February 2026

This Month's Mini-Guide

Slow cooking, deep flavoursKevin 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

Strangford

Lunch: Two courses Dinner: Tasting menu available Comber Earlies in season

The Cuan

Strangford

Starter: Strangford Lough oysters (6) Main: Grilled whole Dover sole, capers, brown butter Pudding: Armagh apple tart with crème fraîche

Mourne Seafood

Dundrum

Today's catch: Kilkeel crab, Strangford mussels, Portavogie prawns All served with our homemade wheaten bread Chowder always available

Brunel's

Newcastle

Tasting menu available Friday and Saturday Today: Sea bass, samphire, coastal herbs Pudding: Sea buckthorn curd

The Lobster Pot

Strangford

Lobster available today (market price) Monkfish teriyaki Mussels mariniere All served with hand-cut chips

Hara

Hillsborough

Set lunch: 3 courses Set dinner: 5 courses All menus follow what's available this week

Wine & Brine

Hillsborough

Sharing plates available Tonight's roast: Salt-aged sirloin Pudding: Warm apple tart

The Harbour Inn

Ardglass

Today's catch: Pollock, scallops, lobster All with our seaweed bread Smoked salmon always available

Daft Eddy's

Strangford

Fish & chips Mourne lamb stew Local craft beers on tap

The Harbour Bar

Strangford

Fresh langoustines when the boats come in Fish pie daily Craft beers and local ciders

The Maghera Inn

Newcastle

Soup of the day Irish stew Fish when available Fire lit from October

The Percy French

Newcastle

Pies and stews daily Sandwiches all day Walk in, warm up

The Plough Inn

Hillsborough

Bar menu daily Restaurant Thurs-Sun Sunday lunch

Bia

Newcastle

Coffee from 8am Pastries until they're gone Toasties and soups at lunch

The Barking Dog

Bangor

Brunch 9am-3pm Dinner Thurs-Sat Coffee always

The Buck's Head

Dundrum

Seafood board Mussels Daily fish Views of the bay

The Glass House

Portaferry

Seafood platters Fresh fish daily Sunset from the terrace

Echlinville Distillery

Portaferry

Tours daily at 11 and 2 Tasting room open 10-5 Light bites available

Copeland Distillery

Donaghadee

Tastings by booking Shop open daily Coffee and cake

Rademon Estate Distillery

Downpatrick

Tours 11am and 2pm Booking required Gardens open for walks

The Boat House

Groomsport

Tea and scones Crab sandwiches (when the boats come in) Homemade traybakes

The Dirty Duck Alehouse

Helen's Bay

Fish & chips always Chowder in winter Local ales on tap

The Slieve Croob Inn

Castlewellan

Hearty lunches for walkers Evening meals by booking Local ales and whiskey

The Peace Maze Café

Castlewellan

Soups and sandwiches Traybakes Tea and coffee Open park hours

The Poacher's Pocket

Comber

Sunday roasts Game in season Cheese and wine evening Thursdays

The Cuan Licensed Guest Inn

Strangford

Fresh fish daily Bar meals and à la carte Rooms available

The Kilbroney Tavern

Rostrevor

Pie and pint deals Oysters in season Sunday roast

Cloughmore Cottage Kitchen

Rostrevor

Full fry til noon Soups and sandwiches Traybakes all day

Castle Ward Estate

Strangford

Archery sessions daily Estate walks Tearoom in the farmyard

Tollymore Forest Park

Tollymore

Café at the entrance Picnic areas by the river Wild swimming spots (brave only)

Inch Abbey

Downpatrick

No café – bring a flask Downpatrick 5 minutes away Walk the riverside path

Strangford Lough Kayaking

Strangford

Tours by booking Wetsuits provided Pub afterwards (you'll need it)

Balloo House

Killyleagh

Set lunch: 2 courses £15 A la carte dinner Sunday roast

Coq & Bull

Bangor

Dinner: Prawns, beef, local cheese Sunday lunch available Afternoon tea by booking

The Rostrevor Inn

Rostrevor

Daily specials on the board Irish stew always available Live music Saturday nights

The Whistledown Hotel

Warrenpoint

Tasting menu: 7 courses A la carte also available Views across to Carlingford

Fodder in the Woods

Downpatrick

Woodland dining experience Fire-cooked sharing plates Estate produce only

Denvir's

Downpatrick

Bar food all day Restaurant menu evenings Live traditional music Fridays

The Lakeside Inn

Downpatrick

Sunday roast 12-6pm Bar menu weekdays Lakeside terrace in summer

The Old Post Office

Comber

Breakfast 9-11:30 Lunch 12-3 Afternoon tea by booking

The Square Bistro

Comber

Early bird 5-7pm Full menu 7-9:30pm Wine flights available

The Bay Tree

Holywood

Lunch specials daily Tapas Tuesday Full menu Wed-Sun

Waddell's Bakery

Downpatrick

Wheaten bread from 7:30am Soda farls Potato bread Open until sold out

The Poacher's Pocket

Comber

Breakfast from 9am Lunch 12-3 Coffee all day Farm shop attached

The Old Inn

Crawfordsburn

Lunch: 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

Curated under the editorial standards of Kevin McMahon.

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