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$ | Mourne Mountains |
Venture a few miles south of Newcastle and a 10-minute drive toward Annalong to Head Road where hedgerows are replaced by stone walls to find a 100-year-old traditional whitewashed building that has been refashioned as a cozy café against the backdrop of Slieve Bingian mountain. Set amid the timeless wide-angle landscape of undulating countryside and green fields unspooling to the distant horizon of coast and sea, this is the place for those hungry for scenery as much as tray bakes, sandwiches, and salads. Don't miss the caramel shortbread hot chocolate or Illy coffee, served beside a blazing log fire. In good weather you can sit outside. Breakfasts are served until 3.00pm. Carrick Cottage now also offers summer accommodation in 'glamping' pods sleeping 2-5, from £160 per pod.
The café is often busy with walkers since it is beside one of the main paths leading into the mountains and is a short drive from Carrick Little car park, a major entry point into the hills.
204 Head Rd., Newcastle, Co. Down, BT34 4RJ, Northern Ireland
Known For
- Delicious homemade snacks and cakes
- Illy coffee adds perfection
- Jaw-dropping vistas of mountains and sea
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Thurs. Oct.--Mar.
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$ | Beech Hill |
Part restaurant and café, part cocktail bar, part French-style patisserie, Primrose overlooks the Quay and is all raves from Derry foodies. Main courses may include roasted cod loin with parsnips and butter sauce, bacon loin with choucroute, pulled pork, or haddock with buttermilk batter, best washed down with local craft beers such as Northbound's Oak Smoked Beer from their Campsie brewery near Derry. Their "scratch" bakery—so-called because all breads and cakes are made fresh from scratch every day—produces scrumptious desserts such as lemon meringue pie, carrot cake, or gluten-free lemon and blueberry drizzle cake. The high-quality patisserie is famed for such delights as strawberry and white chocolate scones or treacle tart.
2 Atlantic Quay, Derry, Co. Londonderry, BT48 7NR, Northern Ireland
Known For
- Roasted cod loin
- Lemon meringue pie
- Sensational pastries and tarts made from scratch
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$ | West Bank |
Starting life as a street food truck, PNP is now a full-service restaurant (with a liquor license) but is still serving up its authentic street-food dishes such as Legenderry, Veganderry, and Jalapeno burgers. Long bare bulbs hang over rough-hewn tables made with thick wooden scaffold planks and 1960s reclaimed school chairs. The kopa oven spits, sizzles, and confers a distinctive smoky barbecue flavor to marinated grass-fed wagyu steak, fish kofta, or pork chop with sides of potato rancheros, tortillas, or salad. Squid, masa chicken, baja fish, and cauliflower all come under the tacos menu wrapped up in the best of local produce in what is possibly Derry's coolest spot.
57 Strand Rd., Derry, Co. Londonderry, BT48 7RT, Northern Ireland
Known For
- Classic street-style burgers
- Squid tacos
- Charcoal-grilled whole fish
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
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$ | Central District |
Halfway down a narrow lane is the 19th-century Morning Star, one of the city's most historic pubs, first built as a coaching stop for the Belfast-to-Dublin post. There's a traditional bar downstairs and a cozy velvet and wood-panel restaurant upstairs serving locally sourced food. On the menu you might find venison and game in winter, lamb in spring, and grilled haddock or roast Antrim pork in summer. Also notable is the steak menu; you'd be hard-pressed to find a larger assortment of aged cuts, and they are enormous: sizzling steaks, some up to 42 ounces, arrive at the table in red-hot cast-iron skillets and are served with a flourish by the friendly staff.
