The Border Minstrel in Newcastle upon Tyne

An old style pub, gets crammed during special events at the Racecourse but quiet at other times. Could maybe do with a bit updating.

Only went in for a pint as I normally do on my way into the races very disappointed on this occasion the barmaid started to pull my pint which was extremely flat she tried again with the obvious same result got told sorry, now with 4 members off staff why was I not asked if I minded waiting while they changed the barrel I had to buy a brown ale instead and the 35 minutes I was in the pub the John smiths still wasn't sorted, why not ???

We have just visited the Border minstrel for a family birthday a table of 12 the staff coped well with all are our requests. Good food, good beer very friendly staff . Pleasant atmosphere in traditional pub surroundings. Booking is recommended on race days. They also have plenty of screens for watching sports Definitely worth a visit

We have had a number of meals in this place. The staff have been outstanding with us,nice,friendly and quick to serve. The meals we have had are outstanding and we never have to wait a lengthy period of time.

Great pub in Gosforth park racecourse. On non race days it is very quiet with a great atmosphere. Feels like a country pub but in a large city

Always a great Sunday roast,food piping hot and delicious 😋

Beer cheap for Newcastle area and my meal was fine. Two of our party had fish and chips but found the batter too much. Horses for courses! Sleeping policemen are a pain on the way in

Booked for a 50th birthday party. So impressed and thankful for the service provided by the team. Fantastic day had by all. Absolutely recommend to everyone. Thanks guys.

Very pleasant to call in for a meal.

Great food, lovely to sit outside, smashing atmosphere. Recommend.

Great place for a lively Sunday lunch. Staff efficiency and service were very good.

Was not busy when we went and we had no food

Very cool ambience. Premium service. Very impressed

My wife, myself and a few family members went for Sunday lunch a couple of weeks back and we couldn't fault it. It was absolutely delicious. We had a lovely Scottish waiter who was lovely and couldn't have been more helpful. After having such a great experience prior, my wife and I decided to go back for weekday lunch. It was terrible! Upon entering we were ignored by a young bar person on their phone. My wife ordered the cheese savoury sandwich. It was a case of spot the cheese. it was full of coleslaw, which is not even mentioned on the menu and we never asked for it. I ordered the Texan burger, I left most of it, as it was like eating an old wellington boot. Very disappointing.

Amazing food at really reasonable prices loved it

1st visit today as attended living north fair.

St. Patrick's day. I know it was busy but the state of the Guinness served was atrocious. I watched multiple servers pour it like lager. And when a keg went empty just served 1/3 pints of foam. I got a pale ale instead which was nice.

THE STAFF WERE VERY WELCOMING, OBLIGING AND POLITE NOTHING WAS TOO MUCH BOTHER

We visited today for Sunday lunch. I called when they opened at 11 to book a table because it’s always really busy and for good reason. We ordered 2 beef and 1 turkey dinner. We were looked after very efficiently by a friendly Scottish man who was attentive even though it was packed. The food arrived fast and hot. Meat and veggies cooked to perfection (not like the soggy overcooked greens that sadly you are too often offered with a roast dinner). We were brought a tray of condiments to select from as soon as we ordered, so no waiting for sauces while your food cools - such a good idea! The best part of the dinner? That gravy, it’s delicious! I asked for a little more halfway through because it was so good and we were brought a huge silver gravy boat! Will definitely be back, a hidden (but popular) gem in the middle of the racecourse. I would highly recommend booking a table if you’re visiting on a Sunday as every table was full at lunchtime.

Nichola and leianne are the best, great staff xx

Usually good but ordered Diet Pepsi and received Pepsi. Told the barmaid who told me it was diet and didn’t offer to check to see if there was an issue with the pump. Usually great service but not today unfortunately.

It is what it is - a reasonably priced fill-your-boots sized Sunday lunch, with a gravy I’d happily swim in open-mouthed. The dessert - a sticky toffee pudding I forewent in favour of drinking the rest of my Guinness - seemed a little underwhelming with a store bought sauce and a scoop of Wall’s ice cream (or so it looked). However, although the staff were mostly attentive (and credit to the older Scottish guy who provided some much needed comic relief at the table), we did have to wait some time for the plates to be cleared away. This caused the manager (I assume) to come over and say they needed the table again in 15 minutes. We had only just had our dessert orders taken and were waiting on them to arrive when we were told this. My ask to management would be to allow 2 hours for a table of four, or be more prompt at clearing plates away to allow people to be finished in the 1 hour 30 minutes you expect. In addition we were surrounded by a kids football team and their parents so could barely hear ourselves talk at the table. Although the parents were buying drinks, having kids eating chips on the floor is not what you expect to see. The staff ( Scottish guy from before) twice had to ask the kids to move but the parents put them back where they were. Ultimately very reluctant to go back if this is a regular occurrence on a Sunday.

