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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: 142

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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…

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Facilities

Catering
- Licensed
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
Fire, Feast & Folklore

Newtowncrommelin

Address

15A Craigdunloof Road, Newtowncrommelin, County Antrim, BT43 6RQ

Telephone
+ 44 (0)7857 579710

willowandlore@outlook.com

Type

Type:

Food Experiences

Capture the spirit of the past through Fire, Feast and Folklore, authentic Irish fire side feasts and experiences on this Heritage Farm in the Antrim hills.

Dates

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
The John Hewitt Bar & Restaurant

Belfast

Address

51 Donegall Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 2FH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9023 3768

info@thejohnhewitt.com

Type

Type:

Bar

Located in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter, The John Hewitt first opened its doors in December 1999. The bar is unique in its ownership as it is owned by The Belfast Unemployed Resource Centre.

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Bushmills Townhouse Restaurant

Bushmills

Address

45 Main Street, Bushmills, County Antrim, BT57 8QA

Telephone
+44(0)2820032510

manager@bushmillstownhouse.com

Type

Type:

Restaurant

Enjoy a modern dining experience at The Bushmills Townhouse, where locally sourced ingredients meet Italian flair. Savour light bites during the day, à la carte dinners in the evening, and hearty Sunday lunches in a superb location on the Causeway…

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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.

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1033 reviews
Gillies Grill at Galgorm

Ballymena

Address

136 Fenaghy Road, Ballymena, County Antrim, BT42 1EA

Telephone
+44 (0)28 2588 2590

dining@galgorm.com

Type

Type:

Restaurant

Gillies Grill offers a casual style of dining with menus catering for a wide range of tastes, including brasserie dishes, a grill selection and Asian-inspired creations. Live music in Gillies pub 7 nights a week adds a jovial atmosphere.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Licensed
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
97 reviews
Follow Coffee Co

Ballymena

Address

21-23 Greenvale Street, Ballymena, County Antrim, BT43 6AN

Telephone
+44 (0) 7307 687 968

followcoffeeco@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Café

Good quality coffee and food in comfortable surroundings within the heart of Ballymena.

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Dogs Accepted Inside
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Off site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
709 reviews
Little Wing Pizzeria, Ann Street

Belfast

Address

10 Ann Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 4EF

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9024 7000

info@littlewingpizzeria.com

Type

Type:

Restaurant

At Little Wing we tirelessly search for the finest fresh ingredients which we cook using time honoured methods in our traditional wood stone oven, all served in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
3193 reviews
Mourne Seafood Bar

Belfast

Address

34-36 Bank Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 1HL

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9024 8544

belfast@mourneseafood.com

Type

Type:

Restaurant

Beside Kelly’s Cellars the Mourne Seafood Bar serves fresh local seafood at an affordable price. To ensure freshness they purchase direct from the local ports of Annalong and Kilkeel on a daily basis.

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
551 reviews
Kelly's Cellars

Belfast

Address

30-32 Bank Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 1HL

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 90246058

Type

Type:

Bar

In the heart of Belfast's city centre, this pub has maintained the friendly atmosphere of over 250 years ago. With a long tradition of quality beer and fine food, Kelly's Cellars offers all customers a chance to enjoy the perfect pint of Guinness.

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
70 reviews
Katy's Bar

Belfast

Address

17 Ormeau Avenue, Belfast, County Antrim, BT2 8HD

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9032 7007

office@limelightbelfast.com

Type

Type:

Bar

Katy's Bar is at the hub of Belfast's most exciting music venue. In 2012 along with the whole complex the always welcoming Katy's Bar enjoyed a simple, subtle refurb. This was followed by The Rock Garden, a brand new roof terrace.

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Cabaret Supper Club

Belfast

Address

38-42 Upper Arthur Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 4GH

Telephone
02890249009

marketingandpr@cabaretbelfast.com

Type

Type:

Night Life

Step into the lavish embrace of Cabaret Supper Club, where every guest is a star amid the glitz reminiscent of 1920s Hollywood. Immerse yourself in an environment brimming with live melodies, tantalising burlesque, captivating drag performances,…

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Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on Premises
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
- Wi-fi available
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
Arcadia Delicatessen

Belfast

Address

378 Lisburn Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT9 6GL

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9038 1779

info@arcadiadeli.co.uk

Type

Type:

Delis, Food Markets and Farm Shops

As the oldest retail business on the Lisburn road, the Arcadia is a local institution having operated from the same unit since 1933. We at Arcadia pride ourselves in stocking local artisan products and the finest food from across the world,…

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1580 reviews
Coppi

Belfast

Address

2 St Anne's Square, Cathedral Quarter, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 2LR

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 90 311 959

info@coppi.co.uk

Type

Type:

Restaurant

Coppi restaurant, located right in the heart of the buzzing Cathedral Quarter, is Belfast’s first cichetti bacari/restaurant inspired by those found in Venice and named after cycling legend Angelo Fausto Coppi.

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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
2468 reviews
James St.

Belfast

Address

21 James Street South, Belfast, County Antrim, BT2 7GA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9060 0700

hello@jamesst.co.uk

Type

Type:

Restaurant

James St is a casual and contemporary, brick-walled restaurant specialising in chargrilled and aged steaks. The charcoal grill still plays centre stage, cooking not just some of the best steaks and prime cuts Northern Ireland has to offer but also…

More Info
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
- Wi-fi available
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
201 reviews
Sawers Belfast

Belfast

Address

5-6 Fountain Centre, College Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 6ES

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9032 2021

sawersltd@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Delis, Food Markets and Farm Shops

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.

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
5 reviews
Corr's Corner Hotel Lady R Grill Bar

Newtownabbey

Address

315 Ballyclare Road, Newtownabbey, County Antrim, BT36 4TQ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9084 9221

info@corrscorner.com

Type

Type:

Restaurant

An extensive grill menu has something for everyone, from locally sourced steaks and chicken kebabs to grilled fish. Chef's daily specials provide something different.

More Info