Francesca's Reviews

We have been going to Francesca's for over 26 years, including our wedding night. We live in Birmingham and would never visit Newcastle without having a meal there. Who wants the normal service provided in a city centre restaurant? Francesca's offers you a few hours away from the rat race in a contagious atmosphere with scrummy food for all ages. It’s the only place where I would ever eat pizza.

I went to Francesca’s today and found pasta portions have been reduced, my son normally loves going just for the pasta left feeling hungry. I was disappointed with the pizza as well, not much attention from the waiters and won’t be going back.

Poor over rated and tacky; the pizzas we ordered were very poor; the meat feast was a few scraps of wafer thin ham and a few pieces of salami. Two orders were wrong and the chips were obviously from the Chinese over the road, and cold. Cramped crowded conditions are no good if you want a romantic night, the waiters, although nice, were too busy to listen to our complaints that the food wasn’t what we ordered and every course rushed one waiter to put next course on the table as another cleared away the last. This is not what’s raved on about, it’s okay for students, economical and quick, that’s all I can agree on.

Francesca's is one of the best restaurants I have ever been to. It is a favourite with my entire family some of which say that Francesca's is the highlight of an overnight stay when they visit Newcastle. I've been going to Francesca's ever since I was a child and never had a bad experience.

My friends and I go to Francesca’s every Friday and we’re students, so you know it’s affordable. We pay about £15 each for starters, mains and drinks. I’d like to try a dessert but can never finish my mains. The portions are very large and the food is delicious. My favourites are potato skins for starters with half pizza and half pasta for mains. The restaurant is tucked away in a little side street just off the main street and is a hidden gem. It’s a family run business and everyone makes you feel welcome. The atmosphere is relaxed and if you get there during peak hours, you may have to queue up but its well worth the wait. Once seated your food arrives exceptionally fast and if you ever get the chance to go there, I don’t think you will be disappointed.

I think Francesca's is Newcastle’s most precious gem. I have been going there religiously for more than ten years now. The food is amazing and affordable. The waiters are great, friendly and always make you feel welcome, and you leave feeling like you have been accepted into the family. The queue is normally long, however this adds to the rustic charm and the atmosphere of the place. You can order your drinks at the bar and relish them while standing in the queue. There are a few seats darted around the queuing area so you can rest your feet for a bit before moving to your table. I usually visit this place with a large group of at least ten people, which they are more than happy to accommodate. We typically order starters and a main meal with lots of wine and a couple of shots each. I’ve never paid more than £15.00 pounds per head – it’s amazing!

Francesca's is the ultimate restaurant in Newcastle - the food is amazing, the atmosphere great, the staff very nice and polite and is very good value for money.

I've been there many times, used to go all the time but I haven’t been in ages, intending on returning soon though the queues could be very dramatic and having drinks before your table isn't all its cracked up to be as you still have to stand up in the queue and can’t order your drinks un till you are near the front. The restaurant looks o.k. but is over crowded, however the food is good and if you are in for a real surprise, tell them that you or someone in the group is celebrating a birthday, I don’t know if they still do it but they used to come out singing all sorts. The waiters are so funny when they start singing Italian songs for no apparent reason.

Francesca’s may sound family orientated but, it’s perfect for couples too. Its great fun and it is a whole new experience on a night out.

Reading through other reviews on the restaurant I had to write my own. It was last year when we had visited and I'm still chewing on the tuna steak I had. One staff member, an Elvis Presley impersonator I think, was so rude we nearly got up and left. It was so overrated and behind the times for service and than what people expect today. Food can not be cooked from fresh as arrived at table to quick. We could have bought a frozen pizza from Tesco and enjoyed it in nicer surroundings, and that would have tasted better.