Coastal Coffee in Carrickfergus

I telephoned Coastal Coffee - Mauds Whitehead to ask for two burgers plus a side order of garlic bites. I visited to collect it. You go inside with a mask on to get your meals.The standard burger, if you want, can be dressed - a ring of tomato plus lettuce. You can pick what sauce to be on it. The side order of garlic bites was a very generous portion. The price was a very reasonable nine pound fifteen pence. I was very impressed with someone working there who remained cheerful as someone made them repeat the price of an order twice and then three times over. She didn't hesitate, and stayed cheerful. Top marks on their scores-on-the-doors hygiene rating. Lots of room to park a car on the street outside.

I was impressed. They were busy, but service was swift. I had the mini fry, 5 pieces including sausage, egg and bacon. They had whole leaf peppermint tea, as opposed to tea bags. Lots of tall separator screens in the dining area now.

Still a bit wary of eating out but Coastal Coffee have gone to great lengths to make it as Covid-free as possible. Sanitiser at the door, fewer tables with screen separation, one way system, disinfectant clean down of table and chairs when someone leaves and still an excellent fry.

Visited here after walking the Coastal Path . Very nice place with great staff . Delicious Ice cream and coffee 😋

Brilliant wee cafe. Always busy,Friendly staff, . Good food and affordable prices. Definitely the best place to eat for breakfast

We stopped in here to try some of the famous Mauds ice cream that family have raves about to us. It was a small cafe and the tables seemed very close together but the service was amazing and the portion size was very pleasing. Really enjoyed the wide selection of Mauds ice creams. A very enjoyable experience.

Called on a Friday after 4pm as I fancied a burger and a drink.No hot food as cook had gone home as it was quiet.My friends took ice creams and I had a fanta. I walked to the nearby chippy for a burger and brought it up and eat it to take the edge of my hunger.Great shame about lack of food.

The veggie fry is great, proper pots of tea, excellent service and it's got Maud's ice cream. In short, best cafe in Whitehead (and probably Carrick as well).

Have been to every cafe in Whitehead and this by far is the best. Great food and value for money. Heather and the staff are always very friendly and welcoming. Looking forward to my next fry soon 🤩

I have been twice last week. It is very child friendly, clean, there is a toilet. Very good food for a good price. The kids love that there is ice cream. The decor looks good. My friends and family like it too, because there is always something to eat for the vegetarians or gluten free eaters. The owner is very friendly. I drive up from Carrickfergus just to go to this cafe.

My friend and I called into Coastal Coffee today for some lunch. We both decided on the Ulster Fry with tea. We both were particularly impressed with the freshness of the food, and not a drip of grease in sight! Delicious and very filling. The tea was also brought out in a large pot, this was great as we both had multiple cups out of it. The lady who served us was very warm and welcoming, not to mention very kind and friendly. Nothing was too much hassle for her. If you are ever in the Whitehead area and are looking for somewhere for lunch, I would highly recommend this spot!!

Never been to Whitehead before and decided to take my youngest on a day trip on the train. Last minute, unplanned and so without a picnic, wanted something to eat and discovered Coastal a literal stone's throw from the station when we got there. Pretty standard menu, with something for everyone. My daughter had the kids meal which included a drink and ice cream, while the burger with it was 100% beef, quarter pounder. I had a beautiful large Ulster fry, with everything done just right, not greasy and not dry, cooked fresh and not reheated. Even the tea served with it was done with leaves rather than tea bags.All that for £11!Lovely food and great value!