We went for sunday lunch. Upon entering we were met by what i can only describe as one of the most frosty faced people ever. So miserable. The food was well…….it looked better than it tasted. Soggy roast veg and cold yorkshires. The mash is Smash. The meat was tasty but there was hardly any. This bar looks the part but someone needs a word with their staff and a change of chef. Wont eat there again unfortunately.

Sunday lunch was disgusting. Soggyroast veg. Cold puddings, packet mash. Looks the part but by god we were wrong. Table service too which was terrible. We sat 10 mins before a drink was offered.

Great food, good prices and quick service by friendly staff.

Been before excellent food , but seems to have down hill , tasteless bland food , meat was dry ( turkey) mash potatoes were lumpy , Yorkshire pudding soggy , I had a tomato soup starter but very hot and spicy, not really what you want before you’re mains , pity they didn’t inform me about that , also one of the regulars at the bar was constantly swearing loudly seemed to know all the staff , there were children in the restaurant at the time , staff who served were pleasant and courteous

Very very disappointed with our roast dinner. Yes we hadn’t booked but they said we could have a table for an hour. Ordered gammon and Childs roast beef good job a child didn’t have it as veg, roast potatoes were hard and unbeatable also husbands gammon tasted as if it had come out a tin he also had hard veg and roast potatoes. No one was interested when we mentioned this. Will not be going again. Very disappointed.

We had lunch in the Border Minstrel when it got too busy at the L N Christmas Fair. The toasties were nice and the servings plentiful.

There were 14 of us in our party last Sunday and many of us had never been here for food or drinks. Considering the size of our party, our orders were taken and our meals were provided in a decent amount of time for all courses. The food was delicious and the portions were all a nice size. The customer service was spot on, no complaints about anything. We were all very happy with how the afternoon went and I certainly will be back again 🙂👏

Not a bad pub to be honest but if you go on race days it is plastic cups all the way which is a bit rubbish. Drinks are fine but could do with a little variety. Food looked fine but I wasn't eating myself. All round, not bad and the staff were friendly.

Midweek drink at this establishment as it was close by. Place was fairly empty except for a bunch of young lads who must have just finished a game of 5 a side close by. It's certainty diff on race days when you can't move in the place.

Absolutely rubbish Sunday dinner, dry beef, dry turkey, lazy service. No English mustard! Pudding was canny

Really friendly staff and great food and beer.

Great place for a drink after work, or anytime really

No food on this occasion just drinks, nice weather enough to sit outside very enjoyable

Unpleasant smell when entering unfortunately

I visited the Border Minstrel on 19 thApril 2023 to have lunch here , the food was delicious I had chicken korma my friends had fish and chips 10 out of 10 . The Barmaid Nicola was really friendly and helpful , lovely place to visit.

Lovely pub inside the racecourse. It was quite small when inside but got a cosy atmosphere. Staff are friendly, and the food is nice, only had a snack. Little but disappointed that they didn't do lunch time sandwiches, just choose off the light bites. Dog friendly

Nice bar many years since I was last in there called in for a pint seems very nice food prices seem ok compared to some expected it to be more expensive

Once again food tremendous, great service too. Will return very soon.

Visited on Sunday for lunch. The staff are very friendly and welcoming. They are helpful and nice to talk to you. We ordered two Sunday dinners. The beef Sunday was very tasty, beef cooked to perfection. The gravy was very good. Yorkshire puddings cooked well and tasty. All the roasted veg was heavenly. I got a Sunday dinner with all three meats and some extra trimmings. The turkey was juicy and not dry which was great. The Sunday lunch was very well priced. Overall we would definitely go back for Sunday dinner or to try there normal menu.

Lovely Sunday dinner, did not leave hungry. Worth a try. My grandsons were both happy with their choice and bearing in mind one is 4 that was pretty good.

