Food & Drink in County Down

Where to eat and drink in County Down

In recent years celebrity chefs like Paul Rankin and Michael Deane have done a lot to boost Northern Ireland’s food and drink credentials. So successful have local efforts been that Northern Ireland was named 'Best Food Destination' at the prestigious International Travel and Tourism Awards in London in 2018. While many of their restaurants have made Belfast a culinary hotspot, their influence and that of others is felt across the country. Nowhere more so than in County Down.

Start at the top with fine dining

Hara in Royal Hillsborough is one of the newer stars on the scene. Taking its name from the hare that runs free across nearby countryside, the focus here is on using the finest locally-sourced ingredients. The menu carefully reflects the season and what’s available locally, and it’s all served up in a minimal, understated dining room.

Local is again the name of the game at Wine & Brine in Moira, where the restaurant offers three dining rooms and an open kitchen-restaurant experience. Combining age-old methods like brining and fermentation with contemporary cooking techniques, every dish and meal here is one to be savoured.

Casual and contemporary

Ashvale Farm Shop is a family run business nestled in the Bailesmills countryside close to Lisburn. Informed by a family farming heritage, the focus here is on casual, home-cooked food served to the highest standards.

Seafood for foodies and everyone

With such a spectacular coastline and so many fishing harbours dotted along it, it’s no surprise that the local seafood is so good.

Mourne Seafood in Dundrum has a phenomenal reputation for delivering one hell of a taste of the sea. One big difference is that they control their own shellfish sourcing and beds, so you can be assured that the ingredients here are second to none. From crispy whitebait to king prawn linguini to fried whole bream, every dish represents the very best the local seas and chefs have to offer. It might be just the place to reward a sub-par round of golf at nearby Royal County Down.

Seafood is also on the menu at Coq & Bull at the Clandeboye Lodge Hotel in Bangor. But alongside locally-caught fish and shellfish, you’ll find an equal emphasis on locally-sourced and farmed vegetables, fruit and meat. As they say themselves, ‘no tricks, no trends, no flimflam’, just good, honest soulful food.

There’s also a seaside influence at Noble in the popular village of Hollywood. But here the ambience is more varied, with simple, hearty dishes. Everything is beautifully plated and served up in a relaxed but very contemporary canteen-style room.

There’s bar food, and then there’s…

Naturally, The Tap Room restaurant at the Hilden Micro-Brewery near Lisburn, features drink as well as food. But the food’s the star in this room, while the drink is doing its thing in the vats, tanks and pipes next door. Although the brewery is Northern Ireland’s oldest, the food served here is nothing but contemporary.

Today, most public houses in County Down offer both eating and drinking options. So when it comes to finding the perfect pub, you might just find the perfect plate all at the same time.

The Maghera Inn in Maghera is just this kind of place. It’s a pub and a pantry with an almost 200-year-old history, but feel fresh and vibrant every time you set foot in it. The very first of Northern Ireland’s world famous linen mills was founded in Maghera in 1736, so it’s unlikely that any of the mill’s linen cloths are still used by the inn’s bartenders. But there’s no harm in asking!

Everyone seems to have heard of Daft Eddy’s on the shores of Strangford Lough. This happens to be the largest sea lough in Britain or Ireland. Which might explain why Daft Eddy’s has such a large following from across and around the bay, and beyond it too. The views are spectacular, and there might be no better place to savour a pint of local or international beer while taking in that expansive view.

Feeling hungry or thirsty now? Just take your pick from these selections or set off and discover your very own personal favourite.

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Number of results: 64

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
11 reviews
NearyNógs Master Craft Chocolate Experience

Kilkeel

Address

Ballymaderfy Road, Kilkeel, County Down, BT34 4SW

Telephone
+44 (0) 7979 867 437

general@nearynogs.com

Type

Type:

Food Education & Experiences

NearyNogs is a small family-run business that produces some of Northern Ireland’s finest, most irresistible chocolate, and they’re ready to welcome you in and show you how it’s made.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Vespers Restaurant

Holywood

Address

Bangor Road, Holywood, County Down, BT18 0EX

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9042 1066

res@cull.hastingshotels.com

Type

Type:

Restaurant

Vespers is one of the finest restaurants in Northern Ireland. It serves modern Irish Cuisine using only the finest and freshest local ingredients.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2024to31 Dec 2024Open 08:00 - 10:30

From:

1 Jan 2024to31 Dec 2024Various Opening Times

More Info
The Parson's Nose

Royal Hillsborough

Address

48 Lisburn Street, Royal Hillsborough, County Down, BT26 6AB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9268 3009

info@theparsonsnose.co.uk

Type

Type:

Restaurant

The Parson’s Nose comes with a pedigree that’s melded into the very fabric of the building.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs Welcome Inside
Catering
- Dogs Accepted Inside
Facilities

Catering
- Licensed
Villa Vinci

Newcastle

Address

31 Main Street, Newcastle, County Down, BT33 0AA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4372 3080

villavinci2008@yahoo.com

Type

Type:

Restaurant

Located in the popular seaside town of Newcastle, on the Co Down coast, Villa Vinci is an established restaurant with a reputation for sumptuous food and exceptional service.

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Hugh McCann's

Newcastle

Address

119 Central Promenade, Newcastle, County Down, BT33 0EU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4372 2487

info@hughmccanns.com

Type

Type:

Bar

Hugh McCann's has a spectacular location opposite Newcastle's new promenade with panoramic sea views. The two hundred year old building is fully restored with antique fixtures and fittings.

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Dogs Accepted Inside
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
413 reviews
Coq & Bull

Bangor

Address

10 Estate Road, Bangor, County Down, BT19 1UR

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9185 2500

brasserie@clandeboyelodge.co.uk

Type

Type:

Restaurant

Good, honest food using the finest local, seasonal produce, wonderfully cooked and presented, matched with a superb wine list. The Coq & Bull is the place to be.