I reviewed this small cafe quite some time ago when Jonni Lutzman was still chef so I thought I would update now he has not been working here for quite a few months. He and his wife now run lighthouse bistro which I have also reviewed.Coastal coffee is a great little find. Strangely these days Whitehead abounds with coffee shops that do breakfasts etc but and coastal coffee also does lunches plus of course mauds ice creamThe girl that owns coastal coffee has taken it through several incarnations of which this is by far the best. Have they suffered from no longer having Jonni? No I don’t think so - they have always offered the same range of breakfasts and lunches are the simple type where you would pop in for a quick snack so their admirable cooking staff cope perfectly in fact I have to say as far as breakfasts are concerned I think they are absolutely the best locally.I love omelettes but rarely have them as no one seems to cook them right - it’s like scrambled egg - hate them dry and over cooked. Here they are perfect, I don’t even have to ask for it to be cooked as I like it but I do suggest if you like it dryer or a bit wobbly in the middle (!) ask they are not mind readers. Husband likes poached eggs and again they are always perfect.The staff are just lovely - warm chatty and they remember you and often also remember what you generally have. Prices are excellent. It’s less than £11.00 for omelette, poached eggs, toast and large (very nice) Americanos. We were with family recently and had breakfast in a carrick restaurant where I (stupidly) asked for an omelette, asking that it be cooked ‘lightly with the inside just a little moist’ result: dry as a bone and my stupidly comment was because I had experienced exactly the same a couple of months ago. As I recall the omelette alone was about 7.00 so next time I will suggest we go to coastal coffee instead!Thanks everyone - hope 2019 is good for you - you deserve it.

Went to the coast coffee for a breakfast in December. Have been to the other cafe's in Whitehead and unfortunately this one isn't the best in whitehead. Service was good but the food wasn't as good as the other places.

Called in for lunch on fri 4th with my family as I would normally visit with my male biker friends and enjoy the food, My wife and I were really surprised by how busy the cafe was nd the fact that there were only 2 members of staff( one out front serving, clearing tables, making teas/coffees, serving ice-creams ) and the other making all the food. We felt awful for the girl out front having to deal with the bedlam and rude customers, but she was fantastic, kept her cool was super polite and had a smile for everyone of her customers, she explained how being so busy we would have a short wait, she got us lovely tea and refilled our pots when food was served( which was beautifully cooked and well worth the wait). We watched the lovely rapport the 2 staff members have with each other and how they help and support each other, I would suggest the owner have more respect for her staff and understand how hard they work under the stress of being short staffed, I believe the reason it was so busy is because of the customer care given by those 2 girls, well done girls, management beware those 2 will get employed elsewhere once word gets out about them,

I am writing this whilst keeping in mind that deliveries etc may be slightly slower over the Christmas-New Year period but feel that things that we experienced today could have been easily avoided. Friendly enough staff but it seems clear that they need to take a step back and prioritize their customer service.

One of the best around especially for breakfast and coffee at great prices. Unfortunately the sole wheelchair access has been 'fenced off' causing a restriction. Pity as some elderly folk really looked forward to an occasional visit.

I was over the road from here, at a wedding, as a spare photographer. My job was to catch a few before-and-after photos, so during the actual ceremony I was able to join some friends in Coastal Coffee. I had a fabulous £3 sandwich. You get to pic two of this, three of that, build your own combination. I had chicken, crispy bacon, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and all sorts in mine. Mad combination, but I loved it. Had a pot of tea as well. Great place for a snack, or a meal, or a drink, or an ice cream. It is very close to the town's Victorian train station, and just a couple of streets from the seaside.

Called in after a walk to see the local raven patrolling the cliffs. This place is close to the sea front, on the road just over the railway line. Had their rhubarb and apple crumble. Very good. It comes with cream or ice cream, so we chose a scoop of vanilla. Plus tea. Great place for a pit-stop. They do a very different menu on Friday and Saturday nights, with some great restaurant-style choices, and once a month they host their sell-out themed bistro nights.

Tasty freshly cooked food and friendly helpful staff - would certainly recommend for brunch. I had fry and my friend had the omelette which was massive!

I’ve been here many times for their delicious Maud’s ice cream but had never been for dinner until a recent visit. Saturday night steak and chips (plus starter etc) with bring your own bottle. Excellent value, nice homely service, relaxed atmosphere - a bargain.

Had a Groupon voucher for this hidden gem! Never been before, what an excellent experience! Small fry, with unlimited tea! Absolutely delicious cooked breakfast, no grease at all, perfectly presented, tasty, tasty! Service was excellent, very friendly staff, great all round, we will definitely be back! Belfast Tea was really delicious, proper tea leaves! Couldn't recommend this place enough, thank you for a first class experience

This month the 5 'boys' travelled to Whitehead, by train, as it's free. We dined at 10.15am in an almost empty cafe. Orders consisted of 3 x mini frys' at £3.75 each, 1 x ulster fry (double everything, at £4.75 and1 x farmhouse fry (mini fry with hash browns) £4.75. Tea and coffee all round. Can only speak for the coffee which was as good as ever. Fast pleasant service. Some others could take a leaf out of their book. By the time we left cafe had filled with hungry souls eager to order. 50 yards from the station. Think they may be installing a ramp as a hedge has been removed. Don't miss it.

