Needed a spot close to the highway for a bite to eat. Chose The Plough Inn randomly, and we're…read moreglad we did! Charming Irish pub with quite a delectable menu! We were greeted instantly and seated. Ordered a Guinness, of course!. The max and cheese was delicious! Husband said the chicken curry was divine. Great place for some nourishment, whether it be beverage or food! Extensive wine list, as well.

Walked into the Plough and got great service from the start. We ordered our food and ate and the…read morefood was amazing. Some of the best skinny fries I have ever had. I would definitely recommend this place.

On Friday 23rd December 2016 I spent most of the day in Hillsborough Castle for musical rehearsals…read morei.e. the "Come And Sing" chorus who were to perform Handel's Messiah that night in Belfast along with a professional group of early music specialists called Sestina. The rehearsals were held in Hillsborough Castle as part of the "Georgian Family Christmas" tours, held from Wednesday 21st to Friday 23rd December. There were therefore many tourists in the castle in addition to the considerably increased number of musicians on the Friday. We had 90 minutes for lunch and as we could not bring food into Hillsborough Castle, there was a massive influx of people from the castle to the surrounding restaurants at lunchtime. The Plough (directly opposite the castle) was already full when I arrived as one of a group of five people but they directed us to their neighbouring restaurant - The Vintage Rooms (soon to be full also). The food was excellent, in my case a mini baked Camembert followed by a Stilton and broccoli tart, as was my bottled craft beer, McGrath's Stout. There was, unfortunately, the stress of seeing the clock hands turn and turn, knowing that we had to be back in rehearsal at the castle at 2pm but at least we weren't the last to get back. I would certainly like to revisit The Vintage Rooms when not under pressure of time to be somewhere else.

This is an amazing addition to Hillsborough. From the outside it just looks like a tiny little…read morerestaurant but once you step inside you'll find its way more than just that. On entrance you'll spot the Smeg fridge door which leads to the toilets and if you follow this hallway there's some really cool art murals by Visual Waste advertising some of drinks available such as Tanqueray, Absolut & Hop House 13. After the cool door is the deli, with their glossy glass displays filled with mouthwatering cakes, sausage rolls, an array of freshly baked scones, a fridge filled with individually wrapped cheese to buy and traybakes galore you can't miss it and will find it difficult to peel your eyes away from. You can takeaway or dine in. We chose to dine in and as it was sunny picked one of their outdoor tables. The interior design in this place is epic. Our table was made from a huge old barrell and the stool legs from wood used in barells also. Alot of thought has been put into the decor, especially the two bar areas. The lunch menu consists of a selection of small plates, salads and light options. I had the sweet potato fries topped with pulled beef brisket, chili and a fried egg. They were amazing, the egg was perfectly cooked, the fries crispy and the brisket tender with just the right amount of chili. Portion size was perfect. I also had satay chicken wings, these weren't the best I've ever had as the wings had very little meat on them. The satay sauce really worked though with whatever meat there was. I'd definitely recommend this place. It was quite busy when i visited on a weekday so it might be best to book ahead if going at the weekend or busier times. It's connected to the Plough Inn which is also a bar and restaurant and they have another restaurant attached called Simply Seafood. They're located in the main street of Hillsborough close to the entrance to the Fort, so once you've had lots of tasty food you can go walk it off in Hillsborough Forest Park and go visit the swans and ducks.

Not being a huge fan of whetherspoons in Belfast it was really surprising and refreshing to find…read moreone that has a lovely atmosphere and isn't full of drunks! The outdoor seating are is great giving a full view of the lovely Lisburn Square- great for people watching! I popped in here for a much needed pint and a quick bite after a rather vigorous day of shopping, which is easy to do in Lisburn with all the fab shops on offer! Once inside I was really excited by the fact it was Thursday, which meant curry club was in full swing! Of course I took full advantage and ordered a jalfreze which came with rice and pitta bred, poppadoms and mango chutney. I also quickly decided that a quick bite was now a distant thought and proceeded to go for some bhaji's too. Well, you just do don't you! The food was really great and the portions are pretty big in here too! Roll on next Thursday....

I used to live up in this neck of the woods and would have gone into Lisburn fairly regularly for a…read morespot of lunch and shopping, and would have called in here now and again for food. As mentioned previously this is a Wetherspoon's and is really handily located in Lisburn Square. The building is over two floors and is spacious and comfortable. It's never been too packed or loud when I've been in. Food wise, you know what you're getting with Spoons. Gourmet it isn't but you get a good feed for next to nothing so nothing to complain about from me! They have TV's on usually showing sports, and gambling machines if that's your thing! They also have an outside seating area, perfect for all those sunny Lisburn days lol

