Black Swan Inn

Black Swan Inn

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+44 1665 720227+ Add websiteWrite a Review
Hours
Sun
11:30 - 22:30
Mon
11:30 - 23:00
Tue
11:30 - 23:00
Wed
11:30 - 23:00
Thu
11:30 - 23:00
Fri
11:30 - 23:00
Sat
11:30 - 23:00
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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
4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles
Travellers' Choice 2024

RATINGS
Food
4.6 of 5 bubbles
Service
4.4 of 5 bubbles
Value
4.1 of 5 bubbles
Atmosphere
4.3 of 5 bubbles
Is this restaurant romantic?
About
Welcome to the newest addition atop Seahouses infamous harbour - The Black Swan Inn has undergone a half-million-pound restoration to bring it in to the modern era, with a high element of design and a nod to its heritage, the building has been completely transformed in to a beautiful, stylish coastal venue with an elegant menu and an emphasis on fish as well as some other local delights. Visit us for some amazing cocktails curated masterfully by our inhouse mixologist - Tom.
CUISINES
Seafood, British, Gastropub
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Beach, Dog Friendly
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles473 reviews
Excellent
321
Very good
83
Average
29
Poor
22
Terrible
18

Pigginhungry
337 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 family
Visited twice before writing this review! The first time was when it had just opened and we had some issues with how long the food took and the quality of the steak. Second visit was much better, the steak was very good. Had prawn cocktail on both visits and still good! It's very nicely done out and busy place. Service is ok but can improve, for example the wine was just plonked down on the table, no offer to try or pouring it for us. The bread never arrived! Chips are not great, on both visits they look anaemic, more like chips shop chips than a restaurant that charged £36 for a steak, plus you get too many, more quality but less of them would be better! Only other negative is the toilet situation, it's a shared one and from a lady's point of view it's not great when your husband leaves the seat up and splashes over the seat never mind a stranger!! They do have a disabled one so I'd use that!
Written 28 August 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.

Briggmum
Brigg2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 couples
My husband treated us to a meal here on Thursday evening. Service was not rushed, well paced for us to enjoy time together away from the children. I chose Haggis BonBons for my starter and they were amazing! I could have eaten them all night long. Husband chose Scotch-egg of the day (Chorizo) egg still runny. Husband chose the Ribeye Steak which came loaded with extras and cooked perfectly. But I stole the show choosing the Local Seafood Thai Curry, which was incredibly tasty. With drinks added it was pricey, but this is a Gastro Pub and you get what you pay for. Worth every penny. We will definitely return on our next visit.
Written 13 August 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.

509tonyh
Nottingham18 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022 couples
We originally went in a few days before, and had a drink, the menu looked great. We went on Monday 5 September and had the Seafood platter for 2, all the the fish, lobster and prawns were cooked to perfection. Great service and friendly staff. Great addition to eating places in Seahouses
Written 6 September 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.

Swimmum16
Sunderland19 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022 none
Booked not long after it had opened for an anniversary meal. They were still working out a few teething problems (staff member who greeted us on arrival didn’t seem to know what to do, service was a bit wobbly at times from a waitress who seemed to be very nervous), but we had three courses and all the food was good and well-cooked. There’s a small range of cocktails and I enjoyed the Seahouses Spritz. Wine range is fair and we arrived intending to order a bottle of champagne. However we swerved to a bottle of Gavi when we saw what they were charging for a bottle of unnamed house champagne. (We’d had a bottle of champagne in the restaurant of Beadnell Towers a few days before which was very nice and cost much less). All in all we enjoyed our visit and would probably go again although, as others have said, it is a bit pricey. The main off-putting element is the unisex loo arrangement - I came out of my cubicle to encounter a large man who was a bit the worse for wear leaning drunkenly against the sinks. He was harmless but I wasn’t particularly comfortable. I’d urge the owners to rethink this set up.
Written 12 October 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.

Hotelblogbyexeption
Chester8 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022 family
Good food but a BIG BUT. Lunch with elderly relatives and they ordered white wine, asked if they wanted a bottle they said yes, “what type? Is Chardonnay okay” asked server. Yes thanks was the reply. The standard wines they served were £25 or so. The Chardonnay = £55 Sharks on the upsell so very sneaky. Watch your bill. Didn’t expect such practice to be honest. Other pubs in the village don’t do this.
Written 24 December 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.

