There’s even more reason to book a staycation in Northern Ireland this September!
Thanks to the success of the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme, a number of local restaurants have decided to extend their discounts throughout September. The news comes after it was revealed the government scheme accounted for 2,789,000 discounted meals being served across Northern Ireland.
Throughout August anyone eating at participating restaurants on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday enjoyed 50% off their bills, up to a total of £10 per person. The government picked up the tab for the discounts with the overall bill coming to over £16million for the region.
Now, a number of Northern Ireland eateries have vowed to continue with their own form of discounts enabling customers to ‘steak’ a claim for many more nights out, enjoying some of the best cooking and seasonal produce you will find anywhere in the world.
Tourism NI Food and Drink Development Officer, Gary Quate said: “The response from the public to the Eat Out to Help Out scheme was very positive and it is encouraging to see a number of restaurants continue with their own form of discounts this month.
“Northern Ireland is home to some of the best food and drink in the world, and we have some amazing chefs who look forward to welcoming you this autumn. I would urge people to support the whole industry at this time by dining out when they can – by eating out you really are helping out.”
Unlike the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, discounts and participating dates vary by establishment, so please ensure that you check directly before making a reservation.
Discover Northern Ireland has compiled a list of a few restaurants where you can still enjoy excellent food at unbeatable prices to tempt your taste buds:
Belfast
Deanes restaurants across Belfast
Well-known restauranteur, Michael Deane has announced his restaurants will offer 50% off food and non-alcoholic drinks up to £10 per person on Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout September. Participating restaurants include Deanes EIPIC, Deanes Meat Locker, Deanes Love Fish, Deanes at Queens and Deane and Decano.
McHugh’s Bar and Restaurant, Queen’s Square
Dating back to 1711, McHugh’s is the oldest surviving building in Belfast with a proud tradition of great food, drink and craic. Diners can continue to enjoy the great food and drink with McHugh’s discounting 30% off your entire bill (including alcohol) on Monday, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout September.
Mourne Seafood Bar, Bank Street
Visitors enjoy fresh shellfish carefully hand-selected from independently run shellfish beds. Mourne Seafood has been praised by top critics including the Observer Food Monthly Awards and diners can enjoy 25% off all food on Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout September.
Balloo House, Killinchy
A charming restaurant located around the corner from Strangford Lough, Balloo House recognises excellent cooking at affordable prices. Balloo House is set to continue its 50% discount scheme on Mondays to Wednesdays throughout September (up to £10pp). The restaurant is well known for its fresh local seafood, dry-aged steaks and pub grub classics.
The Parson’s Nose, Hillsborough
The Parson’s Nose has announced it will be continuing to offer 50% discounts on food and non-alcoholic drinks on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in September (up to £10pp). The charming restaurant has become a real haven for foodies with everything on the menu from seafood, steaks and fantastic wood fired sourdough pizzas.
Ava Winebar and Bistro, Bangor
Cosmopolitan in style the Ava Winebar and Bistro offers a traditional grill menu and fantastic choice of wine, spirits and cocktails. From Monday to Wednesday throughout September you can select from their dedicated Eat Out to Help Out menu when a main course, sides and soft drinks will cost just £10 per person.
Poacher’s Pocket, Lisbane
This Michelin recommended restaurant offers modern Irish pub food using the finest locally sourced seasonal produce in a restaurant oozing in modern country charm. From Monday to Wednesday throughout September diners can enjoy 50% off their food and soft drinks bill (up to £10pp).
Millbrook Lodge Hotel (3*), Ballynahinch
Nestled in six acres of perfectly manicured gardens and lawns, the Millbrook Lodge Hotel is in the heart of the scenic beauty of County Down on the outskirts of Ballynahinch, en route to the Mountains of Mourne. Diners can enjoy 20% off their food bill on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in September in the hotel’s Gilmore Restaurant.
Uluru Bar and Grill, Armagh
In the heart of historic Armagh city, Uluru has become a favourite with locals and visitors. With inspiration from the Australian BBQ, Uluru has taken the tradition indoors with its secret weapon, the Josper Grill. Regulars enjoy the unique taste it gives to fish, chicken and meat. The 50% discount for diners continues on Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout September (up to £10pp).
The Cheeky Fox, Omagh
The popular Halfway House Bar opened the new Cheeky Fox restaurant just last July, but it is already proving a big hit with diners. The 50% discount for food and non-alcoholic drinks up to £10 per person continues on Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout September. Celebrating the very best in local produce, The Cheeky Fox is a welcoming environment with bright and quirky interiors.
Viscounts, Dungannon
Set in a century-old former church hall building, you will be seriously impressed with its cathedral-style wooden ceiling, gothic stained glass window and medieval ambience. The 50% discount for food and drink up to £10 per person continues on Wednesdays and Thursdays (12noon-8pm) throughout September.
Westville Hotel (4*), Enniskillen
The Terrace Restaurant in the Westville Hotel in Enniskillen offers the best of modern, contemporary cuisine in chic surroundings and features an open plan kitchen, which complements the stylish ambience. Throughout September on Wednesdays only enjoy 50% off up to £10 per person for all food orders between 12 and 9pm.
Ramore, Portrush
One of the best-known restaurants in Northern Ireland, the Ramore has been attracting diners from all over the world to its location at Portrush Harbour. The discounts continue with 25% off lunches and evening meals on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at The Wine Bar, Basalt, The Mermaid, Neptune & Prawn, The Tourist and The Harbour Bistro.
Castello Italia, Carrickfergus
Castello Italia serves a carefully considered selection of authentic Italian dishes and amazing desserts. They make their own artisan Italian Gelato, with unique flavours every week, along with their own breads, ravioli, and pizza. Castello Italia is continuing to offer 50% off food (up to £10pp) from Tuesday to Thursday throughout September.
Kiwis Brew Bar, Portrush
It’s not just all about the beer at Kiwis Brew Bar, although they do serve some of the best artisan brands. The gastropub also serves a great selection of food using the best locally sourced produce. Kiwis Brew Bar is continuing its own Eat Out to Help Out scheme on Mondays and Tuesdays throughout September with food discounted by 50% (up to £10pp).
Derry-Londonderry
Walled City Brewery, Ebrington Square
Located at the end of the Peace Bridge in Ebrington Square this award-winning brew house and restaurant is housed in a historic military barracks. From the food menu, flavours of the North West are at the forefront – from Greencastle Fish of the Day and fish croquettes to McAtamney’s succulent Ribeye on the bone. Discounts apply on Wednesday and Thursday throughout October and November.
Quaywest, Boating Club Lane
Opening its doors in 1999, this restaurant on Queens Quay is set within a 19th-century boathouse. The world fusion menu features dishes from Morocco to Mexico, finishing with a few specialities from closer to home, using the best of locally sourced produce. Enjoy 30% off all food and drink 7 days a week or avail of their stamp scheme (collect 4 stamps and get a meal free).
Please note the discounts being offered at the restaurants are not part of the government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme. This has now ended. These restaurants are offering a range of discounts exclusive to themselves and diners should be aware of this before visiting. Please make sure you check directly with the restaurant before making a reservation.
Is your restaurant or eatery offering a discount this month? Let Tourism NI know by emailing: digital@tourismni.com, and they can add the details to their website. For more inspiration on great restaurants to visit across Northern Ireland, visit https://discovernorthernireland.com/know-before-you-go/eat-out-to-help-out.
