Hidden gem Durham café wins praise for cakes and coffee

Cafédral, on Owengate at the top of Saddler Street, serves homemade food in quirky surroundings.

The café describes itself as an eclectic, family-run business serving breakfast, lunch and light bites throughout the day.

While thousands of visitors pass through the area each year on their way to the city’s famous cathedral and castle, many make time to stop at Cafédral for its homemade menu, courtyard seating and welcoming atmosphere.

A look at some of the food on offer at Cafedral in Durham. (Image: TripAdvisor)

The café has built an impressive reputation online, holding a 4.8-star rating from hundreds of TripAdvisor reviews and ranking among Durham’s top coffee and tea destinations.

One recent visitor called it a “fabulous family run café” and the “perfect place to drop into for a relaxing lunch or coffee/tea and cake stop”.

The visitor also praised the homemade scones, saying they were “worth a visit in their own right.”

A look inside 'Cafedral' on Saddler Street. (Image: TripAdvisor)

Another reviewer, who visited for lunch, said they were “really impressed” by the food, describing the sandwiches as “delicious” and calling it a “great spot for a tasty, well-put-together lunch in the centre of Durham”.

Visitors also praise the café’s friendly service.

One customer who stopped by during the Durham Fringe festival praised the “fantastic” atmosphere, labelling the staff as “incredibly friendly and helpful.”

They went on to add that their eggs benedict was a generous portion, and they would be “going back again”.