195 reviews
#422 of 1,083 Restaurants in Newcastle upon Tyne££ - £££, Bar, British, Vegetarian friendly+44 191 236 2002+ Add websiteImprove this listing
Hours
Sun
12:00 - 23:00
Mon
11:00 - 23:00
Tue
11:00 - 23:00
Wed
11:00 - 23:00
Thu
11:00 - 23:00
Fri
11:00 - 23:00
Sat
11:00 - 23:00
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
3.5
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
Learn More
PRICE RANGE
£7.00 – £15.00
CUISINES
Bar, British
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options
meals, features
Is this restaurant good for local cuisine?
Details
About
Traditional pub classics mixed with some modern touches, local real ales, dog friendly, Wednesday quiz night and regular food offers.
PRICE RANGE
£7.00 – £15.00
CUISINES
Bar, British
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Free off-street parking, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Mastercard, Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
Contribute
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
3.5
195 reviews
Excellent
75
Very good
44
Average
18
Poor
25
Terrible
33
julieEATS/STAYSandreviews
Newcastle upon Tyne139 contributions
Aug 2020 • family
Visited on a Monday and place was very quiet considering eat out to help out deal was on. Place was spaced out for social distancing but no staff wore masks. Ordered quickly but were told no handcooked chips as due to covid they were to time consuming for the staff to prepare?? Reasonable wait for food. My starter of potato skins arrived 5minutes before my husbands chicken strips(ordered 5 got 4)and 2minutes later my sons chicken strips came they counted his correctly but by this time I had already finished my starter.
Both my boys had a burger and myself and husband went with the steak which was cooked to our preference but was very tough and chewy. Both boys had desert of hot chocolate fudge cake which went down well.
Overall food was average, as was the service on such a quiet time. But its not too much to ask for the meals to be brought out within a reasonable timescale for the same course.
Needless to say I won't be returning. Much nicer places to spend your hard earned cash in.
Written 26 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wander41
United Kingdom123 contributions
Jun 2021 • none
Visited with 3 friends after being recommended. The place was quiet and the staff lovely on arrival with 1st drink and a menu provided. We had to ask twice to order food and more drinks. We eventually managed to order more drinks with food and after 20min the food arrived but still no drinks. Another 5 mins and the finally got us more drinks. Food was ok. Frozen french fries with scampi and what looked like tinned peas, chicken and chorizo salad was nice but can’t get excited. Menu was very basic and small with not a great variety unless you like burgers. I won’t rush back.
Written 19 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
L-dee1989
Newcastle upon Tyne18 contributions
Aug 2020 • family
Visited on Saturday 29th. Rang and booked earlier in the week, arrived and they didn't have our booking. Drinks and food ordered and arrived quickly. As for a second drink, wasn't acknowledged. Asked again and was told it had been ordered.
After our plates had been cleared and more drinks ordered, we tried getting the attention of any member of staff to order dessert but we were ignored several times and then couldn't find a member of staff to ask.
As we paid to leave, we were told that we could've gone to the bar to order, as other customers had. However next to our table was a sign saying not to order at the bar and a waiter would take our order??
Food was ok, but doubt we'll go back.
Also a be it taken aback at the lack face masks/sheilds, not a single member of staff wore one.
Written 29 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kyle McCarrell 😁
Cramlington64 contributions
Aug 2020 • couples
Eat out to help out or not you expect the same standard of service.
20 minutes turned into 2 hours, had to beg for drinks as a young lass was rushed off her feet by herself. Food eventually came out and it was absoloutley filthy. Burger was like the hard skin on my feet. On telling the waiter he replied "its 50% off man"
Absolute disgrace he also said and I quote "its like kitchen nightmares in there"
Also don't expect social distancing because its almost none existent. Id say keep your money and go to mcdonalds.
Written 31 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Georgia T
Banlung37 contributions
Aug 2020 • friends
Booked for a large party 2 weeks in advance. We waited 30 minutes before our drinks order was taken (we actually had to approach staff twice & watched many other parties who arrived after us being served first). When we were finally attended to the manager told us “look lasses, yous aren’t the only booking here today. YES, we took your booking but it’s busy so you’ll have to wait, okay”. The food actually arrived an hour later (90 minutes after we arrived). We sat with empty drinks for 30 minutes and had to approach waiting staff repeatedly for a second round of drinks. In addition, the food was average and they didn’t stock/ran out of some drinks.
All in all it was a really poor experience and whilst I appreciate the pub might have been busy, the customer service was extremely poor. Wouldn’t recommend.
Written 31 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rubybear2014
Newcastle upon Tyne33 contributions
Mar 2022 • none
Lots of staff but very slow to take food order, observed a group of 4 staff chatting and not attending to customers. We had to catch the eye of a member of staff to ask if we could order food. The food arrived quickly but the beef which was described as slow roasted topside was like shoe leather. We enjoyed the roast potatoes but little else - we will not be back.
Written 20 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
anndot
Newcastle upon Tyne114 contributions
Dec 2021 • couples
We were after a quick lunch so called in.. Ordered two bowls of soup which were delivered quickly and were tasty and fresh.. The staff were pleasant and friendly but…when we looked from where we were sitting I couldn’t believe my eyes.. I did wonder when the waitress delivered two main meals and there was only a gentleman sitting at the table.. I then noticed the dog sitting in the chair next to him.. He then preceded to cut up one of the meals and putting the plate on his knee fed the dog.. I know this is a dog friendly pub and I am not anti dogs as I have had them all of my life but really…We won’t be back that’s for sure ..
Written 2 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gerry M
Newcastle upon Tyne45 contributions
Feb 2022 • none
A friend recommended this place because they do doggy dinners. There's plenty of pubs to go to for Sunday lunch but the fact that dogs are welcome and they get their own dinner in a doggy bowl definitely swung it for us.
