REVIEWS
Creating a Buzz
You don't have to trust our word for it...
Could not rate this higher. Was keen to adventure and eat in different places on all nights of our trip, but came back a further two times to the Duke of Cleveland after an initial faultless experience. Super rich and flavourful food but great on the wallet and superb friendly service with owner keen to mingle with guests during busier weekend nights and showed a genuine interest for patrons. Will definitely be coming back when in the area!
David Evans
2026
Very quiet dining room, lovely wood burning stove.
Staff were very friendly and attentive. Food was utterly amazing - freshly cooked, so don't expect it on the table in 5 minutes. Staff apologised for the wait, but honestly I'd much rather wait 20 minutes and get freshly cooked hot food! Pork belly was delicious, Parmesan very good, and the homemade chips were just stunning. Will definitely be back soon.
Paul Mason
2024
Absolutely Amazing! I went here for my birthday with my husband and 2 children. They were very friendly and polite. Showed us to our table, and very quickly asked us what drinks we would like. The place was spotless. Cannot fault it all. The food was absolutely delicious and cooked to perfection. Their parmesan dishes are highly recommended... and chips which are extremely yummy! Definitely a 5 star experience for me.
Paul Mason
2022
Visited tonight with my daughter and had a brilliant experience. The food was fantastic, service came with a smile, and the whole place was absolutely immaculate. Highly recommend! We will definitely be returning.
Attended a private party last night with all of my family and the place couldn’t have done enough for us. There were 35 of us in total and everyone has told me the food was delicious. I had the chicken tikka and the sticky toffee pudding and it was amazing! Will definitely be having that again! Compliments to the chef! The two girls behind the bar were lovely and served everything with a smile! Great credit to the company. Will definitely be holding more family events there.
We booked for Sunday lunch after hearing some good reports. Excellent sized portions, possibly too much, but who ever complains about getting too much food for a good price? Trio of meats all well cooked and with plenty of gravy and portion of exceptional cauliflower cheese (be warned it's nuclear when it arrives). Only suggestion would be an extra stuffing ball for the amount of meat and possibly some horseradish sauce - we should have asked. Atmosphere was nice, all very polite and just the right volume with brilliant service from the team.
Lovely staff, dog friendly, fascinating history, food absolutely delicious, had Lamb shank which was huge!
We booked for Sunday lunch after hearing some good reports. Excellent sized portions, possibly too much, but who ever complains about getting too much food for a good price. Trio of meat's all well cooked and with plenty of gravy and portion of exceptional cauliflower cheese (be warned it's nuclear when it arrives).
Only suggestion would be an extra stuffing ball for the amount of meat and possibly some horseradish sauce - we should have asked.
Atmosphere was nice, all very polite and just the right volume with brilliant service from the team.
Today we had my son's 3rd birthday party in the large room upstairs. From start to finish the management and staff were helpful, friendly and kind. They made everything super easy and chilled. The food was amazing. We ate there last night while setting up and it was devine - then the buffet delicious today and was demolished! If ever you're looking for a venue, look no further. Thank you very much for hosting us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What dining options are available at The Duke of Cleveland?
Our main menu brings together coastal favourites, comforting classics, and seasonal dishes made to satisfy every craving.
Inspired by our location, our seafood selection features golden scampi, handcrafted fish cakes, and fresh North Sea haddock. For true comfort food, enjoy timeless favourites like rich lasagne, aromatic tikka masala, and thick-cut gammon steak, alongside prime steaks, tender lamb, and gourmet burgers. We’re also proud to serve our celebrated local speciality... the classic Parmesan.
Sunday Roasts & Indulgent Treats
Join us every Sunday for a traditional feast featuring slow-roasted beef, loin of pork, or succulent chicken breast, with delicious vegetarian options available across all our menus. Save room for dessert, where classic sticky toffee pudding sits alongside our decadent, modern creations loaded with Kinder Bueno, Snickers, or Biscoff.
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What is The Headland?
It’s less a question of what The Headland is, and more a question of where. Jutting directly into the North Sea, The Headland is the dramatic, wind-swept peninsula that forms the historic heart, or "Old Town", of Hartlepool. Enclosed by rugged sea walls and sweeping coastal views, it serves as the ancient maritime soul of the town, housing centuries of rich history within a proud, tight-knit community.
The roots of The Headland stretch back to AD 640, when St Bega founded a monastery on the peninsula, later governed by St Hilda. Today, the majestic 12th-century St Hilda’s Church still dominates the local skyline as a landmark of that early Christian heritage. Beyond its monastic origin, the area holds immense military significance; it is home to the Heugh Battery, famous as the site of the only shore battery in Britain to fire back at German battlecruisers during the devastating WWI Bombardment of 1914.
Built on generations of fishing and shipbuilding traditions, The Headland remains defined by its deep connection to the sea. With its historic town walls, characterful streets, and scenic seafront promenade overlooking Hartlepool Bay.
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Do you host weddings?
We offer three distinct wedding spaces designed to suit celebrations of every size and style, taking you effortlessly from your ceremony to your evening reception. Looking to celebrate outdoors? We also offer the option to erect an outside marquee, giving you the option of a memorable al fresco event.
We can also help organise your special day, so that you can better relax knowing much of the organisation has been done for you,. We help with room decoration, celebrants, musicians, photography and even accommodation.
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Do you host other events?
Yes, we host a variety of events including christenings and naming ceremonies, engagements, anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, meetings, conferences and work functions. Contact our team to discuss your requirements.
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