Dunluce Lodge
Along the coast highway, close to White Rocks seashore, is the model new £16.5million 5-star Dunluce Lodge, set alongside the fourth fairway in lush gardens. Fringed by pine bushes, with views throughout to the uninhabited Skerries Islands, guests can retreat to a rejuvenating spa set in woodlands or take a look at the onsite placing inexperienced designed by golf architect Martin Ebert. The resort’s 35 suites boast outlandishly giant beds, free-standing baths and spacious rain showers, and there’s a wine vault, cocktail bar and relaxed eating room (see beneath). You half count on Sean Connery to walk in donning black tie.
The finest eating places in Portrush
Shanty
This town actually is all about fish. Head to the waterfront Shanty, a easy seafood restaurant in a transformed boathouse, for fats butter-soft scallops with charred pork stomach, cauliflower puree and apple gel, or pearlescent cod, from Kilkeel in County Down, straddling a chickpea and chorizo stew. This is cooking that’s sturdy and hearty: excellent after a windy stroll round the headland.
Address: Old Lifeboat Shelter, Portrush BT56 8AY
Website: shantyportrush.com
Bailú
At Dunluce Lodge’s elegant restaurant Bailú (Gaelic for ‘gathering’), with its tender banquettes and low lighting, acclaimed Fermanagh-born chef Stephen Holland is quietly at the helm. The emphasis is solely on produce from the area, with smoked eel from Lough Neagh, salmon from Glenarm and, for carnivores, an excellent venison loin from County Tyrone, served pink with bitter white cabbage, caramelised macadamia nut and crimson wine jus.
Address: Dunluce House, Dunluce Rd, Portrush BT56 8NB
Website: dunlucelodge.com
Lir
A winner in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2024 UK’s Top New Restaurant Awards, Lir is a necessary cease for foodies, positioned in the outdated Yacht Club constructing on a quiet stretch of the River Bann overlooking Coleraine Marina. Owners Rebekah and chef Stevie McCarry undertake a zero-waste coverage, with each a part of the fish used, from fins to cheeks, livers and throat, in addition to much less in style species like ling and dogfish: distinctive creations embody ling kebabs, hake ‘chorizo’ and cod stomach schnitzel smothered in an unctuous brandy mushroom sauce. Less daring diners will nonetheless take pleasure in the wildly in style haddock tacos or Kentucky fried monkfish burger.
Address: Marina, Lir, 66 Portstewart Rd, Coleraine BT52 1EY
Website: lirseafood.com
Arbor
For excellent espresso and selfmade focaccia sandwiches, stroll twenty minutes from Portrush centre to this artisan bakery on the outskirts of town. Brunch and lunch choices embody a signature smoked rooster membership sandwich full of chive mayo, caramelised onion, parmesan and bacon. And the petite gateaux are objects of magnificence, from the lemon meringue cake to the crimson rose velvet (be warned: they promote out rapidly). Best of all, if it’s chilly, a wood-burner can be roaring.
Address: 39 Magheraboy Rd, Portrush BT56 8NX
Website: arborbakery.net
Ruins of Dunluce CastleGetty Images
What to do in Portrush
Ramore Head