This post is sponsored in collaboration with Enjoy Tees Valley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It has to be said that the Tees Valley food scene has really boomed over the last couple of years (which I have absolutely loved). We’ve seen brand new quarters in town opening up, regenerations, and tons of new small businesses, so it really is a thriving area! But if you’re new to the Tees Valley, it can be overwhelming to try and find spots to try, and that’s why I’m here to help. If you want to eat like a local, take a look at my 7 recommendations below!
Mrs C’s Patisserie, Hartlepool – Brunch
Mrs C’s Patisserie is like you’ve stepped into the trendy side of London or Manchester. Think a pastel pink storefront, marble table tops, a flower wall, peonies, and pink seating. There’s even a backdrop of love heart sweets for the most Instagrammable photos! And not only this, but you can have the most gorgeous breakfast, brunch, cake, hot drinks, and so much more. It’s the ideal spot for an indulgent breakfast or a mate date with the girls!
Whether you’re a savoury fan who loves nothing more than a bit of smashed avo or a Full English, or someone with a raging sweet tooth, you’re guaranteed to love the menu here. We’re big fans of the pancakes, which are huge, fluffy and cooked from fresh every time. We really recommend the Kinderella for all chocoholics and the Funfetti if you want something super sweet (with extra popping candy!). The milkshakes are also absolutely fantastic and the cookies & cream flavour is exactly like drinking an Oreo.
Find Mrs C’s Patisserie at 46 Church Street, Hartlepool, TS24 7EB.
Baker Street Kitchen, Middlesbrough – Brunch
If you want another brunch option (because you can never have too much brunch), Baker Street Kitchen in Middlesbrough is a fabulous choice too. It’s such a laidback and cosy spot that’s perfect for breakfast all year round, but there’s something about it that just screams autumn and winter dates. It’s just a comforting spot with lots of lovely hot drinks, breakfast classics and tasty treats on the counter.
My go to at Baker Street Kitchen is the veggie breakfast. Don’t get me wrong, I do love a slap up Full English, but the veggie option here is amazing. I love that it comes with halloumi and spinach, which should be on every breakfast in my opinion! Their lunches are also great too and the cakes on offer are absolutely to die for. It really is a gorgeous spot and one to definitely keep in mind if you’re near to Middlesbrough.
Find Baker Street Kitchen at Victoria House, 159 Albert Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 2PX.
Signals, Saltburn – Lunch
What could be more lovely than a walk on the beach and a bite to eat in the town? Saltburn has lots of gorgeous spots on offer, but one of our favourites is Signals. It became our favourite place for a hot chocolate from the side hatch during lockdown, and now we can sit in, it’s fabulous for lunch! With a huge range of drinks (including those lush hot chocolates), sandwiches, smoothie bowls, fries and cakes available, it’s a great pit stop after exploring by the sea. They also offer lots of plant-based options, so there’s something for everyone!
Whether you sit in the light and airy ground floor or up in the super modern first floor, you’re sure to feel right at home. We recommend giving the famous parmo fries a go, which are seasoned beautifully and loaded up with chicken, bechamel sauce and cheese. They’re a dream come true! The bocadillos are also sensational if you’re after a sandwich-y sort of lunch, and they really hit the spot with one of their hot drinks. Not only is the food amazing, the staff are also absolutely fantastic to boot, so this really is somewhere to get on your list.
Find Signals at 1A Station Square, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, TS12 1AQ.
Darlington Market – Street Food
If one street food option wasn’t enough, there’s another fantastic spot in Darlington Market! This place is perfect for lunch after exploring Darlington, hunting through the wynds and yards, or checking out the scenery in the surrounding areas. It’s also ideal for an evening too, particularly if you plan to visit on a live music or quiz night. But inside the market, you’ll find six food stalls offering a range of cuisines, as well as a beautiful bar with hanging plants and all the spirits you could shake a stick at!
Street food is always a cool and different option, and this spot lets you enjoy street eats in a sheltered spot – ideal if it starts to rain! We strongly recommend Spud Gun Loaded Fries, which can work as a sharing side to other main meals, or as a meal on its own. For me, the Manao Thai stand is fabulous. The menu is so huge with lots of different dishes to choose from, but my favourite so far has been the duck pad thai. And for Matthew, it’s all about What’s Your Beef?, a gourmet burger stand. Like I say, there’s something for everyone!
Find the Street Food Market in the Covered Market, 1 Tubwell Row, Darlington, DL1 1NU.
Marshall’s, Yarm – Dinner
Yarm is packed full of spots that would be ideal for dinner, but Marshall’s is pretty new on the scene and has totally made waves in the short time it’s been open. It’s gorgeously trendy with its flowery booths and giant blossom tree that grows in the front window. But it also has a distinct theme of travelling, and tells the story of an explorer as he discovers flavours and food around the world. It’s absolutely perfect for a Tees Valley date night, but also cocktail nights or celebration dinners.
Like their sister venues, The Ship at Redmarshall and The Prickly Pear Bistro, this spot is famed for its parmos. The menu has a whole 35 different types on offer, as well as platters. I love sharing food and chatting about the things we’re eating together, especially if they’re new to us. So the parmo platters are ideal because you get to sample five different types, giving you plenty to chat about! These can be enjoyed with one of the exotic cocktails, like the bubbling, smoking Reactor No.4.
Find Marshall’s at 68 High Street, Yarm, TS15 9AH.
SALT, Darlington – Dinner
In our household, we’re huge fans of SALT. Going there for dinner is one of our top treats, and it’s definitely the same for others too! I’ve seen people travel for miles to come and try a SALT burger, and I don’t blame them because they’re absolutely lush. This is a beautifully modern spot that looks like it’s stepped straight out of an interiors magazine, but with an incredible menu to boot. It’s all about sumptuous comfort food, but with a few healthier options thrown in for good measure.
We’ve never strayed far from the burger menu when we’ve been to SALT and for very good reason. They feature on my list of the best burgers in Teesside for a purpose! Every single one I’ve ever had is just incredible, juicy and so full of flavour, but their sides are just as fab too. You’ve got to try the arancini, and the parmesan and pesto fries. They’re just heaven sent! If you can’t get in to have a sit down meal, they also offer collection slots regularly via Instagram.
Find SALT at 20 Grange Road, Darlington, DL1 5NG.
Sortie, Darlington – Cocktails & Charcuterie
To round off your night, maybe after a day of exploring, shopping or just hanging out, Sortie in Darlington is the ideal place to wind down. You’ll find the entrance through a narrow passage between two buildings, and when you step inside, it’s like being transported to the Mediterranean coast. With rustic brickwork, wooden decor, and lots of candlelight, it’s super romantic and charming. And that’s before you see the menu!
Sortie specialises in charcuterie boards in a range of sizes, so you can indulge in a variety of breads, meat, cheeses, olives, chutneys and so much more. These can be enjoyed with one of the gorgeous cocktails, wines, beers or spirits, but I highly recommend the Solero to add to the holiday vibes. While this is the sort of place I’d recommend to couples, I also think it could be perfect for a mate date with the girls or for an intimate celebration.
Find Sortie at 4 Houndgate, Darlington, DL1 5SG.
So those are just a few of my recommendations and tips on how to eat your way around the Tees Valley, but you can find even more inspiration at Enjoy Tees Valley. I also want to know where your top foodie spots are in the Tees Valley, whether you’re out with friends, on a date, celebrating an occasion, or just having cake and coffee. Let me know in the comments!
