Houndgate Townhouse Hotel & Saltfish Seafood Restaurant

We had the most gorgeous stay here for a friend's birthday. Overnight in room 3, beautiful! Dinner amd breakfast were incredible. One of the largest dinner menu's I've seen, and everything cooked for you. Staff were amazing and that's not enough of a compliment for them. Attentive, helpful, smiley and so friendly, nothing was too much. The specials board was 'WOW'. This is a gem of a place and we'll be back, thank you everyone 😊

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Let me share an amazing find in Darlington, UK 🇬🇧! The Houndgate Townhouse Hotel & Saltfish Seafood Restaurant is absolutely fantastic. The food is outstanding—fresh, delicious seafood that hits all the right spots. We had the best oysters thanks to the lovely Grace, who helped us pick the perfect ones from the menu with such warmth and expertise! 🙌 The atmosphere is vibrant and welcoming, the interior design is stunning (beautifully refurbished with so much character), and the whole place just feels special. Perfect for a great meal, drinks, or even a stay in their luxurious boutique rooms. If you’re in Darlington or nearby, you HAVE to visit Saltfish at Houndgate Townhouse—you won’t be disappointed! Highly recommend booking a table soon. 🦪🍤🥂 #Darlington #Seafood #HoundgateTownhouse #SaltfishDarlington

Not too impressed with evening meal or breakfast. Had small fish and chips and the chips were obviously REHEATED and there was very little FISH in the FISH at a guess about 3 or 4 ounces peas nice. Breakfast very very oily I had a poached eggs with mushrooms but they were lathered in cheap olive oil. Room nice but very very small

Visit - 28 Jan. What an amazing first time at this restaurant. Surprised my partner at this restaurant for her birthday, and it was a first time visit for both of us. We were greeted by Kayleigh who was very professional and gave a sense of calmness considering how busy it was. We also had another server called Grace that came across very professional very lovely. Both Kayleigh and Grace equally shown outstanding customer service skills. The timings between meals, and asking how our meals were were SPOT ON! It was refreshing to see a, nearly, all female back of house crew, minus the male pot-washer. The food was amazing throughout but will have to mention the rice was clearly microwaved and overcooked, but sometimes these things can't be helped when it's very busy. However, the overall taste of all the food we had was too nice to let some unsatisfactory rice turn our noses away. I have previously worked front and back of house and know very well how chaotic things can become and the pressures involved, so bravo to the kitchen team for providing great food and the additional detail of writing happy birthday for my partner on her dessert plate. To finish this off, Kayleigh and Grace, if you are reading this, you are a credit to the hotel, management and to customers, you both delivered fantastically well and are a TRUE example of how service should be delivered. Everything you both have delivered for us from pouring our water, to the smiles, politeness and calmness was above and beyond. It's those little details amongst everything else that makes the experience truly amazing. A couple of gems 💎 What we had- Snacks (before starters) 1. Fish goujons and tartar sauce. (Absolutely beautiful tasting batter and tartar was best I ever tasted. 2. Sourdough with seaweed butter (was gorgeous. Starter- 1. Twice baked coastal cheddar soufflè, crab mornay sauce. 2. Smoked mackerel patè, pickled cucumber, sourdough crostini. Both were equally as gorgeous. Mains- Both of us had Thai yellow king prawn coconut curry, basmati, pak choi, crisp Shallots, coriander. Desserts- Both of us had flourless chocolate and almond brownie, white chocolate namelaka, chocolate soil. Both very delicious 😋

Myself and partner went for a friday lunch. I had 18 Oysters cooked various ways but mostly as i like them simple and au naturel. The cooked ones were perfectly done and the tempura is the lightest tastiest batter ive tried in a ling time. The raw ones lacked any shell hiding in the oysters which would of pissed me off, So my compliments to the Chef that prepared them. My partner had roast loin of cod on a celeriac mash which she thought a delicious well cooked and adequately sized portion. She followed up with a dessert cinnamon apple crumble type dish which she raved about afterwards. I had a coffee and brandy which was well priced. The coffee delicious with a nice kick to it. The service was great from start to finish the girls answered all my questions including questions about our upcoming Xmas day meal with this Hotel. All in all i cannot fault our visit today and we will be returning not just for Xmas day but hopefully many more days/evenings to come. NB ... Those Oysters were spectacular, sea fresh Ozoney and second to none you must try them.

Went to the Saltfish restaurant with my partner for a Sunday Roast. I was pleasantly surprised that they had a vegan roast option (hard to come by). I informed the waitress that I was vegan and they gave me red cabbage instead of a Yorkshire pudding and ensured that the shared veg between me and my partner was vegan. The nut-roast was delicious and all the veg was cooked so nicely. My partner had the beef and he loved it. The staff were really friendly too. Thanks for a great meal! Would recommend a visit! :) Giving 4/5 stars because I would love to see more vegan options. I was very happy to be able to enjoy a roast with my partner though so thank you for having one option!

Room large, well appointed, and immaculate. Small touches (drinking waters, coffee, tolietries) were really good. Great variety of breakfast options for all tastes, from traditional/veg. full-English, through healthy options, to more modern classics (avocado, shakshuka). Lovely evening meal in the restaurant, and great snack service at the bar too. Staff all very friendly and helpful, and also seemed a close-knit and (very) hard working team. Overall, a lovely, relaxing, long weekend (3 nights) and would love to return.

A great boutique hotel in the centre of Darlington. Great staff with good level of service. I didn’t dine in the restaurant in the evening however, I did have breakfast and I can say it was the best full English I’ve ever had. I would certainly recommend staying here if you are looking for a central location. There is no on site parking but a two minute walk, there is two multi storey car parks.