coarse

This is my favourite restaurant. I come once a quarter (every time they change the menu) - I always try to bring someone new to introduce them to it! The food is exquisite, wines are divine & it is exceptional value. The staff are friendly & knowledgeable. Cannot recommend highly enough. It’s a small venue, & popular, so cook well in advance if you want a weekend reservation.

Absolutely beautiful lunch time spent in Coarse Durham! We had the 3 course taster menu with the supplementary Lobster Sandwich course and wine pairing - the whole experience was stunning! Friendly staff, informative about the food and wine and we didn't feel uncomfortable or rushed. Perfect - thank you! We will definitely be back

Wow. What an amazing evening from start to finish. Impeccable service, amazing and innovative creative food and the wine flight was divine. What more can I say except flawless an hedonistic! We will be back!!!!!!!

We had an exceptional dinner here, one of the best meals we've ever had served in a Scandinavian feel room with a friendly, professional young team. Each course on the 6 course tasting menu was a delicious surprise in taste, texture and presentation. Every mouthful perfect. We sadly live too far away to be regular customers, but will certainly return when we go back to Durham. Highly recommend.

Our first experience at dining at Course and wow what a joyous occasion, filled with taste sensations from each course of the tasting menu complimented by the wine pairing.
Each dish was explained by excellent front of house as was the wine chosen to sit alongside each recipe.
The restaurant was simple but full of ambience and atmosphere and focus was on delivering quality plates with exceptional friendly and knowledgeable service.
The price of such an experience does not represent the food or service BUT that is the beauty of Course and its statement of fine dining at an affordable cost, I truly recommend booking and visiting this restaurant and I am sure like me you will leave fulfilled and with a smile

This menu was delicious! All of the dishes were very well cooked. An interesting twist on classic dishes like fish n chips and pina colada. The service was great if a little slow, but the meal was worth the wait. I would recommend a visit for a unique experience in Durham!

Fantastic!

Lovely place.

We were seated upstairs which was excellent.

Service was really friendly and welcoming. The food was superb.

We had the 6 course taster menu and we paid for the supplement coarse too. We enjoyed every element. The menu was deliberately vague and the surprises on each coarse were brilliant.

We didn't try the wine pairing but we will next time.

The menu changes every weeks with seasonal ingredients.

Highly recommended !!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

We had a fantastic evening, right from the start the staff were friendly and accommodating. The food was incredible and well explained by the waiters. A hugely enjoyable time and an easy recommendation.

Coarse Restaurant, Durham: A Symphony of Bold Flavours and Culinary Artistry

Nestled in the heart of Durham, Coarse Restaurant exudes an unpretentious charm, with its minimalist decor and unassuming ambiance. Yet, what it lacks in ostentation, it more than compensates for with its audacious approach to flavours and a menu that reads like a manifesto of culinary creativity. My visit to Coarse was nothing short of a revelation, a testament to what happens when ambition meets skill in the kitchen.

Our journey commenced with a Tomato Tart that stood as a testament to simplicity elevated to the sublime. The tart crust, impossibly delicate and buttery, cradled a medley of tomatoes that tasted like summer distilled into bite-sized jewels. This was no ordinary tart; it was a masterclass in balancing acidity with sweetness, with the creamy burrata providing a luscious counterpoint. And then there was the nduja—ah, the nduja! Spicy, bold, and unapologetically assertive, it brought the dish to life, each bite a riot of contrasts that danced merrily on the palate.

Next, the Monkfish with French Peas and Roast Chicken Butter arrived, looking almost too good to eat. The monkfish, perfectly seared and succulent, was a testament to the kitchen’s technical prowess. It flaked beautifully under the fork, revealing its tender, sweet flesh. The French peas added a pop of verdant freshness, a nod to the spring season, while the roast chicken butter was an inspired touch. It imbued the dish with a richness that was at once comforting and indulgent, a luxurious whisper of poultry that lingered on the tongue.

Then came the Barbecue Lamb, a dish that boldly traversed continents. The lamb, infused with Indian spices, was a revelation, its smoky, charred exterior yielding to a tender, succulent interior. Each mouthful was an odyssey through spice and smoke, with the Jersey Royals providing a starchy, earthy counterpoint. The samphire, with its briny snap, added a touch of the sea, a perfect harmony of land and ocean. It was a dish that spoke of long, languorous barbecues and distant, exotic markets, a celebration of flavour that was both familiar and thrillingly new.

