AS so many businesses in Darlington have sadly bitten the dust since the pandemic started, we took a look round town to see which food businesses have recently opened, and which ones will be opening soon.

Darlington has a good range of restaurants, takeaways and cafes, so we wanted to see which outlets have been most popular with local people, and which ones the public is most excited about trying.

Read more: New Italian restaurant set to open in Darlington - and the owners will be familiar

Whether it's a day/night-out you are planning or just want to try something new, there should be something that tickles your fancy in Darlington.

Dough

The Northern Echo: Dough, a new Italian-inspired eatery will be opening on West Auckland Road in Cockerton, Darlington, soon. Picture: AJA DODDDough, a new Italian-inspired eatery will be opening on West Auckland Road in Cockerton, Darlington, soon. Picture: AJA DODD

An expansion of Salt Street-food Kitchen & Bar on Grange Road, Dough is opening on West Auckland Road in Cockerton. A sign has erected and as Salt has been such a hit, Dough will be serving popular Italian-inspired dishes including pizza, pasta and charcuterie.

Bakerman

Opened in Autumn 2020, Bakerman is located on Clark’s Yard in the town centre. Selling freshly baked bread, buns, and sweet treats, Dan Booth recently appeared on Look North after winning an award in the Innovation category with his turmeric, red onion and nigella seed sourdough at the Britain’s Best Loaf competition.

The Northern Echo: Bakerman is located on Clark's Yard in Darlington. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTBakerman is located on Clark's Yard in Darlington. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Falafel Fella

Although Falafel Fella opened in 2018, the business originally operated from Darlington Indoor Market. Now, however, Mouhyedin Alkhalil and his team have set up in Clark’s Yard offering vegetarian and vegan Syrian food including falafel and halloumi, with some meat options too.

The Northern Echo: Falafel Fella is based on Clark's Yard in Darlington. Picture: AJA DODDFalafel Fella is based on Clark's Yard in Darlington. Picture: AJA DODD

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Babul’s

The Northern Echo: Babul's, an Indian restaurant, is set to open in the building once occupied by Pizza Express on the corner of Skinnergate, later this year. Picture: AJA DODDBabul's, an Indian restaurant, is set to open in the building once occupied by Pizza Express on the corner of Skinnergate, later this year. Picture: AJA DODD

A new Indian restaurant has moved into the building once occupied by Pizza Express. The restaurant is not open yet but is expected to be welcoming customers later this year. Babul’s has been a firm favourite in Barnard Castle for 25 years. It is owned by Shuhel Ahmed and managed by his brother Zak who have both grown up in Darlington and are excited to open in their home town.

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Yoby: Fried Chicken and Noodle Bar

A Chinese-inspired fried chicken and Chinese restaurant and takeaway is set to open on Blackwellgate. A change of use proposal to convert the former bank to a mixed use restaurant/hot food takeaway on the ground floor and two three-bedroom flats above was approved by Darlington Council last year. The building does not appear to be in use yet but we shall keep an eye on any developments.

The Northern Echo: Yoby, a new Chinese restaurant and takeaway will be opening soon on Blackwellgate. Picture: AJA DODD Yoby, a new Chinese restaurant and takeaway will be opening soon on Blackwellgate. Picture: AJA DODD

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Grill Street Peri Peri

Having opened earlier this Spring on Skinnergate, will this outlet serving peri peri chicken and burgers be as popular as Nando’s? Time will tell.

The Northern Echo: Grill Street Peri Peri opened on Skinnergate this Spring. Picture: AJA DODDGrill Street Peri Peri opened on Skinnergate this Spring. Picture: AJA DODD

Harry’s Hand-Crafted Donuts

An American-style doughnut and coffee shop opened on High Row in January 2022 and has been a big hit so far. Business owners Jack Beadle and Richard Bridge came up with the idea during lockdown, when they were forced to temporarily close their Hatchet Harry’s axe-throwing venues due to Covid restrictions.

Read more: Class A drugs, weapons and cannabis seized by police in North East raid

The Northern Echo: Harry's Hand-Crafted Donuts opened on High Row in Darlington in January this year. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTHarry's Hand-Crafted Donuts opened on High Row in Darlington in January this year. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Have we missed any restaurants, cafes or takeaways that have opened in Darlington since the start of the pandemic? Let us know.

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