Great stop a short walk from the train station for brunch. Filled sodas freshly cooked are very tasty. Very popular with locals and I can see why. The food is very reasonably priced and very friendly service. The WiFi is free and very fast.

This café turns itself into a bistro on Friday and Saturday nights. It is very popular and booking is required and is a bring your own. The owner and chef is flat out cooking all on his own producing excellent food. Table service is done by one girl and is punctual. The bill at the end of the evening is great value for money.

I called in today to get some lovely ice cream, they stock the famous Maud's ice cream. I got it as a take-away for later. There is a very friendly atmosphere in here; they are always ready for a chat.

Visited on evening of Victorian Fair for Bistro Night, Game Tasting Menu.The cafe was transformed into a candlelight bistro. The waiting staff were welcoming, friendly and highly organized. The food was delicious and beautifully presented, Wood Pigeon, Rabbit and Pheasant were among the dishes I hadn't tried before. There was a lovely atmosphere and the pace the food was served was just right. Thoroughly enjoyable evening.

had breakfast here today - haven't been in for a couple of years and boy what a change. Several friends have had the evening meal (Friday Saturday only) and raved about it so went in to book for tomorrow and decided to have American breakfast (freshly made pancakes maple syrup fabulous sausages, eggs bacon and mushrooms - phew) It was first class. Not only that owner couldn't have been more helpful about tomorrow night. will update review after we have eaten there tomorrow. Very small and limited seating and its obviously getting very well known as no sooner had we arrived than the place filled up, I guess that's the upside and downside of revues like this - its no longer a little hidden gem! well done Heather and team

Went with 3 friends for the Friday night special and we were not disappointed! Although the restaurant was full to capacity service was prompt and polite. Menu was good with 'specials' for both starters and mains. Lovely choice, well cooked and delicious. Added bonus the BYOB was not charged for corkage.

The regular Friday + Saturday night menu had five choices of starter, and six different main meals. A couple of the starters could also be taken as main courses. Added to that for this weekend were a list of specials with three more mains, a kid’s special, and an extra dessert. That’s a bag full of choices. On offer were things like Portugese lemon piri-piri marinated chicken, or fillet of cod with parsley sauce, Irish cabbage and cheesy potatoes Dauphinoise. As you can guess, they have a star chef in for these nights, Joni Lutzman from Finland.

Called in for lunch on thurs 13th with friends on a cold soggy dull day, left with full bellys and feeling wonderful and happy with the care and attention we received from the waitress, we were welcomed with a beautiful smile and lovely conversation, such a delight and heather made us lovely food 10/10 . I can't recommend this place high enough, the same welcome was given to every customer of every age. Perfect wee day

A great crowd was here for one of two special Whitehead Summer Festival events. The other was a Bistro Night, this one was a talk about the famous Bonugli's ice cream parlour in the early 20th century. The talk was very interesting, the speaker Steve Diamond had rediscovered a very interesting family saga. It attracted a capacity crowd, and then some - they had to pull in extra chairs from the decking outside for more people. I had some Pooh Bear Delight ice cream afterwards, which was very enjoyable. They serve the Maud's ice cream brand here. Heather was a wonderful host, letting us stay long after closing time.

I was at a night event in Coastal Coffee. The staff were very good at dealing with unusual numbers of people all at once, and furniture being rearranged. Great response. The owner, Heather, was a star. They sell the Maud's brand of ice cream, and I really liked their American Cookie flavour.

Good value venue with a steady flow of customers. Small Ulster fry and a baked potato with good fillings and salads.The milk shakes here are made with local dairy ice cream and worth every penny. Not like the rubbish ones from McD.

Called in after the main lunch time, stick able to get the lunch special super portion of scampi and chunky chips. The vegetarian with us catered for well so to were the others, really filled soda's could not get much more in!

