By Ania Askwith
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15-33 Middle Chare, Chester-le-Street, Durham DH3 3QD
Best for: Traditional Italian food, cosy dinners, family-friendly dining, Italian takeaway, great espresso

If you’re ever in Chester-le-Street and fancy some delicious Italian food, you have to check out Da-Zero. It’s a lovely little spot and they’re absolutely smashing the Italian restaurant classics we all love.
It’s perfct for date nights, catch-ups with friends, or even a solo dinner. And the service is spot on which is a big plus.
Fun fact: ‘Da-Zero’ means ‘from scratch’ in Italian – and yes, they live up to the name. Everything is made fresh, with loads of love.
Our menu highlights at Da Zero
Potato skins – A must-have in any Italian restaurant. These were perfectly crisp and golden, jut how I like them.

Garlic mushrooms – Absolutely loaded with mushrooms in a rich, garlicky sauce, served on perfectly toasted bread. Just delicious.

Linguine marinara – Full of huge, juicy prawns which were really tasty. If, like me, you enjoy seafood dishes, this one is worth a try.

Fillet surf & turf – a generous portion of fillet steak, cooked perfectly and topped with prawns and a gorgeous, rich sauce. Looked beautiful and tasted just as amazing.

We also added chunky chips – crispy on the outside, fluffy inside – and garlic bread (with a lovely crust), just the right size for a side.

And it wouldn’t be an Italian meal without desserts.
Tiramisu – Light and soft with beautifully whipped cream and lovely hit of coffee.
Eton mess – I LOVE Eton mess and ordered this dessert because it is my signature dessert I make at home; it was sweet and fruity with a lovely crunch from the meringue. A perfect way to end the meal.

Cocktails, mocktails, and seriously good espresso
We tried a Strawberry Daiquiri (I made mine a mocktail) – really fruity and fresh.
The Espresso Martini was also spot on –not too sweet and not too bitter, it was lovely.
To finish, we ordered two espressos with our desserts, and they were genuinely some of the best we’ve ever had.

Why we enjoyed dining at Da Zero
- Hearty, traditional Italian food
- Perfect for families, friends or date night
- Wide menu choice with all the classics we love
- Welcoming staff and great service
- Great coffee

Location:
Da-Zero is located at 15-33 Middle Chare, Chester-le-Street, Durham DH3 3QD. Tere is a car park right opposite the restaurant, which is actually very reasonably priced and free after certain time in the evening.

Tips for Visiting
- Check out the set menus – brilliant value with some great options
- They have a large upstairs space, perfect for groups and private parties
- Takeaway options available if you’re in the mood for a night in with an authentic Italian takeaway at home
- They’re open every day (closed during the day on Mondays and Tuesdays)
- Don’t miss their Sunday lunch – we spotted the menu on our way out and we will have to return to try it sometime! When we do, you’ll hear about it here.

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Link
For updates, special offers, upcoming events, and a peek behind the scenes visit their website here or follow them on their socials here.
Reviews
For reviews, ratings, real customer experiences, and to see what people are saying – check out their Tripadvisor reviews here.
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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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