The Blackfriar in City of London, Westminster

🇮🇹 Storico pub a due passi dalle metro di Blackfriars. La location è molto suggestiva anche se la sala per pranzare contiene pochi tavoli. Noi abbiamo preso un classico hamburger, davvero molto buono. Servizio veloce e cordiale. Prezzi medio/alti. Ampia scelta di birre. 🇬🇧 Historic pub a stone's throw from Blackfriars tube. The location is very suggestive even if the dining room contains few tables. We ate a classic hamburger, really very good. Fast and friendly service. Medium/high prices. Wide choice of beers.

This is a lovely pub in a great location. A good range of drinks available and the food is more than adequate. However, the service is terrible which is a shame. Bar service is becoming poor in a number of establishments in London, and unfortunately here is up there with the worst I have experienced. The bar stall clearly did not want to be working here. Unhelpful, unresponsive and extremely lazy. I actually ordered some drinks and received them without so much of a word from the barman. We had to get our own cutlery when our food was brought to our table, which had clearly not been cleaned from the previous customer. Clearly the staff need retraining and to learn how to treat their paying customers. And maybe not to look so miserable.

Great variety of ales, excellent food, really friendly staff all at one of London's most atmospheric pubs. Looking forward to my next visit...

If, like me, you were hoping to enjoy a pleasant drink in this London pub which was saved from demolition by John Betjamin no less, I caution you to abandon that hope. The pub is undeniably interesting in decor but in the business of being a pub ie serving good quality beverages in a congenial atmosphere, it is completely lacklustre. The assorted barmen looked like they were being forced to do their job at gunpoint. There were dirty glasses on the table when we sat down. After a while, since the bar staff didn’t appear to think that removing them was in their job description, I moved them onto a ledge where they languished until one of the barman had finished cleaning the coffee machine! At the bar my husband had to wait some considerable time to be served because the one barman actually serving was pouring himself one. And the quality of the wine was deplorable. Like the bottle someone brought to a party because they won it on a tombola at the church fete! There are plenty of lovely historic pubs in London, this isn’t one of those! And if you do decide to go, and once there, use the toilets, then you only have yourself to blame! John would turn in his grave!

Service here was disgusting, so disappointed that such a lovely pub has such rude staff, overcharged twice and spoken to in a such a disgraceful way. Not sure if they're deliberately overcharging but once is a mistake twice is deliberate. Be sure to check what you're paying for and don't expect the staff to be welcoming or friendly they are the complete opposite.

Poor service, flat lagers, average food. Not recommended. Plenty of other pubs around Blackfriars. Thought I’d try this pub as it’s a Nicholsons but disappointed.

Great atmosphere Hobgoblin Ruby was perfect.

Discovered the black friar after crossing black friars bridge and was captivated by what seemed to be a miniature flat iron building from new York transported to London, opened the door and it was like entering an Arthur Rackham painting come to life, incredible. Amazing atmosphere, busy,lively and great food.

Love the little vaulted dining area, and the staff couldn’t do enough for you!

Good local food, small for dinner, in fact you have to wait but you can't book. Beautiful historic place.

The atmosphere is awesome and the food is very good. My wife and I walked in on a Friday night and asked for a table but were turned away because they were all booked up, so we just got a beer and stood in the bar area. The server, Lucy, came to to us after a little and said she could squeeze us in to a table between bookings. She was awesome

The Blackfriar pub in London is a place that delights with its atmosphere. The historic interior with beautiful stained glass windows and architectural details makes you immediately feel drawn into the tradition of a British pub. The beer at The Blackfriar is truly excellent - a wide selection of beers, every lover of good beer will find something for themselves. Service is relatively efficient, and the waiters are polite and helpful (despite the language barrier on my part), although they may have a little difficulty keeping up with the crowds during peak times. However, as a guest, you may feel a bit limited by space - the pub is not very large, which makes it difficult to feel comfortable in the crowd, especially on weekends. Additionally, without a reservation, a seat further into the pub may be a problem. Still, The Blackfriar is definitely worth a visit if you're looking for a traditional British pub with a unique atmosphere and great beer. I recommend!

Very atmospheric place, good beer and food. Nice service. Worth a visit the history of the building itself is very interesting!

When we visited this pub the place was buzzing. Lovely olde worlde place with lovely staff and a great atmosphere would definitely recommend

Homoerotic art on the wall is the best.

Cozy pub with a large outdoor area

I retract my earlier complaint about the price of a pint as I didn't realise that this is 'normal' (if still scandalous!) for the area. I thank the management for their prompt response.

