Where to find the best Italian food in Durham: A visit to Fabio’s

By Ania Askwith

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Fabio’s, 191 Front Street, Chester-Le-Street, DH3 3AX

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Italian food has had such an impact on our diet that we sometimes throw this term loosely and call a mediocre pasta dish ‘Italian’.

But when you come across real Italian cuisine that is done well, you quickly realise how silly you’ve been to use this blanket term to talk about foods merely influenced by, or inspired by, true Italian cooking.

I have had this realisation when we visited Fabio’s. And I think Fab doesn’t just stand for the owner’s name – I would argue it stands for Fabulous because this place is absolutely off the scale when it comes to traditional Italian cooking.

Stunning Décor

I actually thought to myself WOW as soon as we stepped into the venue. The place is decorated so beautifully, and you can tell that no expense has been spared when designing and decorating this restaurant. It is quite big, but it has all those little nooks and corners that feel like you are dining in a little Italian cafe. I loved the pergola corner in particular, and the bar area is also stunning.

The decor only sets the vibe, which is actually so fun and relaxed, all thanks to super helpful and friendly team who work there. We have had the pleasure to be looked after by Fabio himself – but make no mistake, this was not because we were food bloggers. Fabio is clearly a part of the team and works as hard as the other staff to make everyone feel welcome. We saw him take orders, serve dishes, and chat to all the different tables. I always find it so inspiring and wholesome when the owners themselves are looking after the guests.

And what a personality he is – you have got to go and see for yourself, he will instantly make you feel welcome and relaxed. I heard him tell the diners over and over again to relax, enjoy the food, it was truly like being in Italy. It wasn’t just Fabio who was so welcoming either – the rest of the team are clearly selected for their lovely manner and look after guests with real enthusiasm.

The authentic Italian food

BUT we were there to eat, so let’s talk about that!

As much as I loved the decor and the friendly staff who made you feel like you are relaxing in a restaurant in the middle of Italy, the food was what really took us back to that beautiful country.

The portions of every single dish – starters, mains, and desserts – were a show of Italian hospitality; super generous portions of the most delicious Italian dishes you can imagine.

Gorgeous starters

We tried a selection of starters, including:

• King Prawns in the most delicious butter sauce cooked with garlic and herbs, served with toasted bread; it was actually the most delicious butter sauce I have ever tasted. So much so, I had used all the bread to scoop up all of it, even once the prawns were finished.

• Garlic Bread Fabio’s– the most fun dish, arranged like the Italian flag with garlic, pesto, and tomato strips. It was a real hit for both the taste and the creative design.

• Mussels in sauce served with toasted bread. The mussels were beautifully cooked and served with another moreish sauce that I just couldn’t help but had to mop up with the toasted bread that came with them. Gorgeous.

• Meatballs in tomato sauce served with toasted bread. The meatballs were super soft and light, and again, the sauce they were cooked in was SUPERB.

• Chicken tenders served with a garlic mayo. The garlic sauce was so delicious, I used the side salad to dip in it, it was THAT good.

Authentic Italian mains

After the starters– which we thought were an absolute feast on their own – we had to try the mains.

• On Fabio’s recommendation, Ryan went for the steak which was served with asparagus, mushrooms, grilled tomato. I couldn’t help but had to cut and cover it in the most delicious peppercorn sauce I have ever tasted. It had so many peppercorns in, making it quite fiery in the most delightful way (pepper is my kind of flavour and I just couldn’t get enough of it; I doused my chips and asparagus in it, it was beautiful). The cook on the steak was perfect – medium rare and buttery soft.

• I had the seafood dish which came loaded with mussels, prawns, squid, all covered in another gorgeous sauce.

We also had a side of:

• Salad – fresh and perfect as a side for all the rich and beautiful seafood and steak.

• Asparagus perfectly cooked and seasoned (it is actually one of my favourite vegetables- I loved how they cooked it here).

• Chips – they were UNREAL! The crispiest on the outside, and softest on the inside. Again, some of the best I’ve had.

The heartiest desserts

Even though we were stuffed, I have read all about their tiramisu (I love tiramisu!) so I just had to sample it. By that point I was so impressed with the food, I knew this was going to be good. And it wasn’t just good. It was GREAT. Homemade by Fabio himself, and one of the nicest tiramisu I’ve had. It had the perfect balance of coffee-soaked biscuits and cream and I regret to say that after all the food we have had up to that point, I couldn’t finish it all. But I did give it my best shot as it was absolutely stunning.

We also had some white chocolate profiteroles and – guess what – they were also a hit. Super rich and moreish.

The service

We were also impressed with how quickly the food came out. The guys in the kitchen do a fantastic job, especially considering how fresh everything was, all dishes for each course came out together, all that while the restaurant was full with all tables booked (which in itself it says a lot on a Monday night!) Incredible service and compliments to the chefs.

The drinks

The cocktail menu is great; they have some classics, and we were very impressed when we asked for a margarita – which was not on the menu – and we were told that it could be made for us. And it was lovely – a perfect marg, and definitely on a stronger side.

This was also the case with their festive drinks. I do love a Christmassy cocktail, and we tried Mr Grinch and a Merry Mai Tai – both delicious, super festive, and very strong!

Our whole evening was lovely, the food was beautiful and just as wholesome and hearty (and delicious) as they make it in Italy. The cocktails were fantastic, the decor was beautiful, the staff were lovely, and the whole atmosphere was just amazing. A great evening.

Location: Fabio’s is located at 191 Front Street, Chester-Le-Street, DH3 3AX. There is a car park nearby, and another one just across the road with really reasonable rates.

Tips for visiting:

• Try their sauces. Every dish that came with a sauce was something else. I think a sauce as it can make or break a dish and they absolutely nail them here! Pure perfection.
• Make sure you book. We went on a Monday and they were fully booked. So if you plan a visit – it’s worth making a reservation. To save you time, here’s the link direct to Fabios’s online booking form
• Try their cocktails. They are as good as their food.
• Come hungry. Portions are great and there is so much choice you will want to try different things. Next time we go, we’ll definitely share starters and sides in a tapas style meal.
• Look up their deals. Their happy hour is Monday-Thursday 12-9pm; Friday- Saturday 12-6pm; and Sunday – 12-8pm where you get 1 course for £9.95, 2 courses for £14.95 and 3 courses for £18.95.

Link

For current deals, menu and events, visit their website here and socials here

Reviews

Fabio’s Italian Restaurant in Chester-le-Street has received positive feedback across various platforms, with 4.5 out of 5 on TripAdvisor.

Best for: Italian dining in Durham, traditional Italian cuisine, cocktails

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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