If you’ve never been to Northern Ireland, you’re missing a trick. The place is a hidden gem. The Nine Glens of Antrim, Causeway Coastal Route, Lough Erne, Lough Neagh, historic cities and welcoming little towns are waiting to be explored.

Alongside the diverse culture and sightseeing, the food and craft drinks scene has really kicked off. In 2016, the Year of Food and Drink in Northern Ireland initiative brought many flocking to see what the gourmet offering of this part of the island of Ireland was all about.

Profiles were raised and the word went out that there was more to this region than just soda farls and an Ulster Fry. Not that they are not valuable contributions to the food heritage of the place – but there’s definitely an upswing of new kids on the block!

There’s still time to go on an adventure in Northern Ireland. Well worth packing your bags for a few days, we reckon.

Here are our top places to stay in Northern Ireland. Places that marry great local food specialities with superb accommodations. What more do you need?!

Places To Stay in ANTRIM

BALLYGALLY CASTLE

Ballygally Castle Hotel located on th

e Antrim coast is an old 17th Century Castle turned comfortable Hastings Group hotel, with fort

y-four well-appointed en-suite bedrooms. The fascinating thing here is the history. If you are a bit of a ghost hunter or fancy your chances at becoming one – there’s no finer place to stay. Originally dating back to 1625, the castle was built by Scotsman Lord James Shaw and his wife Lady Isabella Shaw. Legend has it that when Lady Isabella bore her husband a son, he cruelly snatched the child away from her and locked her in the top of the tower.

She fell to her death from the top of the tower – either from trying to escape to retrieve her son or because she was pushed. We will never know! But ghosthunters come here from all over the globe to detect her presence and they are hardly ever disappointed. There’s a sparsely furnished bedroom perfectly preserved in the turret of the tower, which guests can visit. You can also have a guided ghost tour in the dark of night and even stay there all night if you’re brave enough. We’ve heard tell Lady Isabella’s ghost is very friendly. but you may need a few wee drops of Irish firewater to bolster you for the adventure!

History buffs will love the renovated old Tower House part of the castle and the original bawn wall which surrounds this Scottish style baronial castle. The walled gardens also contain the original castle walls. Bedrooms at Ballygalley are beautifully furnished in keeping with Hastings Group commitment to providing top quality accommodation. This commitment extends to food, with local producers utilised where possible and highlighted on the menu. The sea is right across the road for a brisk stroll after breakfast or before dinner in the Garden Restaurant.

THE STORMONT HOTEL

The Stormont Hotel was originally a ten-bedroom period home bought by Sir William Hastings, now converted to a luxury contemporary dining and staying destination. Situated adjacent to Stormont Castle and Parliament Buildings, this is the hotel of choice for many news reporters, journalists, politicians and VIP’s. But it’s not all about work here. Leisure time activities are part of the offering too. The Stormont is located conveniently to explore the sights of the historic city of Belfast, with all its diversity.

A quick hop, skip and jump on a bus and you’re into the heart of the city in no time. When you come back, dinner at La Scala restaurant is a pleasure. La Scala regularly receives rave reviews from critics so you won’t be disappointed. Retire afterwards to your comfy room with all the amenities and extra touches you need.

EUROPA HOTEL

Another Hastings hotel but this time, situated in the centre of Belfast. The Europa Hotel was the place to stay for many of the news reporters and journalists during the time of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. A media hub with a legendary history behind it. The tallest building in Belfast is easily spotted on the skyline with its bright lettering spelling out the name. We love Europa for its pure, sassy city feel. Grab a few drinks in The Piano Bar as the ivories are tinkled. Enjoy dinner in The Causerie, a contemporary brasserie-style restaurant.

Breakfast is served here for hotel guests and the public, as is lunch and dinner. A modern menu featuring local produce gets our vote, not least for its eclectic style but for its out and out proudness about where the produce comes from. Very popular for pre-theatre dinner with a great value two-course menu served from 4 pm-6.30 pm.

BUSHMILLS INN HOTEL AND RESTAURANT

Good Food Ireland® Food Lovers Choice Award – Northern Ireland

When you think of an Inn, you think of a warm and welcoming bolthole that will cocoon you in comfort. That’s just what you get here. Whilst The Bushmills Inn may be slightly bigger than the description conjures, it has all of the intimacy you’d expect in the traditional sense. From the moment you check-in, highly trained staff make sure your every whim is taken care of in a professional manner. But the team here manage to finely balance that necessary efficiency with genuine Irish hospitality.

There will always be a welcome on the mat. Dining at Bushmills includes The Bushmills Inn Restaurant offering the very best of fresh local produce in a legendary fine-dining offering that whisks you away on a culinary journey of Ireland. Beautifully cooked tender local meats, the freshest fish from the Islands waters, Irish cheese plates and desserts that tempt. After dinner, retreat to The Gas Bar where old fashioned gas lights make the place cosy and the welcome is mighty.

