Food & Drink

The Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion is the heartland of fresh produce. Our rolling pastures sweep down to an abundant coastline. As the home of Northern Ireland’s largest fishing fleet and some of the country’s most experienced farmers, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Come and try the freshest ingredients in the Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion.  

Cycle for Your Pint around the Mourne Mountains 

You don’t have to travel far to sample the tastes of our wee country. Jump on two wheels and head on Trails and Ales cycling tour. A fully guided tour, you will sample a select batch of premium ales from Mourne Mountains Brewery while enjoying the majesty of the mountains of Mourne. Each beer is connected to the stops and, as the tour lasts five hours, there is plenty for you to try. Bikes, helmets, refreshments, and guiding are provided; the only thing missing is you.  

Gone Fishing with Mourne Seafood Cookery School 

Everyone loves fresh ingredients but are you willing to catch your own? Go on a giant adventure by joining Mourne Seafood Cookery School’s immersive cookery experience - Catch to Cook. Dine on a selection of fish including mussels, mackerel, cod, pollock, and cooley. Board the ship specifically sailing for you, the PISCES II, and head into Carlingford Lough to taste the best seafood you will ever eat.  

Eat like a local with FoodNI  

Embrace the dramatic scenery of the Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion on a bespoke FoodNI tour. The Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion is home to award-winning restaurants, and some of the top produce in Northern Ireland. Feast on fresh seafood and lovingly reared livestock while learning more about the food from locals. For those who want an authentic food experience, this is for you.  

Hers is a Tonic and Mine is a Gin  

Northern Ireland has many impressive alcohol offerings, shaped by the local waters and centuries of expertise. Nestled on a 500-acre estate, the Rademon Estate Distillery produces the first gin to be distilled in Ireland - Shortcross Gin. Handcrafted, Shortcross Gin has redefined the Irish Gin model. Book a tour with this craft distillery; we hear you even get to sample the products! 

If you like gin, then you will love the Killowen Distillery. Handcrafted at the foot of the Mournes, Killowen Distillery produces gin, whiskey, and Poitín. A perfect place to learn more about the history of alcohol and its impact on Irish culture. Learn why local makers pour out a measure for the faeries as you sample the many traditions at Killowen, just make sure you have a lift home! 

Not everyone likes spirits, but Whitewater Brewery produces some of the most incredible craft beers in the whole of Northern Ireland. Amidst the spectacular Mourne Mountain range, a third-generation farm family began a passion project that has scaled into the Whitewater Brewery. Whether you like pale ales, stout, or a lager, Whitewater Brewery has got you covered. For something a little different, savour the honey notes of their Bee’s Endeavour golden ale. 

A Quiet Pint with a Mountain View 

To experience an authentic 17th Century Coaching Inn, head into the historic heart of Downpatrick, to Denvir’s Coaching Inn. Dating back to the 1600s, the fireplace in Denvir’s has been warming weary travellers for centuries. Enjoy a pint or two, or even something a little stronger.  

Continue your historical pub crawl and head to the Rostrevor Inn where you can have a drink in an 18th Century building that may have started life as a police station and village Gaol. Walk the boards where locals have held ceilidhs for over 200 years. 

For breathtaking views of Strangford Lough, head down to The Cuan in Strangford where you can hear the water lap against the shore as you sip your drink.  

Graze to your Heart’s Content at Fodder Farm Shop & Cafe 

Located in the Finnebrogue Woods, Fodder Farm Shop & Cafe serves warm coffee and fresh meat from the Finnebrogue Estate. With mouth-watering smells of barbecue, grab a burger and walk around the woodland trails and lake.  

Shelter from the elements in one of Fodder’s cosy outdoor teepees. If you have any four-legged friends, they’re welcome to join! Fodder is dog friendly and has play facilities for children. You can even try your hand at bushcraft. 

Nestled in the Montalto Estate grounds, the Montalto Estate Cafe serves traditional, home-cooked meals that are hearty and warm. Combine a tour of the 18th century Montalto House with afternoon tea. Enjoy a walk around their picturesque grounds and refuel with a fresh lunch.  

If it’s divine food you’re after, then The Church in Rostrevor is for you. Housed in a beautifully restored 1900's Methodist Church and just a stone’s throw from Kilbroney Park, you’ll love their contemporary continental fare. Handpicked ingredients are selected by local farmers meaning the menu is always changing. The Church Cafe offers a celebration of local cuisine.  

Looking for a more rustic setting? Head to The Barn in Saul for an idyllic atmosphere and fresh, warm food. Opened in 1911, it was the first tavern in Saul Parish. Over a hundred years later, it’s still one of the best kept secrets in the land of St. Patrick. 

Fine Dining at Brunel’s Restaurant 

Irish cuisine is based on local produce and quality ingredients. Award-winning Brunel’s Restaurant is built on that. In the heart of Newcastle, Brunel’s menu is seasonal, showcasing the best of Irish ingredients. The tasting menu is a journey through the region’s finest produce, including seafood, wild game and hand crafted cheeses. For another seaside favourite, Villa Vinci in Newcastle serves up those offerings with a Mediterranean twist. Head down if you want to be inspired.  

Considered the best seafood restaurant in Northern Ireland, Mourne Seafood Bar has been lauded by international publications like the Observer. It sits right on Dundrum Bay, so your dinner doesn’t have far to travel to your plate. Serving incredible offerings fresh from the water, this is something seafood aficionados don’t want to miss.  

In the historic market town of Castlewellan, Hillyard House is passionate about serving local food and produce. Their restaurant, The Yard, serves culinary delights at the gates of Castlewellan Forest Park. Their beer battered fish and chips uses local Whitewater brews, for a mouth watering Mourne twist on a classic dish. 

Indulge with NearyNógs Stoneground Chocolate Makers 

Love chocolate? Pop into NearyNógs Stoneground Chocolate Makers to see artisan chocolate being made. Northern Ireland’s first bean-to-bar craft chocolate makers, they’re also one of the oldest in Ireland. Their factory has magnificent views of Carlingford Lough and the Mournes. Bring the whole family down for a tour and a feast.  

Eat Local at the Markets 

There is nothing quite like getting local produce fresh from the market. Head down to Castlewellan Fair on the second Monday of every month to get some of the freshest ingredients directly from the producers. Downpatrick Artisan Market is held once a month on a Saturday near Downpatrick Bus Station. Enjoy live music while you meet small scale producers from around the region. Click here for other Artisan Markets in the region.

Newry Variety Market is another weekly market, opening on Thursdays and Saturdays. Embrace the gentle buzz at the heart of Newry City as you explore their delights. Locals flock here for fresh fish and vegetables, and you’ll delight in their many giftware and bric-a-brac stalls. For excellent local produce, Crossmaglen Market is on the first and third Friday each month. Held every other Friday, Crossmaglen market is the place to find antiques and rare vintage clothes. For the catch of the day, look no further than Kilkeel market.