Estábulo to return in Darlington's former Pizza Hut building

Brazilian steakhouse chain Estábulo is making a comeback to Darlington town centre - after its shock closure in January at the DL1 complex.

Signs suggest that Estábulo is set to return to Darlington on Horsemarket after its sudden closure at the DL1 complex(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The new signage has appeared overnight on Horsemarket, opposite House of Fraser, confirming Estábulo will reopen in the former Pizza Hut building that closed in December 2021.

The new signs that have appeared over night suggesting the chain restaurants return to the town after its sudden closure(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The building on Horsemarket was then left vacant until late May when Mafea, an Italian restaurant opened briefly before mysteriously falling silent weeks later.

Within weeks of opening, the venue appeared to close suddenly, with no social media posts since June and two customers claiming they turned up for bookings to find the doors shut.

The signs outside of the Horsemarket site that was set to be Mafea(Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

Estábulo closed it's site at DL1 complex at the start of the year when bosses said they were carrying out a revamp. But just weeks later, the restaurant was stripped out and its signs removed, fuelling speculation that it would not reopen.

In April, Estábulo said it was “still in the process of reviewing future plans and no final decision has yet been made regarding reopening”.

The empty former Estabulo building at Darlington's DL1 complex(Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

• Questions over future of Mafea restaurant in Darlington
• Questions remain over Darlington Estabulo 'refurb' closure
• Uncertainty over Estabulo Darlington after signs taken down

By June, the company said a final decision was still not made.

The new signs on the former Pizza Hut then Mafea building on Horsemarket in Darlington(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Now, signs have gone up in the window citing 'Estábulo rodizio bar and grill opening soon'.

Estábulo head office confirmed to The Northern Echo that they are hoping to open in the new site within the next few months.

The Northern Echo has attempted to contact Mafea for more information, but the owner has not yet responded.