The Merchants Tavern in Newcastle upon Tyne

Called in on a Friday lunchtime. The staff were pleasant and attentive and they have a good menu which is reasonably priced. We didn't have any alcohol but they also have a good selection of beers and if you're not eating they have a nice " snug" room at the end of the restaurant area.

roast beef excellent Every thing else rubbish. Veg cold raw not able to put frork into them. The Apple cake seemed to have forgotten the apples. Should have known that it would only go down hill after arriving to find a dirty table had to ask for it to be cleaned. The finishing touch was when asked to leave in 5min having just finished desert.

Booked a table for 4 for Sunday lunch got drinks at bar and sat down waited 20 mins for our order to be taken as we had to ask if someone would take our order we sat and sat for another 25 min while other tables were getting served their food even though we had ordered food well before them. So we got up and left unfortunately I wouldn't recommend this place even though we were recommended.

Love this place 1st time the staff are so lovely what a 😂 I will come back soon 🥰

Been about 20+ years since last here, decent food and decent staff. Overall not too bad. Atmosphere 3 because apart from me and my partner only one other couple in but would have to believe it gets better at certain times. The time we were there was dinner time around 12.10.

Lovely Sunday lunch highly recommended a visit 😊

Staff were very pleasant, but the empty tables were messy...

Ordered steak pizza- steak was chewy, cheese undercooked and not sure what the pizza base was made off ? Burger and fries- fries cold Will not be back again Uber fare £8 there and back Not worth it at all

First time coming here, didn't know it existed. Bartender Doddzy (Michael) posted on his socials I saw it and came just for him. Food was gorgeous but Doddzy is so kind even with other customers. He's a great laugh and an inspiration to the place. Bringing new customers and getting on with all customers. He calmed down some kids jumping around, he calmed down some chavs arguing outside (nothing bad tho) and even helped an elderly out the door to her car!! I asked for a single vodka, told me to get a double and a round of shots in so I did. My round went from £4 to £16.50 because he's the best bad influence Ive ever met. Lovely lad. Will defo come back!!! I'm your new regular if he's working Xx

afternoon tea was amazing excellent service and lovely staff thankyou

Just been for Sunday Lunch and to say we are disappointed is an understatement. Booked a table a week in advance and when we got there our table was a tiny little table in the corner of the snug. We felt as though we had just been put out the way which was disappointing. The table was dirty as was the salt and pepper shakers. When the food came it didnt fit on the table and I had to put bowls and other things on the fireplace behind me. The dinner was average and was absolutely not worth £14, meat, potatoes and mash was cold, veg was way overcooked and a tiny portion between us and the cauliflower cheese was like soup! With very little choice on the menu o thiught the food was going to be cooked well.. that isn the case. Not a single member of staff asked if we were OK or if the food was OK while we were there and we were in and out in half an hour as we just could not get comfortable at the table we were in. Wont be back that's for sure. Just seen the reply to my review and it is absolute lies. U did not ask us if that was OK u told us that is where our table was and sat us there! And the plates were still on the table when we left. As we're the plates and dishes next to us on a different table that had been ther 20 minutes with flies swarming round them! Obviously have to make up lies to cover ya backs knowing we can't reply to your comments. Idiots!

Came for Sunday Lunch with my Mam last Sunday.. booked a table a week in advance. When we arrived we were sat at a tiny little table in the corner of the sung right of out the way of the dining area.. the table was that small that when the food came out our plates didn't even fit on it. The server thiught this was funny when I mentioned it. I had to use the fireplace behind me for our glasses and extra dishes. The table was dirty, as was the salt and pepper shakers. Thick of dried grace and mint sauce. Dinner was average. Not worth 14quid. Cold mash, beef and Yorkshire and veg that was way over cooked and a very small person between 2. No 1 person asked us if we were OK or the food was OK the full time wel were there and we were in and out very quick due to not bieng able to relax at the table we were at. I wrote a review on Google and the reply I got was absolute lies. They obviously have to lie to make themselves look good. Will not be returning that's for sure. Filthy place and the staff are clearly liars!

Great pub, meals excellent,would recommend.

Nipped in here one evening, had a burger & fries, friend had the prawn salad, at best mediocre, if you like a sloppy burger in a fall apart bun then great, this place could be so lovely by the harbour & Tyne. Feels unwelcoming & rough & quite a few regular drinkers who take the place over. Not one to try again

Fantastic bar lovely atmosphere and relaxed area food was delicious and staff helpful and friendly 😀

Went for Sunday lunch and the roast beef dinner was amazing, it was huge and well worth the price. Scampi and fries was also nice, very filling and a margarita pizza I was told was also really good. The service was ok staff are lovely but it felt very rushed as the waitress told us they were extremely busy so we were kind of hurried into order. Atmosphere was canny there was a good vibe to the place. I would definitely go back and try an evening there. Overall a lovely little place to go and I could imagine on a sunny day it would be lovely especially sitting outside.