As someone who loves a fry but hates cooking it you couldn't beat this place. Always fresh and never greasy. Would recommend the American fry

26th Nov..called in with friends.first time in this lovely place Whitehead but had been recommended to try Coastal Coffee...we were'nt dissappointed..very friendly place and food simple but nothing short of delicious..clearly all freshly prepared and piping hot.service with a smile and nothing too much trouble..prices excellent..5stars without a doubt..will be back for sure and will recommend to others

When paying for my food here, mentioned that 'it wasn't very warm' the reply was 'don't be so rude' shocking...the staff need to take a customer service course.....

Good selection of cakes and home made fast food, salads and ice cream. Good service with happy folk around. Coffee nothing short of excellent. Has one small drawback, the entrance is difficult for someone managing a wheelchair alone. Two people no bother. 50 yards walk from train station.

What more is there to say? Good ice cream plus good service and the option to Sit in and have a coffee.

A very successful eve at Coastal Coffee on Saturday 27th August. There were five people around my table, and we enjoyed the Spanish food very much. I myself was very impressed with the different kinds of tastes in the food. Spanish food is kind of new to me. The servers there were brought in by the chef Joni Lutzman, and everything was on track. They really created a very festive atmosphere for this night, and it was most enjoyable. This was a special "bring-your-own" drink bistro night event at Coastal Coffee. They have a 5 out of 5 rating for hygiene.

We booked places for the Spanish Tapas Night at Coastal Coffee on Saturday 27th August 2016. They fly in a chef, Joni Lutzman, and his crew, to serve up a one-off feast every month or so. Mr. Lutzman, I must say, does great work. He even made time to come out to talk to us, asking if we liked the meal. “Yes we do.” It was made up of almost too many things to mention, but here we go. The cold starter courses were Jamon y Melon (fine marinated gammon slices with honey dew melon), Gazpacho (classic Spanish cold & spicy soup served with garlic croutons), Tortilla (thick potato & onion omelette slice, red pesto dressing), and an extra one for ordering early: Rojo Queso (Marinated beetroot, goats cheese 8: hazelnut on a rye crisp). The cold soup was really unusual, I loved it. The “warm main” courses were Madrid Meatballs (succulent meatballs in tasty tomato base sauce), Pollo y Limon (lemon & garlic marinated chicken skewers with herb salsa), Spanish Hot Pot (extra tender lamb shoulder with root vegetables, chive sour cream). Side orders were Patatas Bravas (potato wedges in a spicy tomato sauce) and Vegetable Paella Cup (real paella flavours with vegetables and saffron rice). The lamb hot pot was my favourite.The Three Dessert Platter ended the evening with a Mini Crema Catalana, fried Manchego cheese & Black Forest Coulis, and a fresh Lime Smoothie Shot. These were all very unusual.Quite how anyone could prepare such a blizzard of food, I don’t know, let alone doing it for a restaurant full of about 35 people. “Bravo!” I’d never had a meal like it. The place was decked out with Christmas lights, and the soft light lent some intimacy to the atmosphere. It was a warm evening, so for the lost part the door stayed open, making it more like a night dining out in some hotter holiday destination. These bring-your-own bottle bistro nights are a great idea. I must keep an eye out for the next one.

another good café close to the railway station in whitehead ,plenty of food to choose from and very famous for its ice-cream good place for small party's give it a try if u are passing Sadie robinson

Have been here a few times and the staff have always been very pleasant, However I called in last Saturday with my parents and a new member of staff was working and she had an awful attitude. She was abrupt and rude with us and my omelette was swimming in grease. Sorry to say we won't be back, it is such a shame as it was always a favourite of ours in whitehead.

i had the they call a lovily i had bottle of diet coke as well good valve as wellmerica fry i call the caadidan b.fast pancake beconmaple leff surp egg su,ages mushrooms i back today for more of the same

I called in and had their cod and chips dinner. That comes with peas and a bit of salad. Loved it. Very good meal for a very good price. Someone with me liked their chicken burger meal. Good tables, good chairs, enough room. One tiny glitch: our fancy plates had no rim, and some peas managed to shoot clear off it and escape. I must remember to ask for a regular plate next time. They have a great outdoor seating area. They open until 7pm through the summer, all week. They got a maximum 5 out of 5 for their “scores on the doors” hygiene rating.

