Durham’s cafés: Their aesthetics, etiquette and drinks

As someone who is addicted to cafés for meet-ups, studying, or even just a sweet treat, I was quite shocked at how diverse the café scene actually is in Durham. They add to the quaint and picturesque image of Durham and provide the perfect space for being able to get out of the house. However, going from my local Costa to a variety of independent cafés was equally refreshing as it was confusing. What a lot of students do not realise when they come to Durham is that each café expects a different etiquette. Each meets a different need of students, ranging from the type of drinks, the food menu, your ability to study, the price, and (most importantly) the aesthetics.

Flat White

Pictures from Flat White, featuring their cardamom latte and iced, honey, lavender latte on the right

Flat White is an incredibly popular café within Durham, recognised for its long lunch-time queues outside. One look at the interior makes this self explanatory; the hanging plants, fairy-lights and wooden beams on the ceiling create a cosy, rustic vibe. It scores highly on their aesthetics and it has a range of drinks, including a rotating specials menu. Previous drinks on there include a cardamom latte and a honey lavender latte, both of which were delicious. Also providing homemade lemonade and soft drinks, it creates a lovely atmosphere for catch-ups and gossiping over brunch. You can see some of their more consistent menu options here.

However, it is important to note that Flat White is a digital detox café, meaning this is not a spot for studying. The café stimulates connecting with people through conversation and valuing that interaction over technology. Despite this, it is still worth putting on the Durham bucket list to visit, whether it is to catch up with friends or somewhere you take your parents. 

Chapters

Chapters is a gorgeous café located near Elvet Bridge with a gorgeous interior. There’s charm in its wonky staircase and plants surrounding, creating a quaint and aesthetic surrounding. Upon entering, you are greeted with a cabinet full of both beautiful and delicious cake selections. On top of a selection of savoury foods, Chapters provides all the drinks you would expect in a café with optional syrups and flavourings. This makes it perfect for brunch or getting yourself a sweet treat in the afternoon. Drinks are on the cheaper end of Durham cafés and it is an amazing place to study. With the aesthetic environment and quality products, it is hard to resist. However, there can be some connection issues, which means studying is best done analogue or with a hotspot. Nevertheless, this makes it perfect for locking in without your phone or for reading.

Leonard’s

I discovered Leonard’s through a friend on my course, and we have returned upon many occasions. Much like Flat White, it has table service and is the perfect place to go in the summer when the window-doors are open. There is a selection of exclusive drinks and teas within that are worth trying and the food always has perfect presentation. As for the vibe, it feels like you’ve stepped into a cosy witch hut, which has a very relaxed and autumnal feel. It’s also in a secret nook by the river, giving it a more exclusive and relaxed feel than the bustle of Flat White and other cafés surrounding the marketplace. It’s an underrated spot within Durham and most people go for catch ups or dates as opposed to studying. However, I can also recommend a solo date there with a book.

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Riverview Kitchen

Known for its pancake stacks and scenic views of the river, Riverview Kitchen is a favourite of many students. The interior is gorgeous, with its hanging lightbulbs and stunning teapots creating a rustic simplicity. It has table service and they offer a wide selection of drinks, brunch and lunch options, and the odd sweet treat. With recently refurbished decking outside, there are now more spaces to sit and enjoy time with friends and family in the sun by the river. Whilst everything is of top quality and the location is perfect, this does run on the pricier end of cafés and may be the place you take your parents. However, it is unmissable and should be an experience that every Durham student gets to have. Whilst not strictly digital detox, the environment does lean itself more towards chatter over study, and it is best with other people.

Cafédral

Picture of a window within Cafédral

Cafédral also has an amazing location. If you couldn’t guess by the name, it’s right next to the gorgeous cathedral and castle within Durham. Being quite small, it does often have a queue on weekends, however it does have award-winning hot chocolate and highly advertised scones. The interior is simple, but floral, making it very aesthetic and spring-like. It’s not common to find students studying in here, but it’s certainly one to try if you are getting used to Durham or want to hang around near the stunning heritage sites of Durham. 

Vennel’s

Vennel’s, located round the back of Waterstones, is a café with a vintage vibe and chatty atmosphere. Erin King, a second year anthropology and archeology student, vouched that the café had “quick service” and recommended the panini selection and chai lattes. However, much like Flat White and Chapters, the café can get very busy at midday which might influence when you visit. Despite this, its location makes it perfect for buying a book and finding somewhere to read or if you want a different vibe to the frequent, rustic interiors of the other cafés in the surrounding area. Whilst maybe not the most frequented study spot, it is still gorgeous and remains a favourite of many Durham students for its vibe, food and drink.

Three Cups of Durham

Three Cups of Durham was recommended to me as a study spot by a masters student, and its aesthetic and interior makes it very distinctive and unique from other cafés. It has more of an alternative vibe and has a small, but very nice, selection of food for lunch. It is very colourful on the inside and provides a perfect spot for both studying and catch ups. Located on North Road, it is very close to Hild Bede and is conveniently surrounded by charity shops and Tesco. However, the one disadvantage towards studying is that the café has quite limited opening hours, closing at 4pm Monday-Saturday. Regardless, worth checking out if you want to find somewhere less mainstream to visit.

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