Veera Indian Dining Opens on Durham's North Road

A familiar Durham dining spot is back in business under a new name. Veera Indian Dining & Bar has opened on North Road, taking over the site that traded for years as Alishaan, a short walk from the railway and bus stations at the top of the city centre.

For anyone who missed Alishaan after it closed following 16 years of trading, the reopening will be welcome. The space has had an extensive refurbishment, and the new owners are aiming for a more contemporary sit-down experience, pairing traditional Indian cooking with a proper cocktail bar.

A new chapter on North Road

Veera opened its doors in early June, with the restaurant formally launched by the Mayor of Durham, Cllr Gary Hutchinson, at a ribbon-cutting. Owner Minhaz Syed said the team was "bringing something really special to Durham", promising "fantastic traditional Indian food, prepared with passion and authenticity", as reported by the Sunderland Echo.

Durham BID has pointed to the opening as a fresh investment in the city's hospitality scene, at a time when the city centre has seen a run of new food-and-drink launches.

Best for: Veera is on North Road, close to Durham railway station, in the former Alishaan premises. As with any new opening, it is worth booking ahead at weekends and checking current opening hours.

Where it sits in the city

North Road is one of the busiest approaches into Durham, so the restaurant is easy to reach whether you are arriving by train or heading out for the evening. It joins a strong line-up of Indian restaurants across the city.

For more options, see our guide to the best Indian restaurants in Durham. We wish the new team well.