A Taste of Sicily on the Riverwalk: Sue Sweeney visits Veeno Durham

Durham City’s culinary scene has seen a wave of exciting new openings recently, and to celebrate Durham Restaurant Week, Sue Sweeney headed down to the Riverwalk to visit one of the city’s latest gems: Veeno.

Bringing a genuine taste of Sicily to the banks of the River Wear, Veeno prides itself on pairing authentic Italian recipes with exquisite, family-produced wines. I took ‘him indoors’ along to see if the experience lived up to the hype.

First Impressions

Our afternoon began with a pleasant stroll along the Riverwalk, enjoying the sun and those stunning views of the Cathedral. Approaching Veeno, the first thing you notice is the smart outdoor terrace—I can already tell it’s going to be the "place to be" during the summer months.

We were greeted by a lovely, smiley member of staff who set the tone for the afternoon. The interior is a perfect blend of modern and cozy: lush greenery, walls of wine bottles, and a great open kitchen where you can watch the chef in action. Paired with a soundtrack of easy-listening music, it was the ultimate spot to relax on a Sunday.

The Food

We started with the Garlic Bread Focaccia topped with Parmigiano and the Cestino Di Pane, which featured a standout fig jam and olive oil dip. It was a simple yet sophisticated start that left us excited for the main event.

For the mains, we both opted for the Lasagne Alla Bolognese. This isn't your standard "pub grub" lasagne; it arrived steaming hot, authentic, and packed with flavor. The portions were incredibly generous, proving that Veeno doesn't just focus on style—they deliver on substance, too.

The Sweet Finish

To wrap things up, we sampled the Tiramisu Della Nonna and the Chocolate Fondant with ganache and ice cream. Both were absolute heaven—rich, indulgent, and the perfect end to pretty indulgent afternoon.

The Wine

The wine list here is extensive and carefully curated. If you’re not a connoisseur, don’t worry; the staff really know their stuff. Our waitress was incredibly attentive, suggesting a house special that was refreshing, smooth, and perfectly suited to our meal.

The Verdict

Italian can sometimes feel like a "safe" choice, but Veeno offers something truly special. By focusing on authentic flavours and high-quality suppliers, they’ve brought the Italian tradition of ‘Aperitivo’ (enjoying great wine and food in even better company) to the heart of County Durham.

It’s clear that a massive amount of attention to detail has gone into this menu. We’ll definitely be back—though we might need another long walk along the river to recover next time!

Sue x