Very clean, friendly staff and fair prices keep me coming back for more!! The food is so fresh and lovingly prepared with beautiful salad accompanying many dishes on the side. Could have more seating outside for al fresco dining

I have to say I really love this place. I would be in a couple of times a week. The owner heather and the rest of the staff are so friendly. I usually get the same thing, baked potato. Heather knows my order as I'm quite picky with what fillings I take. Which I think is great. Prices are great too. And if you are still peckish after some lovely food then there's is ways their Mauds ice cream

I am in this place a couple of times a month as they serve the best chicken burgers around .I saw in another review that someone complained about processed chicken but I know that there chicken burgers are fillet ones as I have had quite a few.

Had chicken gojouns and chips, chicken was processed,disgusting. I spoke to the owner,she said she didnt understand what i meant by processed. We never ate thr chicken,were told we'd have to pay for the chips and.which wssnt ate. We havent been back.

I had some of their takeaway Irish stew tonight. It was very good, very full of meat and potatoes, and plenty of it. It came in a tall card cup, with a bap plus plastic cutlery and butter portions. A very hearty and satisfying meal, indeed. You don't seem to see Irish stew offered anywhere any more, so I was glad to get some.

great food and ice cream......so much choicechips done in vegetable oil....hooraystaff were so helpful and friendly......Ian Hoey

Whether you live in Whitehead or are simply visiting to walk to the lighthouse and back, the Costal Cafe is the place to visit, for breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea and a perfect Ulster Fry. The staff are friendly and service is remarkably fast. Forget fast food and enjoying this lovely little Cafe.

I love the ice cream. You'll be spoilt for choice with the assortment of flavours. They sell Belgian Chocolate too. Their coffee is good. The view of the sea is pleasant from there. It has parking opposite. It can get crowded in summer so sit-in can be limited, though you may want to just call in for the delicious ice cream.

There are 300 of these all over Ireland and they were originally part of Wilsons grocery business, in Carnmoney, Co. Antrim. His mother was called Maud, and as a present to her on Mother's Day in 1982, he named the chain after her. They have a production facility in Carrickfergus and the flagship store is Cafe Maud in Newcastle, Co. Down.

I had an ice cream here, we were there for a meeting about Whitehead's very famous Victorian Street Fair. It happens in late November, all the town comes out to celebrate with carousels and street entertainment. I had my ice cream in a tub, with a spoon, I prefer it that way, rather than having a cone. In Mauds the racks of DVDs are gone, they now have a big mural which is far nicer to look at. It has really tidied up the shop. The staff here are always very pleasant.

The hygiene here was questioned by another reviewer, well the official (and very thorough) rating systems scores Maud's with four stars - the score for "very good". So the inspectors who are qualified have looked, and the results sticker is on the door. I like this place, it has a great "seaside" cafe feel to it. All the video's and dvd's are away, and they have a big mural on that wall of the Antrim Coast instead. Maud's ice cream just won the big Ireland Food Awards prize, so I had to sample some more - come and get it!

I meet two friends here for lunch recently. We all had baked potato with cheese, bacon and chicken filling with a side salad and a soft drink. The waitress was very attentive and we had a lovely lunch. Afterwards I had a cappuccino and lemon and poppy seed bun. The cafe was busy but we were served quickly. A feature wall had a lovely panoramic seascape and the atmosphere was good. I hope to visit again soon with my daughters to get them some ice cream or to sit at the outside seating area, see photograph..

Called for a takeout. Good decent sized burger - a lot of people ordering crepes they smelt and looked good! Located on the heart of this nice little village. I would return again for the Ulster fry! But would need to do the cliff walk twice afterwards as their portions are larger than most - average value for money in a small resort location.

Called in for lunch on a Sunday, arrived to dirty dishes left on every empty table, despite the place not being particularly busy.Waited approximately 20 minutes for order to be taken, then a further 30-40 minutes for the food to actually arrive. When the food did arrive it was cold, appeared to be more of an open sandwich than a panini, and contained fillings that I hadn't ordered.You can see right into the kitchen, and while eating we observed the guy preparing food without washing his hands, wearing gloves and using the phone. He also handled raw meat and vegetables together without washing his hands.He was also seen handling money on the shop floor, and returning straight to good prep again.Noticed that the food hygiene eating had been awarded in April last year, perhaps time for a re-visit?

