The only thing better than having expertly prepared food placed straight in front of you, is to dine out with a magnificent view of a river, lake or the sea itself.
Any time of the year can provide the perfect opportunity to taste the finest food-with-a-view restaurants Northern Ireland has to offer.
Here are the top 19 restaurants in Northern Ireland to go to for their stunning waterfront views:
17. The Dirty Duck Alehouse, Holywood, County Down
The Dirty Duck Alehouse is placed right on Holywood's esplanade, overlooking Belfast Lough.Mark McCrory, the owner, named the bar and restaurant as a nod to his two decades of importing real cask ales into Northern Ireland, and his ale festival is not much younger. With an indoor and outdoor seating capacity, the clear roof outside gives way to the stars and sun, twinkling against the water of the sea just beyond, an ideal place to dine and drink. Photo: The Dirty Duck Alehouse website
18. The Lighthouse Bistro, Whitehead, County Antrim
Another classic hidden gem, just outside of Carrickfergus sits The Lighthouse Bistro offering brilliant clear waters and spectacular sights of the sea. The building itself was built in 1874 and served as a navigational beacon for over a century before eventually becoming a restaurant in the early 2000’s it eventually became the Lighthouse Bistro.Maintaining and embracing its iconic history is at the heart of this coastal delight, but don’t fret, the excellent food and stellar service are also high on the list. Photo: The Lighthouse Bistro via Facebook
19. Roark’s Kitchen Ballintoy, County Antrim
Arguably the most fascinating place to feature on this list, Ballintoy was featured in the popular Game of Thrones series, making Roark’s Kitchen a hotspot for lovers of the hit HBO show. Roark’s Kitchen heavily associates itself with those famous connections, with the majority of its interior centring around a Game of Thrones theme. Apart from the picturesque and historical stone building and walls, the building is halfway between Dunseverick and Kinbane castle on the coast, making this a great place to pop in halfway and soak up the views of the stunning Harbour Road, overlooking a serene body of water. Photo: Chris Hill @ Tourism Ireland via Tourism NI Content Pool
20. Nineteen Thirty Eight, Cushendall, County Antrim
As part of the Cushendall Golf Club that formed in 1937, Nineteen Thirty Eight has thrived in the village with stellar reviews and charming scenery. The view is truly breathtaking with Cushendall’s iconic mountains and horizon of the sea stealing the show, the calmness accentuating the beauty of nature. The beach right beside the building really makes this a brilliant place to dine with a tasty meal, before opting for a relaxing stroll in the sand. Photo: Nineteen Thirty Nine via Facebook