A Friday afternoon and it is packed. Squeeze thru and be lucky to get a place to stand. Historic place and very well maintained. And they serve good ales!
it's a beautiful pub. I particularly like the mosaics in the dining room at the back. A member of the Nicholson's chain where I have been happy with my food in the past. Unfortunately, I didn't order well today.
They do take more care about food than usual in pub. Everything was served on warm plates. My cheap steak frites for £10.95 was not terribly impressive. Steak was dry and tasteless having been grilled at too low a temperature for any caramelization. Fries were good. A half tomato and a mushroom served as garnish. Both could have done with a coating of olive oil prior to grilling. My companion was happy with his classic burger which comes cooked to medium.
Moral of the story is to stick to simple pub classics at a Nicholson's.
I came for the food, not the alcohol. Regarding the latter, it was packed with a huge crowd on the streets enjoying various libations - so it certainly was popular. ... But the food was definitely not memorable; not bad, but not at all worth going out of your way. ... The pub itself is interesting - small with interesting decor.
Service wasn't great, but the waitress was working as hard as she could, so I did not count that in my rating.
Excellent outdoor space to hangout with good quality pale ales. Slightly expensive but very nice quick bites and other food. The pub was filled when we walked in on a Saturday evening and was lively. The table right outside are available to sit, when the inside is occupied.
This place is a classic in Blackfriars area with a great atmosphere, friendly staff with a great variety of drinks including G&Ts and great great music!
What a gorgeous pub. It's so beautifully decorated inside. Great food too! We were hoping to try their roast which is apparently very nice, but we were there on the wrong day. Oh well, next time! Did I mention it's very pretty ?
Federica De Dominicis
+4.5
Walking in and been astonished by the architecture and decor is immediate. Absolutely charmed, me and my friend have been warmly greeted by the staff and seated in no time on a sunny saturday lunchtime. The service has been fast, given the crowd, the food good (I loved the skinny sharer) and the mood cheerful. It is a great place to impress and has reasonable prices.
I only have good things to say about it - great atmosphere, reasonable priced drinks and an amazing interior (and exterior) and equally interesting history.
This pub looks very small from the outside but there is plenty of room inside. I had a Rhubarb beer from their many beers on tap. I enjoyed the atmosphere the most, very genuine and very British. I would like to come back one day for food.
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We enjoyed our first meal in London in this @nicholsonspubs hotel, The Blackfriar.
The pub itself was built in 1875 where the Medieval friary previously existed. It references jolly monks throughout the interior in mosaics, and of course the black friar guarding the front of the pub itself.
The food was everything I imagined British pub food to be, tasty and hearty comfort food. I had the steak and ale pie which had a golden crust and was filled with delicious piping hot steak filling. The vegetable accompaniments were cooked beautifully and very fresh. Our party also enjoyed sausages and mash, cheese and bacon burger, fish and chips with mushy peas and garlic butter schnitzel. Everything was very good.
London is experiencing some very hot weather and the pub was definitely not designed for this so it was uncomfortably hot. We ended up taking our drinks outside to enjoy where it was much nicer temperature wise.
If you are after a hearty meal with a lovely British pub atmosphere then I recommend The Blackfriar.
In busy London, this pub is like an oasis. Spirit of old times. I really appreciate the beer selection. And like a true Czech, I know good beer. And here the beer is really very good. I love lager, but the local Pale and Ale is top notch. You must go here😉
Famous for its history with very lovely interiors. The fireplace was insanely beautiful. Food was also unexpectedly delicious. Highly recommend the fish and chips - loved the pea smash.
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I dined here on the 17th of September 2023.
When I got here I was unsure what to do - sit down by a table? Wait to get seated? I wanted to dine, but did not know if they served food at any table - or just in the back labelled “Dining room”. I am sure I looked a bit lost - and despite that the bartenders/waitresses looked at me - no one did anything. So I finally asked at the bar. And they were quite confused. I got sat by a table after a few minutes - but the table was flooded in beer from previous customers, so after a few minutes I moved to a different table - less dirty - and cleaned that my self with napkins from the bar.
I ordered my food and beer at the bar. Got the beer once poured and the food was served within a few minutes. Very good in that front.
The food - a Steak & Nicholson Pale Ale Pie - was an absolute winner. Very tasty. And of course a pint of Guinness goes well with any English food - also the pie.
The whole food experience in this old charming building from 1875 was a clear winner - despite the confusion in the beginning - and despite for me having to clean the table myself.
If you come by - definitely drop by - if for nothing else then a beer and the experience.
Amazing historical pub in Blackfriars area. The inside of the pub is completely decorated, very nice atmosphere. I had lunch there, I ordered the Steak & Nicholson’s pale ale pie, the food was very good and the beer aswell. Totally worth it!
Yummy food, good atmosphere, great beer. Pretty crowded but if you hang around for a few minutes, you can get a table. Definitely recommend!
Such a cool pub on the inside! We stopped here while watching the marathon. Food was decent — hot, well seasoned, flavorful —but we mostly came here for a drink in a great interior. Waitstaff was really lovely at managing everyone during a full-on day.
This place it beautiful. Friars in all of the decor, so much to look at. The food was great, Service decent. Overall a good experience.
Quintessential British pub, interior finishings outstanding, hands down a winner for atmosphere. Did have outdoor tables but sat inside. Staff was friendly and efficient; only had pints (not food) but took a bunch of pics and would visit again.
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