Hillsborough, Northern Ireland boasts a delicious range of highly rated cuisine. Some local restaurants are Michelin star rated and many others have won awards and are top-rated on Tripadvisor. The food at Hillsborough has an excellent reputation and many visit from afar to enjoy the popular spots.
No matter where you go for food and drink in Hillsborough, you will be spoilt for choice. It’s a popular spot for foodies with its cultural dishes and mouth watering cuisine. Many of the hospitality venues focus on working with local farmers and growers to find the freshest of ingredients, of the highest quality. You can expect fresh seafood and meat dishes that are complemented by seasonal and local vegetables.
Bars also offer traditional music, entertainment and old pubs settings where you can enjoy company and engage with locals in the village. Check out some of these recommendations for the best places to eat and drink at Hillsborough.
Hara
16 Lisburn Street, Hillsborough
Hara is Hillsbourghs’s Micehlin star restaurant. Set in the local village, it produces devine dishes and is described as a reflection of the stunning countryside. The owners work very closely with local farmers and growers, keeping dishes seasonal in order to connect guests with their rural visit and countryside living. The cuisine combines bold flavour and tantalising flavour.
Owners Roz and Andy say, “we hope you enjoy your intimate experience, we look forward to welcoming you!”
The Pheasant
410 Upper Ballynahinch Road, Hillsborough
The Pheasant is a hidden gem that offers incredible fine dining using fresh and local produce. Seafood is a usual speciality and game is sourced from the neighbouring Larchfield Estate. Drinks include handmade cocktails and of course, on draft Guinness. Visitors enjoy excellent food and cuisine and soaking up the friendly atmosphere.
The pheasant provides a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere for guests and can also host small weddings, meetings and celebrations. This bar and restaurant is intriguing and visually stunning with its gothic style. Hunting mural art is displayed and stained glass features harmonise with the secluded, picturesque and tranquil country setting.
Square Bistro
18 Lisburn Square, Lisburn
Square Bistro is a short 10 minute drive from Hillsborough. They provide devine food that creates an explosion of flavour. Their mission is to showcase the very best Northern Ireland has to offer, whilst allowing guests to relax and enjoy the great service and cuisine.
One review described Square Bistro as a “europhia of food”, they have a loyal customer base who sing their praises and look forward to trying each of their dishes. A warm welcome, great food, and an excellent dining experience is what you can expect from your visit to Square Bistro.
The Plough Inn
3 The Square, Hillsborough
If you are looking for traditional pub grub and a cosy bar experience, the Plough Inn is the spot to visit. A famous family owned pub boasting an excellent reputation for hospitality, atmosphere and wonderful food. They have been in business for over 20 years and offer simple, affordable and fresh seafood dishes.
The Plough Inn is famous for its award winning pub grub lunches and fantastic gourmet dining in the highly acclaimed restaurant. The bar is the quintessential “local” traditional pub, providing entertainment, weekly quizzes and live music performances for guests.
Millfarm
12 Dromara Road, Hillsborough
A delicious cafe that embraces the countryside setting. With beautiful stone walls, wooden arches and rural landscapes, Millfarm is a great spot for a tasty lunch and relaxing vibe.
Vegetable patches on site provide seasonal produce and horses roam around the surrounding land. The food is always fresh, delicious and sought after.
Royal Hillsborough Castle Cafe
Hillsborough BT26 6GT
The Royal Hillsborough estate has an onsite patio cafe open to the public. From award winning breakfasts, to stunning and delicious lunches, the Hillsborough cafe is a great spot for soaking up the views and enjoying excellent cuisine.
The Royal Hillsborough Castle Cafe are also proud winners of the 2020 Georgina Campbell Irish Breakfast Award. They source ingredients from the historic Walled Garden, and maintain their reputation for fresh, seasonal menus. Be sure to stop for a refreshing bite when visiting Hillsborough Castle.
Wine and Brine
59 Main St, Moira
A short 10 minute drive from Hillsborough will lead you to the Michelin star rated restaurant in Moira, Wine and Brine. They are known for providing an incredible sensory experience, where your palate will be challenged to enjoy some of the most contemporary trends in dining.
They add culinary excellence with table age-old processes like brining and fermenting, only the most succulent and tender of meat cuts and freshest produce make it to the menu. This is the place to enjoy an intimate dinner, family get-together or business meeting, within a bright, open-kitchen restaurant, or in one of three elegantly comfortable private dining rooms.
The Hillside
21 Main Street, Hillsborough
The Hillside was established 270 years ago in 1752, making it the oldest pub in Hillsborough. It has been called The Hillside throughout its entire lifetime and remains as a treasured spot for locals today.
The bar is known for its rustic vibe and cosy interior. An open fire warms guests and adds to the intimate and relaxing atmosphere. Patrons can also enjoy specialist drinks like the real pump ale as well as craft ciders, lagers and stouts. Traditional music and live performances regularly play, and locals and visitors all have a great time, with great company.
The Hillside restaurant is also very popular for its local dishes that celebrate seasonal flavours. Customers love the classics with a twist and the daily specials that entice the palate. If you’re in Hillsborough, live the history and visit the oldest pub at The Hillside.
The Parson’s Nose
48 Lisburn St, Hillsborough
The Parson’s Nose is a beautifully designed bar and restaurant with an equally beautiful menu. It was originally an elegant Georgian townhouse built by the Marquis of Downshire in the late 1700’s, much of its original features have been restored and the Georgian windows showcase its rich history.
Today it has been transformed into a characterful dining pub boasting a beautifully covered beer garden overlooking the Hillsborough Castle lake. The Parsons Nose is popular for its local brews, pub grub classics, fresh seafood, dry-aged steaks and artisan, woodfired sourdough pizzas. The charming spot has been described as a “little foodie haven in the heart of Hillsborough”.