17–19 Pottinger's Entry, Belfast, Co. Down, BT1 4DT, Northern Ireland
Known For
- Grass-fed beef from family farm
- Local mussels
- Artisanal breads
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$ | Central District |
“Say nothin' till ye see Claude," was a famous old Derry saying in the days when Claude Wilton, a solicitor and civil rights campaigner represented all classes and creeds. Although he died in 2008, his name lives on T-shirts in this central, bike-theme café. Chicken is used in a dozen different ways from cajun and chili to tikka. Meal deals are great value while paninis are extremely popular with customers and you can also make up your own tortilla wrap or try one of their baked potatoes with a salad filling, accompanied by a specialty tea or freshly roasted Segafredo Italian coffee. Bikes and jerseys hang on the wall; those on two wheels are even encouraged to drop by and receive some air in their tires. While you're enjoying your coffee, log on to one of their computers or just browse a copy of the Derry Journal, a paper that has been reporting the news for 250 years and is the essence of the city.
4 Shipquay St., Derry, Co. Londonderry, BT4 86DN, Northern Ireland
Known For
- Full Irish breakfast
- Freshly roasted Segafredo coffee
- Homemade Irish stew
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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In this atmospheric, whitewashed coaching inn dating to 1642, noted for its architectural merit, exposed oak beams, stone floors, and a large open fireplace testify to the antiquity; the Snug bar top was crafted from timbers of ships wrecked in Lough Foyle. On the menu, solid traditional dishes dominate—fish from Ardglass, chargrilled steaks, burgers, chicken, and spring lamb. The best-selling craft beer is Maggie's Leap, an India Pale Ale from the Whitewater Brewery brewed with American, Australian, and New Zealand hops and packed with citrus flavors. Back in the mists of time, it was a member of the same Denvir family who gave his name to a small settlement in Colorado, later modified to Denver. The six spacious guest rooms retain the old inn's character, with original wooden floors, mahogany sleigh beds, and pristine white linen. Live music in the bar mixes traditional Irish with old classics on weekend nights.
14–16 English St., Downpatrick, Co. Down, BT30 6AB, Northern Ireland
Known For
- Massive Irish fry-ups
- Signature cheese toasties
- Beer garden
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$ | Cathedral Quarter | Coffee
In a world of behemoth coffee chains it is heartwarming to find an independent store with a funky vibe serving freshly ground beans from plantations in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Guatemala. Right in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter, this unpretentious café with its minimalist surroundings, communal wooden tables, and cement floor attracts a crowd of MacBook and smartphone lovers, as well as those gasping for a caffeine hit. Most popular are filter coffees, and the barista's choice may include espresso tonic with lemon and lime, or honey, cardamom, and cortado. Nourishing bowls of honey and coconut porridge are served until noon, while buttermilk pancakes, salt beef sandwich, or bubble and squeak are on the lunch menu. A tempting array of ever-changing snacks includes flapjack, cornflake cookie, or cinnamon swirl. Sunday is pie and drip day featuring apple crumble, peanut butter fudge, or cherry pie.
A place to linger where latte art has risen to a new level---but be aware that food service stops at 3, by which stage the café can resemble a computer lab.
54 Hill St., Belfast, Co. Down, BT1 2LB, Northern Ireland
Known For
- Espresso filter coffee
- Luxurious cinnamon swirls
- Cool place to hang out
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$ | Central District |
Great-value portions of burgers, steaks, lamb shank, fish, and Caesar salads are dinner favorites at this popular city-center brasserie that has chalked up over a quarter century satisfying the Derry palate—it's rumored that the first cappuccino in the city was served here. The lunch dishes may include seafood chowder or the delectable chicken melter, made up of cheese, tobacco onions, and bacon with Mexican spices. Fitzroy's frequently has specials, including half-price meals on Monday and Tuesday (excluding bank holidays) and 30% off the rest of the week on all food and drink—check the website for the latest offers.
