You could spend the rest of your life on a culinary tour around Northern Ireland and you still wouldn’t get to see all the food and drink that’s produced and sold here. From farmers markets to Michelin-starred restaurants, country kitchens to family tables, Northern Ireland’s food revolution is going from strength to strength – seemingly as fresh and seasonal as the produce that inspires it. These are just some of the highlights.
Belfast City to County Down
If you’re interested in food and drink in Belfast, there’s no better place to start your foodie journey in the city than at Belfast’s historic St George’s Market where you’ll find the best of Northern Ireland’s local produce gathered under one roof. Look out for fresh fruit and vegetables, artisan meats and the widest range of fish in Ireland – there were 23 fish stalls alone here, at the last count. For extra local flavour, check out the soda farls, ‘Belfast Baps’, Suki Tea and Broughgammon goat's meat.
Or try a classic Belfast food tour. Taste and Tour NI takes you ‘off the eaten’ track on a fun four-hour walk to experience the true flavours of the city. Join Chef Barney on Belfast’s one and only theatrical food tour Belfast Bred as he attempts to recreate the Titanic’s iconic first class banquet. Or head out of the city to discover more of the great food County Down has to offer.
And on to Strangford Lough in County Down
Visit the Echlinville Distillery to see where they’ve revived the age old tradition of distillery floor malting to create Dunville’s whiskey and Jawbox gin. At Balloo House, you can sample chef Danny Millar’s renowned cooking or try modern bistro style cuisine at The Poachers Pocket. Of course, you can’t leave here without a feast of local Strangford mussels, crab, or delicious Mourne Mountain lamb.
Distilling gin in Downpatrick
At Rademon Estate Distillery in Downpatrick, you can explore where Shortcross Gin - Northern Ireland’s first craft gin – is made. Pre-book your tour, for a tasting experience that may reveal the secrets and skills that go into creating this aromatic and exceptionally smooth gin.
Along the Mourne Coastal Route
Join the Mourne Coastal Route at the picturesque fishing village of Dundrum. Here, local favourite the Mourne Seafood Bar serves fresh seafood from their own shellfish beds.
Discover the secrets behind some more local produce by booking a hands-on class at Mourne Seafood Cookery School in the fishing port of Kilkeel. The school offers a fun, relaxed experience to enthusiastic home cooks.
County Armagh to County Fermanagh
From Kilkeel, it’s on to Orchard County and the wonderful Georgian city of Armagh. Next stop is Loughall, the centre of Armagh’s 4,000 acres of Bramley Apple orchards. And, naturally, home to the annual May Apple Blossom Fair. It’s one of the prettiest times to visit and one of the most fun with activities for all the family, orchard tours and cider tastings.
Newforge House (5*) is a true gem of a Georgian country house. And dinner here is not to be missed. Start with a house gin and vodka fusion, flavoured with their own orchard fruit, then dine on grass-fed, dry-aged Hereford Beef from the Glenarm Estate, followed by Young Buck raw milk blue cheese from Newtownards, County Down. It’s all delicious and it’s all about as local as it gets.
Enniskillen, County Tyrone and County Londonderry
No doubt you’ll take away some fantastic foodie memories from Enniskillen. Make sure you also take some O'Doherty’s Black Bacon. He’s a legendary local butcher who respects his pigs so much that he leaves them to roam free on their own private herb-rich island.
Take a little time to explore the area’s stunning lake lands while you’re here. Lough Erne Resort and Spa makes a great base and it gives you a chance to sample decadent seasonal flavours with breathtaking views across Castle Hume Lough from The Catalina Restaurant.
Going eastward to Omagh you can visit the Ulster American Folk Park. Though you’re never far from famous food. The Sika venison on the nearby Baronscourt Estate has been named as one of Britain’s Top 50 foods by the Great Taste Awards.
From Omagh, take a detour across the foothills of the Sperrin Mountains towards Castledawson. It’s home to the original Ditty's Home Bakery, makers of the island’s best oatcake biscuits, as well as soda farls, wheaten breads and scones. The perfect accompaniment to a mid-morning cup of tea.
On to Derry~Londonderry, where a lunch of locally reared Glebe Wagyu beef from the Pykes 'n' Pommes food truck offers an unforgettable flavour.
Derry-Londonderry to County Antrim
No visit to the Walled City of Derry is complete without some fine dining at Browns Bond Hill, or craft beers at the Walled City Brewery. Browse the food markets for Dart Mountain Cheese, Flossie’s Fudge or local turf-smoked salmon. Then, set off along the Causeway Coastal Route, with a stop at the Old Bushmills Distillery to see how the world-famous whiskey is made. And, of course, to try a drop or two.
Follow in the footsteps of giants at the Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland's first UNESCO Heritage Site. It’s is a geological wonder and a haven of history and legend. Then take the coastal route to Glenarm Castle for afternoon tea. Or keep going to Ballygally Castle Hotel for a Game of Thrones® inspired version. Overnight guests can enjoy Clandeboye Estate yoghurts at breakfast, produced with milk from their Holstein and Jersey cows.
