Places to Eat around Islandmagee
Islandmagee is a beautiful coastal area on a peninsula, this idyllic location is filled with beaches and interesting nature walks. Once you have tired yourself out with walks, water sports, and maybe even a trip to The Gobbins, you may need a bite to eat. You are in luck as the areas surrounding Islandmagee are filled with great restaurants and bars from Larne to Carrickfergus.
The Rinkha – 5 Minute Walk from Cloghfin Cottage
Looking for an ice cream for those sunny beach days? The Rinkha has been selling ice cream to the people and tourists of Islandmagee for over 100 years. Their secret family recipe for ice cream is still going strong and includes even more delicious flavours than ever. Our favourites are Crème Egg or Turkish Delight flavoured ice-cream at Easter and Grandad loves the Butter Fudge or Rum & Raisin flavours! You can also grab some essentials in their store.
Their café opened in 2013 and has been receiving great reviews ever since, they serve up a range of sandwiches, salads, and, of course, ice cream sundaes.
Location: 55 Middle Road, Islandmagee, Co. Antrim, BT40 3SW. Northern Ireland.
Opening Times Vary but typically:
Spring/Summer
Monday to Saturday 8am – 9pm (10pm from June)
Sunday 9am – 9pm (10pm from June)
Autumn/Winter
Monday to Saturday 8am – 8pm
Sunday 9am – 8pm
The Lighthouse Bistro – 5 Minutes’ Drive from Cloghfin Cottage
The Lighthouse Bistro is a family run, independent restaurant in Whitehead offering award winning food by the sea. For an extra interesting experience try their SUP and Supper event. This exciting evening event takes you on a Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) tour of Whitehead and then provides supper. The Lighthouse bistro is fully licensed and works with independent wine merchants to provide the best wine for your meal.
We just love the chowder at the Bistro and the takeaway option is great too – during lockdown we used to collect our food and walk around the corner to sit on the Whitehead Promenade and eat dinner looking out at the sea – hard to beat!
Inside the Whitehead Railway Museum is Platform 3 Café, the perfect place to relax after a tour of the museum or just to stop by for a coffee. They even offer afternoon tea on occasion. Relax in their antique surroundings and enjoy. The Railway Museum itself is special and definitely worth a peek. Check out the Facebook page for Platform 3 as it is BYO in the evenings and they occasionally have BBQ afternoons or themed evenings involving music or steam train rides which are great fun.
Location: 2 Marine Avenue, Whitehead, Carrickfergus, BT38 9QW
Opening Hours:
Lunch
Wed – Fri
12 – 15
Dinner
Fri 17 – 22
Sat 17 – 22
Castello Italia
In Carrickfergus just a 13 minute drive away from Cloghfin Cottage is Castello Italia. A beautiful Italian restaurant with a Pizzeria, Gelateria, and a bottomless lunch you can book for parties. Their bottomless lunch includes an Italian main and bottomless drinks including Provetto, Mimosa, Aperol Spritz, Birra Moretti, Bellini or Rossini. A great option for spending a special occasion in Islandmagee. And remember … they are walkable to the train station!
Location: 28 Scotch Quarter BT38 7DP
Opening times vary but typically:
Monday – Closed
Tuesday – 12–9pm
Wednesday – 12–9pm
Thursday – 12–9pm
Friday – 12–9pm
Saturday – 12–9pm
Sunday – 12– 7:30pm
The Gobbins Café – 10 minute walk from Cloghfin Cottage
One of the more daring activities you can try in Islandmagee is The Gobbins Footpath, a cliff side walkway stretching 3 miles. The café in their visitor center is known for its Ulster Fry, Ballylumford Baps, awesome soups, sandwiches, traybakes, coffee, and tea. Their menu includes hearty meals made of great local produce including sausages and eggs from Whitehead, and fresh soda and potato bread from Carrickfergus. Menu items named after local landmarks and people include their Wise Guy Fry which will keep you going on your walk.
Location: 66 Middle Rd, Ballystrudder, Larne BT40 3SL
Open 7 days a week, 8:30am – 7:30 pm
Platform 3
Inside the Whitehead Railway Museum is Platform 3 Café, the perfect place to relax after a tour of the museum or just to stop by for a coffee. They even offer afternoon tea on occasion. Relax in their antique surroundings and enjoy. The Railway Museum itself is special and definitely worth a peek. Check out the Facebook page for Platform £ as it is BYO in the evenings and they occasionally have BBQ afternoons or themed evenings involving music or steam train rides which are great fun.
Location: 4 Castleview Rd, Whitehead, Carrickfergus BT38 9NA
Open Wednesday – Saturday (9am – 4pm).
Ownies Bar
This cozy pub was established in 1846 and still has its charms today. It is a perfect old fashioned Irish pub with big helpings – which is appreciated locally! They offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you are just peckish you can enjoy something from their bar snacks menu. Here you can relax by the fire after a great nature walk. They look out over Carrickfergus Promenade so if you were to visit our medieval Carrickfergus Castle and walk the Promendae you will have earned a sit down in Ownies! They also have live music every Saturday night. Just 13 minutes’ drive from Cloghfin Cottage. And remember … they are walkable to the train station!
Location: 16-18 Joymount, Carrickfergus BT38 7DN
Millars Bar
This family and dog friendly pub is a great place to have a meal, relax by their peat fire, and enjoy the views across Larne Lough. They are serving up pub grub classics such as local lobster, lasagne, chargrilled sirloin steak, and breaded scampi. All just 6 Minutes’ Drive from Cloghfin Cottage.
Location: 46 Main St, Ballycarry, Carrickfergus BT38 9HH
Monday – Closed
Tuesday – 4–9pm
Wednesday – 4pm–12am
Thursday – 4–11pm
Friday – 4pm–12am
Saturday – 1pm–12am
Sunday – 1–10pm
Coastal Café & Ice Cream
If you are in need of a Mauds ice cream while staying in Islandmagee Coastal Coffee & Ice Cream is the place to be. Enjoy a sandwich, a fry, or an ice cream in their indoor and outdoor seating. The Coastal Café is in whitehead and is just 6 minutes’ drive from Cloghfin Cottage.
Location: 12 Victoria Ave, Whitehead, Carrickfergus BT38 9QF
Opening Times:
Wednesday – 9am–7pm
Thursday – 9am–7pm
Friday – 9am–8pm
Saturday – 9am–8pm
Sunday – 9:30am–8pm
Monday – 9am–7pm
Tuesday – 9am–7pm
Olderfleet
The Olderfleet started life as a hotel for sailors coming in from the nearby dock, until it was demolished and made into a public house. For the past 20 years a local family have continued to develop and work on the bar to make it a truly great experience for eating and drinking in Larne. Located just 20 minutes’ drive from Cloghfin Cottage and serving up truly great food. Their chef, Pol Shields, has won several awards for his food and specifically his chowder. His chowder was voted best in Ulster. Seriously suggest you book a table to avoid disappointment here and we can personally vouch for the aged steaks!!
Their beer garden is also one of the biggest in Antrim making it the perfect place to soak up the sun in the summer.
Location: 42 Fleet St, Larne BT40 1BA
Opening Hours:
Wednesday – 12–11pm
Thursday – 12–11pm
Friday – 12pm–1am
Saturday – 12pm–1am
Sunday – 12pm–1am
Monday – 12–11pm
Tuesday – 12–11pm