Fish, peas and chips, very good, filling, very cheap. There is a takeaway fish and chip shop called The Avenue just down the road, but I like to sit and eat and talk at a table. Had some mint choc chip ice cream to go in a wee tub. Great place to get some grub. Love it. Now with outdoor seating. They do movie hire. Staff very friendly.

I had a lovely mini fry and my husband had a full Ulster fry here recently. It was very friendly and well decorated for Halloween, see my photos. I hear they are now serving crepes and I will be taking my children along soon. Well worth a visit for a cuppa if you are visiting Whitehead to walk around it's breathtaking coastal walks. Also, very good value for money and a broad menu.

went for a coffee and some of the famous Phoo Bear ice cream, the coffee was good but was really disappointed in the ice cream. Little or no honeycomb in their famous flagship ice cream

Small cafe type. Good for a quick bite to eat or icecream. Very busy when we visited and it took a while to be served but the staff were nice because we had kids with us. Will be back.

Their fish is very good, the batter is just right, not too thick. The meal was very nice all round. On another visit I just got a little tub of Iced Cream to walk about the town with. It was not as expensive as I had expected. The toilet is clean, although its a bit of an adventure to find your winding way back through to the shop again! They have a TV set up on the wall. They have a brand new seating area outside now. I think they stopped cooking pizzas.

Excellent ice cream, coffee and treats. Not many seats but does a roaring trade in take out ice creams which can be described as among the best in Ireland

They've added a whole new outdoor patio, I presume for outside dining (see photos). For now it's brand new, with a glass wind screen at one side, and places where plants will go. I like eating "out", so I'll be back over the summer to do just that. Today I tried their sweet chilli chicken sandwiches (see photos). "Roast chicken dressed in a sweet chilli sauce, with lettuce and tomato", the menu says. I liked it. You got four of the little triangular sandwiches, filled to bursting, plus some of those triangular things - doritos? I liked them. The place is popular, I like the atmosphere. If you live in a town like Whitehead, you're bound to bump into friends. The location is handily close to the train station, and the Promenade if you're after an ice cream and a walk along the famous Blackhead Path. In the other direction you'll find a brand new book shop and the 10-day old The Bank House, a public library, The Gallery Whitehead, and lots of other interesting places that are free to enter. I find I can walk most anywhere in the town inside 20 minutes.

I love to drop into 'Coastal Coffee' for a drink or snack. The mini Ulster fry's are great and my daughter's like the wide range of pizzas, available Thursday to Sunday, the last time I checked. I find the staff to be friendly and helpful and the selection of ice cream and dvds make it an ideal stop for all the family. I call in at least twice a week and always have a chat.

I had their very satisfying Ulster fry and a cup of tea (see photo). Wrong a pot of tea, and it was a great BIG pot. Tall cups, long spoons. Coastal Coffee offer a huge range of food, and a huge range of other things. The retro sign outside says “Whitehead Video”, while many think it’s called “Maud’s Ice Cream”. Many people like to call in and eat, but they also do DVD hire, sandwiches, milk shakes, tanning beds, burgers, freshly-ground coffee, ice cream, pizza, and take-away picnic food or desserts. I live here, so I can march around the Blackhead Cliff Path and eat back home. Visitors to the town should consider buying a picnic here. There are magnificent spots on the cliff walk where you could sit and eat with a panoramic view of the Copeland Islands, our lighthouse, and Scotland across the sea.Coastal Coffee has the feel of a diner, very friendly and cosy, but spacious. Anne is the friendliest member of staff. They open for longer hours into the evening in summertime, from 9am to 9pm. Right now they’re open:9am - 7pm Mon-Weds9am – 8pm Thurs9am – 9pm Frid9am – 9pm Sat10am – 8pm SunThe last orders for sit-in food are at 5:30pm. You can sit with coffee and buns until closing time (or sit with friends as well). This is a movie hire place, so their home-baked pizzas have names like Untouchables, Godfather, Casino and Italian Job. You gotta love that. I think they fire up the big pizza ovens for Friday and Saturday nights at the moment.This place has some great stools that sit up at the front windows. There’s a view across the street to St. Patrick’s Church, a listed building finished in 1908. It’s fun to watch the world go by, while you’re eating or talking.