Imperial Express

Mama Mia! This small, unpretentious restaurant serves wonderful food. The menu changes everyday and is hand written on a blackboard which is brought to your table.
I ordered baked scallops with a herby crust and samphire which came with delicious seasonal veg and, being a pig, I also ordered chips. The scallops were melt in your mouth perfection. A very generous portion! I polished off the delicious veg and yummy chips too. But thanks to my second, or if you will my ‘dessert’ stomach, there was still room for pud. I had the warm orange cake with morello cherries and crème fraîche… delicious, light and very satisfying.
The bill came to less than £50; we both had 2 courses and red wine. Amazing value for money and wonderful service to boot. I’m sure you can see how Imperial Express earns 5 stars in my eyes!

Visited on 28÷12÷10. After waiting for 35 minutes in a less than busy restaurant I was presented with my so-​called «Italian cottage pie». This was a vile mix of cheap mince and overpowering cumin. What is Italian about cumin? The staff didn’t seem to know either — and what’s more didn’t care. The manager tried to argue that it was an authentic Itallian dish! Ended up just leaving with no apology after being charged £11.50 for two small red wines! This is the second time of trying this place — to say the least disappointing, again. For good food I suggest ‘Brown’s’ round the corner. As for the Imperial Express — best avoided I think!

My husbands’ favourite place to eat in town. Good food, wide choice of wine, friendly service. Can get very crowded on Friday & Saturday evenings.

I do enjoy coming here, usually on saturday afternoon for coffee and a bite to eat. I love the homemade soup here, even if its a flavour I would not usually choose, I still get it as I know it will be tasty. I have also had a full english Breakfast in here, I did think it was a bit pricey £7.50 which includes a drink and toast but it was very enjoyable. Its not massive inside and sometimes tricky to manouvre when its busy. The staff are friendly and they serve evening meals too.

A fabulous little Italian eaterie. Doesn’t cater too well for vegetarians in my experience, but as a major carnivore I adore the place. The staff are wonderful, the food exquisite, and the prices just right.

The Imperial Express is a really nice small restaurant located in Darlington town centre. I have been here for breakfast and lunch, but not an evening meal — although I’ve heard the food on an evening is excellent. The lunches are really nice with a good choice of sandwiches, salads, pasta dishes and paninis.
It is not the cheapest place in town, but it is worth the money. It offers really good food & excellent service. I would definately recommend this restaurant if you’re looking for something that bit more special.

This place has been going for years and it always packed — which makes for a great atmosphere. I have been at times when a more special breakfast (eggs benedict for example, or a the best fry up money can buy!) or lunch (fab salads, pastas, paninis) was sough, because they change their chalk board menu constantly, meaning each time you go you can try something different and exiting. The smell of freshly ground coffee hits you as you walk in and the rustic décor makes for a really unique dining experience in Darlington. I imagine the place is much calmer on an evening, but certainly not less busy as it is very popular.