the operation was fundamentally flawed. The poor person on the counter was trying to do far too many jobs: taking orders, processing payments, managing the sprawling queue, and directing other staff. Meanwhile, the staff member dedicated to seating seemed surplus until a customer managed to present themselves, table number in hand. The whole system was utterly disjointed. If I were advising the owners, I'd suggest a total overhaul. I would clear the counter completely, dedicating that space solely to expediting drinks. The crucial 'meet, greet, and seat' function needs to move into the dining area. Servers could then be equipped with POS tablets to take orders right at the table, sending them directly to the barista area. This would let the baristas focus purely on the art of coffee, while the front-of-house staff focuses on the guest experience. The coffee is worth five stars, but the chaotic service dropped the overall rating to a generous three. The product is there; the process is not. I will return in a couple of months and re-review. Fingers crossed I'll have a better experience 🤞 UPDATE I've returned to Whitechurch again and fortunately my previous review stands. The mobile phone signal in Durham is notoriously bad a yes but Whitechurch do not have customer Wi-Fi. When I asked why, they said they didn't want students sitting in there with laptops taking up space. This is a completely legitimate issue, however, by not providing guests with Wi-Fi access it becomes frustrating. I have been to many cafes in University towns where Wi-Fi is provided with a rule that no laptops are permitted in the seating areas. I think this is an absolutely reasonable thing to do for a business, as they can provide Wi-Fi to legitimate customers, without seat blocking by students. I would love to give Whitechurch a higher star rating, but given the continuing issues with atmosphere and customer service, my three-star rating remains.”

  Read more
• H

  H BA

  ·9 months ago

  “Incredibly slow service. Falafel butternut squash Sandwich bought today was full of oil. Impossible to eat. Really enjoy this cafe usually but menu/ things seem to have changed.”

• R

  Rob

  ·9 months ago

  “The all day breakfast was okay. The coffee cured bacon and hash brick were tasty and pretty cool as I had not had either before! However, the baked beans were bland and cold and the eggs were not runny albeit pretty tasty. The staff were really nice and attentive. They found me a table with a socket so I could charge my phone and managed to swap out the mushroom for an extra egg. It was okay but I don't think for the quality if it was worth the price.”

  Read more
• I

  Irene Segado

  ·11 months ago

  “The atmosphere is super cozy, the service is great and the food is delicious. The pastries looked incredible, but I had a truffle egg toast. It was delicious. The only negative thing I could say is it is a bit expensive for a place that caters so many students. Otherwise, amazing!”

• S

  Sue Vogt-Skard

  ·3 years ago

  “Lovely venue and enjoyed our brunch food on a Saturday. Looks like a pub but more stylish than an ordinary pub inside and very nicely decorated. Came here around 10.30 on a Saturday and by time we left the place was full. We both had the hot smoked salmon bagel with cream cheese, cress and beetroot. Very nice and a generous portion of salmon. Staff friendly and efficient. We didn’t have their cakes but they looked delicious. Lots of seating including garden area for when it’s warmer.”

  Read more