I was visiting Newcastle racetrack on a professional basis and with an hour to spare and food needed I popped into this establishment at around 1pm Sunday afternoon. Even though they seemed very busy and I hadn’t booked the staff went out of the way to get me a table. I ordered a Sunday roast and a Guiness and without much delay the meal and drink were served. The food although basic in appearance it was delicious and well cooked, one of the best roasts I have had for a while. Not overpriced either!! Atmosphere in the pub was pleasant and welcoming and I would recommend anyone in the area to avail of this gem.

I love this place. Amazing food with good staff and not bad price beer

Great service, wonderful Sunday lunches

Great staff. Friendly and efficient. Good food and a friendly atmosphere 👌

Went here for Sunday Lunch for the first time. Lunch was 9.99. I am generally not a fan of Sunday pub lunches, or event days such as Mothers Day, as the food is usually poor, mass produced and what I call "plastic food". This was an exception and is the best Sunday Lunch out in a long time Will go again and would recommend. Have been again for Sunday Lunch. Just as good as last time. Really enjoyed visit. Plenty meat with your meal. Staff really friendly and helpful.

Super food great friendly bar staff will be paying a another visit when in Newcastle area for sure👍

Very good service and lovely food

Visited Newcastle for the horse racing, came here for food while staying in a nearby hotel. Food was amazing and reasonably priced along with the drinks and the staff were so friendly, nothing was too much trouble for them.

Had a family Sunday dinner here the food was good the service was great the staff are excellent and it is dog friendly 😊 will definitely go back.

I have drunk in the Border Minstrell for over 10 years yet today I have been told it is race prices and I have to pay an extra £1.00 per pint. The pub is nearly empty. WHY? This is a terrible way to treat customers who just want a few drinks. Outrageous and unjustifiable.

Great service and very friendly staff and a relaxing atmosphere for a meal and a pint

Excellent brilliant great food ,great manager and staff very relaxing surroundings.

Service slow, Scampi overcooked, hard as nails, could not put it fork in them.

Freshly cooked food and good service

First time in about 10 years food was good and served nice n hot and the price didn't take your eyes out, we will be back soon.

Great Place, friendly staff, also Dogs welcome

No wifi slow staff Pleanty parking Dog friendly Food is ok

Lovely food at reasonable prices, friendly staff always attentative and polite. Well worth a visit anytime of year.

Nice pub inside the racecourse. Lovely place to eat, food is lovely, good place to watch spots also, recommend it alot.

Called in Tuesday 5pmish, not crowded, staff very polite serving drinks. Menus, good, enough to choose from, excellent prices. I am pleased to say the food was quite delicious. Serving staff good, food and prices excellent, would definitely recommend and certainly will go again.

For a family group of 9 and 2 dogs. Staff were lovely and very obliging as we arrived just as the kitchen was about to close. Food was delicious and a reasonable price. Great standard pub fare. We had lots of different options and everyone was very satisfied with what they had. It is a lovely venue on a summer evening and dogs are totally welcome. Highly recommend.

Sunday lunch. Didn't book but they managed to squeeze my wife and I in. Portions are big so we decided not to have a starter but ordered the extra trimmings of vegetables I had the turkey and my wife had the gammon. Both were absolutely delicious. Turkey was soft and tender roasted potatoes crispy yet fluffy in the middle, roasted parsnips and carrots to die for. Pleasant staff good service and nice beer to wash it down with. No complaints at all. Well worth a visit but probably worth booking as it was busy. Very well done to the border staff

This is the 3rd Sunday in 4 weeks that we have visited the minstrel always with a good experience. We sat for 15 minutes with no one attending our table and the bar area was quiet. My husband went to the bar and the gentleman in front of him ordered drinks and food, so my husband did the same and the bartender happily obliged! Within a couple of minutes I assume it was the manageress, appeared at our table and was quite rude to us! She said it was table service only and we should be patient! I think waiting 15 minutes was patient! The food there is excellent and the young waiting staff are always really pleasant. I do not go out for Sunday lunch to be spoken to like a small child! We will not be back, it ruined our Sunday lunch! Also there was no signage to say table service only ( that we could see)

Lots of staff but very slow to take food order, observed a group of 4 staff chatting and not attending to customers. We had to catch the eye of a member of staff to ask if we could order food. The food arrived quickly but the beef which was described as slow roasted topside was like shoe leather. We enjoyed the roast potatoes but little else - we will not be back.

