The Best Chinese and Thai Restaurants in Durham

For East and South East Asian food, Durham punches above its size, with everything from a much-garlanded pan-Asian kitchen to authentic regional Chinese cooking. Whether you fancy a fragrant Thai green curry, sharing plates of dim sum or the proper heat of Sichuan, here is where to go for the best Chinese and Thai food in the city.

Zen

Zen on Court Lane, next to the Law Courts, is one of the highest-rated restaurants in Durham, and its menu draws on traditional recipes from Thailand, China, Vietnam and beyond. The Thai side is the heart of it, with curries made from scratch, and the kitchen has built a strong reputation for quality and quick, friendly service across many thousands of reviews.

It is open all day, every day, which makes it as good for a value lunch as for a full evening meal, and street parking nearby is free after 6pm. Being so well regarded, it gets busy, so booking is wise for dinner.

Best for: Best for authentic Thai and pan-Asian cooking in a well-loved setting.

InShanghai

InShanghai is one of the city's longest-serving Chinese restaurants, now settled in the Riverwalk beside the river in the heart of town. The menu ranges from familiar Cantonese favourites to more regional Shanghainese dishes, with dim sum and set menus that make it easy for a group to share.

The central riverside location is handy for the shops, the bus station and a night out, and it works equally well for a relaxed family meal or a larger celebration. As always, book ahead at busy weekend times.

Best for: Best for Cantonese and Shanghainese sharing menus in the centre.

Fifty Six Restaurant

Fifty Six Restaurant on North Road is the place to go for authentic Sichuan cooking rather than the usual takeaway staples. Expect the bold, fragrant heat of proper regional dishes, from mapo tofu and dry-fried green beans to hotpot-style plates, with milder options for those who prefer them.

Centrally placed near the bus station and the shops, it has a loyal following among diners after the real thing. Go with a group so you can share more of the menu, and book ahead at busy times.

Best for: Best for proper, punchy Sichuan cooking beyond sweet-and-sour.

Where to book

The three cover different corners of the map: Zen for Thai and pan-Asian near the Law Courts, InShanghai for Cantonese and Shanghainese sharing by the river, and Fifty Six for authentic Sichuan on North Road. All are central and all get busy at weekends, so it is worth booking a table, especially for a larger group.

Know a Durham Chinese or Thai spot we should try? Get in touch and we will take a look.