Harden's survey result
Summary
The Banqueting Hall at this former Dominican friary is said to be the oldest dining room in the country, dating back almost 800 years – and the ambience in its contemporary restaurant is “just as you’d expect from a tasteful friary”, while the food is “consistently good”. Launched in 2001 by Sam & Andy Hook, the venue hosts occasional medieval-style banquets, and recently added a micro-brewery next to its restored cloister garden.
Summary
A “lovely building” – a 13th-century former Dominican friary that’s among the oldest dining rooms in the kingdom, and also includes a cookery school – adds considerably to the lure of this long-running and “very reliable” restaurant. It’s a multi-tasking spot that will take you from breakfast through to an evening meal, all based on “good locally sourced produce” from fish to game. Further boons are the “helpful staff” and (in clement months) courtyard garden.
Summary
A “very historic dining room” – set in a thirteenth-century former refectory that may be the oldest of its kind in the UK – adds a sense of occasion to a visit to this “atmospheric” outfit, but it’s arguably even better in summer “when you can eat outside in the courtyard garden”. The brasserie menu is “quality” (think “good seasonal produce such as game”) and “you can hear yourself talk, so it’s good for taking your parents too if they like traditional with a slight twist”.
Summary
“An old building, with lots of candles and nooks and crannies” – “this beautiful 13th century former Dominican friary” is particularly “atmospheric in winter” (but it also has “a lovely courtyard area for summer dining”). From its bistro/brasserie-style menu, there’s “always a good choice of dishes based on good local produce” and its standards are “accomplished and reliable”.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Blackfriars Restaurant?
Friars St, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4XN
Restaurant details
Blackfriars Restaurant Restaurant Diner Reviews
"nice location, atmospheric and historic setting. However, the food feels a bit mainstream, although staff are nice. Every (savoury) dish was smothered in (bought) dried onion. Not my thing"
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £23.50 | £29.50 |  |
|
 |
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Pudding |
|---|---|---|
| £13.50 | £26.50 | £7.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £26.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £3.50 |
| Service | 10.00% |
Friars St, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4XN
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑4 pm |
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