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The Dirty Duck

Holywood

Address

Kinnegar Road, Holywood, County Down, BT189JN

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9059 6666

Type

Type:

Bar

The Dirty Duck situated looking over Belfast Lough, known for their delicious food and cold pints is a great spot to meet with friends and have great times while embracing the beautiful view.

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
666 reviews
Mourne Seafood Bar

Dundrum

Address

10 Main Street, Dundrum, County Down, BT33 0LU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4375 1377

dundrum@mourneseafood.com

Type

Type:

Restaurant

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.

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The Garden Cafe

Downpatrick

Address

1st Floor, Saint Patrick Centre, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6LZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4483 5322

Denise.wilson@stepping-stones.org.uk

Type

Type:

Café

Dine out with a spectacular view at Downpatrick’s only roof top terrace with a stunning garden backdrop.
Enjoy the finest freshly cooked food using the finest local ingredients in Downpatrick’s hidden gem.

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The Cultra Inn

Cultra

Address

Cultra Inn, 111 Bangor Road, Cultra, County Down, BT18 0EX

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9042 1066

Cultrainn@cull.hastingshotels.com

Type

Type:

Restaurant

We pride ourselves on our high standard of food and service. Using only the finest local produce our wholesome menu has been created by our Head Chef, Mark McMahon, to satisfy all your culinary needs.

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
251 reviews
La Scala Bistro at the Stormont Hotel

Belfast

Address

Stormont Hotel, 587 Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT4 3LP

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9067 6021

res@stor.hastingshotels.com

Type

Type:

Restaurant

Make the trip out from the city centre. There is plenty of parking at the La Scala Bistro at the Stormont Hotel. The menu has dishes crammed with prime local ingredients such as Carnbrooke Dexter beef, and Fivemiletown goat's cheese.

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1021 reviews
Pier 36 Restaurant

Donaghadee

Address

36 Parade, Donaghadee, County Down, BT21 0HE

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9188 4466

info@pier36.co.uk

Type

Type:

Restaurant

The Pub On The Pier at Donaghadee, serving tasty bar snacks all day with fresh fish, delicious local beef, pork, lamb and game for lunch and dinner.

More Info
McCartneys of Moira

Moira

Address

56-62 Main Street, Moira, County Down, BT67 0LQ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9261 1422

info@mccartneysofmoira.com

Type

Type:

Delis, Food Markets and Farm Shops

One of the oldest butchery businesses in Northern Ireland being over 150 years established, all this time it has been managed by the McCartney family. All McCartney meats are reared on Northern Ireland farms.

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
101 reviews
Kilmorey Arms Hotel Restaurant

Kilkeel

Address

41-43 Greencastle Street, Kilkeel, County Down, BT34 4BH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4176 2220

info@kilmoreyarmshotel.co.uk

Type

Type:

Restaurant

Our modern style restaurant provides a relaxed environment to enjoy the food for which the hotel is justly renowned. The staff offer a friendly and first class service.

More Info
Wildfowler Inn

Greyabbey

Address

1-3 Main Street, Greyabbey, County Down, BT22 2NE

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4278 8234

info@wildfowlerinn.co.uk

Type

Type:

Restaurant

A former coaching house with a cosy traditional atmosphere and log fire in picturesque Greyabbey, just three miles from famous Mount Stewart house and gardens. Fine food catering for all tastes. Families especially welcome.

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Wine & Brine

Moira

Address

59 Main Street, Moira, County Armagh, BT67 0LQ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9261 0500

info@wineandbrine.co.uk

Type

Type:

Restaurant

Local chef Chris McGowan and his wife Davina have transformed this fine Georgian house into a bright modern restaurant. With an open kitchen in the main restaurant, there are also 2 private dining rooms. Menus change daily and as its name suggests,…

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
29 reviews
Loaf Pottery and Coffee Shop

Bangor

Address

24 Main Street, Bangor, County Down, BT19 1JE

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9185 3340

pottery@loafcatering.com

Type

Type:

Café

Our arts centre features a working pottery with an in house potter, pottery for sale, arts classes and activities for children. While our Café offers delicious artisan wood fired pizza, sharing deli boards and a range of sweet treats.

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
259 reviews
Noble

Holywood

Address

27 Church Road, Holywood, County Down, BT18 9BU

Telephone
+ (44) 028 9042 5655

info@nobleholywood.com

Type

Type:

Restaurant

Noble is a bustling neighbourhood restaurant in the heart of Holywood, County Down. Featuring a changing, seasonal menu and an evolving, exciting wine list. The menu features an array of well-priced dishes that highlight fresh, locally sourced…

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Distiller's Rest Café

Kircubbin

Address

The Echlinville Distillery, 62 Gransha Road, Kircubbin, County Down, BT22 1AJ

Telephone
+44 (0)28 4273 8597

info@echlinville.com

Type

Type:

Café

Enjoy tea, coffee, sweet treats and walking trails at The Distiller's Rest Café on The Echlinville Distillery Estate. Everyone Welcome.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2024to31 Dec 2024Various Opening Times

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs Welcome Inside
Catering
- Dogs Accepted Inside
Facilities

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

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
The Stables Groomsport

Groomsport, Bangor

Address

1B Donaghadee Road, Groomsport, Bangor, County Down, BT19 6LG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9146 1456

info@thestablesgroomsport.com

Type

Type:

Restaurant

The Stables in Groomsport has evolved into one of Northern Ireland’s most renowned gastro bar restaurants along the North Down coast. After a six-month refurbishment, in February 2024 the Carmichael family were thrilled to reopen our doors, inviting…

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Licensed
Facilities

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

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
Establishment Features
- Wi-fi available