Sitting pretty besides the banks of the River Wear, Durham Marriott Hotel Royal County is not only the area's finest luxury hotel but also home to the slick County Restaurant. Style conscious with a good line in minimalist chic décor, its interior is marked by a combination of maroons, creams and whites. 

High standards apply and the kitchen produces some appealing and original dishes that command both attention and admiration. Appetisers such as terrine of corn-fed chicken, tomato and apple chutney and county mini cod and chip tartar salad are excellent openers whilst mains like poached organic salmon, sun-blushed tomato tart and braised belly pork aim to provide wholesomeness to the meal. The grill menu keeps pace with the set excellence and perfectly aged British beef features, grilled and served with field mushrooms, tomatoes and chips. Desserts that include Bailey's crème brûlée and baked marshmallow cheesecake are fitting finales to the feast.