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“Don't just rely on reputation earn it every day!”

Blackfriars Restaurant
Ranked #102 of 1,351 Restaurants in Newcastle upon Tyne
Certificate of Excellence
Price range: £8 - £63
Cuisines: European, British
More restaurant details
Restaurant details
Good for: Local cuisine
Dining options: Lunch, Breakfast, Dinner, After-hours, Delivery, Reservations
Dining style: Casual Dining
Transit: Newcastle Central Station
Description: 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 restaurant Blackfriars has a Cookery School and wine, beer and whisky Tasting Room. Blackfriars also has a 50-seat Banquet Hall for private dining, corporate and private parties and weddings and a beautiful Cloister Garden for al fresco dining.
Reviewed 30 August 2014 via mobile

We booked this restaurant for a 21st birthday celebration following rave reviews from friends. I contacted the restaurant in advance as one of our party has special dietary requirements. I also told them it was a special celebration. The table we were allocated was awful as we had a till directly behind us and staff were frequently busy here. We were also on the edge of the main passage to the kitchen which was busy! The service was efficient but with what I can only describe as forced customer service. We had the set early menu which was good but not as spectacular as I had imagined. I had a fish cake starter which was underwhelming and the chicken main which was good. The custard tart for dessert was tasteless. The food across the rest of the party was mixed some good some decidedly average. The fish in particular was very heavy and greasy. For those who have read any of my previous reviews I generally look for the positive aspects which takes service and price into consideration. Something is missing at this restaurant, maybe relying on reputation in the past? Sometimes it is a case of the Emperors new clothes...who will dare to criticise this top Newcastle establishment. I felt very disappointed with what should have been a wonderful night which turned into an okay food night. Perhaps it is always better to go to a tried and tested for a special celebration night.

1  Thank Gillian3663
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.
Reviews (2,178)
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1,596 - 1,600 of 2,178 reviews

Reviewed 26 August 2014

Only my second visit, the first being for a largish Christmas lunch in December 2013. The lunchtime menu was very good value and had a really good number of interesting choices for each course. All our (we were three and had two courses each) choices tasted good and were well presented. Service was good - note that the service charge was included in the bill. The portions are not huge, ie not Geordie falling off the plate, but more than adequate.

Date of visit: August 2014
1  Thank ASH696
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.
Reviewed 26 August 2014

We had a sunday beef roast here recently and the staff were lovely to us.

When they booked our table the lady on the phone was very friendly.

the food was well cooked and we would certainly come again.

Date of visit: July 2014
    • Value
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    • Service
    • Food
1  Thank AngeloftheNorth46
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.
Reviewed 23 August 2014 via mobile

I'd been to Blackfriars only once before my most recent visit last night. The first time my partner and I dined there we weren't really blown away by the food and the service wasn't so good either. Since then my brother and his partner have eaten there regularly and said that it was much improved. After last night I can't say I'd totally agree. It wasn't terrible, it just wasn't brilliant.
We started with the fish trencher for two and we were told it was the last portion. I'm not sure if it had been on the pass for a while but the crispy monkfish was thin and dry, as we're the flat breads that accompanied it. The potted crab was very tasty but very small nothing more than a shot glass full and the mackerel was pleasant but nothing special. A sharing platter should, I think, be abundant and this seemed rather mean. We weren't given any plates for our starter so we had to eat from the small side plates we'd eaten our bread from.

After we'd eaten our starter we waited around 40 minutes for our empty plates to be cleared away and felt a bit ignored after a while. When we asked for drinks we assumed it would alert the staff to the fact that our empty plates and sharing platter were still on our table but it didn't. Eventually they were cleared and our mains were served a little later. I have to say that my steak looked very appetising. Unfortunately, the bone marrow fritter on top must have melted completely in the frier as it was nothing more than an empty ball of breadcrumb. The peppercorn sauce didn't taste of pepper either. It was savoury and rich but had no kick. The chips and steak were both very good but for £25 for my main, I expected everything to be on point. My partner's duck, which he was advised would be served pink, was pretty overdone. Tasty, but a little tough and grey. We decided against desserts and asked for the bill. When it came I was a little shocked at the price until I discovered we'd been given the wrong bill. So glad I didn't just throw down my card and pay up as our bill came in at around £50 cheaper than the one we were issued with. Our server was very apologetic and we were quickly given the correct bill. Still, at over £100 for two, I don't think it represented value for money. Having eaten at plenty of fine dining/higher end places in my time, I can say that my experience at Blackfriars was just okay. I won't be back again in a hurry unless they re-think their price point. I ate at a restaurant in Edinburgh a couple of weeks ago where the food was much better and I paid £18.50 for 3 courses. For what I paid last night I could have treated my partner to 3 courses from prix fixe menu at a Michelin starred restaurant and eaten very well indeed. One thing I will say is that our server, a dark haired young lady, was so warm and friendly and took the time to chat and really make us feel looked after. I hope the owners hold on to her as she's a real asset to the restaurant. The food needs to sharpen up though.

1  Thank thedeepfield79
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.
Reviewed 18 August 2014

great food, great service will be back not cheap but you only get what you pay for would recommend to anyone for a special ocassion

Date of visit: November 2013
    • Value
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    • Food
Thank W7160SWdavidb
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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