GRAND CENTRAL HOTEL

Located in Belfast the Grand Central Hotel features 300 luxurious bedrooms, three restaurants, conference and meeting room facilities, and is home to the highest bar in Ireland which has superb panoramic views over the city.

Standing gracefully in the hub of Belfast city, this luxury hotel exudes elegance and plenty of warm, local charm and though the hotel is modern through and through, there is a tender nod to the history and heritage of the within its design.   This reference to the region also runs through the hotel’s food and drink offerings which feature plenty of locally sourced produce, which gives you a taste of Northern Ireland.

Visitors have a range of dining options including a rooftop lounge, ground floor Grand Café and the stunning Seahorse Restaurant, which cater for all tastes and occasions.

Local food is championed and you’ll see this across all menus in all the dining areas. The menus change with the seasons and feature dishes prepared with the best of regional produce, meat, poultry, fish and seafood, all of which are artfully presented and served with a smile.

Places To Stay In ARMAGH

KILLEAVY CASTLE STATE

Good Food Ireland® Culinary Haven of the Year Special Recognition Award 2023.

Killeavy Castle Estate is a stylish 4 Star hotel located in the village of Killeavy in the beautiful orchard county of Armagh, easily accessible being ten minutes from Newry City and the Belfast to Dublin motorway.

The hotel is the centrepiece of a 350-acre estate including the stunning Slieve Gullion mountain, extensive woodlands, and a mixed farm with longhorn cattle, sheep, a kitchen vegetable garden and a walled garden providing a fresh harvest of mixed fruit and herbs to meet the chef’s day to day requirements. The current owners, the Boyle family, purchased Killeavy Castle Estate in 2013 and lovingly restored the castle to its former glory.

The values and ethos implemented by Killeavy Castle Estate are prioritised around quality and sustainability and are reflected in the chef’s creations on the menus in the 4 different dining locations available on-site at Killeavy Castle Estate.

The culinary team at Killeavy Castle Estate use the freshest available local and Irish ingredients sourced from the onsite working farm, the Walled Garden and carefully selected local suppliers. Similar to the Castle and the Coach House, the Walled Garden is a fully restored and protected structure. The working farm and the substantial Walled Garden provide a unique resource for the hotel’s fresh food requirements. The menus are flexible and will change frequently depending on what is coming into the season and is available.

Places To Stay In DERRY

EVERGLADES HOTEL

The Everglades Hotel outside the City of Derry captures the typical cool lines of seventies building design. As contemporary today as the day the first brick was laid. An interior refurbishment in current years by the Hastings group has put this hotel in the high-end bracket for comfort and style for today’s discerning guests.

The name of this hotel was taken from the Everglades in Florida and from the inspiration of Alistair Cook’s ‘Letters from America’, which works because the hotel is surrounded by lovely trees and greenery in the private garden. A Buffet Breakfast is served in The Grill Restaurant each morning. Try the Irish Porridge with Bushmill’s Whiskey, Honey and Cream, or County Down handmade Granola or Muesli, Clandeboye Estate natural yoghurt with fresh fruits, and a selection of smoked fish, cheese and cold meats. Browse further and find the real Irish breakfast in all its glory! Lunch and dinner are served in The Grill restaurant. A la carte choices include Rib Eye Steak from 28 days hung local Hereford Beef – totally melt in the mouth and full of flavour from the ageing. The charcoal grill in the kitchen was specially installed – hence the choice of the restaurant name. Country Antrim Dorset Lamb’s Liver, free-range pork chops and other wonderful local meats cooked over the coals are the specialities of the house.

Places To Stay In DOWN

CULLODEN ESTATE AND SPA

Set in a grand 19th-century mansion on 12 acres of grounds overlooking Belfast Lough and the County Antrim Coastline, Culloden Estate and Spa gives you the option of being very close to all this vibrant city has to offer, whilst nestling you in the peace and quiet of private grounds. Culloden was built in 1876 by Mr William Auchinleck Robinson, a former MP. He imported Scottish stone to build the castle-like structure. When he died in 1884, the property was conveyed by his widow to the Church of Ireland.

At the close of the 19th Century, it became the official residence of the Bishop of the Diocese and took on the name of Bishop’s Palace. Much of that character has been preserved for today’s modern travellers to enjoy. Rooms are furnished to five star standards, with every luxury to hand. Dining in The Mitre Restaurant, under the stewardship of Head Chef Paul McKnight, is a veritable feast of local produce in keeping with Hastings Hotel groups commitment to sourcing the best ingredients of Northern Ireland. Getting rave reviews from food writers and critics, as Paul’s experience and style have evolved over years of discipline and practice.