The Deli House in Darlington makes Echo competition top ten

The Deli House, on Blackwellgate, only opened in June last year but has been going from strength to strength since taking on the former Mr Hutton’s Barbers and Bar. 

And now, owners Barbara ‘Boo’ Lowe and Veronika Kuntorova, who also runs The Pasta Shop, are thrilled to have made the top ten shortlist of the Echo competition. 

The deli offers everything from fresh, homemade pasta and sandwiches to sweet treats and products from other local suppliers. 

All the sandwiches and salads on offer are inspired by people and places the pair have met throughout their life.

Boo, who is from Darlington, said it has been an “amazing” response so far: “Our plan was to create a nice community as well as a wonderful deli that we felt was missing in Darlington. 

Boo Lowe at The Deli House Darlington (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

“There are so many wonderful places in the town but it really means a lot to us that we have been nominated. 

“This was built around creating something special and a place where people feel welcome and looked after. We are still quite new and we are really grateful to everyone supporting us.” 

Boo said the venture “would not have been possible” without her business partner Veronika, adding that they were both “really happy to be here”. 

She continued: “We have been really welcomed by people who really love what we are doing. We have regulars everyday – I just feel really lucky and blessed.” 

Boo Lowe at The Deli House Darlington (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

As well as serving up food downstairs, The Deli House boasts its own events space upstairs – and Boo hopes to keep supporting even more independent businesses in the future. 

She said: “The events are really the thing that we are focusing on. We have got the wine club we have just started and the first event was absolutely fabulous.” 

The Deli House is one of ten named in our competition this year, with others including Chittock’s, in Bishop Auckland, D&J Meats, in Willington, and Sub Station Darlington. 

You can read the full shortlist here: Northern Echo’s Best Sandwich Shop 2026 finalists revealed

To vote for The Deli House, simply complete the form your The Northern Echo newspaper and return it to: The Northern Echo Best Sandwich Shop 2026, Localiq House, 1 Dalston Road, Carlisle, CA2 5NP. Voting closes Wednesday April 1.