We had a family wedding here on Saturday it was Excellent, Atmosphere, Food, Service, all perfect highly recommended Thank you Management and staff for everything

This is a destination pub mainly due to the interior decor which is very different to most pubs. However don't let this worry you as the pub is a great place to visit for the atmosphere alone. Also the food is excellent and the staff friendly and efficient. I would recommend booking if you want to eat as the main dining area is the most decorated part of the pub. Don't worry about the trains rumbling past overhead. Highly recommended.

Immaculate vibes; Almost like a slice of the English countryside bang in the middle of the city..cannot recommend enough ✨✨

Fish & Chips were great. The building is amazing as well, lots of history in here.

Came for confession, left after a few shandies and a steak and ale pie

It's a lovely pub, with a very distinctive interior. The pub has escaped demolition a few times, and is a real contrast to the local station. It has a seating area outside, and the interior is quite small. They have a dedicated seating area for food, but again this is limited. Lovely food when I visited before.

I fell in love with this cafe for the low price tag for delicious dishes. Simple, but satisfying.

Busy tradition English pub near Blackfriars station. Easy to access on Public station and to meet people in London. Good selection of traditional ales other alcoholic offerings. Serves food. Safe environment but can be very busy after work. Overall good place.

Went on a pub tour of London and went to a bunch of different pubs throughout the city. There was an option to purchase the official book of the pub tours (liquid history, really cool book!). Afterwards I went back to the Blackfriar to have one of the bartenders sign it, he refused unless I paid him. I tipped him 10% on the two pints I drank, he wanted at least 5 pounds, and was totally serious. Like dude, I just want you to sign it as a cool thing from my trip and he was a total dick about it. Also he had a terrible hickey on his neck, you're not in high school.

Such a lovely pub, so much history. Staff were lovely, great drinks on offer. No food for us, but very jealous of those eating it looked very good. Promised to return another time and can't wait!

Has a big outside area and the added benefit of being able to enjoy nature as you watch the rats run around. Staff were also a bit odd after claiming we hadn’t ordered when we had

Excellent !!! A very good address 😉

Nice historical Nicholson pub right outside Blackfriars underground station, city side of the river side. Good upkeep both inside and outside.

Thank you so good and great atmosphere!!!!

Very busy spot, so we found a table outside even though it was a bit chilly. I got a vegetable pie that was very good. The spot was packed inside so we had to order at the bar ourselves. Not the cheapest place either.

Black Friar’s Pub is a gem with a wonderfully historic atmosphere and charming decor that feels like stepping back in time. The food is hearty, the beer selection impressive, and the staff are welcoming, attentive, and sweet🥰

A fantastic atmosphere and wall decoration, Blackfriar is absolutely worth a visit. You need to book a table because it is a popular venue. We had chicken burgers, schnitzel, and sandwiches. I had the large fish and chips, and it comes with two fillets. Fantastic, light, and crispy batter, not at all soggy and fatty, and fish was fresh. The skin-on-chips (not the bigger ones you get with the fish & chips) were also supercrispy and very tasty indeed.

Fabulous interior, quite small bar area but does have a dining room.

The steak pie was a real homely welcome back to England treat.

Great pub to stumble upon during our touristy travels. The exterior decor drew us in but the food and service were awesome!

What a gem! So nice to find a London pub that looks like a pub and hasn't been turned in to an anonymous chain pub. Built in 1875 and redesigned by architect Herbert Fuller-Clark, it was decorated by artist Henry Poole and sculptor Frederick Callcott. The interior is quite something. I had a lovely pint of plum porter (bit like stout, but not as smooth). Fantastic atmosphere too. Definitely going back.

Delicious food, and vary friendly Staff. Good choice of beers, we will be back

Fun atmosphere and outdoor seating. I'm not a big fan of traditional English food, so my review is a bit lower because of that. But quality of the food was good.

Date: 18th October 2024 Cost: £30pp After a morning team planning meeting at which I subjected the others to a lot of brainstorming of abstract and conceptual corporate principles and approaches only very tenuously related to their actual jobs in a windowless underground bunker, it was only fair that we rewarded ourselves with some decent food in a less taxing and more natural environment: the pub. James had suggested the Blackfriar, a short walk from where we’d been strategising on Fleet Street, and a quick glance at the menu resulted in unanimous approval. The website gave the impression that this was a pub that took its food seriously, confirmed upon arrival when we were shown into a cosy diners-only room. The walls were covered in bas-relief depictions of monks doing monk things and mosaiced inscriptions of phrases like “haste is slow”, “wisdom is rare” and “seize occasion” (it’s grade II listed), but we’d all had enough of that kind of claptrap by then and so it was discussions about underground road networks in Los Angeles open only to celebrities instead as we waited for our food. I had eschewed the club sandwich as too boring given the other options, but when Celine’s arrived, built up using an entire loaf of bread, I was pretty jealous. The first bite of my burger quickly put paid to that though - and before you protest, it had a hash brown in it, elevating it to non-boring status. It was two patties of quality beef dripping in the sort of cheese sauce that tastes and feels like melted actual cheese rather than some liquified form straight out of a squirty bottle, and the company of colleagues nearly induced a first-ever cutting in half. Let’s just say my napkin earned its crust. Grace couldn’t really not order a pie given her constant singing of Sweeney Todd songs throughout the day and was further baited by the steak & ale winning gold at the British Pie Awards. She was tempted last-minute however by the idea of being one of the first to try their brand new chicken & mushroom, a mistake in hindsight - fine, but lacking the creaminess promised and the thyme crust of the alternative it wasn’t going to be winning any of its own prizes. Hannah and James both went for the ‘garlic-smothered’ schnitzel, although James immediately de-smothered his, raising eyebrows in consternation. Both also gave me slight food envy; both disappeared to rave reviews. Consensus: really decent proper pub food in a lovely setting - not cheap, but where is these days? Stick it on expenses if you can.

