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The Bushmills Inn
County Antrim

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Food & Drink in Antrim

Visitors to Antrim are spoilt for choice when it comes to food and drink. While Belfast is a lively city, it’s also surrounded by small market towns and villages that are awash with artisan food makers and top-class restaurants that pride themselves on using fresh local produce.

New food discoveries in Newtownabbey

A mere fifteen minutes north of Belfast you’ll come across Sleepy Hollow in Newtownabbey. This old inn serves fresh Irish food with a modern twist and has garnered high praise as one of the best restaurants in Antrim among those in the know back in the big smoke.

Much of the food served at Sleepy Hollow comes from a farm just twenty minutes up the road in the picturesque village of Gleno. The farm in question sits beside a favourite local watering hole called Billy Andy’s, and yes you’ve guessed it, they are owned by the same people. With its peat fires, low ceilings, fine selection of beers and whiskies, Billy Andy’s is the perfect spot to sit back, relax and enjoy the Saturday Irish Music Session. Of course, if you’re sticking around the menu has quite a bit to offer too.

Gleno is also home to The Dairy, a farm shop and café famous for its delicious pancakes, Belfast Baps and luscious milkshakes filled with ice cream from the multi award-winning Maud’s in Carrickfergus.

Ice-cream and more in Carrickfergus

John Wilson opened his first ice cream shop in 1982, Maud's, naming it after his mother as a Mother’s Day gift. The shop remains as popular as ever. Those wishing to sample more gelato can do so at the nearby Castello Italia. This spot is beautifully laid out, very comfortable and overlooks the shores of Belfast Lough. It offers up classic Italian primi like risotto and pasta and offers great mains like rabbit and pan-fried seabass.

Enlightened food in Whitehead

The Lighthouse Bistro in nearby Whitehead is one of those unassuming spots that you really only want to tell your closest friends about. We consider you friends. Sitting just off the village's scenic promenade this small, cosy, award-winning family run restaurant makes everything from scratch. That includes the handmade pasta, the homemade bread, and the health range of pickled produce. Smoked pork belly and lamb shank are regular features on the menu, but it all depends on what’s in season.

The bar to be in in Ballygally

Don’t be fooled by the simple interior of Mattie’s Meeting House. This Ballygally bar is a favourite with the locals and has been in the hospitality game since the early 1800’s. They still know what they are at and they like to keep it simple. Whether you’re just stopping in for a pint or Boxer Jim’s Guinness Pie, you’ll get a warm welcome, a bit of craic and some great intimate live music.

Cosy in Cushendun

If you’re on the lookout for somewhere even more intimate, then Mary McBride’s in the scenic village of Cushendun might be the place for you. This is the perfect spot to wind down after a day trekking the Antrim coast and the location is beautiful. The pub itself is tiny but big on atmosphere. It is also host to a rather recent curio. In 2016 the famous tree-lined avenue known as the Dark Hedges were badly damaged by a storm. Many of the trees were destroyed but instead of being disposed of, the wood was used to create ten Game of Thrones® doors which are now housed inside pubs and restaurants dotted around Northern Ireland. The door in this spot tells the story of season six.

Delicious bellyfulls in Bushmills

On the town’s Main Street you’ll find the beautiful Tartine restaurant with its 3 beautifully appointed, interconnecting areas each hosting a contemporary selection of local artists original paintings and prints. The lighting is low, the atmosphere romantic and the service attentive and friendly. Best of all Tartine are committed to selecting ingredients that are both local and seasonal for the creation of dishes that are refined, yet simple and full of flavour.

Clocking in at Ballymena

A little further west in Ballymena you’ll find The Clockhouse in the stately Leghinmohr House. Chef William Mills keeps it seasonal and again only uses local produce. Expect to see the likes of oxtail terrine and venison on the menu. And you can get it all for next to nothing if you go for their aptly named Beat the Clock offering - their version of the early bird.

A tavern for all in Toome

About fifteen minutes south of Ballymena is the wonderful Crosskeys Inn in Toome. This tiny thatched tavern dates back to 1654 making it the oldest pub of its kind on the island of Ireland. This place oozes old world charm. Its small rooms are heated by peat fires and its worn-down floors have witnessed many late night stomps to Irish music. There are regular sessions to this day and we’d recommend you try to catch one if you can.

With so much food to savour and so much drink to swill you’ll need another holiday just to work it all off. Don’t worry, we have that covered too.

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure information is correct, we strongly advise checking in advance before you travel to your intended destination to ensure its open and book tickets if applicable.

