Located on the northeastern side of England, Durham is a captivating city with a gorgeous landscape that is accentuated by the enchanting River Wear. It is known for its remarkable landmarks, including Durham Castle and the Romanesque Durham Cathedral. Aside from those, this charming city is home to breathtaking botanical gardens, and the Durham University Botanic Gardens is one of them. If you are looking for a place to unwind in the city, Wharton Park is the place to go. It is a vast green space with lush vegetation, a playground for the kids and the kids-at-heart, and a wonderful cafe where you can enjoy some delicious fares and excellent coffee. If you’re after the dining spots and you have a palate for the oriental flavors of Asia, here is a list of the best Chinese restaurants in Durham, the UK.
1. InShanghai
Planning an exciting escapade to the charming city of Durham anytime soon? Aside from making a list of attractions to see in the city, you should also plan a delightful food crawl. If you are into Chinese cuisine, be sure to add InShanghai in your food trip itinerary. Nestled in Lambton Street, this restaurant is a superb, contemporary dining spot with a cozy atmosphere. It serves delicious, classic Chinese dishes that you can either enjoy in a buffet setting or order from their extensive menu. Some of its blockbuster offerings include chicken chow mein, curry specialties, and rice plates. Also, wine and cocktail drinks are available to complete the dining experience.
InShanghai
Address: Unit 30B The Riverwalk, Lambton St, Durham DH1 4SL, United Kingdom
Website: InShanghai
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11:30am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 10:30pm; Sun: 12pm - 10pm
2. Sense
Whether you are someone with a Chinese ancestry or a person who has developed a strong, acquired taste for oriental fares, Sense is a fantastic dining spot that you should try while in Durham. You can find it in the busy Prince Bishops Shopping Centre and it makes for an excellent stop after hours of shopping and doing leisure activities in the area. It showcases a clean and chic furnishings with a cool and airy ambiance that will make you enjoy your dining experience while in it. Be sure to sample its soy sauce chicken, aromatic duck, and spicy beef duck, as you will not regret these dishes.
Sense
Address: 80 Claypath, Durham DH1 1QT, United Kingdom
Website: Sense
Opening hours: 12pm - 10pm (daily)
3. The New Wok Inn
Open seven days a week, The New Wok Inn is perfect for all types of dinner celebrations — even regular, carb-loading gastronomic escapades. It offers classic, palatable Chinese fares, as well as delicious Cantonese specialties that will surely tickle your taste buds. Thus the restaurant has an extensive menu of dishes but it is extra proud of its Chef’s Special dishes. The menu includes chicken with lemon sauce, deep-fried king prawn with chilies, crispy roast duck in plum sauce, fillet steak in black pepper sauce, and a lot more. Aside from the food, you’ll also love this restaurant’s welcoming ambiance that will make you feel right at home.
The New Wok Inn
Address: Brandon Lane, Brandon, Durham DH7 8PS, United Kingdom
Website: The New Wok Inn
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 5:30pm - 11pm; Sun: 12pm - 2:30pm, 5:30pm - 10:30pm
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4. Fifty Six Restaurant
Another exceptional Chinese restaurant that you must not miss while on Durham is Fifty Six Restaurant in North Road. It is a paradise for Asian food lovers, and it showcases a fabulous dining setting with rustic accents and a perfectly lit environment. It offers an authentic, mouthwatering Sichuan cuisine. Chow down on its exquisite, tasty beef shin slice in Meggie sauce, chicken feet with spicy sauce, and extra-hot northeast glass noodles with sesame sauce for one memorable feast you’ll never forget. Don’t forget to leave space for some superb desserts like sweetcorn pancake, sweet potato in egg yolk sauce, and candied sweet potatoes.
Fifty Six Restaurant
Address: 56 North Rd, Durham DH1 4SF, United Kingdom
Website: Fifty Six Restaurant
Opening hours: 12pm - 10pm (daily)
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5. La Yuan
Do you have a pre-planned tour to the university city of Newcastle upon Tyne? Or maybe, you just can’t get enough of Chinese food. If you want more of your favorite cuisine, be sure to swing by La Yuan for a plate of hearty, oriental specialties. La Yuan is located in the bustling district of Gallowgate, and features a modern dining setting with sleek furnishings and contemporary rustic decors. Customers flock in this excellent dining spot for its red pepper chicken, beef with shia mushroom, Hung Shiao pork belly, snowy ribs, and winter stew. Also, La Yuan serves top-notch Chinese teas that are best paired with any dish.