Once you find Castle Street in Dromore, Boyles Restaurant and Bar is clearly visible the striking…read morepink and green paint ensures that it stands out from its neighbours. Inside, it's definitely one of the most welcoming places you're likely to come across. The rustic scent of logs as they burn strongly in the open fireplace mingles with the enticing smell of hot whiskey. And on a very cold February day, could anyone ask for more? Well, perhaps, some excellent food. And in a kitchen presided over by the great Raymond Murray (formerly Head Chef of H2O in Belfast and Deanes), there's no doubting the food is of the highest possible quality. While Raymond manages the kitchen side of things, Martin Darwin is 'mine host'. His is the welcoming face that greets you as you enter from the cold street. Within seconds, you find yourself sitting beside the roaring fire, toasting your hands. Though of course, you may choose to wrap your hands around one of those afore-mentioned hot whiskeys to take the chill from the bones. If whiskey isn't to your taste, hot tea or coffee does just as well. As you sip, take a look at the menu or indeed, order some nibbles while you do this. There are mixed Italian olives, a selection of home baked breads with tapenade or the ever-popular nachos. I choose a starter of salmon, smoked by the famous Walter Ewing of the Shankill Road. Thick and juicy, it's easy to understand just why his products are raved about. Other starters include a terrine of chicken with onion marmalade, Silverhill Duck in a spring roll or Kilkeel prawns. Mains include poultry, fish, lamb and steaks. And Raymond knows just how to give an excellent choice crisp duckling, roast goose breast with potato and apple stuffing or Lebanese chicken. There's lamb shank or lamb fillet; steaks offer a 20-oz T-bone (for an unbelievable £20.95), sirloin or dry aged Angus fillet. The home cut chips are real potatoes when was the last time you got the real McCoy? Spuds are peeled and thickly cut and taste like chips used to taste. I stayed with fish for my main course. I just couldn't resist the pale smoked Portavogie haddock, served with spinach and mash and topped with a delicate poached free-range egg. A combination of flavours that definitely tickles the taste buds. Martin recommended the house Chablis to accompany the fish, an excellent choice from the exciting and varied wine list. For pudding I choose Raymond's signature dessert, his award-winning iced cappuccino parfait, a delicious confection that really resembles a cup of cappuccino. I can see why it won an award! I then finish off with a Boyles Blend Americano coffee with a smooth Bushmills whiskey just the thing to round off a truly great meal. I felt truly welcome, the restaurant was clean and tidy, the food exquisite, the service efficient and for the quality the price tag was very reasonable. Jeanne Quigley Secretary to the Irish Food Writers Guild 26th Feb 2009 Boyles of Dromore is Open for Dinner from 5pm Tuesday to Sunday and for Lunches from noon Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Loads of on-street and public car parks nearby. http://www.boylesofdromore.com 028 92699 141

Great wee local bar! Nice draft beer and the food is very good! Regularly go here for a great…read moreSunday dinner and a few blonde to wash it down! Also nice crowd goes to it as well!

Pretty Marys gets 5 stars for atmosphere. You can get wine or beer anywhere. However, this…read moreauthentic Irish pub has atmosphere and regulars. Like Cheers, everyone knows your name. This is "the" pub in Moira. Anytime I have been here visiting, i have been here. The dark woods are decadent, and the crowd is ecclectic, since its audience, I am guessing, includes everyone that lives here. I mean everyone. I actually heard the screetch of a toddler. It was 430, and they serve food, so no jusgment from me. Beside is, was a table of three men in their late 20s, with an 80 year old regular. Im in my early 40's (ssssshhhh) and my parents are early 60s. All of us fit in perfectly. The other thing I valued, was that it was busy, but not jam packed. I enjoyed the bustle in there, but I liked that everyone had a seat, and you had to speak up, but everyone can hear each other talk. Volume was perfect for hanging and gabbing. This bar has been a staple here for many years. Check it out if you are in the neighborhood!

I've always put off leaving a review for Pretty Mary's, maybe because I'm enamoured with the style…read moreof the place itself, or perhaps because, prior to lockdown the service and attitude of staff was generally good. A bad plate of food in Pretty's back then was generally rare and staff were diligent and attentive. But my post lockdown experiencing of this establishment has been abysmal enough to force me to put pen to paper. In particular my birthday meal last night. I shall forgo a lengthy tirade over the twentyish year old 'Armand' (Birdcage movie reference) mincing around in shorts and boldly giving me the stink eye for no apparent reason and get straight to the fact that the restaurant knew it was my birthday and made no extra effort whatsoever. Quite the opposite in fact. I ordered the most expensive dish on the menu - ribeye steak, with extra peppercorn sauce and house vegetables. The accompanying side was thick chips. I'm going to suggest that the kitchen staff are relying on all their customers having covid and therefore possessing no taste buds. Because that is the only way people would fail to notice that the whole thing had been cooked in old fat. It is not often I leave a steak, no matter how badly cooked. But that entire meal was inedible and a massive disappointment. If this experience had been a one off, I might not have left such a scathing review, but a few weeks prior I had visited and also ordered the chicken stack and was unable to finish my meal due to the foul taste of old oil covering the whole dish. 'Armand' as we shall call him, also behaved rudely on that occasion as well. So basically, if you like your dinner cooked in almost rancid fat, limp chips and some petty ignorant whelp giving you attitude whilst you sit there paying his wages, go right ahead. Visit Pretty's. The only saving grace I will say the place has, is a very mannerly and friendly waitress. Every time I've been she tries her very best, bless her. (She wore pigtails last night, so if you're reading this pigtail girl, you know who you are). So 'Armand', take some lessons from her. If it was my restaurant, you'd be out on your backside treating paying customers like that!

