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About
Established in 1239 as a Dominican friary, Blackfriars is believed to be the oldest purpose-built restaurant in the UK, having served as the refectory for the Dominican friars more than 800 years ago. Today it serves gutsy, traditional British food using seasonal produce from the local farms and producers; showcasing the North East at its best. As well as an excellent value lunch and early evening menu they also serve an a la carte menu and the best Sunday roast in Newcastle. After dining at Blackfriars you will see why it was voted Taste of England at the North East England Tourism Awards. There is also a cosy Parlour Bar for a drink, bar snack or cocktail before or after dinner. Above the
PRICE RANGE
£8 - £63
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Drinks
CUISINES
European, British, Contemporary
FEATURES
Gift Cards Available, Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Buffet, Street Parking
Reviews (2,178)
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Traveller rating
1,416
393
175
90
76
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All reviews banana ice cream sticky toffee pudding steak pork belly scallops bread potatoes fish and chips banquet hall set menu three courses main course sunday lunch special occasion birthday meal restaurant week visiting newcastle
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Reviewed 2 days ago

Came here for Sunday lunch, expecting great things. They had run out of lamb and offered a venison pie instead which my husband chose. It was minced venison, not what I would expect in a pie but he did say it was tasty. Served with...Yorkshire pudding though?? The roast beef was very poor, cut very thinly and full of fat and gristle. Too many tiny amounts of several veg on the plate for my liking but at least it was fresh. The worst bit was the gravy which tasted to me like there was some sort of commercial product added to it which I most certainly don’t expect in a restaurant of this calibre. The whole meal was also lukewarm. Deserts were all good but very small portions, a tiny scoop of ice cream with the sticky toffee pudding. I have had much better and cheaper Sunday lunches elsewhere and will not return here, it was very disappointing.More

Date of visit: March 2024
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Reviewed 2 days ago via mobile

Thank you Blackfriars for a fabulous Sunday lunch and a lovely relaxing afternoon. The food was superb, mains (nut roast & lamb) and desserts (plum cheesecake & sticky toffee pudding) the wine delicious (Riesling & Nero D’Avola). Above all the staff were warm, welcoming, professional...and helpful. The ambience in the restaurant was so good we will definitely return.More

Date of visit: March 2024
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Reviewed 2 weeks ago

We have wanted to go here for years and with us having friends staying in our fantastic city we decided to go here for the experience. It is indeed a fantastic, ancient and beautiful restaurant. It is steeped in history as you will find out...if you visit and take a bit of interest. The staff first.....very correct for the standard of restaurant it has aspired to and indeed is. They are professional, polite and courteous. Unlike other great pretenders in the city which just has waiting on staff going to do their job, not interacting as they should. A great asset here. The food was very good on the whole, starters very nicely thought out and tasty. Fish cakes and duck was our preference. All good. Mains were fish dishes of 2 x herb crusted cod which was delicious..... a grilled north shields sole which was small in its delivery with a big bone through the middle, not really good value....and a venison mince pie which was lovely. It has to be said the wine list is expansive. Our choice of a French Merlot was the best tasting wine I have had for years....£33/bottle, but it was superb. Other drinks we had were almost bespoke beers, quite nice served in less than pint amounts. Very good though. A very nice place to sit and pass the time away with friends or as a couple. We are pleased we have ventured in there now. We will be back.More

Date of visit: February 2024
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Reviewed 2 weeks ago via mobile

My partner and I visited with some friends, atmosphere and seating was superb, cosy and tasteful. The wine options were great and offered a wide range to suit any occasion. The food was good with excellent presentation and was a great example of fine dining...in Newcastle. They have a short and diverse menu that provides good options to all. I would recommend and will be going again.More

Date of visit: March 2024
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Reviewed 3 weeks ago via mobile

We had a very enjoyable experience on history tour and set menu. We were met by a very enthusiastic guide in the parlour bar and offered tea/coffee or water. He gave us a brief history of the building before we headed outside. We were shown...the court yard and exterior and given more in-depth information before heading back indoors. We were shown the micro brewery, banqueting hall, tasting room and cookery school, all with more history. We then headed down to the restaurant where we had a fantastic lunch with a glass of wine. The whole thing was really good value for money. I would certainly recommend it.More

Date of visit: February 2024
Helpful?2  
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Reviewed 9 February 2024 via mobile

Lovely building, friendly attentive staff. Set menu, £27 for 3 courses, food was lovely, well presented, paid extra £5 for thrice fried chips, they weren't needed as menu hadn't said mash came with the meat and they weren't that good, but I've still marked it...high for the overall experience.More

Date of visit: February 2024
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Reviewed 5 February 2024

Had a Saturday set menu lunch with the wife here and really enjoyed it. £27 for three courses, portion size was just right and I thought it was good value for the quality of food we got. Service was friendly and quick, nice atmosphere in...the place. Definitely recommend.More