Visited as a family group of 10 today for Sunday lunch. Food was beautiful with a large varied choice which is not always available in most places so it was refreshing to see, staff were friendly and attentive and service was very quick and efficient.

Had Sunday lunch nice food they need to thicken up the oxo

This is one of those pubs where you cannot stop going, absolutely brilliant pub.

Delicious Sunday dinner thanks 😊

Had to laugh staff took our order another staff asking us no meat eh yes meat Lovely staff made us laugh

Came in yesterday for steak night. Lovely food and great service. Young guy, bar staff was really lovely, great conversation and very knowledgeable about the drinks and recommendations. Can’t wait to go back. Hopefully he’ll be working again when I do cause he was a joy! Made my night, never laughed so much, Also his ‘Doddzy special’ he invented was gorgeous. Vodka, Peach Snchapps Irn Bru’ should defo be on your cocktail menu! Coming back again tomorrow for the football hopefully he’s working!

Loved the atmosphere, food was fantastic my new favourite will definitely be back. Young bartender black hair called Michael was so polite and friendly recommending cocktails and shots. He’s an amazing atmosphere to the place thank you. X

Absolutely awful.. The steak was rare not medium the staff couldnt be bothered as they said the kitchen was closing at 7.30 after I rang and asked what time they served food till and she said 8..they had no fish.. Then no pie.. I wish we'd never bothered.. 😣

I’m fussy with going out for Sunday dinners always been disappointed until now. First time going out in years and was very surprised with quality and taste. Ran out of lamb was gutted but had beef instead for £15. Portion size was very good. Place busy but still produced tasty food. Beef was slow cooked very tender my favourite. Would defo recommend and return.

Firstly amazing staff Michael and Jordan really looked after us , friendly service even made recommendations for cocktails. Secondly food was amazing ! Sat outside with a gorgeous view best food and drinks travelled from Sheffield will definitely come back !

This bar is the best! Jordan is amazing at serving drinks, Michael brings amazing atmosphere and Sarah the singing barmaid was fab and made my night. Natalie makes brilliant food!

Great food and a big thanks to the Chef today for letting us slightly change our order, we will definitely be back.

Very small menu to start, almost feels like they’re trying to hard to be different from the rest and not a typical “pub” menu which is a shame. Ordered a simple Coke with no ice which came with ice, easy mistake which can be corrected but it set the president of what was to come. Ordered their salt and pepper chicken loaded chips which came with 3 options of chips for £8. All food came out 1 by 1 and when the burgers came out, the server couldn’t tell which was which and then proceeded to shout(!) across the restaurant to the counter where the food comes out to ask and even the chef couldn’t tell, this resulted with no true answer and had to be figured out between our group, good thing there were no allergies present or this would have been a disaster. When my food came out, it was apparent that I did not get the chip option that I chose at the bar (unsure why there’s 3 options if you do not get the one you pick), it arrived with a few sliced chilli peppers and sesame seeds. It was 100% not salt and pepper chicken, it was very dry balls of chicken with 0 seasoning which you can bulk buy from Iceland, soggy oven fries which were also unseasoned, and horrifically sickly sweet curry which didn’t taste quite right. Even for £8, it was not worth it and actually quite insulting to be served (wrong) oven food. Between the obnoxious waitress who couldn’t stop singing or the waiter collecting plates from the table despite some of our party still eating, I wouldn’t recommend. Such a let down from previous experiences.

Cheap but not very cheerful, stepping into a pub in a great location with plenty of outside seating alongside a good selection of beers, lager and cider on draught when I walked through to the bar I thought I was in for a treat. Food options were limited which put me under the assumption that they'd do the items on the menu well. I ordered one of their burgers, when the waiter bought it over to our table I asked which burger this was as the table has ordered multiple different variations and plates were being brought over 1 by 1, a shout over to the kitchen and a shrug of the shoulders by the cook later became a sign of things to come. I was unimpressed with a plain slightly dry burger masked by a lot of cheese and salad lacking umph. The fries were soft, comparible to undercooked oven fries. Which made even the modest price of £12 seem princely. Come for a pint but don't subject yourself to the kitchen - get a takeaway on the way home

Food wasn't great but staff really lovly and friendly lovly setting will try again

Great Sunday lunch, thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon, would recommend

Lovely food fantastic portion staff are very friendly

Great Food, Excellent Staff and a Brilliant Atmosphere.

