Gussto Tapas Bar - Durham

You'll find yourself on Silver Street, that narrow cobbled stretch where Durham's proper food scene happens, pushing through into a space that gets the tapas formula right. It's the kind of place where you can tell the kitchen knows what it's doing—no frozen prawns or tired croquetas here. The vibe sits somewhere between neighbourhood favourite and special occasion spot; you can rock up solo at the bar or book a table for eight, and either way you won't feel out of place. Spanish wine list that doesn't take the piss, and staff who actually know what they're talking about.