Follow the Bushmills Taste Trail
Please support our local businesses by following The Bushmills Taste Trail, which is a Bushmills Bushmills Association initiative and a key feature of the annual Bushmills Salmon and Whiskey Festival programme.
Bushmills Village can boast a wide range of quality food and drink experiences. Scroll down for a detailed entry for each business.
1. The Bushmills Inn Hotel & Restaurant
The award-winning Bushmills Inn Hotel & Restaurant has been firmly established in the village of Bushmills for over 30 years, although the original coach house and stables dates back close in time to 1608. The AA Rosette Restaurant offers all-day dining and serves the finest dishes using seasonal and locally-sourced produce in an elegant, atmospheric and relaxed setting. As well as fine dining in the Restaurant you can enjoy al fresco dining on the Patio, a choice of gastro pub dishes in the Gas Bar or a traditional Sunday Carvery. For more information, menus and to book a table go to Best Restaurant in Bushmills near Portballintrae | Bushmills Inn
2. Bushmills Visitor Information Centre (VIC)
A range of free local tourism literature covering the Causeway Coast and Glens and Northern Ireland, maps, visitor attractions, events and transport timetables is now a small part of the service offered by this popular VIC. Book experiences: browse the range of local gifts and crafts.
Seasons of the Glens Fine Food Boutique showcases their impressive growing range of local producers and you will have the opportunity to hear the stories behind the produce by talking to .he knowledgable customer service advisors in Bushmills Visitor Information Centre.
3. Lorna's kitchen
Lorna kitchen in the heart of the village is the place to visit for a flavour of traditional north coast food. Lorna heads to her kitchen at the crack of dawn to ensure that customers are served the freshest selection of firm favourites. Freshly baked scones, tray bakes, her legendary fry ‘The Big 1’, made to-order omelettes with your choice of filling are just a few of the popular all-day breakfast options. Classics include Irish stew, warming soups with homemade wheaten bread and a wide selection of sandwiches, paninis, goujons, burgers and much more!
Available to sit-in or take away Lorna’s Kitchen is warm and cosy café with a big heart! If you follow Lorna on socials you will know she announces her freshly baked scones flavours every morning as they come out of the oven! Give Lorna's kitchen a follow for more information on daily specials.
4. Bilberry Mill
Located in the centre of Bushmills, this light and airy café showcasing stunning local art is a firm favourite with its outside tables being one of the hottest seats in town! Bilberry Mill is dog friendly and has a special menu for your furry friends. This hard-working team includes talented bakers that bake a mouth-watering range of delicious bread, savouries, scones, decadent desserts, and tray bakes every morning to enjoy in-house or to take away. Expect a delicious and varied menu of freshly prepared food. Favourites include daily lunch specials, sandwiches, toasties, paninis, burgers, pizzas and all the daytime dishes designed to refuel a trip to the Giants Causeway or recharge the batteries on a lunch break from work or a much-needed catch-up with friends.
Bilberry Mill is the master of invention as they are continually revamping their layout and menu offerings to satisfy their customers. Their varied menu is impressive, and a full, extensive barista-style menu is available, along with a wide variety of hot and cold drinks.
Check out their social pages.
5. Market Square
Market Square is a licensed café restaurant housed in the historic trading market established in 1827. Neil Campbell and his energetic team offer seasonal dishes featuring a range of local produce, many of which are from the Taste Causeway collaborative. A popular breakfast, brunch and lunch venue offering an extensive range of dishes and specials. Reviewers rave about their MSQ Burger, Californian sourdough open prawn and Donegal Benny, to name a few! Market Square is fully licensed and well stocked with local beers, a great selection of wines and a cocktail list ready for Bushmills sundowners!
6. Lily's at The Diamond
Adjacent to the clocktower, Lily’s superb location offers a bird’s eye view of the village from its cosy first floor seating area. Serving a wide range of hot and cold beverages, breakfast, lunch and sweet treats such as freshly baked scones, tray bakes and pastries. A firm favourite with locals and visitors, you can pop in and choose your preferred filling for your sandwich, toastie or panini to enjoy to take-away or sit-in.
7. Carletons confectionary & newsagents
An essential stop on the ‘Bushmills Taste Trail’ is Carleton Newsagents & Gift Shop for their very own but handmade ‘Carleton of Bushmills rock’ as well as essentials, a huge range of confectionary, crafts, gifts, Bushmills memorabilia, gift hampers and a really interesting selection of magazines including a number of top angling publications such as’ Salmon & Trout’.
8. Kane Family Butchers
This third generation family butcher is located just off the Diamond area but serve customers province-wide with its efficient delivery service. They offer a breathtaking range of quality produce with great deals and packages in store, through their online shop and social media posts. The shop is stocked with a range of local produce, including Bushmills own Dundarave estate preserves.
9. GLASSES FRUIT & VEG/GRANNY JEANNIE'S KITCHEN
An attraction in itself, Glass’s has been running since 1986. This family run business has what most villages yearn for, a traditional fruit and veg shop where you can hand pick what you want and how much!! In today’s world of plastic and food waste it is a joy to shop at a traditional store. You will also find fresh baked goods, jams and preserves and salted ling!
