Britain

Blackfriars

Blackfriars

Experience immersive dining and medieval cookery classes in a historic friary, offering a unique taste of local culinary traditions and rich heritage.

OUR EXPERIENCES
Blackfriars offers immersive food and heritage experiences in the heart of Newcastle, blending award-winning dining with captivating history. From hands-on medieval and Geordie cookery classes to brewery tours, beer and cheese tastings, and lavish five-course medieval banquets, guests explore centuries of culinary tradition inside a Grade I listed former friary. Whether joining a small group for a cookery masterclass or feasting like royalty in our candlelit Banquet Hall, visitors enjoy a uniquely local and historic taste of the North East.

ABOUT US
Blackfriars Dominican Friary dates back to 1239. The restaurant occupies the former refectory and as such is the oldest dining room in Britain. It serves traditional historic dishes made from fresh, local and seasonal produce. Service is relaxed, informal and friendly yet professional with consistent attention to detail and also represents excellent value for money. It is renowned for its authentic Medieval Banquets, events and cookery classes.

OUR IMPACT
At Blackfriars, our historic Grade I listed friary is both a restaurant and a living heritage site, enabling us to deliver measurable social, cultural, environmental, and educational benefits. We actively preserve and interpret our 13th-century site through guided tours, heritage dining experiences, and interactive cookery classes, welcoming thousands of visitors each year and fostering cultural understanding of Newcastle’s medieval history. Our partnerships with local charities such as Changing Lives, Gateshead Older People’s Assembly, and The Prince’s Trust provide practical skills training, community cookery sessions, and employment pathways, while our involvement in the Everybody Welcome campaign ensures inclusivity for all guests.

Environmentally, we have achieved the Green Tourism Gold Award for our sustainability efforts, including sourcing local seasonal produce, avoiding air-freighted goods, operating an electric refrigerated van for deliveries, and supporting biodiversity through local tree planting. We build awareness through our events and supplier engagement, promoting sustainable food systems to both staff and visitors. Educationally, our medieval and Geordie cookery classes, brewery tours, and history talks give guests hands-on skills and historical insight, blending cultural heritage with culinary expertise in a way that inspires curiosity and respect for tradition.

DETAILS
To learn more, contact: info@blackfriarsrestaurant.co.uk

What are your minimum and maximum group sizes?
1-50

Do you require visitors to pre-book?
Yes

Do you have group rates?
Yes

Do you pay commissions to travel advisors?
Yes

What languages do you offer your services in?
English

When are you open?
Monday to Saturday 10am-11pm, Sundays 10am-4pm- closed on UK bank holidays

What accommodations do you make for people living with disabilities?
We’re dedicated to making Blackfriars as accessible as possible to guests of all abilities.

More information on our accessibility can be found at https://blackfriarsrestaurant.co.uk/access/

Unseen Tours
Experience London through the eyes of guides with lived homelessness, blending history and personal stories while supporting social change and empowerment.
The Garlic Farm
Experience organic farming with delicious garlic-infused dishes, local produce, and eco-friendly practices, all while enjoying stunning countryside views.
Forest Distillery
Experience intimate tours and tastings of award-winning spirits at the UK's highest distillery, set in stunning Peak District scenery and rich local heritage.
Blackfriars
Experience immersive dining and medieval cookery classes in a historic friary, offering a unique taste of local culinary traditions and rich heritage.
Gusbourne Estate
Experience immersive wine tours, tastings, and fine dining amidst stunning vineyard views in the heart of Kent's countryside. Perfect for all occasions!
Wake the Tiger
Experience the UK's largest immersive art attraction, featuring over 40 interactive spaces that inspire change and challenge perspectives in a vibrant setting.
Holkham
Explore a stunning estate featuring a stately home, serene gardens, a nature reserve, and diverse activities, all while supporting sustainable tourism.
Blenheim Palace Heritage Foundation
This UNESCO World Heritage Site features stunning Baroque architecture, beautiful gardens, and expansive parkland, offering tours, events, and local dining.
The Manor House
Experience a 14th-century country retreat with Italian gardens, Michelin-star dining, and luxurious accommodations in the stunning Cotswolds.
Eden Project
This stunning global garden features diverse ecosystems, promotes sustainability, and offers educational programs, making it a must-visit for nature lovers.
Lainston House
This luxury 17th-century hotel in Hampshire offers fine dining, a cookery school, and stunning countryside, perfect for relaxation and exploration.
Strawberry Field
This Liverpool attraction features interactive exhibits, serene gardens, a café, and supports young adults with learning difficulties through training programs.
National Forest EBike Holidays
Experience gentle, self-guided EBike and walking holidays in a tranquil, undiscovered region, promoting sustainable tourism and local culture.
Invisible Cities York
Experience unique walking tours in York led by guides with lived homelessness, uncovering the city's hidden stories and breaking stigma. Accessible for all!
Invisible Cities Manchester
Explore Manchester through unique tours led by guides with personal stories of homelessness, revealing the city's rich music history and social evolution.
Ad Gefrin Anglo-Saxon Museum and Whisky Distillery
Explore Northumberland’s Anglo-Saxon heritage and whisky craft at Ad Gefrin, where local culture, sustainability, and community thrive.
Browsholme Hall
Preserving heritage and sustaining rural livelihoods, Browsholme Hall celebrates local culture through tours, dining, and woodland stays.
Castle Bromwich Historic Gardens and Parkland
Explore 40 acres of historic gardens and green space where heritage, nature, and community come together through conservation and connection.
Good Hotel London
Stay afloat at Good Hotel London, where sleek design meets social impact—every booking funds local training and education abroad.
St Mary's Guildhall
Discover Coventry’s medieval gem—St Mary’s Guildhall—where inclusive heritage, sustainability, and community pride come alive.
Stourbridge Glass Museum
A museum where heritage meets innovation—live glassblowing, artist support, and educational programs empower community and craft.
Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa
Lake District resort offering dining, spa, watersports, and wellness experiences with a strong commitment to sustainability and community impact.
The Yan at Broadrayne Ltd
A family-run Grasmere retreat blending cosy stays, local flavours, and sustainable farming roots for an authentic, low-impact Lake District experience.
RHS Garden Bridgewater
Explore RHS Bridgewater’s contemporary gardens, walled oases, and streamside paths—154 acres of inspiring landscapes designed for connection with nature.
RHS Garden Harlow Carr
Explore RHS Harlow Carr’s lakes, streamside paths, and seasonal garden spaces—a tranquil, nature-rich escape filled with colour, wildlife, and year-round inspir
RHS Garden Hyde Hall
RHS Hyde Hall invites visitors to explore panoramic gardens and seasonal landscapes that inspire connection to nature and the lifelong joy of gardening.
RHS Garden Rosemoor
Discover 65 acres of seasonal garden rooms at RHS Rosemoor, a haven for biodiversity where visitors connect with nature through blooms, tours, and year-round ev
RHS Garden Wisley
Explore 240 acres of vibrant gardens at RHS Wisley, where visitors connect with nature through seasonal highlights, guided tours, and world-class plant displays
We the Curious
Experience interactive exhibits, a unique 3D planetarium, and hands-on science activities for all ages in Bristol's vibrant harborside.
Windsor Carriages
Private, curated heritage experiences in Windsor Great Park, blending carriage travel, storytelling, and sustainable traditions with exceptional hospitality.
Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
Beamish immerses visitors in Northeast England’s past, preserving heritage and community stories through immersive, open-air, living-history experiences.
Witchmark Distillery
Experience a unique distillery tour in England, where sustainable practices meet the art of crafting authentic whiskies, gins, and vodkas.