The ale with the Fish & Chips were great! Lucy is an excellent server who is very conscientious regarding all of the customers.

This place lived up to its reputation. So much atmosphere and interest. Walking distance to all places of interest and a great way to rest and recuperate before heading out to more tourist activities. We had the pies. Just amazingly delicious

Great place, a must visit when in London.

The place is really great! Hamburger is flawless, beers are good! One of the most atmospheric places I've been to, both inside and out. I hope to come back one day!

Great food, great service and bloody good beer!

Really attractive traditional pub. Great pies.

This pub is special. Food, fantastic. Beer selection, top. Service, very friendly. When we're in London, we make a point to always go here. Get the Blackfriar burger!

Fine selection of drinks, service was good Didnt eat food so can't give any stars for that

What a wonderful atmosphere in this pub. Food was delicious! Owen, our server, was fantastic!!! He was very accommodating and helpful with food allergies. Definitely a place I will go again.

Very ornate and interesting interior.

Decent pub. Quick service despite being a busy Saturday night. Limited space to sit inside.

Very nice typical London pub, always full of people, to eat I recommend booking in advance.

Love the place, fish'n'chips was delish. Will return

This was our first stop after checking in to our hotel a short walk away. We were hungry and in need of a proper pint after the long flight. This was the perfect place for us to walk in to. All servers were super friendly and helpful. The Fish 'n' Chips hit the spot! Plenty of cask or beers on tap to choose from. Highly recommend.

Look at this beautiful burger. Brilliantly British food in a uniquely heritage ambience. Special thanks to Owen for the great service.

Friendly and very helpful bar staff. Food was great and the atmosphere great too. One of the nicest little pubs that I have ever walked into...and the history! A must visit.

This pub needs investigating by weights and measures. The two "pints" that I purchased were a good 20mm below the top of the glass. They were "topped up" to about 10mm below when requested. The member of staff seemed amazed when I complained the second time so this is obviously a deliberate policy which in my opinion amounts to theft.

Lovely timeless place for a pint. Tucked in the middle of a bustling area, it transports you back into time!

Great atmosphere and seating. For lunch we had sausages with mashed potatoes and caramelized onions. It was good. We enjoyed it.

Great food and excellent service. Lucy was a fantastic server. Rey professional and courteous.

Walking to the Cathedral, knowing we were hungry, this gem appeared as we crossed the street. Wow, we were not mad about this place gently calling our name. Could it have been the ghost of the Black Friar beckoning us in? Once inside, the main pub was bustling at 1400 hours, so we went to be seated in a small dining area. Our host and server named Henry, did an excellent job seating us, taking our orders, and serving us. He had a quiet demeanor about him and really did take care of us. We chose the fish and chips as well as the sausage and mash. A small treat was my first time trying a Scottish egg fantastic was the word I chose. The onion gravy on the mash makes me want to go back and order it again. The bar was full, the bartenders were pouring, and the patrons were happy. Such an interesting history of this building. Don't miss this wonderful place if ever in the area.

Great pub with a rich history! Was served by Elisa who was very kind and recommended me a nice London dry gin. Loved the atmosphere

Terrible beer, 2 different beers, both flat. Very disappointed.

Wow what a classic English pup just off the Blackfriar bridge. I popped in for a pint of ale from their hand pumped taps. They have seating for smaller parties and food, although I hung out by the main bar. There was a nice mix of business people and guys from the London School off a jog. Check out the history and the walls that speak volumes of history.

Amazing, Marc was especially helpful!

Very beautiful stylized pub, art deco style. Very unique architecture. Worth the detour.

We didn't eat here. Brilliant atmosphere and buzzing. Also great for people watching as outside seating.

Authentic pub. Both the service and the drink were good.

