Everything we know about Meet & Marrow opening in Darlington

Meet & Marrow, run by childhood friends Nicola Patterson and Axel Tucker, will open on Duke Street on Monday, February 16.

Here is everything we know about Meet & Marrow ahead of its opening.

Where is Meet & Marrow and when will it be opening?

The café is on Duke Street and will open on February 16.

Nicola and Axel have said they are beyond excited to open Meet & Marrow next Monday (Image: NICOLA PATTERSON)

When was the café originally meant to open?

The café was originally going to be in Firthmoor Community Centre and was meant to open in September.

Speaking to The Northern Echo last year after a successful soft launch, Nicola said: “The opening went so well. I had that feeling you have when you organise a birthday party and are worried no one is going to show up, that’s how nervous I was. It was amazing, so lovely.”

However, plans were put on hold after the pair decided to relocate after deciding the site was not right for their long-term plans.

In a statement last September, the pair said: “After giving it our all behind the scenes it’s clear our current site isn’t the right long-term home for the café we dream of – the one that can consistently deliver the real high-quality food you deserve.”

Meet & Marrow in Darlington (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

When did work start on the new venue?

In October 2025, Nicola and Axel confirmed they had found a new premises in Darlington to open their healthy eating café.

What Meet & Marrow looked like before work got underway (Image: NICOLA PATTERSON)

Speaking to The Northern Echo at the time, Nicola said: “I am feeling very positive, it is in a spectacular location.

Meet & Marrow (Image: NICOLA PATTERSON)

“It’s been a rollercoaster; it’s been absolutely mental. The universe has been in my favour this week, and I am absolutely buzzing. I am so happy.”

Nicola had even thought about giving up on her dream and considered applying for other jobs, but said she wanted to make the café work.

The following month, the duo confirmed its new home in Darlington on Duke Street.

The pair had to carry out a full refurbishment of the café, with Nicola saying they can “put our mark on it”.

What will the café look like?

Meet & Marrow (Image: NICOLA PATTERSON)

Pictures taken by The Northern Echo last month showed the café was near completion with chairs, table and countertops fitted.

The outside of the café has also now been completed, with signs, logos and slogans now visible in the window.

Earlier this week, Axel said they were at the point of “dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s” and “making sure we have not rushed anything”.

Some of the food on offer at Meet & Marrow (Image: NICOLA PATTERSON)

Following the completion of the café, Axel admitted the journey had been emotional.

He said: “Two weeks ago, before the last thing was on the wall, I was feeling a bit of pressure. Once that was done, the feeling went and I was quite emotional.

“When everyone left, I stayed at the café for more than two hours, and I just stood and cried.”

What food will be served?

Although no menu items have been revealed ahead of the opening next week, Nicola has said in the past there will be no processed food.

She said: “When it comes to the menu, customers can know it is going to be good for them. There is no processed food, everything is cooked with the right things, the majority of it is going to be made inhouse, such as chocolate, bread, butter, beans.

Some of the food on offer at Meet & Marrow (Image: NICOLA PATTERSON)

“We are getting the meat from my local butcher, Hutchinson Hobbs in Yarm, who are amazing.

“It is a family butchers, all their meat is grass-fed, organic and it tastes unbelievable.”

The pair have also previously said the menu will include items such as kombucha – a fermented black tea drink – and homemade lemonade.

Meet & Marrow on Duke Street, Darlington, will open to the public for the first time on Monday, February 16.