Walking my puppy in nearby woods and decided to take a chance and ring up to see if they had any tables , we hit it lucky and they kept us one while we finished our walk. When we got there we were shown to our table straight away, all of the staff were super friendly and efficient and said hello to the puppy. We were served super fast, the portions were a great size and tasted lovely. Staff checked back to see if everything was ok and when we were finished they brought the bill quickly too. Reading the previous reviews i think this place has had a bit of a rough deal with people complaining they’re too dog friendly or not dog friendly enough but we really liked it and would go back again! Thanks 😀

A friend recommended this place because they do doggy dinners. There's plenty of pubs to go to for Sunday lunch but the fact that dogs are welcome and they get their own dinner in a doggy bowl definitely swung it for us. The staff were great, the food was nice, the surroundings nice too. Unfortunately, we won't be back. Someone complained that a dog had been fed by a man sitting on a table close to theirs. I don't know how this managed to offend someone so much but now dogs don't get their own little dinner anymore. Some people just have to spoil it for everyone else!

This pub generally has quite a 'cold' ambience but it is okay, especially in the 'snug' area. The menu is standard pub fare, with good prices and decent portions. Most food items ordered were enjoyed. Service was friendly-enough, efficient and effective. Perfectly decent pub. Would return

We were after a quick lunch so called in.. Ordered two bowls of soup which were delivered quickly and were tasty and fresh.. The staff were pleasant and friendly but…when we looked from where we were sitting I couldn’t believe my eyes.. I did wonder when the waitress delivered two main meals and there was only a gentleman sitting at the table.. I then noticed the dog sitting in the chair next to him.. He then preceded to cut up one of the meals and putting the plate on his knee fed the dog.. I know this is a dog friendly pub and I am not anti dogs as I have had them all of my life but really…We won’t be back that’s for sure ..

Had a great meal for the second time. Ordering was quick, piping hot food with a good portion. Really tasty hunters chicken and burger. The staff were very friendly. Would definitely recommend a visit.

My wife and I apparently made the mistake of visiting this pub on a Sunday. The room was half empty with plenty of spare tables. We started to sit down at a table when a rather abrupt waitress stormed over and demanded to know if...

We had a good time until we came across the ‘manager’ who was wearing a white shirt who was rude as hell. We loved our waitress but he ruined it for us!!!!

Visited with 3 friends after being recommended. The place was quiet and the staff lovely on arrival with 1st drink and a menu provided. We had to ask twice to order food and more drinks. We eventually managed to order more drinks with food and...

Booked table for 2 only night before, everyone here is so friendly and helpful ordered roast beef Sunday lunch, this arrived quickly was amazing. Huge helping of very tasty tender beef fresh vegetables cooked to perfection, mash, roast potatoes roast parsnips and huge home made...

Me and my partner attended the beer garden on Saturday 17th. When we got there we had booked a table however there was only one in the shade. We took that table as it was the only available and asked if we could be moved...

Booked for a large party 2 weeks in advance. We waited 30 minutes before our drinks order was taken (we actually had to approach staff twice & watched many other parties who arrived after us being served first). When we were finally attended to the...

Eat out to help out or not you expect the same standard of service. 20 minutes turned into 2 hours, had to beg for drinks as a young lass was rushed off her feet by herself. Food eventually came out and it was absoloutley filthy....

Visited on Saturday 29th. Rang and booked earlier in the week, arrived and they didn't have our booking. Drinks and food ordered and arrived quickly. As for a second drink, wasn't acknowledged. Asked again and was told it had been ordered. After our plates had...

Visited on a Monday and place was very quiet considering eat out to help out deal was on. Place was spaced out for social distancing but no staff wore masks. Ordered quickly but were told no handcooked chips as due to covid they were to...

“Back to the Border” was the welcome message - Glad to be back. Booked a visit on Wednesday at 2pm. It was great to see others also using the pub. Dean showed to our table and explained the set up. We were last there the...

This was a very good Friday night out, good atmosphere in the bar, prices seemed reasonable. Dinner was nice and again reasonably well priced. Would return again

I came in on Father’s day with my family, carvery was excellent, the woman in the white shirt who sat us down made us feel very welcome and was very friendly, also great service from the blonde waitress who took orders. Will definitely visit again.