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Number of results: 144

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Slemish Market Supper Club

Ballymena

Address

Various Locations, Ballymena, County Antrim

Telephone
+44 (0 7547 804 975

slemishmarketsupperclub@gmail.com

Price
Price £70.00 Fixed price menu

Type

Type:

Food Experiences

Join award-winning chef Rob Curley for a once-per-month fine-dining extravaganza as he guides you through a meal made with only the best ingredients, all sourced from the Slemish Market Garden and surrounding areas. This is a pop-up culinary…

Price
Price £70.00 Fixed price menu

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
528 reviews
Dining at Rosspark Hotel

Ballymena

Address

20 Doagh Road, Kells, Ballymena, Co. Antrim, BT42 3LZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 2589 1663

info@rosspark.com

Type

Type:

Restaurant

Situated in 10 acres of grounds in the beautiful County Antrim countryside within easy reach of the airport and harbour, formal and informal dining is excellently catered for at the Rosspark Hotel, where a world of wonderful cuisine is waiting for…

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Licensed
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
The Harbour Bar Portrush

Portrush

Address

Harbour Road, Portrush, County Antrim, BT568DF

Telephone
+44 (0) 7506 990 345

booking@ramorerestaurant.com

Type

Type:

Bar

A feast for the senses is the fine Harbour Bar. This buzzing pub is a perfect pit stop to enjoy renowned pints of Guinness, a selection of the best gins and spirits around. With great views overlooking Portrush harbour there's no better place to…

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
466 reviews
Bert's Jazz Bar

Belfast

Address

The Merchant Hotel, 16 Skipper Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 2ZY

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9026 2713

berts@themerchanthotel.com

Type

Type:

Bar

Belfast’s and Northern Ireland's first authentic Jazz Bar offering Live Jazz seven nights a week - located within the elegant Merchant Hotel, Berts offers great live entertainment and mouth watering food.

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
156 reviews
The Dark Horse

Belfast

Address

34 Hill Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 2LB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9023 7807

darkhorse@dukeofyorkbelfast.com

Type

Type:

Restaurant

The Dark Horse is a European style coffee house nestled along a narrow cobbled alleyway in the historic Half Bap area of the Cathedral Quarter.
Available for private hire Thursday - Saturday.

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The Dock Cafe

Belfast

Address

ARC Retail, 2b Queens Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT3 9FD

Joachim@the-dock.org

Type

Type:

Delis, Food Markets and Farm Shops

The Dock Cafe opened its doors in March 2012 and has gone from strength to strength with a honest box policy, it offers a place to relax at a very low cost for everyone.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs Welcome Inside
Bureau By The Lough

Whiteabbey

Address

637 Shore Road, Whiteabbey, County Antrim, BT37 0ST

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9086 6111

dana@bureaubythelough.com

Type

Type:

Restaurant

Award-winning Bureau by the Lough sits on the Causeway Coastal Route beside Belfast Lough. Bureau Bar is open daily for drinks and fresh seafood & grill dishes while Lanyon’s Restaurant provides intimate weekend dining with stunning Lough views.

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
968 reviews
McHugh’s Bar & Restaurant

Belfast

Address

29-31 Queen’s Square, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 3FG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9050 9999

info@mchughsbar.com

Type

Type:

Bar

McHughs is within a grade A listed building, built between 1710 and 1720, making it officially the oldest building in the city of Belfast, enjoying a long history and a sometimes colourful reputation.

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The Pantry & The Galley Café at Titanic Belfast

Belfast

Address

Titanic Belfast, Olympic Way, Belfast, County Antrim, BT3 9EP

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9076 6386

welcome@titanicbelfast.com

Type

Type:

Café

Choose from a wide range of hearty menu options in The Pantry featuring the very best of local Northern Irish produce. For a lighter bite, stop by The Galley Express Food Bar for a range of speciality teas, luxury coffees and local delicacies!

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Facilities

Catering
- Licensed
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
- On site parking
- Parking (charge)
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
- Wi-fi available
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
399 reviews
Bittles Bar

Belfast

Address

70 Upper Church Lane, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 4EL

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9031 1088

Johnbittles@googlemail.com

Type

Type:

Bar

Bittles Bar is one of Belfast's more curious pubs located close to the bustling Victoria Square. Red-bricked and 'flat-iron' in shape Bittles is a wonderful example of a traditional Victorian Bar. Founded in 1868.

