In search of the best restaurants in Ballycastle? Our Ballycastle restaurants guide will make your belly happy!
While Ballycastle is a popular seaside getaway to explore the stunning Antrim coast, it’s also home to plenty of great places to grab a bite-to-eat.
The picturesque little town has a lively food scene with everything from very traditional pubs to fancy (and tasty!) dining experiences up for grabs.
In the guide below, you’ll find our favourite Ballycastle restaurants, with a little bit of something to tickle most tastebuds.
Our favourite restaurants in Ballycastle

Photo left: Nahlik. Photo right: Ballygally View Images (Shutterstock)
The first section of our guide to the best restaurants in Ballycastle tackles our favourite places to eat in Ballycastle.
These are pubs and restaurants that we (one of the Irish Road Trip team) have munched away in at some point over the years. Dive on in!
1. Anzac Bar and Restaurant

Photo via Anzac Bar and Restaurant on Facebook
Welcome to the Anzac Bar and Restaurant, a traditional Irish dining establishment located on Market Street in the heart of Ballycastle.
With wooden interiors, tables, and barstools, the decor at Anzac is quite simple. On the menu, expect to find seafood delicacies, meat dishes, and homemade desserts.
Starters include dishes such as chilli chicken noodles, fish cakes, and monkfish scampi. On the main menu, expect to find options such as hake cooked in prawns and chorizo, and the house salad with Cajun chicken. If you are craving something sweet, try the honeycomb cheesecake or chocolate brownie.
2. The Diamond Bar

Photos via the Diamond Bar on Facebook
The Diamond is a charming Irish pub/bar that offers an extensive menu. Expect to find a range of starters, mains, sweets, beers, and wine.
The fillet steak sandwich is delicious and cooked to perfection. You can also try the Thai green curry or go for the popular seafood chowder.
If planning to visit the Diamond Bar on a Sunday, make sure to order the roast beef with veggies.
3. The Salthouse Hotel

Photos via Booking.com
If you are looking for a memorable dining experience with magnificent views of the Ocean, make sure to pay a visit to The Salthouse (one of our favourite hotels in Ballycastle).
Situated inside the Salthouse Hotel, this fine dining establishment offers an impressive food and drinks menu. Embracing its seaside location, the restaurant offers a range of freshly caught seafood dishes such as roast loin of cod, shrimp, and charred king oysters.
There is no shortage of delicious meat dishes on the menu. Try the medium fillet of Irish beef or order the pan-roasted breast of chicken with Clonakilty black pudding and pancetta sausage. For dessert, I recommend rich chocolate and salted caramel tart.
4. Thyme & Co Cafe & Pizzeria

Photos via Thyme & Co Cafe & Pizzeria on Facebook
Located just a short walk from the beach in Ballycastle, Thyme & Co Cafe & Pizzeria is an award-winning (North Antrim Business Award for Best Eating Establishment) café that focuses on locally sourced homemade foods.
Expect to find exciting dishes such as freshly made sandwiches, homemade pastries, toasted wraps, aromatic soups, and salads. Don’t leave before trying their award-winning wheaten bread.
5. The Central Bar

Photos via Central Bar Ballycastle on Facebook
The Central Bar in Ballycastle is a stylish venue that attracts locals and tourists alike. It has an upmarket bar area, a cocktail lounge, and a chic restaurant offering both local and international cuisine.
On the menu, you will find everything from meat and pasta dishes to freshly caught seafood. The restaurant’s signature seafood chowder is delicious and the steak sandwich is also worth ordering.
After dinner, check out the extensive cocktail menu! If you’re looking for restaurants in Ballycastle for a night our with friends, get yourself here.
6. Our Dolly’s

Photos via Our Dollys Cafe on Facebook
If you’ve read our guide to the best things to do in Ballycastle, you’ll recognise our next spot! If you wish to get your breakfast fix in Ballycastle, look no further than Our Dolly’s.
This lovely café offers breakfast dishes including everything from pancakes, frys, burgers, and tray bakes.
The open club sandwich is delicious and salt and chilli goujons with garlic chips are also great. The café also serves freshly made pastries and cakes.
What tasty Ballycastle restaurants have we missed?
I’ve no doubt that we’ve unintentionally left out some other great restaurants in Ballycastle from the guide above.
If you have any favourite Ballycastle restaurants that you’d like to recommend, drop a comment into the comments section below.
TK
Saturday 22nd of July 2023
Just returned to the states after a couple of weeks in Ballycastle. Loved O’Connors Pub at the center of town. Great food and lots of good chats with the staff and other patrons alike. Would definitely recommend!