Must-see restaurants in Northern Ireland

  • Pasta with shrimps

    Mourne Seafood Bar

    Belfast

    Hugely popular, this informal, pub-like place is all red brick and dark wood with old oil lamps dangling from the ceiling. On the menu are oysters,…

  • Harry's Shack

    County Londonderry

    Bang on Portstewart Strand beach, this wooden shack has one of the north coast's best restaurants (book ahead for lunch and dinner). Harry's uses fruit,…

  • Pyke 'n' Pommes

    Derry (Londonderry)

    For years Pyke 'n' Pommes POD – a quayside shipping container – has been serving up the best food in Derry; in 2019 chef Kevin Pyke opened this licensed…

  • Eipic

    Belfast

    The finest, seasonal local ingredients are given a creative twist at the flagship restaurant in Michael Deane's portfolio, the Michelin-starred Eipic…

  • Tuk Tuk Too

    County Down

    This Southeast Asian bistro is a surprising find in sleepy Greyabbey, but one well worth visiting. Chef Kelvin was born and raised in Malaysia; his menu…

  • Ocho Tapas

    Portrush

    After living in Spain for 20 years, chef Trudy Brolly opened this authentic tapas restaurant in her hometown of Portrush. Locally sourced and Spanish…

  • Balloo House

    County Down

    Balloo House has long been one of County Down's best restaurants. Casual, modern Irish fare is available in the nook-and-cranny-filled, stone-floored…

  • Watermill Restaurant

    County Fermanagh

    Seasonal Irish fare is given a French twist at this award-winning restaurant in a peaceful lakeside setting. Chef Pascal Brissaud uses produce from the…

  • 28 Darling St

    County Fermanagh

    After working in European and American Michelin-starred restaurants, chef Glen Wheeler has returned to his native Fermanagh to open 28 Darling St. The…

  • McKee's Country Store & Restaurant

    County Down

    On a working 162-hectare farm 5km northwest of Newtownards, this foodie emporium incorporates a bakery, butcher and deli, plus fruit, vegetable and dairy…

  • Ursa Minor

    Ballycastle

    Artisan bakers Dara and Ciara Ó Hartghaile use only three ingredients in their sourdough loaves: flour, water and salt. You can see the bread being made…

  • Primrose Restaurant

    Derry (Londonderry)

    In its chic new Strand Rd premises, Primrose has expanded beyond home baking and brunches. Owners Ciaran (a butcher) and Melanie (a baker) Breslin have…

  • Thatch Coffee Shop

    County Fermanagh

    This cosy little thatched cottage is Belleek's oldest building (late 18th century); the original rafters are visible above an old church bench on the back…

  • Poacher's Pocket

    County Down

    A fresh, contemporary makeover has transformed this roadside pub into a foodie magnet, with a menu that showcases local ingredients like Portavogie prawns…

  • Muddlers Club

    Belfast

    Industrial-style decor, friendly service and rustic dishes that allow fresh local ingredients to shine are a winning combination at one of Belfast's best…

  • Holohan's at the Barge

    Belfast

    Aboard the Belfast Barge, Holohan's is a sensational find for inspired twists on seafood and superb cooking of traditional Irish recipes such as…

  • Bushmills Inn

    County Antrim

    Set in the old 17th-century stables of the Bushmills Inn, this haven has intimate wooden booths and blazing fires, and uses fresh local produce in dishes…

  • Saphyre

    Belfast

    Spectacularly set inside the 1924 Ulsterville Presbyterian Church (behind an interior-design showroom), Saphyre serves some of the most sophisticated…

  • Finegan & Son

    County Down

    Named for the owner and his young son, this light-filled corner cafe serves some seriously good coffee. There are three single-origin drip coffees…

  • Noble

    Belfast

    You'll need to book ahead to secure a table at this tiny restaurant that serves exceptional food. The menu of modern Irish dishes is nothing revolutionary…

  • Hara

    County Down

    Hara gets even the little details right: the wheaten bread is served warm from the oven and the side orders are divine. The menu changes regularly, but…

  • Bia Rebel

    Belfast

    It's worth searching out this understated noodle bar that fuses Japanese ramen with locally sourced Irish ingredients. It takes 36 hours to create a bowl…

  • Bank House

    County Antrim

    Cafe, gift shop, art school and more, the Bank House is a social hub for the residents of tiny Whitehead. Located in a former bank (clue in the name),…

  • Angler's Rest

    County Londonderry

    The best meal for miles can be had in this cosy pub with bench seats, wooden beams and roaring log fires. Local ingredients are treated with great care to…

  • Walled City Brewery

    Derry (Londonderry)

    Housed in the former army barracks on Ebrington Sq, Walled City Brewery is a craft brewery and restaurant run by master brewer and Derry local James Huey…

  • Yügo

    Belfast

    The contemporary styling at this compact restaurant – exposed brick walls, sleek industrial furniture and bamboo lanterns – sets the scene for fusion…

  • French Village Patisserie & Brasserie

    Belfast

    There's an air of sophistication at this excellent brasserie, serving plates like salmon nicoise and pea and shallot ravioli; the home-baked breads are…

  • Old Post Office Tearoom

    County Down

    Once the village post office, this thatched cottage has been lovingly converted into a tearoom and art gallery, with cream plaster and bare stone walls…

  • Il Pirata

    Belfast

    This rustic Italian restaurant is a firm favourite among Belfast's foodies for its flavoursome dishes like duck ragu with gnocchi and Portavogie prawn…

  • Morton's Fish & Chips

    Ballycastle

    Fish and chips don't come fresher: local boats unload their daily catch right alongside this little harbourside hut. The cod, haddock, scallops, scampi…

  • Jolly Sandwich Bar

    County Fermanagh

    This cheery place sells divine baked goods and a wide range of sandwiches to eat in or takeaway. Ingredients include seasonal and local produce. The…

  • Guillemot Kitchen Cafe

    County Down

    Opposite the marina, this snug, sky-blue cafe does excellent all-day breakfasts, gourmet sandwiches, soups and salads, as well as homemade cakes. There…

  • Harry's Restaurant

    Glens of Antrim

    With its cosy lounge-bar atmosphere and friendly welcome, Harry's is a local institution, serving pub grub staples from noon to 5pm, plus an à la carte…

  • Brunel's

    County Down

    At Brunel's, chef Paul Cunningham uses locally sourced and foraged ingredients in his beautifully presented dishes, such as rhubarb-cured Kilkeel salmon…

  • Uluru Bar & Grill

    Counties Down & Armagh

    Aussie-run Uluru brings a bit of antipodean flair to Armagh, with Indigenous art on the walls and a menu that includes Bondi burgers (melted Brie and…

  • Billy Andy's

    County Antrim

    In a bucolic setting 7km southwest of Larne, this 19th-century country pub with open log and peat fires, low ceilings, and live trad sessions on Saturday…

  • Pyke 'n' Pommes POD

    Derry (Londonderry)

    Stop by this quayside shipping container to sample Kevin Pyke's delectable street food: his signature Notorious PIG (pulled pork, crispy slaw, beetroot…

  • OX

    Belfast

    A high-ceilinged space with cream-painted brick and warm golden wood creates a theatre-like ambience for the open, Michelin-starred kitchen at the back,…

  • Tribal Burger

    Belfast

    There's a youthful vibe to this burger joint, with industrial-style decor and spray-painted walls. As well as 6 oz burgers, made fresh daily using local…

  • John Long's

    Belfast

    A wonderfully down-to-earth Belfast institution, this 1914-opened chippie is hidden in an inconspicuous red-brick building adjoining a car park, and is…

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