A very cool historic pub close to the Thames, so great location. The bar staff was very friendly. We ordered Nicholson's Fish and Chips (of course...we're London tourists) and the British Steak and Nicholson's Pale Ale Pie. As good as the food was (and it was excellent) the interior of the pub itself was incredible! The marble and stained glass are beautiful! There is a seating area outside, as well. read more

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Visited on a Friday after work. Clearly a popular local haunt on a warm spring day. Had a nice dinner - make sure to make a reservation if you plan on food. Impressive interior - worth stop just to see the marble work. read more

Beautiful old historic pub. Not a super big space inside, but they do have tables, and table service. You order at the bar and then they will bring you your food/beers. I had a club sandwich. It was pretty standard, and pretty thick. I also had a beer. Seemed to be pretty standard typical pale ale beer. It was cool to drink and eat in a place with so much history and it is stunning inside with all of the details. Right next to the train station, and across the street from the Hyatt London Blackfriars Hotel where we stayed. read more

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Walked in to have lunch here , probably best to make reservations as they get pretty busy but they were able to squeeze us in for an hour This is a historic pub that has great decor. We had the famous pie and mash- large portions and very tasty Service was good , lots of variation of pints you can order Definitely recommend for locals and tourists alike read more

The Blackfriar - Pie and mash - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

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Had a lovely pub lunch here They are known for their famous pie and mash The beef shin pie and chicken leek tarragon pies were excellent They look huge but a lot of it is the pastry crust Service is good, small dining area in this historic pub Lovely classic British pub ambience read more

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Will return. A four-story triangular building stands out strikingly. It was built in 1875 and remodelled in about 1905, now serving as a pub after surviving demolition in London's redevelopment in the 1960s. read more

The Blackfriar - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

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We had a great time here and finally got to partake in the experience of an English Pub. Staying at the hotel across the street we walked over and though that there would be no way that we would be able to eat here. Outside were a lot of young people socializing and drinking which made us think that the place was packed. Unbeknownst to us, outside was what we expected the pub scene to be i.e. drinking and socializing. Once we went in we realized that although place was busy that it was also easy to be seated. The decor of this place exudes history and although we were there as tourists we could feel the energy and culture of the locals. I believe that our server was Mickaela and she was exceptional. She answered all of my wife's questions and took into consideration our American tastes when suggesting dishes. We started with the Halloumi Fries and then my wife ordered the Garlic Chicken Schnitzel and I the Ocean Fish and Chips. The food, service, and ambiance were all a lovely experience and the history of the building only enhanced our time there. We enjoyed everything and would return there next time we're in London. read more

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This is a must visit. If you are into artistic stone work, even more of a reason to visit! The staff are exceptional guides! This more than just wow. A 6 star establishment. Some of the best beers and ales of London. The best pot pie (steak) with a great crust. Easy to get to. Seriously, a must visit and take in the interior stone work! read more

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For starters, you can't beat the ambiance ....it's an old Dominican priory! The place is going to be busy ---location is right near St. Paul's and lots of offices , but it is worth it. The service is attentive and helpful and the food is "jolly good, mate"! I had the mushroom pie with fresh veg and gravy . My partner had the steak sandwich (only before 4:00 is it available). Loved my meal and experience and isn't that what it is all about? read more

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We absolutely loved the place - old, lots of character, wonderful beer, and friendly staff. If you are looking for a pub with character and like good beer - definitely come and enjoy every moment!!! read more

The Blackfriar - Inside - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

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Always enjoy stopping into this pub when I am in town. Love the atmosphere and when the trains head to the station it sounds like a heart beat. Food is on the average side with some items exceeding that standard and others falling short. My friend rather enjoyed the mushy peas and their Steak and Ale pie. The decor is very distinct and intriguing. Our server was busy with a few more tables than he may have been expecting as it did take a few waves to get him back to out table. read more