If you ventured towards the back of this incredible shop you will discover a new addition to the Bushmills cafe scene - Granny Jeannie's Kitchen which serves delicious freshly baked goods and an epic fry amongst other great value dishes including home-baked quiche and salads
10. The Bush House Bar
The Bush House Bar, with its quaint front bar area and back room snugs, retains the traditional feel of this friendly public house. The beer garden is popular when the sun is out, and the open fire is popular for hot Bushmills whiskies when the weather turns.
Live music is a key feature of what to expect during a visit to The Bush House Bar. If the jukebox isn't in full flow, you can enjoy live music from a selection of talented musicians and vocalists, including Pub Landlord Karl 'Spud' Smith.
11. The Bushmills Meat Centre
The Bushmills Meat Centre is another interesting stop. This local family farm butchers have been selling a quality range of their own farm reared meat for over 30 years. The Laverty family also champion the best of the area with a full range of local food heroes such as a Bushmills Banquet favourite Broighter Gold rapeseed oil, a large range of bakery produce, home-baked pies from their own lamb and beef and all the condiments to encourage customers to produce a feast for their families and friends from scratch.
12. The Designerie
The Designerie is a shop, creative hub, workshop, and community destination, selling handmade products from Northern Ireland and Ireland. its core purpose is to grow the creative industry and promote creativity within the community, using it to build relationships and connect people. The Designerie has a dedicated Taste Causeway retail area stocking a wide range of produce and are also a stockist of the Taste Causeway book “Recipes and Stories.”
13. McConaghy's Ice Cream & Souvenir Shop
McConaghy’s is another Bushmills institution stocking traditional souvenirs including beautiful Aran knitwear, and Irish Linen, gifts and award-winning ice Morelli’s ice cream. Julie and Tommy also showcase delicious whiskey edible gifts including Irish Whiskey fudge and Irish Whiskey Marmalade are always popular.
14. MAEGDEN
Cheese, cheese and more cheese might draw us in but does not adequately cover what the magical Maegden offers. It truly is a proper cheesemonger. Their stunning counter showcases the best of Irish farmhouse cheesemaking - from Northern Ireland’s Young Buck to Co Cork’s St Gall - with some excellent Scottish and English cheeses added in to the mix. This bustling space is surrounded by shelves filled with enviable larder ingredients and unique artisan products, all individually hand-picked by owners, Emma and Jo, for their quality, authenticity and integrity - the ethos which is very much at the heart of all Maegden offers. The menu includes their infamous grilled cheese sandwich selection, sweet treats and snacks, and incredible speciality coffee. A visit to Maegden is an experience in itself and a must-stop if visiting Bushmills.
15. Finn MacCools Public House & Guest Inn
One of the oldest taverns in the village, records show the building was operating as an inn in 1803 although the Deeds go back to the 1700's. It continues to welcome visitors from all over the globe and the bar is popular with locals and tourists alike.
16. North Coast Pizza
The much anticipated North Coast Pizza open their doors in May 2022 and quickly became a favourite for their extensive range of pizza’s whether they be off-menu or bespoke. They also offer doughballs, sides, dips, cookies and dessert pizzas. loaded fries. They offer a delivery service and regular post competitions and mouth watering dishes. Check out their socials.
17. Tartine at Distller's Arms
The Bushmills Salmon & Whiskey Festival is one of our favourite events of the year and the Tartine at Distillers Arms team are proud to contribute to this local food and drink celebration.
As part of the Taste Trail they will be serving their award-winning Seafood Chowder. They will be open for lunch on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th with a selection of Salmon and whiskey-themed dishes, drinks and Cocktails. (Booking in advance recommended)
Catch up with Gary Stewart over the Bushmills Salmon and Whiskey weekend with his Chef demos and award-winning product tastings. Pop by Tartine on Friday afternoon (6th) where you will have the opportunity to taste and buy the multi award winning Distillers sauce range between 12.30 pm and 2.00 pm. Gary is hosting the Dine around Bushmills on Friday evening (Sold Out), and you will find him at the Sharvagh House Cookery Theatre on Sunday 8th October 2023 showcasing his skills. His award-winning Seafood Chowder can be purchased from their dedicated Chowder stall on Sunday 8th as part of the Naturally North and Glens Artisan Market.
18. OLD BUSHMILLS DISTILLERY
Old Bushmills Distillery is home to the world’s oldest licensed distillery and some of the finest Irish whiskies in the world.
Over the festival weekend the team of Old Bushmills Distillery guides – the Whiskey Educators, will be running tours which can be pre-booked.
See first-hand how the craft of whiskey- making and the living history of our grain-to-glass processes. Experience the impressive sights and rich scents of each stage from mash tun to pot still to barrel. Complete your tour in the 1608 bar to taste for yourself the culmination of more than 400 years of expertise and innovation.
Times and pricing are detailed on the festival programme.
Bushmills Taste Trail preview with Gary Stewart
The Bushmills Taste Trail returns for the Bushmills Salmon and Whiskey Festival weekend, 6th - 8th October 2023. Join Gary Stewart, award-winning Chef, Producer and Patron of Tartine, at Distillers Arms for a whizz around the village to see what was featured last year.
FESTIVAL ORGANISERS - CC&GBC Events team
This event is managed by Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council and is subject to change. To avoid disappointment, keep a close eye on the Council's socials in case of programme changes or cancellations. Bushmills Banquet and associates are volunteer members of the Bushmills Salmon and Whiskey Planning Group and cannot be responsible for programme changes or modifications. We hope you all enjoy this fabulous food and drink festival!