And back to Belfast
Return to Belfast via Lisburn, home to Hilden Brewery, Ireland's oldest independent brewery. Not surprisingly, the menu in The Tap Room restaurant here features dishes cooked with its own beer, as well as paired with it.
Then for a grand finale, finish your tour with dinner at the Michelin starred OX. Or simply pop into Sawers Belfast to fill your suitcase with gourmet goodies.
It’s clear that’s there’s no keeping up with all Northern Ireland’s foodie scene has to offer. So the only solution is to come back and do it all again. Perhaps that would be a plan.
St George’s Market one of Belfast’s oldest attractions and is one of the best markets in the UK and Ireland. It has been voted for numerous local and national awards for its fresh, local produce and great atmosphere.
Enjoy the multi award-winning Belfast Food Tour or choose from a variety of other tours including Sensorium, an interactive sensory cocktail experience, as well as bespoke private tours and corporate experiences.
Discover how Echlinville Distillery captures the flavour, colour and mouthfeel of their spirits, before settling down to relax and enjoy them in the bar.
Balloo House is a beautiful country pub and restaurant that successfully combines history, tradition and comfort with a forward thinking attitude and passion for excellence in food.
Originally established in the 1800’s as an old coaching inn, The Poacher’s Pocket is situated in the heart of picturesque County Down.
Art, craft and history blend together at Shortcross Distillery, to create an unforgettable experience on the beautiful grounds of Rademon Estate. Join founders Fiona and David to learn about their award-winning gin, which also happens to be Northern Ireland’s first craft gin.
Our aim is to provide locally sourced seafood at an affordable price. All our produce is sourced from local ports and delivered daily to ensure freshness and quality.
The state of the art Mourne Seafood Cookery School offers a range of cookery courses and demonstrations on local seafood.
Luxurious Georgian 5-star Country House accommodation set in mature gardens and fields. Period features seamlessly blend with contemporary comforts. Superb food, using local suppliers and much home grown produce, is central to our offer.
Lough Erne Resort is Northern Ireland's five-star countryside retreat. Dine by the lakes, walk in nature, play championship golf, pamper yourself in The Thai Spa or discover the beautiful Fermanagh attractions.
Journey back in time at the Ulster American Folk Park, from the Old World of Ulster to the New World of America. Learn what life was like in rural Ulster, step on board the full-scale emigrant ship and enjoy craft demonstrations performed by guides in traditional costumes.
Ditty’s Home Bakery is a thriving third-generation bakery based in Castledawson specialising in breads local to Northern Ireland, which range from wheaten and soda breads to griddle-baked fluffy soda farls and earthy potato farls.
Browns Bonds Hill stands as a culinary beacon in the North West, celebrated for its innovative menus and numerous accolades. Renowned for its contemporary cuisine and impeccable service, the restaurant exudes an atmosphere of sophistication without pretension. Led by Chef Patron Ian Orr and his team, the menus at Browns Bonds Hill showcase the best of local and seasonal produce, promising diners an unforgettable taste of the region.
The Walled City Brewery craft uniquely local, premium quality, fabulously flavoursome food and beer in their multi-award winning brewhouse, restaurant and new taproom. If you truly want a flavour of the North-West, it is a must-visit!
In 1608, in Bushmills, a legend was born. In that year, King James I granted a very particular licence to this small village, just a few miles inland from Ireland’s rugged north coast. The licence gave Bushmills the right to distil whiskey. Today, Bushmills is home to the oldest licenced whiskey distillery in the world.
Flanked by the wild North Atlantic Ocean and a landscape of dramatic cliffs, the Giant's Causeway is a geological wonder and home to a wealth of history and legend. The 40,000 basalt stone columns left by volcanic eruptions 60 million years ago, has captured the imagination of all who see it.
Step into the heart of Glenarm Castle's estate and discover our cosy Tea Room, nestled in the historic Mushroom House within the enchanting Walled Garden. Open daily, it's a rare gem in Northern Ireland, offering visitors the unique experience of savouring Glenarm shorthorn beef. You have the choice to add a trip to the Walled Garden, but please note there's an extra charge. Alternatively, simply indulge in the Tea Room's offerings. Enjoy hearty breakfasts from 10:00 to 11:30, delicious lunch dishes from 12:00 to 16:00, and the laid-back charm of our Tea Room. Check our socials for upcoming events.
Ballygally Castle Hotel is offering a Game of Thrones® Afternoon Tea which will delight fans of the world-renowned show as well as those who love the indulgence of a delicious afternoon tea.
Hilden Brewery is Ireland's Oldest Independent Brewery. We have been running for over 40 years and in the last seven have added a second brew house, a bottling line and a canning line.
OX is a Michelin starred restaurant that offers relaxed dining overlooking the River Lagan, with menus designed to showcase excellent meats and sustainably sourced fish whilst equally careful attention is given to seasonal vegetables and fruit.
Sawers is a family business established in 1897 that has always prided itself on stocking an extensive range of quality foods. Described as an Aladdin's Cave of culinary delights, Sawers is as famous in Belfast as the Titanic.