Dave C
Doncaster97 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 none
The owners have clearly spent time and money creating an excellent boutique pub. The staff are extremely friendly with just the right amount of attentiveness. The atmosphere was very good and more importantly the food was good quality, as were the drinks and cocktails. It’s not the cheapest venue and to be honest the rib eye steak is well over priced, I pay less in central London and for better quality. However it would be remiss of me not to recommend the Black Swan, it’s definitely worth a visit.
Written 27 July 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.

MARK B
7 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022 couples
Nice enough place, service and food was good to be fair. But oh my god are they taking the p*ss with the prices. Will be surprised if they stay open long if they carry on charging as they are. Everyone we spoke to who had had a drink or meal there said the same. There are other places to eat in Seahouses that are just as good at far more reasonable prices.
Written 2 October 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.

Graeme P
Dunfermline33 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 couples
Ordered haddock and skin on chips costing £18 so not cheap. My wife had mussels and fries. No problem with her dinner - she enjoyed it. My dinner on other hand was very poor. The chips were soggy - if I held one up it folded! I saw another diner sending hers back. In addition the fish batter on the underside was a bit soggy not crispy. I complained and £5 was deducted and the waiting staff ( who were lovely ) apologised and said “it shouldn’t have happened”. Any decent chef would not have allowed plate to leave kitchen. This is the most expensive restaurant ( by some distance ) in Seahouses so we were expecting to pay a premium price for a premium meal. Didn’t bother with dessert just wanted to leave. The local takeaway does better ( and less expensive) fish and chips.
Written 5 September 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.

Gregory B
288 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 family
The perfect lunch with a couple of beers. We took a family walk from Bamburgh castle to Sea Houses and found the black swan, it’s not on the main road but has been recommended to us, so we made our way there. It’s just a few steps up from the beautiful harbour and it’s cute beach, which is great for sea-glass hunting. We didn’t book but it wasn’t too busy, so we found a table in the bar, which allowed for the dog to join us. Really nicely decorated and finished, the bar feels very warm and welcoming. Great service and incredible food. We were there on the anniversary of the reopening since the refurb, which we only found out after we’d left, meant they were giving all customers a free cocktail or Prosecco, which we didn’t get offered, sadly. We have two Sunday lunches and two moule frites. Both dishes were perfect. We also started with 6 local oysters, which were not cheap at £3.80 each, but well worth it.
Written 16 July 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.

22Ron1703
Edinburgh16 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 couples
My wife and I visited the Black Swan today for lunch. This was not our first time and we were bitterly disappointed with our experience on this occasion. We had ordered our drinks and dishes from the bar lunch menu. After 30 minutes we were still waiting for our food and when we asked when it was coming we were advised that "all the food was cooked ftom fresh". Another 10 minutes passed and still no food. Again we were told about the food being cooked from fresh. My wife had ordered the beef burger and I the posh fish fingers - 40 minutes is a long time to wait for 2 simple dishes. Apart from ourselves there were only 5 other customers. Our previous experiences there were excellent. Leaving our unfinished drinks we left and will certainly not be returning
Written 10 May 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.

Lynne Stuart
North Shields17 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 couples
Had dinner last night at this newly refurbished Inn. Very few places deserve a 10/10, but the Black Swan definitely does. Tom, front of house manager, and cocktail master, is world class. Food is exactly what food should be, unpretentious, full of quality local ingredients and cooked to perfection. Waiting staff are attentive but not overbearing, knowledgeable, focused and welcoming. We will be returning again and again.
Written 24 July 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.

