Blackfriars Restaurant, Newcastle upon Tyne
Historic Building in Newcastle upon Tyne
Tucked away in the historic heart of Newcastle, Blackfriars Restaurant is one of the best places to visit in Newcastle upon Tyne if you love food with a story behind it. Housed in a 13th-century former medieval friary, it serves an award-winning seasonal and local menu, from some of the city's best Sunday lunches and beautifully presented afternoon teas to refined fine-dining tasting menus. Thick stone walls, timber beams and candlelit tables set the scene, giving you the rare chance to enjoy modern British cooking in a genuinely medieval setting.
Blackfriars' Dominican origins date back to 1239, and over the centuries the complex has lived many lives, including a spell as a hostel for King Henry III and as an inner-city monastery before passing through decline and careful restoration. Today, the main restaurant sits alongside an ornate medieval Banquet Hall that has been meticulously restored and now hosts corporate events, weddings and special feasts. It is a highlight of any walking tour of Newcastle upon Tyne that explores the medieval quarter, especially when combined with nearby landmarks like Newcastle Castle and the city walls.
Table of Contents
- History and Significance of the Blackfriars Restaurant
- Things to See and Do in the Blackfriars Restaurant
- How to Get to the Blackfriars Restaurant
- Practical Tips on Visiting the Blackfriars Restaurant
- Where to Stay close to the Blackfriars Restaurant
- Is the Blackfriars Restaurant Worth Visiting
- FAQs for Visiting Blackfriars Restaurant
- Nearby Attractions to the Blackfriars Restaurant
History and Significance of the Blackfriars Restaurant
Blackfriars began life as a Dominican friary founded in 1239, when the “Black Friars” established a religious community on what was then the edge of medieval Newcastle. The friary complex included cloisters, refectories and guest spaces, and its location close to the town walls and routes into the city made it a natural stopping point for travellers and dignitaries. One of the most famous royal guests was King Henry III, who used part of the friary as a hostel, underlining how important this house once was in both religious and political terms.
The dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century effectively ended Blackfriars’ life as a religious house, and over the following centuries the buildings passed through various secular uses, periods of neglect and piecemeal adaptation. Parts of the original fabric were lost or altered, but key medieval structures survived well enough to be recognised as a rare example of a friary complex in the middle of a growing industrial city. Later conservation efforts focused on stabilising and restoring what remained, allowing the story of the Dominican house to be told again.
The decision to turn part of the complex into a restaurant and to restore the adjoining Banquet Hall for events brought the site back into everyday use rather than leaving it as a static monument. Today, Blackfriars Restaurant allows visitors to experience the building in the way it was originally intended: as a place to gather, eat and talk, even if the food and guests are very different from those of the 13th century. The Banquet Hall, with its timbered roof and stone walls, now hosts modern weddings, corporate dinners and medieval-themed feasts, giving a fresh purpose to a space that might otherwise have remained closed off.
Things to See and Do in the Blackfriars Restaurant
For most visitors, the main “thing to do” at Blackfriars is to sit down and enjoy a meal. The restaurant focuses on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, with menus that change through the year to showcase North East produce at its best. Sunday lunch is a particular favourite, often featuring beautifully roasted meats, crisp potatoes and well-crafted accompaniments, while the fine-dining menus offer more intricate dishes and carefully balanced flavours. Afternoon tea adds another angle, pairing dainty sandwiches and pastries with the historic surroundings.
The setting itself is part of the experience. As you dine, you are surrounded by stonework and features that reflect the building’s medieval origins: thick walls, arched openings and hints of its monastic past that create a sense of continuity between the 13th century and the present day. Service is attentive but relaxed, helping the space feel welcoming rather than museum-like, and the atmosphere shifts subtly through the day, from bright lunchtime buzz to more intimate evening glow.
If you have the chance to visit or book an event in the Banquet Hall, you will see another side of Blackfriars. This adjoining space has been meticulously restored, with an ornate medieval feel that lends itself well to celebratory meals, themed banquets, weddings and corporate gatherings. Long tables, high ceilings and historic details make it easy to imagine the friars dining here centuries ago, even as modern menus and wine lists keep things firmly rooted in today’s tastes. Together, the restaurant and Banquet Hall turn Blackfriars into more than just somewhere to eat; they create an experience that fuses heritage and hospitality.
How to Get to the Blackfriars Restaurant
If you are travelling from outside the region, Newcastle International Airport is your most convenient gateway, with regular flights from across the UK and parts of Europe and a direct Metro line into the city centre in around 25 minutes. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Newcastle upon Tyne on Booking.com. From the airport, take the Metro to Central Station or Monument and then walk or take a short taxi ride to the medieval quarter where Blackfriars is located.
By train, you will arrive at Newcastle Central Station, which sits on the East Coast Main Line and is well connected to major cities.Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio. From the station, Blackfriars is around a 10-15 minute walk: head up towards the city centre and follow signs for Chinatown or the medieval friary area, where you will find the restaurant tucked just off the main streets.
If you prefer to drive, follow signs into Newcastle city centre and then towards the Bigg Market or Chinatown area, both of which are close to Blackfriars. Several public car parks and on-street bays are available within walking distance, though they can be busy at peak times and on weekend evenings, so it is wise to arrive early and allow a few minutes to stroll through the historic streets to the restaurant.
Practical Tips on Visiting the Blackfriars Restaurant
- Suggested tips: Book well in advance for Sunday lunch, afternoon tea and weekend evenings, as these popular slots often fill up quickly.
