February 2026
This Month's Mini-Guide
Slow cooking, deep flavours — Kevin McMahon's picks for winter.
Kevin's Picks
Fodder in the Woods
Downpatrick
“Woodland dining at Finnebrogue. The venison is raised right there.”
The Poacher's Pocket
Comber
“Game in season, cooked properly. The pie changes with what's running.”
Balloo House
Killyleagh
“A pub that cooks like a restaurant. The beef and Guinness pie is non-negotiable.”
Wine & Brine
Hillsborough
“Modern Irish cooking from Comber. Everything local, nothing forced.”
Mourne Seafood
Dundrum
“They control their own shellfish beds. You can taste the difference.”
The Cuan
Strangford
“On the shores of Strangford. Watch the water, let time slow.”
Fresh Today
The Artisan Cookhouse
StrangfordLunch: Two courses Dinner: Tasting menu available Comber Earlies in season
The Cuan
StrangfordStarter: Strangford Lough oysters (6) Main: Grilled whole Dover sole, capers, brown butter Pudding: Armagh apple tart with crème fraîche
Mourne Seafood
DundrumToday's catch: Kilkeel crab, Strangford mussels, Portavogie prawns All served with our homemade wheaten bread Chowder always available
Brunel's
NewcastleTasting menu available Friday and Saturday Today: Sea bass, samphire, coastal herbs Pudding: Sea buckthorn curd
The Lobster Pot
StrangfordLobster available today (market price) Monkfish teriyaki Mussels mariniere All served with hand-cut chips
Hara
HillsboroughSet lunch: 3 courses Set dinner: 5 courses All menus follow what's available this week
Wine & Brine
HillsboroughSharing plates available Tonight's roast: Salt-aged sirloin Pudding: Warm apple tart
The Harbour Inn
ArdglassToday's catch: Pollock, scallops, lobster All with our seaweed bread Smoked salmon always available
Daft Eddy's
StrangfordFish & chips Mourne lamb stew Local craft beers on tap
The Harbour Bar
StrangfordFresh langoustines when the boats come in Fish pie daily Craft beers and local ciders
The Maghera Inn
NewcastleSoup of the day Irish stew Fish when available Fire lit from October
The Percy French
NewcastlePies and stews daily Sandwiches all day Walk in, warm up
The Plough Inn
HillsboroughBar menu daily Restaurant Thurs-Sun Sunday lunch
Bia
NewcastleCoffee from 8am Pastries until they're gone Toasties and soups at lunch
The Barking Dog
BangorBrunch 9am-3pm Dinner Thurs-Sat Coffee always
The Buck's Head
DundrumSeafood board Mussels Daily fish Views of the bay
The Glass House
PortaferrySeafood platters Fresh fish daily Sunset from the terrace
Echlinville Distillery
PortaferryTours daily at 11 and 2 Tasting room open 10-5 Light bites available
Copeland Distillery
DonaghadeeTastings by booking Shop open daily Coffee and cake
Rademon Estate Distillery
DownpatrickTours 11am and 2pm Booking required Gardens open for walks
The Boat House
GroomsportTea and scones Crab sandwiches (when the boats come in) Homemade traybakes
The Dirty Duck Alehouse
Helen's BayFish & chips always Chowder in winter Local ales on tap
The Slieve Croob Inn
CastlewellanHearty lunches for walkers Evening meals by booking Local ales and whiskey
The Peace Maze Café
CastlewellanSoups and sandwiches Traybakes Tea and coffee Open park hours
The Poacher's Pocket
ComberSunday roasts Game in season Cheese and wine evening Thursdays
The Cuan Licensed Guest Inn
StrangfordFresh fish daily Bar meals and à la carte Rooms available
The Kilbroney Tavern
RostrevorPie and pint deals Oysters in season Sunday roast
Cloughmore Cottage Kitchen
RostrevorFull fry til noon Soups and sandwiches Traybakes all day
Castle Ward Estate
StrangfordArchery sessions daily Estate walks Tearoom in the farmyard
Tollymore Forest Park
TollymoreCafé at the entrance Picnic areas by the river Wild swimming spots (brave only)
Inch Abbey
DownpatrickNo café – bring a flask Downpatrick 5 minutes away Walk the riverside path
Strangford Lough Kayaking
StrangfordTours by booking Wetsuits provided Pub afterwards (you'll need it)
Balloo House
KillyleaghSet lunch: 2 courses £15 A la carte dinner Sunday roast
Coq & Bull
BangorDinner: Prawns, beef, local cheese Sunday lunch available Afternoon tea by booking
The Rostrevor Inn
RostrevorDaily specials on the board Irish stew always available Live music Saturday nights
The Whistledown Hotel
WarrenpointTasting menu: 7 courses A la carte also available Views across to Carlingford
Fodder in the Woods
DownpatrickWoodland dining experience Fire-cooked sharing plates Estate produce only
Denvir's
DownpatrickBar food all day Restaurant menu evenings Live traditional music Fridays
The Lakeside Inn
DownpatrickSunday roast 12-6pm Bar menu weekdays Lakeside terrace in summer
The Old Post Office
ComberBreakfast 9-11:30 Lunch 12-3 Afternoon tea by booking
The Square Bistro
ComberEarly bird 5-7pm Full menu 7-9:30pm Wine flights available
The Bay Tree
HolywoodLunch specials daily Tapas Tuesday Full menu Wed-Sun
Waddell's Bakery
DownpatrickWheaten bread from 7:30am Soda farls Potato bread Open until sold out
The Poacher's Pocket
ComberBreakfast from 9am Lunch 12-3 Coffee all day Farm shop attached
The Old Inn
CrawfordsburnLunch: Soup and wheaten, ploughman's, fish of the day Dinner: Mussels, Wellington, catch of the day Sunday: Roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, all the trimmings
Winter Dishes
Seared King Scallops
The Cuan, Strangford
Whole Dover Sole
The Cuan, Strangford
Seafood Chowder
Mourne Seafood, Dundrum
Wheaten Bread
Mourne Seafood, Dundrum
Monkfish Teriyaki
The Lobster Pot, Strangford
Salmon & Mussel Rigatoni
The Lobster Pot, Strangford
County Down Cheese
Hara, Hillsborough
Dexter Beef Tartare
Hara, Hillsborough