Popped in here randomly on route home from work in Town with my son ... Ordered a double vodka n diet coke plus a pint of coke for my son who is driving... Price was £6 plus pence, I had to ask if he had heard that I asked for a double vodka... WOW this was the price... They do weekly deals on spirits THANKYOU 🤣... Whilst being served we seen some food that was being served to customers at the time, my son and me had to agree it looked delicious! I have since mentioned this to a friend that lives nearby... She has actually eaten here quite a few times and told me also that the Sunday dinners are lovely... Definitely will have a proper venture here for food. I sat outside,dog friendly, water bowls are around... Only fault(but not a bad one...) outside tables are too flimsy and gappy which makes you feel uncomfortable and more aware of where you place your glass, otherwise a nice little place to go to 👏

Food rubbish. Good job they didn't brew the beer

Lovely location. Decent branded drinks at reasonable prices. Didn't have food but every plate that passed us looked lush.

Came here with the other half for midweek dinner, we must have been the first to arrive as there was noone in when we got here. Friendly and prompt service from the staff, the food was excellent very fresh and tasty and well worth the price we paid for the portion size just over £30 including drinks. They offer hot and cold soft drinks aswell as alcohol, spirits & cocktails. Atmosphere was nice, however I can't say what it would be like when it's busy. There is indoor and outdoor seating. They also show live sports. We will definitely be back for food.

Abysmal. Staff were very friendly, however after waiting an hour and fifteen minutes for our food I decided to check up on its whereabouts to be told they did not have a ticket for our food. Which seemed odd as we had a table number given to us and cutlery and condiments brought out separately to the table. Not sure what happened but such a waste of our time.

Another visit and another lovely Sunday dinner. Back again tonight, New menu to us . Another ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ visit 17/05/24 lovely food again .

Popped in today with my husband while out for a walk. We were informed they were fully booked but just being the 2 of us the lovely young lady doing front of house offered us a table in the snug as it was not reserved until 1:30pm. Being just after 12pm it gave us plenty of time to have a lovely beef sunday dinner each. The food was lovely & i was in cheese heaven with the cauliflower cheese. They do not scrimp on portions either. We will be back but will remember to pre-book. The staff were all so friendly making us very happy customers. Lunch was paid on card but my husband was so impressed with the service & lunch we recieved he gave a cash tip to the lovely staff. Thankyou for the wonderful hospitality ladies. Keep up the good work. 👍

Can’t get a pint at 8.15 Wednesday night Champions league semi final on People inside and outside Sorry tills are off. Broad daylight outside and warm evening Support local . We try BUT this is the third time this has happened Don’t complain when locals don’t come in. People finishing food as well ! So they can’t have another drink. Maybe opening hours should be clearly displayed and kept too.

Takeaway Sunday lunch rubbish not worth the money daughter order it Cheryl

The beef brisket loaded fries was the best loaded fries I've ever in my whole entire life. Absolutely delicious.

Been here about a dozen times over the past year, every time the food has been spot on. Sunday dinner excellent also. Great staff!

Went down to collect takeaway Sunday dinners. Had a little wait, but wait was no problem as I could see how attentive and friendly the staff were. Took our dinners home and by they were really top notch and very good value. So mich so that my next Sunday off we will be going down and dining there. Lovely location and lovely staff.

Went here today for the first time as it was recommended to me but probably will be the last in terms of food! Went for a Sunday roast but they don't do chicken/turkey dinners which was BAFFLING to me (just beef, pork and lamb) so I went for the London pizza, which ended up being dry - turned out the pizza was a frozen pizza, so not fresh at all. Homemade chips and ‘seasoned’ fries were lovely though!! I got the bbq chicken wings for starters - they were really tasty but very fatty. Potato skins and halloumi fries were nice! My mam had the pork roast, she really enjoyed it but found 2 hairs so sadly wasn’t able to finish it. For how much we spent there, and how expensive most of the food was, I would’ve thought the service would have been way better. Most of the staff were lovely, can’t say the same for one of them which I believe was the manager. Not a single smile, made us feel rushed when trying to order, didn’t seem to want to be there and spoke to her staff members quite rude and with constant attitude, shouted at them a few times (deffo brought back bad memories of working in retail 😂) seems like she wouldn't give her staff a second to just breathe. I really hope we just got her on a bad day and it isn’t like this all the time, however, by the look of some reviews and speaking to friends/family I don’t think it was a bad day. The location is lovely, just off the river Tyne with some lovely boats! This place would be perfect in the summer for drinks. X

Had a burger this time and was delicious

Heard great things but waited for just over an hour for a simple dish when it wasn't even that busy. Food arrived, pigs n blankets, turkey, home made chips n gravy. Turkey was dry. Maybe just an off day but wouldn't rush back tbh.