The Blackfriar - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

Good atmosphere, felt like a classic British pub. Fish and chips were also very good. read more

The Blackfriar - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

The food itself was okay. The fish in the fish and chips were great--soft on the inside and crispy--but the peas were okay and the fries were bland and mushy. The steak pie was great and I see why it's award-winning with its delicious steak sauce and flaky pastry shell. The service was a bit disappointing, through no one's specific fault. The dining area was full, so we were told to just grab any table as it opened up and order at the bar. (Although later I saw there did seem to be a table open in the dining area.) Some pub crawl group had come in just as we were about to order, so we had to wait in line for a very long time at the bar to order. When I got in line again to order dessert, I was told the kitchen had closed earlier than we had previously been told because it was too busy (although by this point the pub crawl group had left so it was not as busy). As I had been waiting for the large group to leave before ordering and did not get any notice the kitchen was closing earlier than usual, this was a bit disappointing. Again, no one's specific fault, but does seem like the place could be run a bit better. read more

The Blackfriar is a historic art nouveau pub located at the base of the Blackfriar bridge and tube station. The decor is as delicious as the food and beers. I enjoyed a classic fish and chips. Which was crispy and satisfying. Eat inside or dine al fresco. Recommend. read more

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I'm not sure if the station is named after this pub, or vice versa, but it's a small pub and it sure does get pretty crowded in the evening. Honestly, yeah, I actually liked it, despite the crowds. There was just that London charm about it, and even though I suspect that there is a pub in the station, this one is much, much better. read more

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While in London I HAD to go to a pub and we walked a bit to get to this one. The shape seems pretty cool and learning how it fit into the space when it was built was interesting. Beers were fine for the average offerings. The food was delicious though! I was a little surprised since a place with history and somewhere with alcohol usually wouldn't need to try hard but we ate up everything. Fish and chips were nice and crispy and light. The Mac and cheese was fantastic and gooey. read more

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The vibe of this pub is unmatched. Absolutely loved it. We came here on a Friday afternoon on our way back from the Tower of London. It was around 430 but I made a reservation online since I read this place gets busy. I'm so glad I did because we were seated right away in this beautiful area away from the bar area. Just a heads up, if you sit in this area, you need to order entrees, which was fine by us. My mom and I both ordered the fish and chips, and let me tell you, it was the best fish and chips I've ever had. The batter was nice and light, and the fish was perfectly flakey. The serving was huge! I loved the fries, especially after I added some vinegar to them. This was one of, if not our favorite meal while in London. The pub was quite full even on a workday. Looks like some people got out of work early and starting the weekend early lol. It just added to the wonderful atmosphere. Even though Blackfriars Monastery is no longer standing, it was very cool to come to this pub that is located where it used to be. read more

The Blackfriar - Delicious fish and chips - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

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One of the coolest visuals that you'd get from a pub interior. Lots of amazing stone and wood work. The pub itself is quite small but they offer a decent outdoor seating area. Staff is fantastic and the food is good. Make this a stop on your visit to London. read more

Beautiful spot with a great selection of beers and cask ales. The servers were SO nice and helpful. We didn't order the food but it looked incredible. Wish we'd had more time to stay and eat. Worth a visit, for sure! read more

After visiting The Blackfriar I've become concerned that my future pub experiences may now be in jeopardy. I say that because I imagine that it will be difficult for me to not compare those future experiences to this present one. For starters, the building that houses it is just so unique. This iconic, wedge-shaped masterpiece is literally impossible to ignore as you pass by. Standing proudly since 1875, it was built on the site of a Dominican friary. Shockingly it proved to be the target of an unsuccessful "redevelopment" in the 60's. Legend has it that it's unconscionable demolition was prevented, in large part, by the efforts of Sir John Betjeman. It's my understanding that many have proposed a toast to him while visiting and we join them in saying, "Cheers!" The wood features throughout help to amplify the volume of its merry patrons, whom we found to be good natured and nearly raucous. The traditional fish and chips were good, but the "mushy peas" (terrible name in my opinion) were actually even better. There are a few choice nooks to be had if you feel the need (and have the permission) to cozy up to someone special. And that's...Henry's Take. #blackfriarpublondon read more

