New Kurdish restaurant opens in Darlington - here's what's on offer

Suly opened on Gladstone Street in the unit once occupied by Star of Bengal this week and serves traditional Kurdish food.

The restaurant offers take-away, as well as sit-in service, with plans to have delivery as an option in the near future as well.

Nazhad Mahmud is the owner, manager, and chef of Suly, and is over the moon with the reception the restaurant has had so far.

Kurdish food from Suly in Darlington. Picture: Sarah Caldecott, Newsquest (Image: Sarah Caldecott, Newsquest)

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Mr Mahmud explained that the name Suly refers to Sulaymaniyah, his hometown in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

Mr Mahmud told The Northern Echo: “Business has been really good so far. We’ve had good feedback on the food and customers seem happy.

“We wanted to bring this food to Darlington because we don’t know of many other places doing this kind of food round here.

“We hope people like our food and support us. We love the food, and we hope others do too.”

A taste of Kurdistan comes to Darlington. Picture: Sarah Caldecott, Newsquest (Image: Sarah Caldecott, Newsquest)

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Explaining that he had been in Darlington for about 18 months, Mr Mahmud said he enjoys living in Darlington, and he also owns Babylon Mini Market, also on Gladstone Street.

Cllr Sajna Ali, who is BAME officer for Darlington, told The Northern Echo: “It’s great that the restaurant has opened.

“Gladstone Street (and the surrounding area) has loads going for it and great businesses and Sully’s is adding to that.

“It’s a great space, it’s light and airy, and the food is lovely.”

The restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere. Picture: Sarah Caldecott, Newsquest (Image: Sarah Caldecott, Newsquest)

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Dishes on the menu include barbequed sea bass with salad and flat bread, chicken shawarma, lamb chops.

The restaurant/café has an informal, relaxed atmosphere and food is prepared in the open.

The food is traditional and homely, and every customer gets a free bowl of lentil soup as a starter, which we’re sure will be very popular during the cost-of-living crisis.

Suly is open from 7am each morning for breakfast, and closes at 9pm, and the restaurant is open seven days per week.

Picture: Sarah Caldecott, Newsquest (Image: Sarah Caldecott, Newsquest)

Restaurant interior. Picture: Sarah Caldecott, Newsquest (Image: Sarah Caldecott, Newsquest)

The team of Suly with Darlington councillors. Picture: Sarah Caldecott, Newsquest (Image: Sarah Caldecott, Newsquest)

Restaurant exterior on Gladstone Street. Picture: Sarah Caldecott, Newsquest (Image: Sarah Caldecott, Newsquest)