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: 153

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
940 reviews
Molly's Yard

Belfast

Address

1 College Green Mews, Botanic Avenue, Belfast, County Antrim, BT7 1LW

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9032 2600

Mollysyard@icloud.com

Type

Type:

Restaurant

The restored stables of College Green House off Botanic Avenue are now home to Molly’s Yard restaurant. The site of Belfast’s first (and Ireland’s smallest) micro-brewery.

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
818 reviews
PaPa Browns Grill

Carrickfergus

Address

Marine Highway, Carrickfergus, County Antrim, BT38 7FG

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9336 8889

info@papabrownsgrill.co.uk

Type

Type:

Restaurant

Relaxed colonial-style diner and bar serving an all-day menu, within easy walking distance of Carrickfergus Castle and located on the main Causeway Coastal Route.

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Licensed
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
- On site parking
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
74 reviews
Twilight Coffee

Carnlough

Address

54 - 56 Harbour Road, Carnlough, County Antrim, BT44 0EU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 2888 5510

hello@twilightantrimcoast.com

Type

Type:

Café

Independent coffee shop serving specialty coffee, teas and locally baked treats. Located directly across from the picturesque Carnlough Harbour, offering gorgeous views, comfy seats, and some of the best coffee in the Glens.

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Facilities

Catering
- Dogs Accepted Inside
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
1134 reviews
OX

Belfast

Address

1 Oxford Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 3LA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9031 4121

info@oxbelfast.com

Type

Type:

Restaurant

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.

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
516 reviews
Ben Madigan's Bar & Kitchen

Belfast

Address

169 - 175 Cavehill Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT15 5BP

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9692 2009

info@benmadigansbar.com

Type

Type:

Bar

Join us in Ben Madigans at the foot of Cavehill, belfast home of friendly atmosphere and award winning local food and drink, sure to make you want to stay a while at your new local.

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Facilities

Catering
- Dogs Accepted Inside
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
112 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.

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Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
The Farmshop @ jam at the doorstep

Armoy

Address

77 Ballykenver Road, Armoy, County Antrim, BT53 8RP

Telephone
+44 (0) 7880593492

jamatthedoorstep@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Delis, Food Markets and Farm Shops

I produce my own jams, chutneys, curds, caramel sauce, Christmas puddings & sticky toffee puddings all from my farmhouse kitchen, along with locally made produce. We also have workshops where you can learn how to make lemon curd and jams and more!

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
327 reviews
Marconi's Bar & Bistro at the Marine Hotel

Ballycastle

Address

1 - 3 North Street, Ballycastle, County Antrim, BT54 6BN

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 2076 2222

reception@marinehotelballycastle.com

Type

Type:

Restaurant

The Marine Hotel occupies an unrivalled seafront position in the heart of the Causeway Coast & Glens. It offers an ideal place to relax and unwind; enjoying some of the best Irish hospitality the north coast has to offer.

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Dogs Accepted Inside
Facilities

Catering
- Licensed
Limelight 1 & Limelight 2

Belfast

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9032 7007

info@limelightbelfast.com

Type

Type:

Bar

Established as one of the most famous venues for live music in the country, The Limelight Complex has recently enjoyed a multi-million pound refurbishment. The venue, now encompasses The Limelight & Limelight 2 venues, as well as Katy's Bar.

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The Dirty Onion

Belfast

Address

3 Hill Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 2LA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9024 3712

info@dirtyonion.com

Type

Type:

Bar

The Dirty Onion is Belfast's oldest building, dating back to 1780, the building was used as a bonded spirit warehouse from 1921. It was then known as ‘STACK N’ – a reference to its position on the north side of Waring Street.

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Facilities

Catering
- Dogs Accepted Inside
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
15 reviews
Secret Garden Cafe

Ballymena

Address

Kernohans Lane, Broughshane Road, Ballymena, County Antrim, BT43 7QA

Telephone
07974257627

finance@bigoccasionscatering.co.uk

Type

Type:

Café

The Secret Garden Cafe located in the grounds of Ecos Nature Park in Ballymena operates 7 days a week, providing refreshments alongside hot and cold food.

More Info
Facilities

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

Establishment Features
- Wifi
- Wi-fi available
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
161 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.

More Info