2–4 Bridge St., Derry, Co. Londonderry, BT48 6JZ, Northern Ireland
Known For
- Firecracker burgers
- King prawn linguine
- Thyme and mushroom risotto
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$ | West Bank |
If you feel like a treat, several dozen colorful flavors of ice cream including chocolate, honeycomb, mint, and Ferrero Rocher are available at Joe Jackon's bustling city center café. Belgian waffles, crepes, muffins, apple tart, and other snacks are served during the day along with shakes, smoothies, or sundaes such as the Shoeless Joe or MoJoe. Lavazza Italian coffee comes with a free mini cone.
15 Ferryquay St., Derry, Co. Londonderry, BT48 6JA, Northern Ireland
Known For
- Delicious ice-cream range
- Waffles and crepes
- Novel vegan and vegetarian offerings
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$ | Golden Mile |
Hearty eaters adore this long-standing institution, which has served fish-and-chips for more than 100 years, and now serves wine and local beers with food. The completely basic Athol Street premises, close to the city center, welcomes garbage collectors, business execs, schoolboys from the nearby Royal Belfast Academical Institution, and patrons from every sector, who flock here for the secret-batter-recipe fish. They also offer gluten-free fish suppers such as lemon haddock, or fish goujons; you'll also find hamburgers and cheese or chicken burgers. It's the best value in town.
39 Athol St., Belfast, Co. Down, BT12 4GX, Northern Ireland
Known For
- Classic fish-and-chips
- Local favorite
- Best value in town
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
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$ | East Belfast |
Named after a long-forgotten railway station in East Belfast, this casual brasserie has established itself as a calming spot in buzzy Ballyhackamore, where lunchtimes can get crowded. Dishes change monthly, but typical main courses for dinner are burgers, steaks, pork fillet, prawns, lemon sole, and sea bass from Walter Ewing, Belfast's top fish supplier. Weekend brunches include a malted waffle with fruit or bacon and maple syrup, scrambled eggs with Irish smoked salmon, granola with fresh fruit and natural yogurt, or a hot vegan breakfast. Small plates such as duck croquettes or potted crab are an excellent value. The drinks menu includes smoothies and cocktails or a fruity craft beer called Jack the Lad, an Irish pale ale made by the Reel Deel brewery in County Mayo.
229 Upper Newtownards Rd., Belfast, Co. Down, BT4 3JF, Northern Ireland
Known For
- Local Portavogie prawns
- Awesome weekend brunches
- Sunday roast carvery dinner
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$ | Central District |
Living up to its Maori name---Ora means "life"---this airy tapas restaurant specializes in hot and cold small plates such as crab claws, Manchego Caesar tacos, or chicken, chorizo, and buffalo mozzarella fritters. More substantial dishes are spiced glazed pork, braised shiitake, and barbecue mushroom, or a cumin roasted cauliflower curry. Dessert highlights include homemade trifle, baked meringue, and a whiskey crème brûlée. Cocktail lovers plump for Irish Goodbye, made up of Roe & Co. premium-blended Irish whiskey, passion fruit, and soda, and Cocchi Americano, a quinine-laced aperitif wine.
12 Great Victoria St., Belfast, Co. Down, BT2 7BA, Northern Ireland
Known For
- Sharing plates of meat and seafood
- Whiskey crème brûlée
- Great cocktails
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.--Tues.
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$ | |
Creative, moderately priced fare, alongside panoramic views in an elegant setting, attract locals and tourists to this popular restaurant and wine bar complex with multiple venues. The light-filled Mermaid Kitchen and Bar, serving seafood, conjures up a beachside feel evocative of coastal Maine, except you're looking out on Portrush's West Strand (although admittedly Belfast is only 100 km [60 miles] south); the more informal Harbour Bistro serves wood-fired steaks and burgers; Neptune and Prawn, on the other side of the harbor, serves Asian-inspired fare; and the Tourist Restaurant has a Mexican theme with burritos, nachos, and tacos and specializes in pizzas and burgers. At Mermaid Kitchen and Bar, the bountiful produce of the sea stars on the menu, with seven different types of grilled fish including sea bass, halibut, and turbot—all delicious, especially when washed down with a steely Sancerre and accompanied by a North Coast sunset. The best place for views though is their newly opened Basalt, a Spanish tapas restaurant with an outdoor roof terrazza. Its menu name-drops patata bravas, artichoke salad, gold crispy tacos, and even a steak foie gras burger.