Date of visit: February 2024
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Reviewed 4 February 2024 via mobile

The experience ticked every box from how the building looked inside and out to the smaller details of the lovely hand wash in the toilets . The menu choice was amazing the food was divine . The selection of drinks were outstanding . It was...perfect , the only reason I give 4 instead of 5 stars was the gentleman who served us , he wasn’t rude but quite miserable , not sure if he was the manager but yeah quite miserable , the younger staff were very polite and helpful they couldn’t do enough for us . We will definitely go again , the gentleman didn’t put us off we were just taken back with his attitude , it felt like we were an inconvenience, it was our first time there , our bill came to £150 plus with the service charge added and he took payment without a thank you hope you have had a good experience or enjoy the rest of your night .More

Date of visit: February 2024
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Reviewed 30 January 2024 via mobile

I’ve been here before and really enjoyed my experience. However my most recent visit was so bad. We arrived a little early so let them know we were there and sat in the bar. We ordered drinks, 3 cokes, which took 15 minutes for the...bartenders to pour and bring us because they had forgotten about us. We were then seated almost 30 minutes late. I ordered the vegan starter which was the curried parsnip soup - I really enjoy this. I also ordered the vegan main, a nut roast. I didn’t specific I was vegan, but have never had to before, and always just order the meals labelled as vegan. My main was brought to me with cauliflower cheese on it (not vegan). They’ve never done this before so I was extremely disappointed, especially with it being a birthday meal. The nut roast was not up to its usual standards and I could barely eat it because of its weird flavour and texture. Such a shame as I was really looking forward to coming here and had booked over a month in advance. The food and service really let it down.More

Date of visit: January 2024
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Reviewed 24 January 2024 via mobile

We went here for a family birthday meal. The atmosphere was amazing, the staff very friendly and efficient despite the place being busy. The food, as always was beautiful. Would highly recommend it.

Date of visit: January 2024
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Reviewed 23 January 2024 via mobile

Simply outstanding, the waiting service , the menus, the quality of the food. Blackfriars consistently serve good food, sourced locally. A special location with lots if history and charm.

Date of visit: January 2024
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Reviewed 21 January 2024 via mobile

We went for the three course set menu. The vegetarian options were great and unusual , but delicious. The duck and chicken were cooked to perfection! The service was exceptional ! The waiter was attentive without being fussy or intrusive. His knowledge of the food...on the menu was great and the wine recommended was spot on. A lovely meal, in a beautiful building.More

Date of visit: January 2024
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Reviewed 20 January 2024

The restaurant oozes quality , the building itself is so ornate and has such a history all of which creates a wonderful setting to enjoy great food. The starters of Smoked Mackerel pate and the smoked duck were exquisite , the raisin dressing was a...revelation and a perfect accompaniment to the Duck. We both has the beautiful piece of cod , perfectly cooked and was complimented with the curry butter which could have easily masked the fish's flavour but was so delicately flavoured it provided a wonderful contrast. With a cheeseboard packed full of tasteful English cheeses and the must have Sticky Toffee pudding , the curtain came down on a very enjoyable meal . A huge thank you to the Chefs and Staff , especially Rachel who was so helpful throughout what was a memorable meal , in a great location with quality ingredients.More

Date of visit: January 2024
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Reviewed 17 January 2024 via mobile

Went here and had the festive menu, amazing service from all staff that served us and the food was delicious, cooked perfectly with so much flavour!

Date of visit: December 2023
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Reviewed 14 January 2024 via mobile

Haven’t been for a while, lovely meal restaurant full nice to see in recession. Lots of restaurants struggling. 2 mains, 2 desserts full tummies ann around. Give it a whirl will be back.

Date of visit: January 2024
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Questions & Answers
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hmray
11 February 2020|
AnswerShow all 2 answers
Response from mizzjules | Reviewed this property |
We had a group set menu and ordered a couple of weeks in advance because there were a lot of us. I think you’d be fine to order at 6.30pm for the set menu, but you’d be better off checking directly with the restaurant. Sorry... More
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traveller835
23 December 2019|
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Response from jaapkunst | Reviewed this property |
Should be no problem
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linlin92019
19 August 2019|
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Response from JH2711 | Reviewed this property |
I haven't had it myself, but a member of my party has, and as they don't like rare beef but loved the wellington, I can only assume it would suit your tastes! All of their food is delicious, so I'm sure you would fine... More
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BLACKFRIARS RESTAURANT, Newcastle upon Tyne - Updated 2024 Restaurant Reviews, Menu & Prices - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Blackfriars Restaurant

Yes, Blackfriars Restaurant is taking precautions against COVID-19. A full list is available within the "safety precautions" section of this page.

Blackfriars Restaurant is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4.5
  • Service: 4.5
  • Value: 4
  • Atmosphere: 4.5