Rudy’s Pizza: Authentic Neapolitan cuisine in Durham

By Ania Askwith

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Rudy’s Pizza Napoletana, Silver Street, Durham DH1 3RD

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Rudy’s Pizza

Recently opened in Durham city centre, we found Rudy’s Pizza to offer a true, authentic Neapolitan dining experience. Their dough is fluffy and light, and the pizzas overflow the plate.

Dog-friendly, comfortable atmosphere

What sets Rudy’s apart is their genuine love for dogs. It’s not just about being dog-friendly; it’s clear that Rudy’s is a place for dog lovers—water bowls and special treats included! Loui fully enjoyed his experience, even before we bribed him with meaty pizza toppings!

Beyond pizza, we enjoyed Rudy’s inviting atmosphere which feels really casual and comfortable. The decor is another thing I really liked about this place. It helps to create a very relaxed feel, and the vibe of the place reflects the rustic character of the pizzas they serve. But if you think the informal atmosphere may have any kind of negative bearing on the food – this is not the case. The casual vibe is definitely a carefully planned, mindfully designed feature to make you feel at home; the pizzas are beautiful, and you can taste the freshness of the ingredients. The dough is so good, I could happily eat the crust on its own!

My non- pizza related highlight

While Rudy’s is known for their pizzas (and they are delicious!), my highlight of the visit was actually their Caesar salad. I am a big Caesar salad fan, and the one we had here was one of the best I’d ever tasted (only beaten by the ones I had in Mexico!). The dressing was absolutely mouth-watering and the super fine shavings of cheese melted in your mouth. It was outstanding.

Why I Love Rudy’s

Multi-location restaurants can sometimes have a bad reputation (you know how you feel when somebody says ‘chain restaurant’), but this place managed to maintain their small business vibe with an inviting atmosphere and super delicious food!

It’s also really entertaining to see pizzas being cooked right in front of you in a pizza oven.

If you are a pizza aficionado and a dog parent, Rudy’s Pizza is a must-visit.  It’s a slice of authentic Italy right in the centre of Durham. But if you’re not North East based, they have several restaurants across the country and they all seem to embody the same Rudy’s vibe (we visited a couple and had the same, lovely experience).

Location

Located at Silver Street, Durham, DH1 3RD, the restaurant is in the heart of Durham city centre, making it easily accessible for both locals and visitors.

• By Train: Durham Train Station is a short 15-20 minute walk from Rudy’s Pizza.
• By Bus: Durham’s Bus Station is also within walking distance, approximately 10 minutes away.
• Parking: Prince Bishops Shopping Centre Car Park and The Sands Car Park are both nearby options, within a 5-10 minute walk from the restaurant. Parking fees here are also quite reasonable in comparison to Newcastle.

Tips for Visiting

• Dog-friendly perks: If you’re bringing your dog along, Rudy’s offers water bowls and treats to make your pups feel at home.
• Watch the pizza-making: Grab a seat near the pizza oven for a fun view of the pizzas being prepared fresh in front of you.
• Book ahead: While walk-ins are welcome, it’s best to book a table. Whenever we visit, we make sure we have a booking as the place does get quite busy.

Best for: Durham, authentic Neapolitan dining experience, dog-friendly restaurant, Caesar salad, pizza oven experience, authentic Italian pizza, Durham city centre dining, pizza near Durham,

Website

For more details, visit Rudy’s Pizza’s website here: Rudy’s Pizza

Reviews

Rudy’s Pizza has quickly become a favourite in Durham and beyond with 4.7/5 stars from over 1,200 Google Reviews & 4.5/5 stars from over 900 Tripadvisor reviews.

Visitors seem to agree with my opinion of the place, raving about the authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas, the relaxed atmosphere, and the welcoming environment for both people and their dogs. The consistency of the food is also being mentioned a lot.

Enjoyed this post? If you love discovering things to do, places to go, and the best spots to eat and drink in the North East and beyond, be sure to follow my blog for more reviews, recommendations, travel tips, and hidden gems. And for a closer look at my day-to-day experiences, follow me on Instagram @ania.askwith for behind-the-scenes content and even more discoveries! Let’s explore together!

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