New Italian-Inspired Café Bistro Opens in Weardale

Visitors to the Durham Dales Centre in Stanhope can now enjoy a fresh new dining experience following the opening of Cavaliere, a new Italian-inspired café from the owners of the popular Buon Appetito restaurant in Wolsingham.

The new venture, which officially opened its doors this week, is led by experienced restaurateurs Admir Meshi, known as Alberto, and Arsen Shehu, known as Sen. The family-run team bring more than 15 years of hospitality experience to the Durham Dales Centre, offering authentic Italian flavours, freshly prepared food and a warm welcome for visitors and local residents alike.

Located in the heart of the Durham Dales Centre, Cavaliere expands the food and drink offering available at the popular Weardale destination and creates a new space for people to meet, relax and enjoy quality food throughout the day.

Building on a Successful Local Business

The team behind Cavaliere have built a strong reputation through Buon Appetito, their well-established Italian restaurant in Wolsingham. Known for traditional family recipes and authentic Italian cooking, the restaurant has become a favourite with both local residents and visitors to the area.

Speaking about the new venture, Alberto said:

"Opening Cavaliere at the Durham Dales Centre felt like a fantastic opportunity for us. We already have strong roots in the local community through our restaurant and we're excited to bring that same passion for food and hospitality to a new location."

The family-run business has also become known for supporting young people in the local area, providing employment opportunities and helping staff develop valuable skills and experience within the hospitality sector.

A Fresh New Offer for Weardale

Cavaliere serves a range of Italian-inspired dishes and refreshments throughout the day, including freshly made sandwiches, paninis, pasta dishes, cakes and speciality coffees.

Designed to appeal to a wide range of visitors, the café welcomes walkers, cyclists, shoppers, families, tourists and local residents looking for a relaxing place to enjoy breakfast, lunch, coffee and cake, or an evening meal.

Sen said:

"We wanted to create somewhere that feels welcoming and relaxed, where people can pop in for a coffee, enjoy lunch with friends or stop off after exploring Weardale. We want visitors to feel at home here."

The owners have also focused on keeping the menu affordable and accessible, ensuring the café offers good value while maintaining the quality and authenticity they are known for.

Supporting the Visitor Economy

The opening of Cavaliere represents another positive development for the Durham Dales Centre, which is home to a range of independent businesses, visitor services and office space.

By extending the food and drink options available at the centre, the new café is expected to encourage visitors to stay longer and further strengthen the Durham Dales Centre's role as a hub for the local community and visitors to Weardale.

Anne Ellwood, Property Manager (South) at Business Durham, which manages the Durham Dales Centre, welcomed the new business:

"We are delighted to welcome Alberto, Sen and their team to the Durham Dales Centre. Their excellent reputation, commitment to quality and community-focused approach make them a fantastic addition to the centre. Cavaliere enhances the overall visitor experience and provides another reason for people to visit and spend time exploring everything the area has to offer."

Cavaliere is now open and welcoming customers.

Visitors can find out more about the Durham Dales Centre, including its shops, businesses, visitor facilities and events, by visiting the Durham Dales Centre website.