Ye Old Elm Tree - Durham

A lovely rustic hide gem that serves Stella unfiltered

Easy to understand why this pub is CAMRA pub of the year again. Historic building with a good ambience serving excellent real ales well. Friendly efficient staff.

Lovely friendly pub, visited 3 days ago and great to see the food menu back on, we had not been for a while. Dog friendly, always find someone nice to chat to, a lovely couple with a dog this time. We had a really tasty Bolognese on chips, good choice of different lagers and ale. Great location as well, wonderful view of Durham Cathedral from St Margaret's church just a few yards along. Staff extremely personable.

Walked in at 19:14, got drinks and menus, and then told us we had 5 minutes to order if we wanted food. The creamy mushrooms were watery and luke warm. Hallumi bites were OK, and the chicken wings were good. Mains The rib eye was more medium rare than medium well, no steak knife, but it wasn't needed. Tomatoes were raw but had a black middle as if they had cooked it. Chicken burger was solid. I could have used a hacksaw to find the dried chicken inside. The chicken curry was bland and watery. Poor choice of non alcoholic beers. Monday night is folk night, and the calming music calmed the savage breast after that burger. I don't like leaving reviews that are not glowing, it is a good pub that could be great with a bit of attention to detail in the food you serve.

Well this is a splendid place. Choice of real ales, food was good, hot and fast. Old style pub. Nice space deck out the back Away from city centre, but not that far (bus station is near, rail station not far)