It’s always a good start to a meal when the atmosphere is so cosy. We love the wee snugs, the whitewashed walls and the dark timbers. The traditional 17th century building might take you back in time, but the food is bang up to date.
Their style is Irish with an international twist. One of the most popular dishes on the menu is as local as it can get, pan-fried fillet of beef flamed with the famous whiskey which gives the Inn and the village its name.
The Dalriada Cullen skink is a reminder of the area’s strong links with Scotland, but there are plenty of tastes of home too, like the Rathlin Island scallops and the Kilhorne Bay crab macaroni.
Desserts are sinfully rich and irresistible. It would be rude not to try their sticky toffee pudding with fresh cream. Just make sure you take a walk on the beach afterwards. Then come back to a malt whisky in the bar which is still lit by gaslight.
They’ve even got a private cinema! It doesn’t get much better than this.
If you’re out for a drive along the Causeway Coastal Route, this is the first eaterie you’ll come across. This award-winning place (the latest is Pubs of Ulster ‘BEST NI FOOD PUB 2012’) has stunning views across Belfast Lough and the County Down hills. You can
go casual in the Café Bar on the ground floor or glam it up a bit in Lanyon’s Seafood & Grill Restaurant on the first floor. Either way, you’re going to eat really well. We had the Lissara duck salad in the Restaurant and the lobster prawn main course. How reassuring is it to see it written on a menu that the fish selection may change depending on the local catch?
The vegetarian choices are always imaginative; things like goats cheese wellington and halloumi with cous cous. Leave plenty of time to enjoy your meal in this place. They purposefully don’t do “fast food”. Everything is cooked fresh to order and is more than worth the wait.
Great outdoor terrace too, perfect for sipping a drink while gazing at the Lough. Just a pity we weren’t there the day actor Sam Neill (The Omen) launched his Two Paddocks wine. He said the view was “one of the best anywhere in the world from a restaurant”!
We love how this restaurant got its name. It was built on the site of a former barnyard. Get it? It’s been going strong since 1988.
Expect to feast on local delicacies like King Scallops from Strangford Lough with cauliflower puree and a herb pea dressing and seared venison steak with honey roast parsnips and juniper jus. These are classic flavours that always work and they know it.
The Twosday menu is a great idea. The choice of dishes changes weekly and the cheapest is free. It’s the type of stuff you would make at home but it’s cheaper and blissfully easy to get it here.
Think spaghetti Bolognese, chicken curry and cottage pie. Lots of people have their wedding receptions here and it’s great for conferences too.
From barnyard to brilliant!
For flying visits and much more.
You’ve probably flown past it a hundred times on your way to Belfast International airport but have you ever stopped to think what’s inside the Ballyrobin Country Lodge Hotel?
You may be in for a surprise! Not only does this centuries old building ooze as much homely charm inside as it does out, brand new modern bedrooms have added unexpected chic with boutique comfort and style. All bedrooms and the public areas have wifi access for our residents completely free of charge.
As for the food? You’ll have to travel a long way to find food as good. Whether it’s a hearty breakfast, a bite before your flight, a business lunch or a special occasion, Balllyrobin’s mouthwatering gastro menu is worth checking in for alone! The perfect venue for an intimate wedding or private dinner.
Ballyrobin Country Lodge takes great pleasure and pride to source our fresh menu content from the local farming communities. From Ewing’s fish to Silver Hill duck, Lisnaskea chicken to locally sourced vegetables and potatoes.
Head Chef Jim Mullholland and his team have spent considerable time and effort to ensure our customers receive the best quality of produce whilst supporting the local economy.
See what you’re missing today at Ballyrobin Country Lodge- Just minutes away from Belfast International Airport and easily accessible to all major routes in Nothern Ireland.
You might have known this place as the Rajput. It’s been a feature of the Lisburn Road for the past thirty years. It’s been revamped and funked up but the food is as authentically good as ever. This is a family-run business and eating here feels like coming home.
They closely guard those secret recipes for those amazing curries. They grind their own spices and their Indian chefs are classically trained. This is the real deal.
The night we were there, the place was packed. It’s obvious customers love that authentic Indian flavour but the atmosphere is also a big draw. They’re a really friendly bunch. We had Lamb Rogan Josh and Chicken Dopiaza. Yummy, but what really blew us away was the naan bread. It was the best we have ever tasted. They make their own kulfi too.
Why not try their takeaway menu? Fab Indian food to your doorstep and free naan with every 3 main courses. We like!
Gosh, this place is stylish. It’s big and bold and brash and we love it. Those three massive granite statues were once kept at the Communist Headquarters in Prague and were rescued from certain destruction after the fall of communism there.
It’s not a case of style over substance, though. Head Chef Rick Orr and his team are very serious about food. The menus are carefully planned in accordance with the seasons and the ingredients are sourced locally. Think grilled salmon with chive, fennel and garlic potato cake and a lemon and butter sauce.
They take their drink as seriously as their food. The cocktails are designed and served by award winning staff. Just to thing to linger over as you look out those stunning floor to ceiling windows.
