Food & Drink
As well as cooking and entertaining, we love to go out to our local pubs and restaurants, to eat good local produce and enjoy the craic with the locals. Glenarms is a small community with two pubs where you will receive a warm welcome and can enjoy a few drinks with locals and other travellers. Although we have no restaurant, there is a fabulous ‘Tea Room’ in Glenarm Castle, 5 minutes’ walk from Water’s Edge and a number of fantastic local restaurants/pubs a short car journey along the coast we are happy to recommend.
Glenarm Castle - Tea Room and Walled Garden
5 minutes’ walk from Water’s Edge is the historic Glenarm Castle with its famous walled garden, enchanting walks and Tea Room. Open from early January to mid-December. This is a great spot for a lazy afternoon exploring the village and castle estate, enjoying the gardens and relaxing with tea/coffee and cakes. The Tea Room also offers a late evening ‘Bistro’ on selected dates with themed menus using our fantastic local produce – Glenarm Shorthorn Beef, reared on the estate, is now a must have amongst top chefs across the UK and Ireland and beyond and Glenarm Organic Salmon has a world-wide reputation.
Londonderry Arms Hotel
www.glensofantrim.com Tel No – 02828 885 255
In the pretty harbour village of Carnlough less than 3 km from Water’s Edge, the Londonderry Arms offers a choice of ‘a la carte’ or ‘bistro’ food. This is a family owned hotel and the staff work hard to ensure a relaxed atmosphere with good food and entertainment in ready supply. We have a sample menu should you wish to view. We eat here often and enjoy the home cooked food – Pete loves the Chicken Maryland, Jenny thinks having banana and pineapple on a main course is wrong! Jenny loves the Glenarm Organic Salmon and the Crispy Battered King Prawns. There is often live traditional music – we can give them a call for you. Note: the kitchen closes around 20.30 (earlier in winter).
The Thatch, Broughshane
Tel No – 02825 861366
Head inland and over Glenarm Glen to the lovely village of Broughshane (approx. 20 min drive) and you find ‘The Thatch’ pub – a traditional village pub with excellent food. Coming back over to Water’s Edge with the sun setting over the coast is a view not to be missed. Roaring fires in the winter in the pub make for a great atmosphere.
The Little Back Door - Mary McBrides, Cushendun
www.mcbridescushendun.wordpress.com Tel No. 02821 761511. Post Code BT44 0PH
Just a little further up the coast in the pretty village of Cushendun, The Little Black Door above Mary McBrides pub is a ‘must do’ for our guests. Locally sourced fish is their specialty. The pub is currently home to one of the iconic ‘Game of Thrones doors’ – formed from one of the ‘dark hedges’ trees that fell during recent storms. For fans of the show, Cushendun Caves is where sorceress Melisandre gave birth to the ‘shadow creature’ in Season 2.
The Loft @ The Glencloy Inn, Carnlough
Tel No – 02825 861366
In Carnlough, The Glencloy Inn is a traditional Irish pub which has recently refurbished its restaurant and getting positive reviews from our guests. Regular traditional Irish entertainment at weekends in summer adds to the atmosphere. Food served Thursday – Saturday 12.30-20.30.
Matties Meeting House, Cairncastle
www.matties.co.uk Tel No. – 01744 739119. Post Code – BT40 2RL.
Recently awarded ‘Rural Pub of the Year’ and ‘Readers Favourite Restaurant’, Matties is a traditional Irish country pub. The pub is located in the village of Cairncastle approximately 10 minutes’ drive from Water’s Edge, and one mile inland from the seaside village of Ballygally. Thursday night is always live traditional music night … it’s a bit of a ‘jam session’ so bring your instruments and join in the craic!