- Best time to visit: Evenings are ideal for a more atmospheric fine-dining experience, while lunchtime visits give you a clearer view of the building’s architectural details; Sundays are perfect if you want a traditional roast.
- Entrance fee: There is no entrance fee; you simply pay for whatever food, drink or event you book at the restaurant or Banquet Hall.
- Opening hours: Mon - Thus : 12:00 - 14:30, 17:30 - 21:30
Friday 12:00 - 14:30, 14.45 – 17.00 (afternoon tea), 17:00 - 21.30 (dinner)
Saturday 12:00 - 14:30, 14.45 – 17.00 (afternoon tea), 17:00 - 21.30 (dinner)
Sunday 12:00 - 16:00 - Official website: https://www.blackfriarsrestaurant.co.uk/
- How long to spend: Allow at least 1.5-2 hours for a relaxed meal, and longer if you are attending a banquet, wedding or corporate event in the Banquet Hall.
- Accessibility: Parts of the building have steps and uneven floors due to its medieval layout, but staff can advise on the most accessible routes and seating; mention any mobility needs when booking.
- Facilities: As a full-service restaurant and event venue, Blackfriars offers toilets, cloakroom areas and dedicated spaces for private functions, as well as a bar and reception area.
- Photography tip: Before or after your meal, look for opportunities to capture stone arches, wooden beams and candlelit table settings; always be considerate of other diners’ privacy when taking photos.
- Guided tours: From time to time, Blackfriars may offer historical talks, special feasts or events that delve deeper into the friary’s story, so check their programme if you are interested in the building’s past as well as its menus.
- Nearby food options: If you are in the mood for a longer food-focused day, nearby streets around the Bigg Market, Chinatown and the city centre offer plenty of cafés, pubs and bars for pre- or post-dinner drinks.
Where to Stay close to the Blackfriars Restaurant
Staying close to Blackfriars makes it easy to enjoy a leisurely meal and still be within a short walk of your hotel, as well as key city-centre attractions. A characterful option nearby is Royal Station Hotel, a grand Victorian property next to Central Station that combines period charm with convenient access to the medieval quarter. For a more contemporary feel just a few minutes’ walk away, Motel One Newcastle offers modern, stylish rooms close to bars, shops and Blackfriars itself. If you would like views over the Tyne while still being within strolling distance of the restaurant, The Vermont Hotel sits beside Newcastle Castle and gives you a dramatic backdrop for an overnight stay.
Is the Blackfriars Restaurant Worth Visiting
If you appreciate good food and atmospheric settings, Blackfriars Restaurant is very much worth seeking out. It delivers on both counts: thoughtful, seasonal menus that highlight local ingredients and a uniquely historic backdrop that you simply will not find in a standard city-centre restaurant. The chance to dine in a building with Dominican origins from 1239, to sit in rooms once used by friars and royal guests and then to step outside into Newcastle's medieval streets, makes the experience memorable even before you have picked up a knife and fork. For many visitors, it becomes one of the must-see places in Newcastle upon Tyne precisely because it combines heritage, hospitality and a strong sense of place.
What Other Travellers Say...
Blackfriars Restaurant on Friars Street occupies the former friary refectory and serves British cuisine at heavy wooden tables; visitors praise the beautiful, atmospheric setting and attentive, friendly service, often noting thoughtful touches for special occasions. Diners report consistently excellent, well-presented dishes—from seafood starters to duck and inventive sides—with memorable sauces and good gluten‑free options and staff who give helpful recommendations. The venue is frequently chosen for celebrations and seasonal evenings, where guests enjoy the decor, music level and staff going the extra mile.
FAQs for Visiting Blackfriars Restaurant
Nearby Attractions to the Blackfriars Restaurant
- Newcastle Castle: Explore the medieval Castle Keep and Black Gate just a short walk away, with atmospheric interiors and views over the city and river.
- Cathedral Church of St Nicholas: Visit Newcastle’s historic cathedral with its distinctive lantern spire, located close to the castle and medieval quarter.
- Grainger Market: Wander through the Grade I listed 19th-century covered market for fresh produce, street food and independent traders in the city centre.
- Theatre Royal: Head over to Grey Street for a night at this Grade I listed theatre, which hosts drama, musicals, opera, ballet and pantomimes.
- The Quayside: Stroll downhill to the River Tyne for iconic views of the bridges, historic buildings and a lively run of bars and restaurants along both banks.
The Blackfriars Restaurant appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Newcastle upon Tyne!
Moira & Andy
Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!
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Planning Your Visit
Mon – Thus : 12:00 – 14:30, 17:30 – 21:30
Friday 12:00 – 14:30, 14.45 - 17.00 (afternoon tea), 17:00 – 21.30 (dinner)
Saturday 12:00 – 14:30, 14.45 - 17.00 (afternoon tea), 17:00 – 21.30 (dinner)
Sunday 12:00 – 16:00
There is no entrance fee; you simply pay for whatever food, drink or event you book at the restaurant or Banquet Hall.
Nearby Attractions
- Grainger Market (0.4) km
Market - Discovery Museum (0.4) km
Museum - Edwardian Central Arcade (0.4) km
Historic Site - Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle upon Tyne (0.5) km
Historic Building - Grey's Monument (0.5) km
Monument - Life Science Centre (0.5) km
Museum - Theatre Royal (0.5) km
Theatre - St Nicholas Cathedral (0.6) km
Cathedral - Pons Aelius (0.7) km
Roman Site - Newcastle Castle (0.7) km
Castle