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Had a great time here! Staff was very welcoming and I tried my first Guinness along with the best Fish and Chips with mash. Cozy ambiance. Def will be back once in town! read more

The Blackfriar - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

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Blackfriar is a Fantastic, Loud, Gregarious, Old Pub that you cannot miss! Bartenders were on point, draws were perfect and many cheers throughout the night! read more

The Blackfriar - Crazy Ambience & Fantastic Noise! - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

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Great and popular pub originally built in 1875 on Queen Victoria Street featuring indoor and outdoor seating and delicious fish and chips. The resident "ghost" likely enjoys a pint here as much as anyone else. My meal was excellent, although I would have loved a bit of malt vinegar to go with it. Be warned, when really busy you will have to wait for service but this place is so charming and Insta-worthy you almost don't mind the wait. Restrooms are located downstairs, which I gathered was more popular here in the UK. Here at The Blackfriar you'll enjoy a proper pint as much as the food, the history, and the company you keep. read more

The Blackfriar - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

Super cool historic establishment. Cold and robust guinnesses on tap. The fish and chips were great and the pies were exceptional. Vibes are always at a "having a good time" level. Supercool to sit inside and marvel at the decor. read more

Getting used to the daily after hours crowds that collect around pubs in London takes a bit of getting used to, but the experience at Blackfriars, as jammed as it was, was delightful. Very good food and an excellent selection of beers in a dining area that was truly ancient made for the start of a great evening. read more

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Such a beautiful spot! Indoor and out--just a pleasure to read the history over a pint!

The Blackfriar is a good pub which is probable most notable for its historically important, unique, exuberant, and somewhat tongue-in-cheek art nouveau character. It is, as with the whole area, named for a friary which one stood here and the decor plays on that, with numerous reliefs (and outside, a statute of friars with entertaining sayings, all in a richly decorated style. I'll note that Nicholson's pubs often include older, historic pubs with usually well-maintained character and interiors. The interior and decor are definitely 5 stars. If it weren't for that, I'd probably give 4 stars for the food, maybe 4.5 for the cask ales. I give 5 stars overall because the pub itself really is something special, especially for anyone interested in visiting preserved, interesting, historic pubs. It's a Nicholson's pub, so has a variation of the normal Nicholson's menu (they generally are similar, but in our experience have some differences). As with Nicholson's pubs, the food is overall good and reliable, but not stellar, although sometimes their starters/sharers in particular can be very good. Fish and chips with mushy peas are good, steak pie with veg is good. As with Nicholson's pubs in general, it has a nice selection of cask ales (when we're in the UK, the only beer we drink is British cask ale, so readers please bear that in mind). They have the ubiquitous Nicholson's pale ale, a lighter pale ale which is very good, plus we had Timothy Taylor Landlord, a masterpiece of a pale ale/bitter. read more

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I'm a sucker for architecture and London is rich in history when it comes to structures. My sister found this spot and we headed over after dinner. The Blackfriar was built in 1875 on the site of a Dominican friary. The building is very cool and sticks out amongst the newer structures surrounding it. The interior is typical old pub like and the bathrooms are on a narrow steep stairs down, very old fashioned. We didn't stay long, just enough to grab a gin and tonic. I like the juniper heavy, herbal style or peppery gin. I love that they and most places have fever tree, good stuff too. I did like the whole idea of the historical walking tour, which includes stops at Williamson's Tavern, The Blackfriar and Ye Olde Watling, before enjoying a two-course dinner at The Walrus & Carpenter. I would have totally been into this, if I wasn't traveling with kids. Maybe next time. https://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/restaurants/london/theblackfriarblackfriarslondon/offers/walking-tour read more