Had a wicked time at the minstrel, bar staff are mint especially the blonde lass. Would defos recommend

Quite a number of years since I was last in here. The interior is much the same asit was years ago. It's quite spartan but then you could argue that it has kept it's originally. I did not try any food on this occasion but...

Turned up yesterday after going to this pub several times with our dog only to be told we couldn’t enter until 5pm with the dog on a Sunday. A part time dog friendly pub it should be called

Visited here yesterday evening with my family and the dog. The service provided by all the staff was great! The lady serving us with the short brown hair was really friendly and nothing was too much trouble! We ordered steaks which were cooked to perfection, and my sister ordered the sweet potato curry which gave me food envy! The place had a lovely atmosphere as well. Looking forward to going back! Thanks for a great experience!

Struggled to find dog friendly lunch on bank holiday Monday so ended up here. Nice burgers with home made chips. We would definitely come back.

We took our dog for a walk in Gosforth Park and came here for food. It’s dog friendly and our cockapoo got a bowl of fresh water as I was getting my beer. Service was very good and my children were happy with the kids menu. I just had a tuna sandwich and chips but it was very good.

We tried here after a recommendation. Will definitely not be returning. Beef was tough. Mashed potatoes were instant potato, Roasties were undercooked inside.Homemade Yorkshire puddings were nice!

We went for Sunday Carvery and were very impressed by the standard of the food. Choice of beef, ham, pork and turkey the vegetables were nicely cooked we all cleared our plates. Special mention to the staff who were friendly and attentive. We would definitely return.

Second time I've been here with friends recently as it's handy after work. Staff always pleasant, polite and courteous. Food lovely and good value for money. Can get busy on race days/nights and have to wait a bit longer for food, but if you book before hand they do tell you if it's a race day. Staff helpful in that they will break the bill down into separate bills if there is a large group.

Shambolic. At least dick turpin wore a mask. They utterly shaft race goers on racedays, nice little £1 premium per pint to eek more profit. Fancy charging £5.20 for a pint of guiness & £5.40 for a pint of Lager and having toilets like a working mens club. Pure greed and robbery!!!

Told last night that bar was closing at 8.30 due to snow, ‘road was bad and more snow expected, don’t want anyone left stranded’, road was not bad, and no more snow arrived, disgusting the way customers were spoken to, quite aggressive, basically thrown out of pub. Found another local pub who were quite happy to take our money, and weren’t closing ‘cos of a little snow.

My daughter 19th birthday a group of eleven family and friends we were asked to pre order at lunch time for a evening meal good idea I thought ordered for six o'clock starters arrived at seven mains at eight stone cold the poor waitress must have apologised a least ten times it was utter chaos bill was £200 needless to say we won't be back I dread to think if we hadn't pre ordered

Trabajé en la marquesina de las mejores fiestas en el hipódromo de Newcastle durante la mayor parte de diciembre y disfruté de espléndidos bocadillos, comidas y bebidas en esta magnífica posada, servida por una cantidad de personal eficiente y hablador del bar. ¡Espero volver a visitar esta taberna el próximo año! ¡Recomendado!

Mientras nuestras esposas tenían su cena de Navidad en otro lugar, sentimos que este era un lugar conveniente para que los hombres tuvieran un lugar para almorzar. El menú era bastante variado, aunque tres de nosotros optamos por pollo en salsa de pimienta, que era muy aceptable. Felizmente sirvieron una pequeña porción para un caballero con poco apetito. Los arrancadores de piel de patata también bajaron bien.

Absolutamente disgustado por el servicio prestado por el Border Minstrel esta noche, escuché a la directora quejándose de que habíamos aumentado el tamaño de la fiesta de 5 a 11 (a la hora del almuerzo) y que hay una noche de concursos esta noche y que la reserva no debería haber sido tomada.

Fuimos a cenar, los dos comimos bistec, estaba muy bien cocinado, el resto del plato era realmente bueno y el precio no estaba nada mal.

Dónde empiezo. Craig y su equipo hicieron todo lo posible por ayudarnos en nuestro día especial. Su personal de catering nos brindó varias opciones a la carta que se mostraron sobresalientes. Los camareros eran muy agradables y educados y muy oficiantes. Craig se aseguró de que todo transcurriera sin problemas todo el día y la noche. Desde el momento en que reservamos esto como nuestro lugar, todo fue planeado. Más que superó nuestras expectativas.