Looking for a coffee shop is often difficult - wanting to know if somewhere is worth the hype or wanting to drop into a new place you've passed before. 

County Durham is graced with some amazing coffee shops - and we have picked out five of the best, according to reviews from TripAdvisor. 

From coffee shops in Durham City itself to more vintage locations, and rural gems, we have managed to find some great places for you to enjoy this weekend.

Five of the best cafes in County Durham:

The Neighbourhood

Old Shire Hall, 9 Old Elvet, Durham

The Neighbourhood Coffee House is based in the lobby of Hotel Indigo Durham, offering food and drink, and a space for the community.

Also offering takeout, the café is a top pick on TripAdvisor, as one of the only five-star rated venues on there, with 75 people rating it as 'excellent'.

One person who rated The Neighbourhood Coffee House as 'excellent' on TripAdvisor said: "I visit the café regularly after a days work or at lunch. And it never fails to disappoint, the staff are lovely and accommodating. The lattes are perfect and the cakes are so tempting. Especially the cheesecake! Can’t speak more highly of them."

Cafedral Durham

1 Owengate, Durham

As a family-run café in Durham City, this place has an eclectic style and sells a range of homemade food and hot drinks throughout the day.

Located at the top of Saddler Street, just before the Cathedral, it's the location to stop for a bite to eat or a slice of cake. Just look out for the bright blue door and flowers.

One person who has visited the venue and rated it highly on TripAdvisor said: "Lovely coffee (we had lattes) and scrumptious bagels which were beautifully presented. The café is bright, light and quirky in décor. Lots of eclectic furniture and some lovely plants dotted around the place."

Fifteas Vintage Tearoom

9 Market Place, Bishop Auckland

A great vintage tearoom with vintage décor, and quality food and drink to match. 

From the 339 reviews, which ranked it 4.5 stars out of five, 246 of these reviews are 'excellent' for the venue on TripAdvisor. 

One person who loved the vintage tearoom said on TripAdvisor: "Definitely worth making a detour - a lovely café with great atmosphere and very friendly staff - and a fun gift shop. Five stars!"

Flat White Durham Café

21A Elvet Bridge, Durham

Located near Saddler Street, just seconds away from Durham Cathedral, is Flat White Durham's latest venture: Flat White Kitchen.

The five-storey 16th-century property has been restored to its original décor of stripped-wood, copper pipes and bare brick alongside opulent French mirrors and fresh flowers.

The coffee offering showcases the owners' talents, who opened their first café after working alongside some of Australia's greatest roasters. 

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On TripAdvisor, it's one of the most popular, with one customer saying: "Flat white is the best café I’ve ever been to I think. Lovely venue, and delicious food - the pancakes are a must! The juices are also fantastic. Worthy of the hype."

Bayberry Hollow

Tanfield Village, Stanley

Bayberry Hollow is County Durham's fully Licenced Café and Home Accessory Shop situated in the quaint village of Tanfield.

Open seven days a week for coffee, tea, lunch, and a glass of wine or beer, this place also uses locally sourced ingredients where possible. 

One person who ranked this place highly on TripAdvisor said: "We came in for coffee and cake on Bank Holiday Monday. Good quality furnishing and attentive staff. The milk in the coffee was a bit hot but the cake was enormous and tasty."