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
578 reviews
Novelli at City Quays

Belfast

Address

90 Donegall Quay, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 3FE

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9531 3191

cityquays@novellirestaurants.co.uk

Type

Type:

Restaurant

Novelli at City Quays is a stylish Mediterranean and French influenced brasserie open all day offering lunch and afternoon tea through to dinner, a great place for after work cocktails and tapas at our bar.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Open 12:00 - 21:00

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1654 reviews
Darcy’s Belfast

Belfast

Address

10 Bradbury Place, Belfast, County Antrim, BT7 1RS

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9032 4040

info@darcysbelfast.co.uk

Type

Type:

Restaurant

Darcy’s of Belfast is a family-run restaurant offering quality traditional food made with the most local of ingredients.

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
229 reviews
Nobel Café

Ballymena

Address

102-104 Church Street, Ballymena, County Antrim, BT43 6DF

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 2565 4302

nobelcafeballymena@outlook.com

Type

Type:

Café

Nobel is an award winning contemporary café located on Church Street in the heart of Ballymena. selling fantastic fries, tasty breakfasts and luxury lunches with friendly, fast service.

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1508 reviews
Revolución De Cuba

Belfast

Address

25 - 39 Arthur Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 4GQ

Telephone
02895909249

bookings-belfast@revoluciondecuba.com

Type

Type:

Bar

Belfast’s authentic Cuban bar and restaurant within a breathtaking Art Nouveau building in the heart of the city. Freshly prepared Latin menus, inspired and innovative cocktails and – yep, you guessed it – plenty of rum.

Dates

From:

1 Dec 2024to23 Dec 2025Various Opening Times

From:

24 Dec 2024to26 Dec 2025Various Opening Times

From:

27 Dec 2024to1 Dec 2025Various Opening Times

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on Premises
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
- Wi-fi available
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1546 reviews
Fratelli Belfast

Belfast

Address

60 Great Victoria Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT2 7BB

Telephone
+44 (0 )28 90 310862

info@fratellibelfast.com

Type

Type:

Restaurant

Fratelli Ristorante, Pizzeria & Bar oozes rustic Italian charm with a contemporary edge. Fratelli welcome guests into a family friendly, informal environment where the focus is on simple yet quality cookery and a warm welcome
Special Offers
- Mother's Day Dining at Fratelli
  £49.95 per adult | £17.95 per child
  Treat Mum to a special day filled with delicious food & family fun. Enjoy a sumptuous 4-course meal, complete with a refreshing glass of Prosecco for Mum. While you sit back, relax, and savour your meal, the little ones can channel their inner chef, creating their own pizza masterpieces, and enjoy face painting and balloon modelling, everything needed for a fun-filled family afternoon.
  Book Now
  More offers like this - Experiences & Attractions
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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
28 reviews
Mary And Martha’s Vintage Tea Room

Ahoghill

Address

4 Main Street, Ahoghill, County Antrim, BT42 1JY

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 2587 1932

mashcroft@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Tea Room/Coffee Shop

Mary and Martha’s Vintage Tea Room in Ahoghill have a choice of great quality food, whether that’s breakfast, lunch or just a snack. All cakes, tray bakes, sausage rolls and savoury treats are home baked and their afternoon tea is very special!

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
53 reviews
The Dancing Goat Cafe

Carrickfergus

Address

Carrickfergus Urban Farm & Garden Centre, Elizabeth Avenue, Carrickfergus, County Antrim, BT38 7UY

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9332 9492

angela@kilcreggan.org.uk

Type

Type:

Café

Located in the grounds of Carrickfergus Urban Farm, The Dancing Goat Café is a not-for-profit Social Enterprise offering work opportunities to adults with learning disabilities, providing high quality and healthy breakfasts, lunches & sweet treats.

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
113 reviews
The Garden Restaurant at Ballygally Castle

Ballygally

Address

274 Coast Road, Ballygally, Co Antrim, BT40 2QZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 2858 1066

dm@bgc.hastingshotels.com

Type

Type:

Restaurant

The Garden Restaurant situated within Ballygally Castle Hotel has the character and charm you would expect of a 17th Century Castle.

More Info
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1547 reviews
AM:PM

Belfast

Address

38-44 Upper Arthur Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 4GH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9024 9009

arthurstreet@ampmbelfast.com

Type

Type:

Restaurant

The combination of bohemian elegance, sumptuous cuisine and unparalleled service make AMPM restaurant one of the best eateries in the city.

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
532 reviews
The Adair Bar & Grill

Ballymena

Address

1-7 Ballymoney Road, Ballymena, County Antrim, BT43 5BS

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 2565 3674

info@adairarmshotel.co.uk

Type

Type:

Restaurant

An extensive menu of fresh locally sourced, quality ingredients served in our spacious, relaxing Grill Bar.

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Licensed
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
- On site parking
- Parking (free)
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
- Wi-fi available