A Pre-Panto Tea at The Food Pit, Durham – Review

21st December 2025 0 By Rachael Stray

Before heading to the Gala Theatre to watch Jack and the Beanstalk, we decided to treat ourselves to tea — and just like last year, we made a beeline for the riverside hoping The Food Pit had a table for us.

Luckily, our timing was spot on.

If you haven’t been before, The Food Pit at The Riverwalk is a brilliant little hub of independent street-food vendors.

It’s one of those places where you can grab whatever takes your fancy, sit together, and enjoy great food without any fuss.

Think relaxed vibes, plenty of choice, and something to keep every member of the family happy.

Getting Settled

A friendly server greeted us as soon as we walked through the door and whisked us straight to a table — always appreciated when dining with a hungry little one!

We started flicking through the different menus on offer.

Sadly, the vendor we loved last year had moved on (such is the nature of street-food spots), so we decided to all order from Parma La Familia.

Unfortunately, they’d run out of hot dogs — Elsie’s first choice — but she quickly bounced back and opted for chicken nuggets with fries and ketchup.

Steve went all-in with the Spicy Cluck burger: crispy fried chicken layered with chipotle, red onion, lettuce and streaky bacon in a toasted bun, served with fries.

I chose the southern fried chicken strips with chipotle sauce and fries. Clearly we were all on the same wavelength!

Drinks and Little Extras

Once the food was ordered, Elsie and I popped to the bar for drinks.

I grabbed a Pepsi, Steve went for an Appletiser, and Elsie chose a Fruit Shoot.

A lovely touch — they had colouring books and pencils at the bar, so Elsie was happily entertained while we waited.

Always a big win when dining out with kids.

Tucking In

Our buzzer went off after a short wait and Steve headed up to collect the feast.

Elsie’s kids meal was very generous. Her chicken nuggets had a gentle kick — just enough to add interest without overwhelming her — and she happily polished off most of her plate.

Steve’s burger definitely lived up to its “spicy” name. He said it packed a proper punch but was really tasty and full of flavour.

My chicken strips were brilliant — huge, juicy, and full of flavour.

The chipotle sauce was smoky and delicious, and the fries were a great accompaniment.

Room for Dessert? Always.

Steve declared himself officially full, but Elsie and I have a different dessert stomach — the one that magically has space even after a full meal.

We wandered over to Room for Dessert and it couldn’t have been more aptly named.

Elsie chose a classic vanilla ice cream with sprinkles and a flake in a plain cone, while I went straight for the brownie sundae.

And let me tell you… it was good. Rich, chocolatey, and everything a brownie sundae should be.

Vibes, Atmosphere and Final Thoughts

The Food Pit has such a lovely, laid-back feel. It’s relaxed and full of good energy.

There was a real mix of people enjoying their food — including a small pizza party for a teen’s birthday in one corner.

You also get the sense it’s a proper community spot, with things like quizzes and events happening regularly.

With reasonable prices, plenty of choice, and a great atmosphere, The Food Pit made for a perfect pre-panto tea.

We’ll definitely be back again next time we’re in Durham.

Where is The Food Pit?

The Food Pit is located in Durham City Centre at The Riverwalk.

Opening hours:

Monday to Sunday 11am to 10pm, Food is served from 11am to 9pm. Walkins are welcome.

The Food Pit website.