Chilli Padi Durham

Aykley Heads House, Aykley Heads, Durham DH1 5TS
$$ Malaysian

Reservations

Booking Notes:

Reservations for more than 8 people, please call the restaurant for the availability.

Business Info

  • Address: Aykley Heads House, Aykley Heads, Durham DH1 5TS
  • Cross Street: Durham
  • Cuisine: Malaysian | Seafood | Vegan | Vegetarian |
  • Cost: | Inexpensive
  • Category: Chain Restaurant
  • Star Rating:
  • Reservations: Recommended
  • Dress Code: Casual
  • Meals Served: Lunch | Dinner |
  • Parking: Private Lot | Car Park |
  • Payment Options: VISA | Amex | MasterCard | Cash |
  • Corkage Fee: N/A
  • Phone: 0191 925 0681
  • Features: Outdoor Seating, Takeout Available, Wheelchair Access,
  • Occasion: Romantic Dining, Dining Alone, Business Dining, Date Night,

Photos

Business Hours

Reservations Available
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Tuesday Hours 12:30 - 21:30
Wednesday
Wednesday Hours 12:30 - 21:30
Thursday
Thursday Hours 12:30 - 21:30
Friday
Friday Hours 12:30 - 21:30
Saturday
Saturday Hours 12:30 - 21:30
Sunday
Sunday Hours 12:30 - 21:30
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Customer Reviews & Ratings

4.69 out of 5 stars based on 263 votes

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
May 29, 2026
Anne T.
Friendly and helpful staff, lovely surroundings, a varied menu and good value for money. What's not to love?

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
May 14, 2026
Marta G.
It was our first time trying it and we all really loved it. Lots of food, great price and quality and they were even able to accommodate vegan options for myself. Shout out to the manager who was brilliant! We will definitely repeat (:

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Apr 19, 2026
Sue B.
Fabulous!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Mar 03, 2026
Maxine G.
Fantastic as always, great service and fabulous delicious food…

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 7/10
Value: 8/10
Feb 20, 2026
David E.
Great food choices and excellent food quality. Staff were friendly.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Feb 10, 2026
Jonathan A.
What an excellent time we had at Chilli Padi Durham. Such a bright and airy space, there were 8 of us dining and service was efficient and quick. A couple of us were celebrating birthdays and we received a cocktail on the house which was delicious! We ordered a mixture of small plates along with dishes from the ‘to be shared’ part of the menu. Wasabi Prawns and Smoked Chicken were 10/10. Chilli squid batter could have been a bit crispier, however the squid itself was cooked to perfection. The spice mix that was added on the top was very moreish. Roti were delightful, nice crisp to the outside and buttery soft in the inside, went great with the beef rendang! Beef rendang was so flavoursome and the beef itself melted in the mouth. We did ask for ours with less chilli heat and the balance was perfect for us. Will certainly be back again, can’t stop thinking about it

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Dec 14, 2025
Pete K.
First visit, will be back soon…delicious food, great personable service, reasonably priced, overall great experience.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 8/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Dec 13, 2025
Jane C.
Food was delicious. Service a little slow, but it was a very busy evening. We will come again.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 10/10
Dec 12, 2025
Carol S.
We really enjoyed our Malaysian food experience the restaurant was a little on the chilly side. William explained that it was being rectified

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 10/10
Nov 30, 2025
Janet R.
Excellent food and service.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Nov 18, 2025
Anita V.
Excellent evening, great food, lovely staff, ambient surroundings. Would definitely go back again.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Oct 17, 2025
Coralie N.
As a group of 5 we booked prior to arriving. We received a very friendly welcome. As one of our group was vegan a member of staff spent time explaining the available options and this was done with patience and understanding. All of the group totally enjoyed the meal and will be back for more. We were also informed that the menu is about to change and this will include more vegan options. :-)

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Oct 13, 2025
Jay E.
My favourite place to eat. 3 visits and 3 epic meals. Their Kung Po for me is the best I've had. And the price is extremely reasonable.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 10, 2025
VRINDA H.
Such tasty food. I had their vegetarian Malaysian curry.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 06, 2025
Tracy L.
Amazing food and excellent service

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Aug 04, 2025
Karan B.
Great food, albeit it on the pricey side especially when you have to taxi there just for the restaurant as there is nothing around it.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Jul 31, 2025
Clare M.
Attentive staff , nice atmosphere, lovely food. Would be nice to see a little more selection on the small plates for those that are wanting to share :-)

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jul 06, 2025
Andy M.
Superb

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Jun 04, 2025
Barbara W.
Friendly welcome, choice of food was excellent. As we were there early on Sunday lunchtime there was less ambience but this did not spoil our experience as the food was very delicious and we can’t wait to return. Highly recommended.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
May 25, 2025
Ian F.
Outstanding value, taste beautiful, surroundings ambience great deserves to do well.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Apr 05, 2025
Stuart k.
Great meal- thank you!

