My Gourmet Guide to the Causeway Coast
An accredited Slow Food destination in Northern Ireland
If you follow me on social media, you’re probably heard me waxing lyrical about Northern Ireland. I just love it there and am so inspired by the outstandingly good food and drink scene.
I’ve just returned from my latest trip to the Causeway coast - Northern Ireland’s north coast, home to dramatic scenery, World Heritage sites and some truly fantastic food and drink. So much so, that Slow Food have even given it accreditation as a destination for its exceptional food and drink.
Here are some of my top recommendations if you’re planning a stay or passing through.
Where to eat
Ursa Minor is a totally favourite for an amazing breakfast, brunch, lunch or tea and perhaps even an evening wood fired pizza, if dates align. This is a truly outstanding artisan bakery producing exceptional bread and baked goods, sweet and savoury. Their bakes have integrity and creativity at the heart of what they do. They have a true sense of place, using top-quality artisanal ingredients from the Island of Ireland and Great Britain and an unshakeable focus on seasonal produce. Make sure you take an extra shopping bag to fill up on goodies to take away from their lovely shop to fill your larder.
Lir This innovative seafood restaurant in Coleraine is leading the way in cooking sustainable seafood creatively. It’s in a heavenly spot on the river Bann, which enjoys sensational sunsets and is an absolute delight in every way. The food is so delicious, ingenious and resourcefully conceived and really values their native seafood and those who catch it. Pairing that with seasonal ingredients and funky, imaginative wines, it offers a thoroughly enjoyable experience. This family-owned restaurant has a close knit, talented team, who will look after you with warmth, professionalism and skill.
Bushmills Inn This historic inn has a totally brilliant traditional bar and restaurant, offering a wonderful balance of warm Irish hospitality and luxury that will appeal to anyone who travels in style. The food is really good, featuring many local suppliers and the drinks are very high quality with extensive choice. Breakfast is exceptionally good, again, featuring really great quality ingredients. Staff deliver a warm and professional welcome, and it’s great to see so many impressive and engaged younger members of the team.
Ocho Tapas I was very impressed with the food from Ocho Tapas. I can’t believe how much they make from scratch, given their extensive menu - no mean feat! You can really taste how fresh it all is. The flavours are really fantastic, the provenance of the ingredients is excellent and service is a delight.
The Fullerton Arms is a super-cosy pub, which is a brilliant dog-friendly place to visit for drinks, lunch or dinner. It’s a traditional pub with newly refurbished rooms (to a very high standard, I hear, although I have not stayed there). Head through the intricate Game of Thrones carved door (there are just ten, made from a tree that sadly was lost from the Dark Hedges) to the cosy bar. Many ingredients are sourced locally, and the menu offers hearty pub classics alongside its mussel menu, serving Strangford mussels cooked in a range of appealing guises.
Morelli’s Ice Cream is based in Coleraine and is a local institution. This Italian-Irish business has built its legendary status for it's ice cream parlours and has been in business for over 100 years. It’s still family owned and has won many awards for a whole range of flavours. Check opening hours off-season.
Meat Box in Castlerock is a hugely popular hot takeaway trailer, where people come from far and wide to enjoy Alan’s burgers and loaded fries (they are all enticing, but the chilli was my favourite). Awarded Ulster’s Best Gourmet Burger Specialist, it’s a local hotspot for good quality, freshly cooked burgers with local provenance.
You will find many more suggestions here. I have Arcadia, Kon Tiki, Kiwis Brew Bar and Babushka on my list.
Where to stay
Bushmills Inn not only does good food, it’s a lovely place to stay. This is a traditional hotel with sharp, modern service and is a hugely comfortable and restorative place to stay. Think: quiet luxury. Rooms are huge and well-appointed. Staff are really well trained and engaged, offering genuine hospitality, care and attention. The food is great, breakfast is extremely good and the surroundings are brilliant - you can walk straight out into Bushmills and enjoy everything it has to offer. The trouble will be when you have to leave!
Elephant Rock is a really charming independent boutique hotel in Portrush. It has fantastic seafront views, loads of free parking, really comfortable, luxurious bedrooms that have been recently refurbished and friendly staff. They’ve clearly invested a lot in the rooms, which are decorated using bold colours and are very comfortable indeed, with great bathrooms and lots of lovely touches to make you feel welcome. I haven’t eaten there beyond breakfast, due to travel times, but there is a restaurant offering afternoon tea, cocktails and dinner.
I hope to try Dunluce Lodge next time when it is open.
Food and drink to buy
There are so many brilliant food and drink producers in the area, I just had to list some special products to try and pick up whilst you’re hear, or order online from afar wherever possible:
North Coast Smokehouse for incredible smoked salmon
Taste Joy Peanut Butter
Brighter Gold rapeseed oil
Chestnutt’s Farm milk and Greek-style Yoghurt
The Lamb Van’s fresh lamb and Lamb Ham
Chocolate Manor Chocolates (try their chocolate making experience in Castlerock)
Giants Distillery Basalt Gin, plus local celebrity chef Paula McIntyre’s gin and rum (all are excellent)
Lacada brewery beer and ale
Bushmills Whiskey - tours and tastings are outstanding
Broughgammon Farm - fresh meat and charcuterie, plus a café
Rhee River Organics vegetables
Glenballyeamon eggs
Glens of Antrim crisps
Dundarave Estate preserves
Moyletra Moiled beef - rare and native cattle only found here
Seaview Farm - heritage breed pork and chicken
Dunluce Distillery - coffee, lemon and orange liqueurs
Food and drink experiences
A tour and tasting at Bushmills Whiskey distillery
A tour with Causeway Foodie Tours
A masterclass with Chocolate Manor
Breadmaking classes coming soon to Ursa Minor
Thank you Charolotte, and glad you enjoyed your stay with us. See you soon !!