Blackfriars is a beautiful, historical restaurant in the centre of Newcastle located in a 13th century friary. The friary was restored in the late 1970s, after having slowly fallen into disrepair over hundreds of years. The restaurant serves British food made from local ingredients, with an emphasis on wild game when it is in season. The autumn a la carte menu features hand-dived scallops, Yorkshire grouse, wild mushrooms and slow cooked duck eggs served with truffles. As well as functioning as a restaurant, Blackfriars also runs a small cookery school, which offers classes for children, teens and adults. The restaurant puts on medieval-themed events throughout the year, such as the New Years’ Medieval Banquet. At these light-hearted events, there is live music, and 13th century food such as suckling pig and pottage is served. Guests are encouraged to dress up in medieval costumes and everyone can enjoy the local Lindisfarne mead.
For a slightly less medieval - although no less traditional - British meal, Blackfriars also offers a beautiful afternoon tea. The lower tier of the tea is made up of five different finger sandwiches and a sausage roll made from wild hog and seasoned with winter truffles. For the upper tiers, Blackfriars offers a selection of lightly spiced scones, and four miniature cakes. The team at Blackfriars are happy to prepare gluten free or vegetarian afternoon teas but will need at least 48 hours notice, so please book well in advance.
Blackfriars can host a range of corporate and group events in the friary’s historic Banquet Hall. The stone Hall was used in 1334 by King Edward III during his war with Scotland to receive Edward Balliol. It is furnished with locally-made oak tables, lit by stained glass windows and decorated with recreations of medieval banners. The hall can seat up to 50 people, and is a very atmospheric location to hold a function or party.