LOVE this place. Lovely location, fantastic food and fabulous staff/service ! You must try the Christmas cocktails.

Absolutely amazing food will definitely be coming back

Staff are very friendly and helpful and can have a joke, which is very rare these days. Good sorry on.

This pub overlooks the St. Peters Marina and has a good outdoor seating area for the finer weather. They have a good competitively priced menu and the food that we had was very good, especially the fish and chips. The only negatives I have is that the pot of tea that I had wasn’t very good but I suspect that it was that the water used wasn’t boiling as they use good quality Ringtons tea. The music that they have playing is a good choice but overly loud and makes conversation difficult. But putting this aside, I would recommend and return.

Just had Sunday lunch at the Merchants. It was absolutely delicious. So tasty and well presented.Everything was cooked to perfection. Best Sunday lunch I have ever tasted. Staff are lovely, so friendly and attentive. I would highly recommend.

Loved the food and very good service

Love the place! We came back 3 times, in 1 week. The food was perfect, the service was polite and the atmosphere was wonderfully local. Highly recommend their weekend specials and Sunday menu Thanks from 2 Danes! 🇩🇰

Sunday lunch menu was fairly standard but the food was excellent and plentiful. Service was great both at the table and at the bar. If I have a gripe, and it's a very minor one, I hate mismatched cutlery.

You could not get a better Sunday dinner anywhere 10 stars

Stopped here for lunch while hiking the Hadrian's Wall trail. It was a solid lunch with pub classics, although service time was a little slow. Sitting outside by the water was nice!

Great little bar in outstanding location. Food is excellent and good range of drinks

Visited a few times and felt I’d like to leave a positive review as appreciation of fine food, good drinks, great staff in a fantastic location.

Went for Sunday dinner had it in mind to have 3 courses until we saw the size of the dinners. We both decided to go straight for the dinner I had the pork and oh had the beef both come on a bed of mash about 8 roast potatoes a massive Yorkshire pud and 3 bits of meat with stuffing. A portion of cauliflower cheese to share and 2 massive portions of veg. The pork was too die for as was the beef just too much food to finish. 1 of the best dinners we have had for years. Staff really good without being intrusive We will certainly be back

Great food great staff great location 10 out of 10

Nice & friendly great food great service atmosphere great to very nice place for food & drink great thank you for a nice time

Really cool place in a great location. The staff were friendly and the food is really reasonably priced which always helps. There were some bones in the fish but it was fine. The chips are delicious. Seem to have lots of events as well which is great!

We had a stop here one afternoon after a brief walk along the Tyne. We didn’t order food but had drinks and sat outside. Nice views of the canal if sat outside. Inside looked reasonable too with various sitting places. The tables outside were super wobbly though. We spent about an hour here. Unfortunately my partner then left his Prada glasses on the seat and we didn’t realise until later when the pub had closed. We rung the pub the following day with very little expectations but we were pleasantly surprised! They had picked up the glasses! My partner was so grateful he offered a tip but this was politely declined. Altruism isn’t dead.

The manager and male bar staff really spoilt mine and my family's day out the managers attitude stinks and the lad on the bar sweaaring eating and chucking stuff onto tables absolutely disgusting stay well clear people till the get a new manager or some kind of training in place lovely place just shame about certain few staff

Nice place shame about the managers attitude towards customers she shouldn't be in the job if she's got no customer skills I think whoever is her manager should send her for some retraining or maybe a personality transplant

Lovely location. Dog friendly and reasonably priced. Friendly staff

Quiet night with family. Food tasty and plenty of it. Staff friendly and helpful.

Nice little gem by the river, the burger was juicy! Service was swift !

Service was 1st class. Food was lovely. Massive amount. Lovely fresh and hot. Will be going again highly recommend. Also dog friendly.

Delicious lunch today. I had a steak and cheese flatbread, my sister the katsu chicken flatbread. Huge portions. Came with gorgeous chips. Friendly staff and good service.

First time being there and food was out of this world. Best chips ever tasted. Would definitely go back. Staff very friendly and helpful. Was lovely day so had lunch outside but still under cover if it did rain. Very enjoyable day.

It's fine, a bit soulless, good chips.