Overall: 9/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
May 23, 2026
Manjit S.
Some difficulty finding thee place. Otherwise all very good

Overall: 9/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 9/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Mar 24, 2026
Julie B.
Amazing food. Our first time but we will definitely be back!

Overall: 9/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Dec 18, 2025
Yvonne D.
We loved the food at chilli padi the room itself was a little bit cold would definitely recommend as the service is fantastic just a little recommendation ask customers if they have logged their registrations for their cars as they come in

Overall: 9/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 9/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Aug 08, 2025
Joanne G.
Really enjoyed the food, had checked out menu bit disappointed that a lot of gluten free options on the Newcastle menu not offered here but it’s early days - might expand. One dish offered as potentially vegan wasn’t cos didn’t have vegan shrimp sauce alternative ( which is available) so that was disappointing too. Otherwise nicely decorated venue, staff friendly, food we had great and reasonably priced. Will come again.

Overall: 9/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 9/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Jul 02, 2025
Simon L.
Ha d a very good meal here- the only reason I have given a less than perfect score is that the menu is far less extensive than at their Newcastle branch.

Overall: 9/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 8/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Jun 02, 2025
Amy W.
The food was amazing and will definitely come back. However waited a while once seated for staff to bring menus and take drinks order. Also food took a while compared to Newcastle branch where food came within 5 minutes! Food was so good though it was worth the wait.

Overall: 8/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 9/10
Ambience: 7/10
Value: 7/10
Nov 23, 2025
Helen J.
Lovely food. Really nice starters. Good service. Drinks were expensive though and restaurant a bit cold inside. Overall we enjoyed it.

Overall: 8/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 9/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Sep 13, 2025
Jessica B.
Very friendly service and good food. Would definitely go back and try more dishes.

Overall: 8/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 9/10
May 15, 2025
Fay B.
Great surroundings. Great food - flavours were well executed. This new restaurant is going to do well in Aykley Heads, Durham.

Overall: 7/10
Food: 7/10
Service: 8/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Jan 27, 2026
Jasmine C.
Food was great, although a few additional tofu options (vegan options) would be great to see. Good portions. But food came out sporadically, so one of us had our meal 10 minutes before the rest - not an ideal eating out with friends scenario.

Overall: 7/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 9/10
Ambience: 3/10
Value: 8/10
Dec 01, 2025
Kerrin W.
Food & staff were great however the venue was freezing. The radiators were on but that didn't make enough difference to make us take our coats off! We'll be back in the summer!!!

Overall: 7/10
Food: 6/10
Service: 9/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 4/10
Jul 12, 2025
Jo R.
Beef rendang tough.Not much chicken in chicken curry

Overall: 7/10
Food: 7/10
Service: 7/10
Ambience: 7/10
Value: 9/10
Jul 04, 2025
Geoff M.
I was surprised to see some many of the chicken dishes advertised as chicken leg rather than chicken breast. I would have thought that all should have been chicken breast as chicken leg meat is a very very cheap and less attractive cut. We asked the waiter about this and he said only a couple of dishes were breast meat but all could be made with breast meat if required. Personally I would never ever order a dish made with chicken leg meat so I asked for chicken breast in the Kueh teow gureng dish I ordered. This was very nice. My wife had the special crispy fried chicken but it was extremely sweet and not good value as it came without rice or noodles and we had to order these separately. The drinks were far too expensive. There was no draught beer and a large Cobra was £8.80 which is way over the price charged in other local restaurants and is not good value at all. My wife ordered a large glass of Sauvignon blanc but the wine that came was definitely not this. It was ok but was not what we ordered. We didn’t point this out as we felt we had already raised an issue about the food and as we aren’t the complaining type normally, so we just let it go. So not a great experience overall and quite disappointing as we would like to have made this a regular visit as we live fairly near. The drinks prices are off putting and we probably won’t make this a regular outing.