Pretty good food for a pub nestled in the touristy cross-hairs pf zone 1. Epic interior!

Attention when booking!!! Reservation made on site with the waiter himself, confirmation for the table arrived the next day. On the scheduled day, the email arrives in the morning informing you of the cancellation of the table, I recommend evaluating the reservation system from the moment in which reservations made by them are cancelled.

Great historic pub to visit. Very lively inside and outside. Reservations worked great and got seated within minutes of arriving. Hosted/server juggled multiple tasks all while still being very attentive to each table. He did a phenomenal job. Food was good, but nothing to rave about. The only dislike was that the main dishes were not served hot as they both tasted room temp.

Really beautiful building, inside and out. Went for a drink at around 530 on a weekday and it was absolutely packed. Took a looong time to get served.

Fun art nouveau pub serving quality pub grub and beer and cider on tap.

Busy after work pub right next to the river. Has outdoor seating. Was very busy when I was there, but the staff were quick and attentive. Decor and theme were medieval and added to the feel of the place. Food which was served looked good but didn't get a chance to try.

The food and drinks were above average. We would love to come back! An absolute recommendation!

Another Robinson's pub in London. The Blackfriar is the perfect addition to a London pub crawl. It's unusual shape, historic decor and fine fare make it a must visit.

My husband and I were walk-in customers and Mickey (our waitress) accommodated us nicely. She was skilled, very pleasant and the atmosphere of the pub was enjoyable in general.

An incredible pub in an authentic building with an interesting history. Delicious Ale! Delicious food!

Lovely little spot that found us a spot for 2 on a busy Saturday for dinner. Our waitress was great and on top of it despite the pub being understaffed. Food was delicious and the history is unbeatable!

I would just say thanks for everything. Brendan from Ireland

Roland was phenomenal and busting his butt the whole time. Man deserves a raise that’s for sure!

Lucy was phenomenal, quick, efficient, and fit us in on short notice!

Excellent food and customer service. Pub is amazing. So glad I came here on my UK tour. Was everything I had imagined. Highly recommend, especially the Plum Porter.

A great pub with amazing design on the walls a must if you are visiting this area of London

The exterior and interior of this historic pub is amazing. Nice staff too.

Visited on a Saturday afternoon- extremely busy- had to wait 20mins for an outside table. By the time we left, it had cleared out. Burger and fries were delicious and beer spot on. The bar is beautiful, and great location right across from the Hyatt Regency Blackfriars.

There is a lot to like about this pub. The history and the interior is definitely worth a visit however the food is good without being great and it is expensive. There are a lot of other pubs that better.

Amazing decor, top-notch crew, the best pub in London! Their pies are magnificent and absolutely worth going there for. But THE most important thing is the decor!

One of London's historic and iconic pubs, a must for those who love good beer. A grade II Art Nouveau masterpiece. The historic building has stood proud in the heart of Blackfriars since 1875 - just think of the things it must have seen... You won't be able to miss the shape of the iconic wedge-shaped building. Inside there are mosaics, ornamental balconies and the famous black guardian friar above the entrance door. There are also tables at the entrance. Friendly and welcoming staff, prices in line with the context, similar to other pubs but with a better quality offering, all in a well-kept environment and with clean, scented bathrooms. It is frequented by people of all ages, mainly locals.

Good place, fish and chips were amazing, absolutely delicious

The first meal in London, England, I had delicious fish and chips and mushroom tower, which was great with beer🍻The service staff were kind and friendly, they adjusted our seats and recommended meals for us. The atmosphere of the restaurant is very good, and the appearance is very similar to Harry's Porter scene❤️It’s worth trying it when staying in a nearby hotel.

Good location, stylish dining room, excellent service.

The building is quite unique! The decor inside is truly beautiful and the food looks good. The interior is a must seen if you find yourself in the area.

Old authentic pub in the heart of London x

Bellissimo storico e caratteristico pub londinese. Ambiente amichevole, personale molto cordiale. Ottima offerta di birre e fish and chips eccellente. Consigliatissimo

I didn't have food, however my party loved everything they ate.. the bar staff were really lovely, especially the young fella that was serving me.. very polite and had loads of knowledge in his field. Great atmosphere and good prices for central London.. highly recommend 👌 👍🏼

Great old pub, so beautiful inside

The staff here are just awful. Rude does not come close. Swearing loudly at each other and about the work they had to do. Phrases such as “I can’t be fu#%^ed to do it “ etc. no customer service. Basically complaining that people wanted a drink. This is 17:30 on a Sunday. Half an hour before their unreasonably early closing time. Finally got my 1 and a half pints of mediocre lager for nearly 12 quid served in a plastic cup. Awful. These staff need retraining or sacking.

Nice beer, good pub, shame about the miserable member of staff who just manage a grunt.