The Pantry

43 High St, Tow Law, Bishop Auckland DL13 4DH, United Kingdom
+44 1388 730033
$$$ Cafe , Breakfast restaurant , Lunch restaurant
(120 Reviews)
Price Range £1–10

The Pantry sits comfortably on High Street in Tow Law, serving as a steady neighborhood café and breakfast spot that locals seem to rely on throughout the day. Its reputation for homemade, straightforward dishes and a friendly, unpretentious atmosphere makes it a dependable choice for anyone after a solid morning meal or a casual lunch.

This café draws in a mix of early risers grabbing all-day breakfast, families making use of the children's menu, and regulars popping in for a £1 cup of tea or a well-made latte. The seating is simple, catering mostly to those looking for a quick, welcoming meal rather than a lengthy sit-down experience. It tends to feel lively, especially during weekday mornings when workers and residents converge for a caffeine fix and breakfast rolls loaded with bacon, sausage, or egg.

Behind the counter, the staff maintain a steady pace, notable for their helpfulness and ability to keep up with a steady stream of customers. This contributes to the space’s easy-going vibe, where folks leave feeling both satisfied and greeted by familiar faces. Homemade touches like freshly cooked breakfast components and surprising hits like their crispy fries and cheesecake selections add character beyond standard café fare.

If you find yourself in Tow Law around mid-morning or lunchtime, The Pantry suits those who appreciate affordable, hearty plates such as meatloaf, lasagne with chips and salad, or simple toasts and sandwiches paired with hot drinks from the Rijo machine. The menu offers familiar comforts rather than culinary adventures — think traditional breakfast, lunch classics, and a modest selection of sweets to close out the meal.

Overall, The Pantry thrives as a community hub where value and genuine, home-cooked flavors meet a no-fuss atmosphere. It’s worth a visit for anyone passing through Tow Law or locals seeking an honest café experience without pretense.

Highlights
Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Has great tea selection
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Good for solo dining
What they serve
Serves coffee
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Best for
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Tuesday

8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Wednesday

8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Thursday

8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Friday

8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Saturday

Closed

Sunday

Closed

120 Reviews
Mark Mywords

27 Dec 2025

What a lovely place. Food was, spot on and the ladies serving where amazing and helpful and they never stopped ppl coming in, and leaving,, all happy and full up with great food. Definitely go again when we are up this way again and I totally recommend it. Thank you to the staff for everything.

Tricky

25 Nov 2025

Lovely and friendly little Cafe that serves delicious homemade food to eat in or takeaway

Sam Harris

21 Nov 2025

Great value. Four of us ate and had hot drinks for just £28. The sausage and egg roll was delicious. Lovely friendly staff and nice atmosphere. They do a £1 cup of tea. Highly recommend.

Uta Dohlenburg

06 Nov 2025

Lovely local café which was frequented by locals which is always a sign of brilliant quality. The staff are absolutely amazing and friendly and food was not just plentiful but also delicious! The homemade fries were an amazing surprise. Plus the prices are more than just affordable, but in conjunction with the quality are almost unbelievable. Will be back!

Stephen Dinsmore

04 Nov 2025

Great staff, great food, great prices - nothing not to like. Freshly cooked breakfast: brilliant!

Kevin Adamson

31 Oct 2025

This is a lovely little cafe. The staff are very friendly and welcoming, the menu is extensive and very nice, and the food is excellent quality and quantity.

Gary Watson

20 Oct 2025

This hands down has to be the best place you can eat. Value for money. The mince and dumplings wow is something else. I’m a very fussy person when it comes to food. After 5-6 busts for take out food I have to say this place is simply the best.

Erica Thorpe

22 Sep 2025

Beautiful home cooked food and very reasonably priced. Everything on the menu is delicious. So much choice. And the staff are all great!

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