Dessert was a Strawberry Cheesecake that could have easily been a study in how to end a meal on a high note. The cheesecake itself was a dream—silky smooth with just the right amount of tang. The strawberries, bursting with summer ripeness, were complemented by the subtle warmth of Mexican vanilla. And then there were the hazelnuts, adding a delightful crunch and a nutty richness that elevated the dessert from merely delicious to truly unforgettable.

Coarse Restaurant doesn’t just serve food; it tells stories through its dishes, weaving narratives of taste that linger long after the last bite. Each plate is a carefully crafted journey, a reflection of the chef’s artistry and an invitation to explore the boundaries of flavour. In a city brimming with culinary talent, Coarse stands out as a beacon of innovation and excellence. It is a place where every meal feels like an event, every dish a celebration. And for that, it deserves not just a visit, but a standing ovation.

my first time at Course it was absolutely amazing, each course was so tasty it is hard to explain even the photo i have added from some of the courses do not fully give the full effect of how beautiful and delicious this food is ❤ I can not wait for my next coarse’s at course

This was a special night for us and Coarse did not let us down. Each dish was served with a detailed explanation of the ingredients etc so that we knew exactly what we were eating. The food was really delicious and we enjoyed every dish. The beef was particularly special as was the cream egg desert. We definitely recommend this restaurant for a special event. Check the menu as it changes quite regularly.

Entrance is located in a alleyway off the Main Street.

Sat up stairs with nice airy night ceiling and light thought Velux window. Scandi style minimalist interior.

Had the lunch menu of focaccia with butter followed by three courses and added the monkfish course.

The tomato tart with burrata and Nduja was amazing, the olive Tapenade was too intense and overwhelmed the dish.

The monkfish dish was amazing with peas, crispy bacon- a classic dish and cooked very well.

The lamb mains again very good. Preferred the bbq filet to the other piece with the papadom crumbs on the top.

The strawberry cheese cake was amazing amazing.

The wine selection was interesting- had a red from Switzerland which was different.

Service was attentive.

Had the most lovely afternoon at Coarse
The staff were warm friendly and knowledgeable explaining how the menu worked
Each coarse was small and well presented and as it was served perfectly explained by the staff including food content and how it was being served

The food was so tasty as well seasoned
Would highly recommend
Loved everything we tasted
Worth it

Really enjoyed the experience, went on a Saturday lunch time and there was a nice relaxed environment. The staff were lovely and friendly and talked about the wines and the food and seemed very knowledgeable. The menu was great, we paid extra for a lobster pasta dish and it was wonderful. The food was tasty and well put together, the portion sizes were ideal and I thought the pricing was very fair for what they serve etc. We both really enjoyed it and I would definitely go back again.

Deserving of its recognition in the Michelin Guide and other prestigious awards.
Excellent value for money , superb tasty food , friendly and professional staff.
We would highly recommend .

Relaxed atmosphere with great food. Portion sizes are perfect to enjoy yet leave room for each course. Alcohol free(ish) options and wine pairing are great.

Absolutely incredible visit to Coarse. Had heard so many good things and it didn’t disappoint. Staff were so lovely and attentive, atmosphere was super chill and the food was divine. Can’t WAIT to visit again!!

Fabulous meal. The tuna dish was definitely a full favourite at our table. Great gluten free adjustments as always

Fantastic cuisine otherwise impossible to find in this part of Britain, excellent service paired with well executed and balanced dishes, delicious wine pairings, and ultimately a night or afternoon you won't soon forget. The restaurant playlist could be improved, and when sitting for an earlier meal the restaurant can feel slightly lacking in ambience but regardless this is a restaurant that must be visited. Excellence guaranteed.

This was our second visit. We had the lunch menu plus the optional dish. The service was excellent and very informative about each course. The food is as good as we have had in any fine dining restaurant and at a reasonable cost. This is a special fine dining restaurant at a price that is more affordable to more customers. We wish the team our best wishes for the future.