A perfect lunch - both in terms of location and quality of food!'
Life Magazine May 2010

'One thing's for sure: if you like beer, banter and banqueting of the finest quality (and all homegrown), you'll love Blackfriars.'
Accent Magazine May 2010

'We left most impressed with the feed we had been given at Blackfriars and pleased with the efficient, but not overbearing service. The quality of the food and the unique surroundings certainly made it an experience worth having.'
Sunday Sun 25 April 2010

'Blackfriars is a restaurant that prides itself on service, quality and value at every turn. The waiting staff are exemplary and well turned out and, as is not always the case in even the best restaurants, very much up to speed on the menu and the surroundings.'
Sunderland Echo 3 December 2009

'A little like the restaurant itself [the food] has an authentic feel - the carefully chosen menu and olde-worlde setting make it a genuinely different dining experience.'
The Journal 16 October 2009

'An oasis in the heart of Newcastle, Blackfriars may offer an Express menu, but the last thing on your mind when dining in your cosy confines will be getting back to your desk.'
North East Times May 2009

'Quality, hearty home-cooked grub... worth every penny. Great setting, delicious food and a varied menu.'
City Living February 2009

'Blackfriars has a menu to be proud of. While it may claim to be back to basics, there's nothing basic in terms of the quality of the food.'
Evening Chronicle 30 January 2009

'Blackfriars is certainly reasonably priced for the quality of their ingredients and their approach to supporting local food sources leaves a further good taste in the mouth. It is hard to think of a restaurant that is a better tribute to the area you are about to graduate from.'
The Courier 7 July 2008

'The food was flavoursome and plentiful, the atmosphere was spot on and you'd probably spend more on a meal for two followed by drinks in a city bar. If you're looking for a different kind of night out - it's a feast of fun.'
City Living (Review of Medieval Banquet) August 2007

'All in all, Blackfriars offers a unique range of food, in a welcoming atmosphere, and you will be hard-pressed to find another restaurant of its standard in Newcastle.'
Grammar Magazine October 2006

'All food is locally sourced and the menu changes regularly. Prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is extremely relaxed.'
The Independent 10 September 2005

'The good food, complemented by a glass of the super house wine, really lifted our spirits and we soon returned to good form again. How do you put a price on that?'
North East Times September 2005

'Every bit as recognised as its older brother, Sidneys, with an exceptional wine list and fantastic alfresco opportunities'
The Telegraph 13 August 2005

'There are few places in the North East where you'll find such interesting combinations of ingredients and where staff are so polite and knowledgeable...the fish was perfectly cooked and the sweetness of the curry worked extremely well with all the different flavours.'
Newcastle Evening Chronicle 14 January 2005

‘Andy may look a bit like Joe Ninety, but inside he’s a shark. Actually, Andy is very nice. Mr Charming. Nice to his staff, good company, unpretentious, lots of conversation… Everyone likes Andy.’
North East Exclusive August 2004 (and no, we didn’t make this up!)

‘The food is exquisite, all locally sourced and the staff are well-informed and friendly… one of the best value restaurants in Newcastle.’
The Independent July 2004

‘Blackfriars Café Bar host an excellent Sunday jazz lunch.’
The Star 24 September 2003

‘The Menu is varied and interesting… I was delighted to see they serve generous portions… and delicious sweets – sensational’
Newcastle MODE 7 September 2003

‘We were greeted, presumably, by the owner – a very chatty man with an encyclopaedic knowledge of wine… he knew his stuff and made us feel like we were guests in his house.’
The Newcastle Journal September 2003

‘We had piri-piri chicken breast with cardamom and almond pilau and grilled salmon with a green salad and bois bordran sauce… strange name but very good food.’
North East Exclusive August 2003

‘… for this menu is something of a mini-masterpiece when it come to the wine… This [wine] list is a model of its kind.’
Harpers-on-trade wine magazine January 2003 (short-listed wine list)