The Black Bull, Etal

The restaurant has a pleasant atmosphere with friendly and accommodating staff. The food served is typical pub fare and of good quality. The only downside was the unusually long wait time for our food to arrive, despite the pub being quiet.

Without a doubt the best Sunday lunch I've ever eaten.... four of us all had different meats and everyone's was as equally delicious.... when the only complaint you have is that you couldn't finish everything then it must be good ..... can't wait to go back

Lovely pub with that real ye olde feel to it, especially with the thatched roof. Beer great and the food was just fantastic, generous portions as well, I was stuffed after my delicious soup then fish and chips, but I could resist helping my partner eat her steak and ale pie, both so so good. Very nice people working here, a good friendly team.

The restaurant has a typical interior, but it has a lot of charm outside and is located in a beautiful village. There is also a 7kW electric charger available at the village hall next door. The food is excellent, but the cask beer from a local brewery was sour and disappointing. It's a shame about that. Overall, it's a nice enough place to have a meal.

Cold welcome on a wet and cold November evening. No proactive help with the draught beers on offer whilst the 5 staff, glued to their phones, sat in the only comfortable seats in the whole place around the blazing fire. Customer first? I don’t think so; we sat on a hard stool! When asked about WiFi password, curtly told it wasn’t working. If they carry on giving customer service like we experienced the pub won’t continue working for very long either.

I made a trip to this pub with some friends to enjoy lunch, and the food was just ok—not really good. The staff members talked among themselves and was quite impolite. The man with the beard appeared extremely grimy, as though he had just left the slums, and the girl with the dark hair didn't seem content to be at work; rather, she gave off the impression that she had been smacked around. I heard swearing and cursing coming from the kitchen. Not that I would advise.

Agree with previous reviews about hospitality barman in particular came across as unfriendly. Food was very nice. Beer was disappointing. Had both the Upland Ale and SeaWall pale ale but couldn’t finish either (bad sign! as both were sour tasting…mentioned it but was told it was ‘just how they taste’ I’d be keen to try them both in other circumstances as I doubt they were supposed to be sour! No previous complaints about the beers on here so may have been a one off. Good good though! And pub was warm!

Decided to give Black Bull a go whilst visiting Ford and Etal area. Very nice converted barn type look inside. Ordered two sausage and mash meals and steak baguette. Portions very generous and food lovely real home cooked feel (mash not passed through a sieve 427 times as is popular in many restaurants these days). Unfortunately, have to give 4 stars overall as staff rather cold and unwelcoming, especially considering restaurant was very quiet so they weren't exactly rushed off their feet. Did what they needed to but barely even said goodbye as we left. Can't fault the food, though really enjoyed it.

Avery attractive place in a delightful setting. Said to be Northumberlands only thatched roof pub, although it is more restaurant than pub. I went with a friend for Sunday lunch having pre booked and was given a table on arrival. The short menu looked good so I had a parsnip soup starter and my friend had the seafood cocktail. My soup came piping hot with hot rolls and butter while my friends seafood was almost a meal in itself. We both opted for the sirloin of beef for our main a good choice ! Three thick slices of very tender beef with mashed and roast potato, parsnip, peas, carrots, broccoli, red cabbage and cauliflower cheese plus an extra jug of gravy. The food was absolutely superb and...