The winter months might be dreary and dark - but there’s something to smile about in Darlington as Restaurant Week returns. 

Diners will be able to sample some of the best restaurants Darlington has to offer as the biannual event kicks off today (Monday, October 28). 

From Italians and Mexicans to traditional pubs and hotels, this edition of Restaurant Week has a huge range of venues to try - with customers able to enjoy top quality food for less under a ‘three courses for roughly £20’ special offer. 

A string of hugely popular Darlington names have signed up for this event, including new Mexican street food spot Casa del Alma, Indian curry house the Star of Bengal, and Maxine’s at the Bannatyne Hotel. 

The popular event will be up for grabs until Sunday, November 3, with each of the venues boasting restaurant week-specific menus enough to get the mouth-watering from reading alone. 

Here’s a full breakdown of every restaurant taking part: 

  • Al Forno - a classic Italian restaurant, now with several locations across the region. Think a range of pasta, pizza, and chicken parmesan. 

Al Forno in DarlingtonAl Forno in Darlington (Image: TGI Media)

  • Bambudda - a pan-Asian restaurant with a modern twist, where customers can eat as much as they like, with food cooked to order. 
  • Maxine's at Bannatyne Hotel - a luxurious restaurant within the popular hotel, boasting a varied menu from parmos to curries, fish and chips, and more. 
  • Saltfish at Houndgate Townhouse - a seafood and wine bar in a boutique hotel, with haddock, pork loin, and fishcake all on the special restaurant week menu (running from October 28 to November 2). 
  • Casa Del Alma - a new Mexican street food restaurant, in the former Posh Street Food. Think burritos, quesadillas, nachos and more.

Casa del AlmaCasa del Alma (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

  • Hideaway - a bar and pizzeria on Duke Street, offering up any full pizza for £20 this week.
  • Baydale Beck Inn - a village inn with traditional homecooked pub grub, including chicken parmesans, scampi, hunters chicken and beef chilli.
  • Meze - serving up Turkish food on Parkgate, Meze serves up dishes including tender lamb and chicken and moussaka. 
  • Oven - includes two cocktails for £12 or two rump steaks for £25.

Oven, in DarlingtonOven, in Darlington (Image: PARKER BARRAS)

  • Star of Bengal - a contemporary curry house, with curries including madras, bhuna, masala, and pasanda all on the special menu. 
  • Tre Amici - a family favourite Italian with a huge Restaurant Week menu, including burgers, pasta, pizza, wraps, and risotto.
  • Taipan Asia - a new contemporary Asian dining restaurant, Taipan Asia offers curries, sweet and sour dishes and glazed belly pork on its restaurant menu. 

Taipan AsiaTaipan Asia (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

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  • Hall Garth Hotel - an Indian-inspired restaurant in Coatham Mundeville that looks out over the golf green.
  • Haus der Bratwurste - a relaxed bar and kitchen featuring Eastern European food and continental beers, from Masterchef star Matei Baran. 
  • Hole in the Wall - a traditional pub in the Market Square with highlights including steak and ale pie, a classic parmesan and beef lasagne. 

You can view all the menus for restaurants taking part in the week here: https://enjoydarlington.co.uk/event-info/darlington-restaurant-week?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1A-V9Dbs-y4xexneE5y_2XzI7x37VWUov18vTRBVQE_KpKgP7HHQ4PXa4_aem_LUuLfwYH5uXB6dcBMOQ0Ig