The 10 Best Restaurants In Lisburn, Northern Ireland

The chefs at Café Vic-Ryn have become experts at serving award-winning meals from their humble location in The House of Vic-Ryn. Come to this cafe for a classic fry-up for breakfast, a fresh-made sandwich for brunch, or one of the cafe’s delicious scones with a hot cup of coffee. Enjoy the fresh-tasting food served in generous portions. The restaurant is bright and clean, and staff treat everyone with the same warm friendliness. Jump in the queue with the crowd of regulars because this many people can’t be wrong.

Ed’s Bar & Grill is an American-style diner that is a perfect fit for families. The restaurant has a retro vibe, and kids are offered Nintendo consoles for entertainment. The diverse menu includes burgers, steaks, and Mexican cuisine, and all at a reasonable price. Come to this quirky establishment for a quick bite before a film (the restaurant offers a deal for half-price cinema tickets) or for a comfort food binge. Try the chicken goujon stack, breaded chicken goujons served with salad, coleslaw, and Ed’s Chunky Chips. Despite the American theme, local favourites still reign supreme, like the roast chicken dinner with homemade stuffing, mashed potatoes, mini roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, cocktail sausages, and vegetables smothered in gravy.

Square Bistro is another quirky restaurant that has become extremely successful with the locals in Lisburn. The restaurant’s theme nights are especially popular, curry on Wednesday and Thursday, seafood on Friday, and live music on Saturday. Head chef and proprietor Stephen Higginson shows his love of creative and well-made food with each freshly prepared dish. Try the pan-roasted fillet of bass served with fennel, mussel, tarragon, potato, and shellfish bisque, or try a tender steak served with vegetables, onion rings, and fries. Reservations are recommended.

At Spice, guests will find high-quality Indian cuisine with an upscale ambiance. Some customers say the authentic fare holds nothing back in regard to spice levels, so only order what you know you can handle. The contemporary decor is the perfect setting in which to enjoy beautifully presented meals. Taste the fresh ingredients in one of the chef’s recommended dishes, like the nail gosht, a lamb shank marinated in spices and cooked with onion, tomatoes, and the chef’s special masala with green pea pilau rice. The restaurant is always bustling, so reservations are recommended during prime dining times.

This café is a tiny hidden gem buried in Lisburn’s side streets. Though small, it is an excellent place to stop for fresh ground coffee and a mouth-watering breakfast. The low priced and generously portioned breakfasts are served all day long. Take a seat outside or enjoy your meal in the homely, quirky ambiance inside. Fry-ups are served in a multitude of sizes including ‘bellybuster’, and they each include some variation of the classic fixings of eggs, toast, bacon, sausage, beans and more.

Gowdy’s is a country pub conveniently situated next to Down Royal Race Course that serves food from noon til night. The family-friendly pub has a children’s play area, complete with two bouncy castles, a football net, swings, and a life-size chess board. The gorgeous outdoor patio is a great place for parents to sit on sunny days to keep an eye on their children. The interior is cosy with walls of exposed brick and worn wood. The menu features consistently tasty pub options presented in beautiful displays for customers. Head in on a Sunday for a filling roast.

Blue Chicago Grill specialises in recreating classic American dishes like fried chicken and barbecue. The interior is decorated with throwbacks to classic diners, complete with funky lighting and fun colors. Burgers and milkshakes also make an appearance on the American-inspired menu, but all of the diner fare is upgraded to look and taste like gourmet cuisine. Blue Chicago is located directly across from Lisburn’s Omniplex Cinema, so guests can grab a quick bite before a film. In true American style, the portions are generous, you’d better be hungry.

The Tap Room is a unique restaurant and brewery. Located in a Georgian building called the Hilden House, the restaurant is great for formal affairs. The chefs serve fresh, modern Irish cuisine in the house’s converted stables, a wonderfully cosy atmosphere. A small menu places the emphasis on quality over quantity, fresh, seasonal produce and inventive recipes take precedence. Enjoy al fresco dining out in the courtyard, or eat your meal indoors in front of the fire. Try the Finnebrogue venison served with winter vegetables or the sirloin steak and chunky chips, and don’t miss the latest craft beers on the extensive drinks menu.

The Speckled Hen is considered the second oldest pub in Northern Ireland, and today, the chefs aim to provide wholesome, traditional meals made with locally sourced produce whenever possible. The atmosphere inside is comfortable and warm, and they now have a beer garden. Whether you’re inside or out, you can drink the beverage of your choice from the fully-stocked bar and choose a tasty selection off the all-day menu, like maple-glazed pork chops, burgers, craft beer-battered fish of the day, and more. The food is served picture-perfect and in generous portions.