The Golden Flake Tavern is the latest venture from Greggs, located within Newcastle department store Fenwick, and it’s so convincing you could be in any local pub
13:36, 27 Sep 2025
The Golden Flake Tavern is the latest venture from Greggs(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)
Author Barbara Hodgson could have easily mistaken her environment for a classic pub, with its smoky hues and wooden accents suggesting a long-standing establishment. Amid the hum of conversation, she observed a family enjoying a meal with a young child and a steady flow of kitchen staff serving food to nearby tables.
But this is no ordinary local watering hole. Welcome to The Golden Flake Tavern, the latest endeavour from Greggs, nestled within Fenwick department store in Newcastle.
A friendly pub sign welcomes her at the entrance, and as she steps into what was once a first-floor café, Barbara is immediately taken by the cosy atmosphere of the new pub. The menu prominently features those cherished pastry classics, but Fenwick’s head chef has introduced a range of intriguing dishes that are surprisingly varied, including a ‘build-your-own’ Sunday carvery where patrons can select their own accompaniments to a steak bake.
However, this delight is yet to be unveiled, with the pub scheduled to open its doors to the public on Saturday.
The menu relies heavily on its popular pastry dishes(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)
As she is guided to her table, Barbara discovers a variety of seating areas within the Monday to Saturday menu. One side of the room is dominated by a lengthy bar, with wooden tables and partitions providing views over Blackett Street on the opposite wall, reports the Mirror.
Pub stools and tables fill the heart of the pub, with snug sofas and armchairs nestled in a raised section at the rear. A fireplace, embellished with vintage china dogs, lends a homely touch to the pub’s old-world charm.
As we step in, the midday sun bathes the interior, but Barbara can envision the ambiance shifting as dusk approaches. Although the usual operating hours are from 11am to 7pm, there’s chatter about extending this until 9pm on Tuesdays starting from 7th October, aligning with the launch of a quiz night.
The Golden Flake Tavern radiates tradition, from its frosted glass windows and grandiose pub mirrors to its yellow anaglypta wallpaper, rugs, and weighty drapes with tie-backs. It boasts a jukebox, retro board games, and a ‘cabinet of curiosities’ that wouldn’t seem out of place in your nan’s lounge, brimming with glasses and tankards.
Even the array of Toby Jugs perched atop contributes to the allure. The decor appears to mirror the subdued hues of Greggs’ signature colours, with yellow walls offset by others painted blue.
The dining spot features the work of a local artist, alongside the iconic black and white photographs that grace all Greggs outlets: glimpses of local landmarks and early Greggs shops with their personnel. I’m already enamoured before I’ve even selected my meal.
Barbara eyed up a selection of four ‘snacks’, each tagged at £4.25, as starters and we decided on southern fried chicken goujons, paired with a Korean mayonnaise, and mac ‘n’ cheese bites with a proper pesto dressing. There was also a sausage roll served with Bloody Mary ketchup and southern fried potato wedges drizzled with hot honey.
The Golden Flake Tavern had families dining in the Greggs pub(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)
Both her choices were generous in size, crispy and bursting with flavour. Barbara then found herself in a pickle over the main course.
A £14 ploughman’s platter sharing board – boasting a cheese and onion bake, complemented by garlic stottie bread, ham and pickled walnuts – certainly grabbed her attention. An £11.75 chicken bake parmo also sparked Barbara’s interest.
But she eventually chose a fish-finger sandwich for £12, which proved to be a hit. Everyone has a soft spot for a fish-finger sandwich and this one was first-rate.
Offering a choice of ketchup or mayo – Barbara opted for mayo – and served with Colman’s chips, peas and tartar sauce, the combination was just right. The mushy peas were particularly delightful.
The meal was incredibly gratifying, including Barbara’s companion’s choice of a steak bake mixed grill. Priced at £12.50, it was the most expensive main on the menu.
As he put it, this was the maximum you’d be willing to fork out for a posh Greggs, but he thoroughly relished it. The boat of rich ale gravy that accompanied the steak bake, along with mushrooms, chunky chips and a fried egg, was actually the star of the dish.
The desserts, each priced at £6.50, were a nod to Greggs classics: the Pink Jammie doughnut and Yum Yum. As someone who isn’t particularly fond of sweet treats, a trifle inspired by the former wasn’t quite Barbar’as cup of tea.
However, the Yum Yum version of bread-and-butter pudding – another nostalgic touch – was absolutely delightful.
Served warm with either ice cream or custard, it was the epitome of comfort food. It’s something I’d certainly order again.
The bar boasts all the drinks you’d expect from a traditional pub: wines starting at £5.50 for a small 125ml glass; spirits from £3.50 for a single measure; beers – both draught and bottled or canned – and cocktails. I chose a whisky-based Tyne Bramble cocktail – the £11.50 selection also includes a Pink Jamie Fizz – while my companion tried one of the new beers specially brewed for the pub by the local Full Circle Brewery.
The Gosforth 1939 Stottie Lager, costing £6.50 a pint, was well-received, suggesting that the new Pink Jammie Pale Ale, also at the same price, will likely be a popular choice next time. Other options, including a range of soft and hot drinks around the £3 mark, include Newcastle Brown Ale, non-alcoholic Guinness and cider.
The desserts were £6.50 each and were delicious(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)
The prices seem typical for the area, and The Golden Flake Tavern offers a unique yet familiar experience. If you were to imagine a Greggs pub, this would be it.
It’s simple and inviting, exuding the charm of a favourite local pub. Once it opens its doors on 27 September, patrons can enjoy its food menu from 11am until 7pm, with last orders taken at 5.45pm.
Its weekly carvery will be available from 11am to 5pm on Sundays, with the final seating at 3.30pm. The Golden Flake Tavern will continue to welcome guests until 14 February next year, when it will undoubtedly mark its closing with a special St Valentine’s Day event.
While walk-ins are always welcome, tables can also be reserved online: see here.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.