The staff were great, the food was nice, the surroundings nice too.
Unfortunately, we won't be back. Someone complained that a dog had been fed by a man sitting on a table close to theirs. I don't know how this managed to offend someone so much but now dogs don't get their own little dinner anymore.
Some people just have to spoil it for everyone else!
Written 21 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tomlaw1999
North Shields42 contributions
Oct 2021 • none
My wife and I apparently made the mistake of visiting this pub on a Sunday. The room was half empty with plenty of spare tables. We started to sit down at a table when a rather abrupt waitress stormed over and demanded to know if we had booked (we hadnt as the sign at the end of the drive said food available 7 cays a week). "Dont just think you can come in here and sit where you like" she said in a loud manner in front of the other customers. Without saying a word I got up from my chair and we left without comment. Very strange way to run a business and zero people skills
. We won't be back in a hurry.
Written 17 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jack2757
United Kingdom840 contributions
Feb 2023 • couples
Visited on Sunday for lunch.
The staff are very friendly and welcoming. They are helpful and nice to talk to you.
We ordered two Sunday dinners.
The beef Sunday was very tasty, beef cooked to perfection. The gravy was very good. Yorkshire puddings cooked well and tasty.
All the roasted veg was heavenly.
I got a Sunday dinner with all three meats and some extra trimmings.
The turkey was juicy and not dry which was great.
The Sunday lunch was very well priced.
Overall we would definitely go back for Sunday dinner or to try there normal menu.
Written 5 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pinkladybrady2012
41 contributions
Feb 2024 • family
We visited today for Sunday lunch. I called when they opened at 11 to book a table because it’s always really busy and for good reason.
We ordered 2 beef and 1 turkey dinner. We were looked after very efficiently by a friendly Scottish man who was attentive even though it was packed. The food arrived fast and hot. Meat and veggies cooked to perfection (not like the soggy overcooked greens that sadly you are too often offered with a roast dinner).
We were brought a tray of condiments to select from as soon as we ordered, so no waiting for sauces while your food cools - such a good idea!
The best part of the dinner? That gravy, it’s delicious! I asked for a little more halfway through because it was so good and we were brought a huge silver gravy boat!
Will definitely be back, a hidden (but popular) gem in the middle of the racecourse.
I would highly recommend booking a table if you’re visiting on a Sunday as every table was full at lunchtime.
Written 11 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
“Le Bàle”
North East England641 contributions
Dec 2024 • couples
Sunday December 15th and the Border Minstrel was suggested by a lady friend of mine as a last minute alternative venue for our Sunday lunch date as we needed somewhere dog friendly for her.
I’ve got to say, I was impressed with my friend’s choice of venue, she’d booked the table, all I had to do was turn up, order, eat and pay.
I enjoy a nice chilled out and straight forward Sunday dinner date and the Border Minstrel certainly ticked all the boxes here.
The Border Minstrel venue is spot on, we were given a spacious window table which was excellent, it hopefully kept her two dogs out of sight and mind of the other customers? I couldn’t hear any music which I found utter bliss, especially at this time of year where the Xmas hits are usually blaring to the point of irritation, so conversations were possible without having to raise voices.
Table service was friendly, polite and attentive without being intrusive, it’s just a shame about the card machine, fingers crossed and hopefully my payment did go through before it conked out?
It worked out about eighty odd quid for two starters, two mains, some sides, three puddings, numerous drinks and a couple of coffees, but the food was truly excellent and £17.95 isn’t bad for a three meats main course, portions were good, presentation excellent, and the food hot and tasty!
I’m more than happy to recommend the Border Minstrel, I’ll be back.
Written 15 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Burkie121
Newmarket16 contributions
Jan 2023 • solo
I was visiting Newcastle racetrack on a professional basis and with an hour to spare and food needed I popped into this establishment at around 1pm Sunday afternoon. Even though they seemed very busy and I hadn’t booked the staff went out of the way to get me a table. I ordered a Sunday roast and a Guiness and without much delay the meal and drink were served.
The food although basic in appearance it was delicious and well cooked, one of the best roasts I have had for a while. Not overpriced either!!
Atmosphere in the pub was pleasant and welcoming and I would recommend anyone in the area to avail of this gem.
Written 23 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gazpotts72
Newcastle upon Tyne127 contributions
Jun 2022 • couples
Sunday lunch. Didn't book but they managed to squeeze my wife and I in. Portions are big so we decided not to have a starter but ordered the extra trimmings of vegetables I had the turkey and my wife had the gammon. Both were absolutely delicious. Turkey was soft and tender roasted potatoes crispy yet fluffy in the middle, roasted parsnips and carrots to die for. Pleasant staff good service and nice beer to wash it down with. No complaints at all. Well worth a visit but probably worth booking as it was busy. Very well done to the border staff
Written 12 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tonyia d
1 contribution
May 2024 • family
My wife, myself and a few family members went for Sunday lunch a couple of weeks back and we couldn't fault it. It was absolutely delicious. We had a lovely Scottish waiter who was lovely and couldn't have been more helpful. After having such a great experience prior, my wife and I decided to go back for weekday lunch. It was terrible! Upon entering we were ignored by a young bar person on their phone. My wife ordered the cheese savoury sandwich. It was a case of spot the cheese. it was full of coleslaw, which is not even mentioned on the menu and we never asked for it. I ordered the Texan burger, I left most of it, as it was like eating an old wellington boot. Very disappointing.
Written 6 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
…
Showing results 1-15 of 195
Best moderately priced restaurants
See all
Best nearby
We rank these hotels, restaurants, and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Best nearby hotels
See all 
Best nearby restaurants
See all 
Is This Your Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your Free Listing