I was coming back from the Sunflower festival after having packed all our stuff and just had to pop…read morein for a bite!! My wife and I passed The Pheasant every day as we travelled home from the festival. Today I got my chance to pop in...was I in for a treat. The interior decor is definitely period and works really well....check it out!!It has a great location and there is ample car parking. Absolutely superbly decked out inside and staff excellent. I went for the calamari and Caesar salad. When it arrived it was huge and delicious-the Caesar must have been the best (tastiest and creamiest) I've ever had. Calamari cooked to perfection and in a lightly spiced batter (I was expecting more).As a starter it was excellent value and big portion well presented. Will be back for more!!!!

If I could give this place six stars - I would do it in a heartbeat. The food in this place is…read moreAMAZING, and never fails to disappoint. I was lucky enough to have them cater my wedding and the food was outstanding. Nothing was too much trouble for them. We had a beautiful chicken dish with a sweet potato side, and soup also to start, and a trio of mini-desserts to finish. My husband and I were allowed our own meals, I had sushi followed by duck, and he had steak and chips (he is a straighforward kind of guy!) We had an evening with the two sets of in-laws one night when we got to sample a selection of meals in order to choose our wedding menu. I've never felt so spoiled in all my life. The atmosphere was very special, and we were treated like royalty - the chef came out for a chat with us afterwards which was very thoughtful. Food just kept coming, delicious and beautifully presented, which wasn't a suprise considering the chef had recently left a job in the Ivy to come and work here. For our evening buffet they served us gourmet hot dogs and burgers from an open barbeque outside, with carmelised onions and relish - people went back several times! There was a vegetarian that we forgot was coming to the evening do, and they sent down to the restaurant to get her a selection of cheeses and bread - and they never even billed us for it. Angela who looked after us throughout our wedding was cool, calm and collected and made everything run like clockwork. I would highly recommend The Pheasant if you are looking for caterers for an event, and even for a special night out, the restaurant itself is perfect.

Really informative tour with one of the owners and lots of jugs of beer for tasting afterwards…read more We had a meal in the restaurant/tap room bar afterwards which was fantastic! They have a 5-10-5 menu so £5 for starter £10 for Main and £5 for dessert. I had pork belly with mash and broccoli and then sticky toffee pudding ... Amazing !!

This is the most up to date review on the Hilden Brewery Tour as is was yesterday, Friday 17 Feb…read more This tour should be cancelled until they literally clean up their act; the building was stinking, strewn with rubbish and broken glass. The tour guide was stinking too; trousers splattered with muck and finger nails to match! They really did themselves no favours yesterday in terms of PR, and the tour was half an hour late starting. We went from there to Hinch Distillery; sparkling clean, staff in branded clothing, glorious experience in comparison. I like and drink Hilden products but that tour was shameful, no pride in the business or themselves. Also, they don't brew every day so on our visit it was just a big, untidy barn.

This is two places in one! The Cardan referring to the bar and restaurant part and Distil to the…read morenightclub. I haven't been to Distil myself so I cannot comment but the Cardan is great. We popped in here for lunch one day and were pleasantly surprised by the vast menu on offer. The restaurant is very trendy and modern and I imagine its a great place to come for a nice quiet drink. They offer several different menu options- lunch, evening, buffet, sunday and function. We were in for lunch and I went for the salt and pepper squid to start which was perfectly prepared and really well presented and then for my main I had the Chicken goujons with salad and chips which was great and very filling. The chips here I must say are great! Will certainly be back here again! Prices are reasonable with a main setting you back £8-£9.

I've dined here a few times and been impressed every time. They have a great menu and nice…read moreselection of drinks including several craft beers. Not too expensive either for the quality and service provided. The restaurant/bar is fairly casual but with nice modern decor and often showing football/rugby on a few screens throughout. They do a really great Sunday carvery too with all the trimmings. Definitely the best carvery I've come across in Lisburn!

Lovely little pub with friendly staff! The beer garden is…read moredelightful in the summer and the cheese boards available are delicious.

First time at Moira Still House. Would not go back!! Not sure people in NI know what good food is?…read moreThe place was packed but based on what I ordered I'm surprised the food doesn't get more bad reviews! I ordered the 14 ounce ribeye steak, first off the steak was not grilled, it was too rare( ordered medium rare), it was definitely pan fried. And it was more like a steak you would find on a hospital food tray!! It was more the size of a minute steak (def. to 14 ounces). I grew up in the restaurant business and have worked in many fine restaurants over the years, if I were the chef of Moira Still house I would be embarrassed. The only good thing about the meal was the vegetable side that came with the pathetic so called steak!! £22 on a steak dinner that wasn't worth £5. A total bust, don't bother!!!