The Blackfriar - Exterior - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

The meat pie was good, as well as the drinks and the service. It was nice to look at the Art neo decor from origins in the 1870s. But the site is from an ancient priory. read more

Came here for dinner tonight and it did not disappoint! I got the nachos for my meal and my husband got fish and chips. I don't like any seafood, but his fish was very good! Very mild and flaky. We were attracted to this place because we were in the area and had been looking over all day for a pub that had decent food and wasn't outrageous prices. This is decently priced and the food is great. I got the cider to drink and it was also great. The atmosphere is very nice and relaxed, and the history behind this place is interesting as well. Only reason I am leaving 4 stars is because one of the male workers was rude to us when we came in and asked if we needed reservations since we saw signs on tables that said "reserved." None of the workers were very accommodating. All in all, I would definitely eat here again. read more

The Blackfriar - Nachos & Fish and Chips - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

What a great place. Easy to walk to, oozing all the charm you hope to find in an old London pub. And hospitable staff. read more

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Yer man at the till offered us a 6£ food up charge that we politely declined. He charged us for it anyway and destroyed the receipt without offering it to us, and before we could ask to see it. The added food (that came as a surprise to us) was basic chips that were not even on the menu. If I had known I was going to be scammed out of 6 pounds, I would have chosen a third item I wanted (it was the 3 for 17£ deal and we only wanted two). The place is beautiful inside and the food was good, but be aware of shady practices at the till (My guess is he did this because we were obviously tourists, so perhaps locals don't get this treatment, or they don't frequent the place). read more

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. read more

Wow. Great service and food. Disappointing nachos were outweighed by the beautiful interior, super convenient, and great service. Steak and ale pie was great with the rich gravy. read more

Really cool pub with great history. Lots of beers available and the bar staff were friendly and knowledgeable about the beers. read more

The Blackfriar - Inside the pub - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

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This is a PUB among pubs. The mother of them all. Love to hang at this place and watch the work happy hour crowd while my wife and I are on holiday. Recently had the pleasure of taking our son and his wife there. The bartender took us in to the side room that was reserved for food. Didn't even know they had food. It was great of course. Pub heaven on earth. Cheers!! read more

Blackfriar was my favorite pub in London by far! The inside of the pub with its elaborate monk decor and marble work was really spectacular. That was worth the trip alone, but the delicious food and cask ales really pushed it over the top. After being somewhat disappointed at another establishment in a meat pie, I gave it another go here, and I'm so glad I did. It was amazing! Just look at that picture! According to the menu the meat is cooked in beer and it really comes through in the flavor. The pie was amazing and I couldn't recommend it highly enough. Also amazing-sticky toffee pudding! I tried it out of curiosity and with a scoop of vanilla on top it was life changing. Blackfriars is super cool and really embodies all the awesome things about London. read more

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If you arrive on a nice summer weekday evening, you might be surprised by the dozens (perhaps hundreds?) of people milling about on the court in front of the Blackfriar. It can be a popular spot for an after-work beverage for nearby office workers. But, if you'd like a quieter time to experience the 145-year-old pub, you can find more peaceful moments on weekends or when the weather is somewhat less ideal. The Blackfriar was built in 1875, and it wears its age well. The place is a comfortable spot for a pint, and it offers a fine selection of cask ales. It's easy to get to, just steps from the Blackfriars Underground station. read more

The Blackfriar - Steps from the Blackfriars Station - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

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This is a hidden gem. Pretty obvious when you see the exterior that it's been around for a while. Fantastic service. Great drinks. Large selection. Didn't have any food, but the menu sounds tasty. 10/10 would recommend to all. read more

Liked this place for their outdoor patio & location just next to the tube. The beer selection was quite limited. They close @ 11p read more

The Blackfriar - James on 6/18/16 - Pubs Near Me - London, XGL

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