Rantin rover
Biggar9084 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 couples
This pub is located close to the harbour front however it doesn’t have a view. We were fortunate because we were staying in one of the properties across the street which did have the view and was a stone’s throw away from the premises. The pub has a small walled courtyard at the rear for sitting outside but to be honest we found it lacked ambiance. Inside the place appears to have been refurbished in bistro style in recent years with areas for dining and a bar. Guests accompanied with dogs are only able to use the bar area, not the restaurant, but meals are served in both. We found that at the time of our stay in the town it was necessary to book a table in advance particularly in the case of the restaurant. Likewise for many other venues. The menu is heavily weighted towards fish dishes and is generally pricey. We visited early evening and there was a good ambiance in the restaurant with mostly couples dining. Our waiter, who was French, was friendly, mannerly and seemed knowledgeable about the menu. For starters my wife had Pan Seared Scallops Thermidor (£13.50) and I chose Pan Seared Wood Pigeon (£11). The scallops were served in a shell with oak smoked Northumberland cheese with smokey bacon and spinach. The breast of wood pigeon came with wild mushrooms on a black pudding puree, topped with pancetta and a red wine jus. Both were enjoyable and the portions appropriately scaled as starters although the price less so. For mains we both selected one of the three specials on offer - Oven Roasted Monkfish (£32 per person). This was wrapped in pancetta and served with Ratte potatoes, sauteed brown shrimp and samphire. The fish was nicely cooked and the flavours all worked well together. Whilst we were having mains a couple on a nearby table were sharing the seafood platter (£37) which seemed to be piled high with just about every shell fish option available and took them some considerable time to work their way through! For dessert my wife had their Sticky Toffee Pudding (£9) and I had Whisky Panna Cotta (£9). The STP was served with crème anglaise, butterscotch sauce and a large piece of handmade honeycomb all of which went down well. My panna cotta was topped with a variety of fresh fruits and was also enjoyable. By the time we added a bottle of Pinot Grigio (£27.95) and a couple of 175ml glasses of the same (£6.60 per glass) to accompany the food our bill came to just under £148. The food was very good, the service likewise and the surroundings pleasant however it is not an experience we repeated during our week-long stay mainly due to the expense. We did have drinks in the bar a couple of times, which was attracting some customers with offers on cocktails, but generally it was quiet in our experience when meals had finished. A more “pub-like” atmosphere and lower costs could be had next door in The Schooner Inn but that wasn’t really our scene.
Written 26 June 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.

Margaret B
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022 none
We visited one evening for a glass of wine and were so impressed with the level of service, friendliness of the staff, the decor and ambience so we decided to go back for a light lunch. We sat in The Orangery which was delightful and shared the most delicious tempura prawns to start. My husband then enjoyed the monkfish Caesar salad from the “starters” and I enjoyed the mussels with the Spanish sauce, also from the “starters”. Both dishes were delicious and beautifully presented. Thanks to Mandy, we had wonderful and attentive service. We will definitely go back! Would like to go one evening as we think it would look magical with the lighting and the candles.
Written 1 October 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.

Scotburr
Edinburgh3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 couples
This place continues to impress on each and every visit. When in Seahouses we often thought that it would benefit from a more polished establishment and this place absolutely offers that. There's nowhere quite like it unless you venture further out from the coast, so when in Seahouses, for us, it is the clear choice for a more elegant experience. We often come earlier than our planned booking as Tom (and the rest of his team) on the bar put on a theatrical show making cocktails and serves as a nice aperitif before we have dinner and indulge in a nice bottle of wine. The food is always consistenly excellent and we have enjoyed seeing the menu go from strength to strength on each visit, not least the presentation of each dish is exceptional. Keep up the good work all and we will see you again in June.
Written 30 April 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.

Mads
31 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 couples
Meals were lovely, amazing chefs, shame about the service. First off, the table was extremely wobbly, this should be checked when setting up- the waiter came and stuck beer mats underneath the table, not a good start to a birthday meal! We ordered the salmon pate to share, however when it came, two arrived, we thought maybe it had been split between two plates, but before we realised the waiter disappeared promptly. We sat for 10 minutes trying to get someone’s attention but in the end just gave up. Clearly we left a whole portion of pate between the two plates. When asked was everything okay, we explained not really we only wanted the one to share, the waiter apologised and said he would take one off the bill. The main came and was nice, when asking for the bill we were told the manager said we were not allowed the starter to be taken off due to not mentioning before we had eaten. Well due to the awful service this wasn’t possible, didn’t really want to go up to the bar. WONT be coming back and definitely don’t recommend. Manager didn’t even bother coming to speak to us and sent the waiter. It wasn’t about the money for us, but the way it was handled made us feel like we didn’t matter. Clearly they just want your money! Avoid.
Written 4 November 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.

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BLACK SWAN INN, Seahouses - Updated 2024 Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number - Tripadvisor

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