County Durham restaurant named among the UK’s best this year

Isla on North Road in Durham is known for its “truly outstanding” brunch such as slow-cooked ham hock and “magnificent” giant crumpets, all brought to you from the team behind Coarse.

The Good Food Guide named it one of the top eateries for 2025 due to its “easy-going vibe” and “super-sweet staff”.

A recent customer even said the food is “out of this world” (especially the tempura broccoli) while another said the flavours are “culinary masterpieces”.

Other menu highlights include the Korean pork belly with sesame and spring onions, as well as the 12 hour slow cooked beef, along with black garlic mayo, gherkin ketchup and crispy onions.

You can read Isla’s full review as part of The Good Food Guide’s top 100 local restaurants for 2025 guide online.

County Durham restaurant with food ‘out of this world’

Over on Tripadvisor, the restaurant currently has an “excellent” 4.9/5 rating based on 284 reviews.

This guest commented: “I have eaten here many times and Isla never disappoints. The quality of the food is unsurpassable and is so delicious it makes you want to come back and keep trying the different dishes.

“The flavours of the dishes are culinary masterpieces, and the prices are very reasonable. The staff are extremely efficient, helpful and kind and Isla has a very relaxed atmosphere. I’ll definitely keep coming back here.”

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One visitor praised: “Absolutely brilliant meal – really interesting range of dishes and all beautifully presented, very tasty. There was a good range of vegetarian, fish and meat small plates.

“The flavours were well balanced – the leek and black truffle tart and treacle and orange tart were perfection.”

Meanwhile, this person said: “We had a brilliant meal at Isla. Food was delicious (the tempura broccoli was out of this world) and the staff went above and beyond. One of us had some dietary requirements and they took the time to talk us through the menu and even accommodated a special request. Will definitely go back.”