(Image: TRIPADVISOR)
An independent café in Barnard Castle has attracted glowing reviews for its enormous homemade scones and unusual menu combining traditional café favourites with African-inspired dishes.
Nobia & Sons is based on Horsemarket in the centre of the County Durham market town.
Unlike a conventional coffee shop, the café serves everything from freshly baked cakes and sourdough toasties to dishes, including curried goat, jerk chicken and jollof rice.
That distinctive combination has helped it develop a strong reputation among visitors.
The café currently holds a Tripadvisor rating of 4.8 out of five from more than 125 reviews and has received a Travellers' Choice award for 2025.
Customers have particularly praised the homemade baking, friendly service and dishes they might not expect to find in a traditional market town café.
Some have been so impressed that they have bought additional food to take home.
African-inspired dishes prove popular at Barnard Castle café
While the cakes and scones attract considerable attention, the café's savoury dishes have also won praise.
A couple visiting in May initially stopped for cakes and refreshments but became interested in the African-inspired food.
After being offered a taste of jollof rice by another customer, they decided to buy some, along with goat curry, to take away for their evening meal.
The visitor said they wished they lived closer than a four-hour drive.
Another customer who visited with friends in May praised the curried goat, while also recommending the sourdough toasties.
Their children enjoyed chocolate cake after the meal.
The menu's mixture of familiar British café dishes and African-inspired cooking is one of the features which sets Nobia & Sons apart from other independent cafés in the area.
Visitors can stop for coffee and a homemade scone or choose something more substantial from the lunchtime selection.
What do visitors say about Nobia & Sons?
A customer visiting Barnard Castle in March was particularly impressed by the café's homemade fruit scones.
The visitor, who had been holidaying in Cumbria, described the scones as "enormous and baked fresh every day".
They added: "Best scones we've probably ever had!"
The customer was so impressed that they returned to the counter to buy more to take away.
Another visitor, who stopped at the café with their partner in May, was drawn to its unusual selection of dishes.
After trying jollof rice offered by another customer, the couple decided to buy some alongside goat curry for their evening meal.
The reviewer praised the service, adding: "Just wish we lived closer than a four hour drive."
A separate May reviewer also recommended the café's African-inspired dishes, describing the curried goat as "really tasty".
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They also praised the sourdough toasties and chocolate cake.
Another customer visiting in April was impressed by an orange, cranberry and pistachio scone.
They praised its texture, describing it as "light, fluffy and moist", while also complimenting the coffee and welcoming atmosphere.
The reviews suggest the café's appeal lies in combining traditional homemade baking with dishes visitors might not expect to find in a conventional market town coffee shop.
Nobia & Sons is at 19 Horsemarket, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 8LY.
The café's current Tripadvisor listing shows it opening from Tuesday to Sunday, although visitors are advised to check opening times before travelling.