Portrush, Co. Antrim, BT56 8DF, Northern Ireland
Known For
- Multiple venues
- Wood-fired burgers and grilled fish
- Sea and sunset views
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$ | Central District |
Housed in an elegant former newspaper building in Belfast's historic Cathedral Quarter, the Northern Whig is spacious and stylish. From Thursday to Sunday evenings, one wall slides away so you can watch a jazz band, or a DJ playing funk and pop. The food is brasserie-style—not astonishing, but good. The environment, wine and gin selection, and cocktails such as Perfect Storm (rum, ginger beer, and Angostura bitters) or French Martini (pineapple juice, vodka, and raspberry liqueur) are the main draws, though.
2–10 Bridge St., Belfast, Co. Down, BT1 1LU, Northern Ireland
Known For
- Brasserie-style food
- Traditional wooden bar
- Cocktails
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$ | West Bank |
Part of a small chain, this flagship café with comfy settes and sofas serves fry-ups and vegan options for breakfast and lunch. Panini, sandwiches, and baps with a choice of soups, salads, and meat fillings, sit alongside caramel squares, snicker cake, and scones freshly prepared by the in-house bakery. It's worth stopping off here to look at the walls featuring huge street maps of Derry as well as posters reflecting its more recent history such as dance halls like the Corinthian ballroom, old signposts, flags, and cultural events. An ideal place to while away half an hour and gaze at the walls inside, never mind the historic walls outside the front door.
8--12 Bishop St., Derry, Co. Londonderry, BT48 6PR, Northern Ireland
Known For
- Excellent range of panini fillings
- Snicker cake
- Easy-going café filled with history
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$ | |
Housed in a lovely building dating to the 18th century, this simple café is worth a visit—not just for the excellent soups, sandwiches, baked potatoes, and similarly light fare—but also because it's the only thatch-roof establishment in the entire county. Full of locals and the sounds of easy banter, it's the perfect place to glean insider knowledge and gossip about the surrounding area.
22 Main St., Belleek, Co. Fermanagh, BT93 3FX, Northern Ireland
Known For
- Rustic cottage feel
- Homemade scones
- Excellent hot and iced coffees
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
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$ | |
Right next door to the Guildhall, the Warehouse constitutes a harmonious commingling of café, bistro, art gallery, and shop—but most come to sample the food. The café's breakfasts include dry-cured bacon and toasted sourdough or Kilbeggan organic porridge with apple syrup; lunch specials may be Rigatoni pasta or grilled Halloumi followed by soothing desserts of Porter cake or macaroons. In the evening bistro expect delicious baked Scotch eggs, Hannan Himalayan salt-aged steaks, Greencastle hake, or pork tenderloin. The gallery features a program of regularly changing exhibitions showcasing the best of local and contemporary art.
1 Guildhall St., Derry, Co. Londonderry, BT48 6BB, Northern Ireland
Known For
- Legendary Scotch eggs
- Hannan steaks
- Terry's orange cheesecake
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$ | West Belfast |
Beside Casement Park—home ground of the Antrim Gaelic Athletic Club—this popular restaurant is just the place to catch your breath after taking a Black Taxi tour of the nearby political murals. The menu focuses on steaks and burgers, but you can also enjoy a wide selection of salads. The cocktail list includes the Wolf (gin, cucumber, and ginger lime) and the Whistle (vodka, limoncello, lime juice, and thyme).
67–71 Andersonstown Rd., Belfast, Co. Down, BT11 9AH, Northern Ireland
Known For
- Rib-eye steaks
- Beer-battered cod and chips
- Foot-long hot dogs