Outstanding Dinner we have had. The head chef made a pleasant night for us along with whole team. The food was amazing, specially recommend the steaks. Will defo come back to this place as the atmosphere is remarkable,the view, taste , people - everything! Thank you one more time for the (buffet) time meal!

We made a booking for 9 and were amazed with delightful food, atmosphere and view near the river. They made us such a good family dinner and we will definitely come back there. Steaks - one of the best we've had. Thank you to all staff and team for creating fantastic atmosphere.

Excellent pub get yourself there 👌

Awesome location, awesome food & service, highly recommended.

Fish & chips were beautiful better then an actual chippy, not greasy, great portion size, fresh, homemade chips. Did end up waiting longer for the pudding then we did the main though, sticky toffee pudding was abit dry & portion size too big. But will defaintly be back to try another main & pudding.

Great location food looked lovely although we were just drinking. Great atmosphere sat outside in the sunshine all day.

Portion size is really good, food was tasty and nice staff .

Food is delicious staff are great very scenic area

What a gem of a place, lovely food, very friendly and helpful staff and a nice setting. I love it.

Went for Sunday lunch,six empty tables,we sat down to be told,sorry all the tables are booked but I'll check for you,after a few minutes ,she said that we could stay at the table ,we had a lovely Sunday lunch but at 12 pound thought it was a tad expensive,although very tasty,the staff were excellent, but we were there an hour and never seen another customer come in,still not sure why we were targeted with sorry we are fully booked.?place was quite booked this time,meal beautiful though,worth a visit.

Food spot on. Comfortable atmosphere.

Food is really good, prices for meals are reasonable. Staff are lovely, very helpful and friendly!

Great venue and location. Good selection of beers

Food 5stars service 5stars staff 5 stars

Nipped in for a quick dinner with my wife and daughter and the food again for what we had was nice enough. I got a bacon & brie sandwich with fries my wife choose the loaded fries with sweet chilli chicken what she thought would be small but far from, my daughter got the kids pizza & chips and for a dinner was enough for her . Definitely recommend this place.

Great menu, fabulous food, Kieran the chef is amazing. Friendly welcoming bar staff, would definitely recommend a visit. We were there Thursday, Friday & Saturday so that speaks volumes

Visited for a Saturday lunch today & had a fantastic meal. The flatbread was one of the nicest meals I’ve had in a long long time, very good quality & the flavours were outstanding! Great portion sizes for very reasonable prices. Staff were so friendly & helpful too. Had a lovely visit. Highly recommend!

Thank you to ALL the staff today, they went over and beyond to make my mams 80th birthday the day she deserved, Jenna ( hope that’s spelt right ) was amazing, the food was amazing, I do apologise I didn’t get the chefs name, and we will all be back, it maybe not for a group party, but we will be back, THANK YOU xxx

We had the best Sunday lunch here, recommended by a friend. Food was delicious and great service with a smile. We will be back.

Having walked along the river Tyne from Gateshead, with a view to having food and drinks for the first time at Merchants Tavern we were well rewarded. Having worked up an appetite we were greeted by warm and welcoming staff and luckily found a table with ease. Five of us ordered pie, pizza, sausage and steak sandwich which arrived hot and smelling delicious. Clean plates all round and belts bursting, how can you possibly leave proper, well cooked chips. Wine and beer went down a treat. First time there but hopefully not the last, everyones plates of food in the pub also looked amazing. Lovely varied menu despite it being between Christmas and New Year. Must be fab sitting outside in the summer watching the small boats bobbing on the river. Cheers for a lovely afternoon....

Drinks prices are extortionate!! Service - poor - I think it was the manager or owner that served us. He could do with some customer facing training.

We had afternoon tea for a work colleagues birthday. The food was amazing all home cooked , masses of cakes ,scones , sausage rolls and also included festive treats. We are a community NHS team and we managed to get away for a couple of...

I booked afternoon tea to celebrate my sister’s birthday. One of our party is quite a picky eater. When I visited the venue to pay the deposit I asked for plain cucumber sandwiches with no butter and cheese scones. When we arrived the table was...

Warm and welcoming environment. Top notch traditional Sunday lunch. Well cooked and well presented food. The staff are really lovely and couldn’t have been more helpful ensuring we had everything we needed. Highly recommended and we’ll definitely be making a return visit.

Can’t say nothing other than absolutely perfect. I had roast beef hubby had roast pork, side of veg , stuffing, huge Yorkshire puddings, gravy, roasties and mash, all cooked to perfection. Apple crumble and chocolate fudge cake with ice cream for pudding. Would recommend 100%...