La Yuan
Address: 7-9 Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4SG, United Kingdom
Website: La Yuan
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 12pm - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 9:30pm
6. Sky Chinese Cuisine
Found yourself craving for Chinese food all day long? Satisfy your appetite at Sky Chinese Cuisine. Just like La Yuan, Sky Chinese Cusine is in Newcastle upon Tyne, specifically in Stowell Street — a Chinatown area in the city. It welcomes customers from lunchtime to late dinner with its lovely dining setting featuring traditional Chinese furnishings and lots of natural light. Sky Chinese Cuisine is popular for its excellent dim-sum gastronomic delights. Aside from that, customers have a lot to choose from on the menu. The restaurant has traditional classics such as stir-fried beef with fresh asparagus, king prawns in black bean sauce, chicken in garlic salt-and-pepper, and so many more.
Sky Chinese Cuisine
Address: 20 Stowell St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4XQ, United Kingdom
Website: Sky Chinese Cuisine
Opening hours: Sun - Wed, Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 11pm (closed on Thu)
7. Palace Garden
Want a taste of China’s traditional dishes without flying out of the United Kingdom? Simply hail a cab and have it drive you to Stowell Street in Newcastle upon Tyne as soon as possible. This fantastic dining spot will not only feed you mouthwatering, classic Chinese favorites, but it will also make you feel like you are in China with its charming, oriental interior design. The design is further accentuated with festive colors and lantern decors that the country is known for. On top of that, this restaurant is vegan-friendly and the fares are priced reasonably.
Palace Garden
Address: 45-51 Stowell St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4YB, United Kingdom
Website: Palace Garden
Opening hours: 12pm - 11pm (daily)
8. Landmark
Planning a special date, a friends’ get-together dinner or a birthday celebration? Whether you have reasons to celebrate or you just want to treat yourself and your loved ones with delicious Chinese food because you’re feeling generous, Landmark is a perfect go-to restaurant for any occasion. It is an upscale culinary paradise in Stowell Street, Newcastle upon Tyne that features a modern interior design with a romantic ambiance. The restaurant might overwhelm you with its wide range of delicious dishes to choose from, but be sure to try its deep-fried strips of beef in special Cantonese sauce, stir-fried chicken in black pepper sauce, and sliced beef and green pepper with chili. Pair those delectable dishes with a Jasmine tea for a complete gastronomic experience.
Landmark
Address: Stowell St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4YB, United Kingdom
Website: Landmark
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 12pm - 2pm, 5:30pm - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 2pm, 5:30pm - 10:30pm
9. Wok Inn
Wok Inn is a successful food business in England with several branches in the country. The nearest Wok Inn outlet from Durham is the one in Northumberland Road in the city of Newcastle upon Tyne. The branch showcases a simple and modern, minimalist interior design that is dominated by earth-toned hues, which are relaxing to look at. It also has a friendly atmosphere and excellent staff ready to assist you with your orders. Some of its most sought-after eats include five-spices beef, barbecued spare ribs, a variety of wok curries, lemon garlic lamb, Hong Shao pork, and more.
Wok Inn
Address: 10A Northumberland Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8JF, United Kingdom
Website: Wok Inn
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 12pm - 2:30pm; 5pm - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 2:30pm; 5pm - 11pm; Sun: 12pm - 4pm; 5pm - 10pm
10. Chinatown Express
The last but not the least of excellent Chinese restaurants in Newcastle upon Tyne is Chinatown Express. It is a no-frills dining spot serving sumptuous Chinese favorites within an affordable price range. You can choose from rice dishes, noodle specialties, roasted chicken, sweet and sour pork, and a lot more. On top of those, the restaurant’s quick service is perfect for customers on the go.
Chinatown Express
Address: 63-65 St Andrew’s St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5SE, United Kingdom
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11am - 10:30pm; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 12am
Go on an unforgettable Chinese cuisine adventure in Durham and nearby Newcastle upon Tyne

Durham is a captivating city with a landscape that will make you fall in love with it. Just like other highly-urbanized English cities, the city will take you to a gastronomic adventure with its myriad of dining options. If you are into Chinese food, take advantage of this list of the best Chinese restaurants in Durham and the nearby Newcastle upon Tyne.
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