Fontana in North Down

Had my daughters 30th birthday at Fontana. An absolutely fantastic experience! 5 star food and 5 star treatment! Hats off to the owner, manager, chefs and all of the staff! You made our day even more perfect! Thank you so very much! I cannot recommend Fontana enough! Xxx Sally

IF you want amazing food Beautiful laid tables Staff who go above and beyond to make your occasion a great one then go no further than Fontana. We had Fig salad for starters Refreshing and very light Duck for mains, cooked to perfection Cheese board and Panna cotta for Dessert. Delicious The lemon sling cocktail is a must try 🍋 Give it a whirl you won’t want to leave

Fabulous dinner with family, terrific menu with many tempting options, delicious food, experienced staff and relaxing ambience. Highly recommended.

Having been a couple of times before and had great meals I rebooked for my wedding anniversary and looked forward to having a great meal. Unfortunately on this occassion the meal fell well below the previous standards which bascially ruined our whole experience. The starter (wild chargrilled squid) was lukewarm at best and didn't taste of being chargrilled, my wife opted to return hers and had the soup instead. My wife's main course (chicken) was also not sufficently warm enough, the vegetables were cold and the chicken was very dry. The sides (potatoes) were actually cold and had to be returned for a fresh side. Although she was offered to have her main course reheated she declined. I would rate my main course (Steak) no more than a 5 out of 10. I found it quite chewy and not cooked as requested. We opted not to have dessert. On the plus side the member of staff who served us was excellent and dealt very professionally with the situation. The price of my wife's main course was deducted from my bill. Overall it was on this occassion a most disappointing experience hence the rating of 2 stars. I subsequently e mailed the Restaurant concering the occassion but have not received the courtesy of an acknowledgement.

Lovely service and flawless food / drinks. Our server was attentive and happy to deal with any of our needs. Definitely be back!

Had a lovely early dinner this evening, service very good and food out of this world. The cocktails looked lovely. Would definitely return.

Food and service was lovely and very tasty, my only complaint was the portion of roast beef in the Sunday roast, it was two small slices of paper thin beef, for the price I think the slices at least could be thicker or if so thin then at least three. Something to consider.

Beautiful food, great service and lovely place for an extra special meal.

Lovely staff and nice atmosphere. The food was nice, but quite rich and heavy, and a little old fashioned. I had the trio of mushrooms, which was very heavily seasoned and the onion chutney overpowered the mushrooms, followed by the duck breast, which was nicely cooked but the blackberry compote had no seasoning at all. It all came to £40 - which I think is pretty expensive. I would expect perfect dishes for these prices.

Only one word for it is unreal! We were served by Elaine and tended to by Rachael and Adam. Service staff were all great. We had the deal of 3 courses and a bottle of wine. It did not disappoint, great value for money and tasty food. We'll be back again very soon.

Great food served with style. Always a good atmosphere.

Gorgeous food, genuinely lovely staff and brilliant vibe. Just beautiful

Warm friendly greeting. Great food and service. Will definitely come back

As usual, a top class service, food and atmosphere. Have been to fontana at least 5 times and it never fails to impress us.

The steak was 5* cooked to perfection, but the vegetarian and vegetable side order options could be better, but overall, very good food. The staff were very attentive and friendly. Thanks.

Recently I took my very good friend Liz to Fontana for her birthday , finding this little gem on High Street in Holywood was delightful hidden down a little atmospheric walkway and the very warm welcome was enchanting our host Adam showed us to our table and after we were comfortable he charmed us with his clear knowledge of what was on offer and the daily specials the food was prompt beautifully presented n was equally delicious to taste we had the beef and fish main course all local produce and cooked to perfection accompanied with fresh local vegetables, our wine choice was quality and our host’s recommendation a spainish Rioja was a delight so our experience at Fontana was overwhelmingly a success thank you Adam we will return you team are fantastic Paul n Liz

A Simply sublime experience. This was not our first visit here & I’m loath to rate this restaurant too highly, as it will only get busier 😏. But honesty must prevail. From the moment we entered we could feel the warmth, both of the welcome and the atmosphere. Our server was friendly, attentive and knew the menu items well. My wife had the prawn risotto which was fresh, herby with fennel oil, warm from some chilli & full of prawns. I had the duck linguini which was totally unctuous, rich and very more-ish. My wife opted for the ribeye steak with triple cooked chips & some veg. All were cooked perfectly. I had duck breast with duck wonton & dauphinois potatoes. Whilst my wife’s steak was perfect, the duck main was on another level. Perfectly pink & so very tasty. The accompanying wonton were such a different taste too, and the pastry so crispy. Everything was seasoned perfectly. We ended our meal with two very tasty deserts, coffee & a cocktail. The cost was very fair for the quality of food, which I can only describe as exceptionally good. I don’t think we have had as tasty a meal in ages and will definitely be back.

Visited for dinner on Friday evening 10th Nov. Excellent main meals. I had Pork Belly which was very good but came alive when I asked for a little extra Jus. Mrs W had duck breast which she said was scrumptous. Desserts were Panacotta and cheesecake. Small but perfectly adequate and a perfect conclusion to a great meal. We'd happily recommend this restauraunt to anyone for dinner or indeed lunch. Well done Fontana!

Average all round and alot for what it was - atmosphere lacking felt a little like being in a church. Didn't appreciate the 12% gratuity added for a table of 4 then being asked in front of my guests was it ok...

This was a great culinary experience. I would go back tomorrow. Wonderful service and great food

Food was amazing, best meal I had for months, and good value today too at £28 per main given the quality. Nice layout inside also

Not huge portions but very tasty.

The manager Adam was top tier, beautiful spot and very unique

Came for lunch, portion sizes perfect,flavours lovely, ambience friendly best creme brulee best ever, service A+ .

It's all excellent, if you are near Holywood in Belfast you are not to miss out on a glorious opportunity to experience food cooked and served at its best. The cost of the 3 course set we had was 3 0 Pounds each. The ingredients used were fresh and portions genorous. The atmosphere in the restaurant was like bubbles in champagne. The artwork interesting. All the staff were friendly and accommodating. 10 out of 10 from me and I am a fuss pot when it comes to food.

Fontana’s crown jewel is its staff, I think it’s the most impressed I’ve been in a long time with a restaurant’s service. A beautiful restaurant with brilliant staff that would be fitting for any of the best restaurants across the country. We have been here a few times and tried a couple of different dishes now and the two that really stand out are the sirloin steak (beautifully tasty) and the chicken and satay spring rolls (absolutely delicious). Fontana understands its target market and flawlessly caters to their preferences, evident in its impeccable design and captivating atmosphere. It's worth mentioning that Fontana exudes an upscale fine dining vibe, reflected in its relatively higher prices. To truly appreciate the value for your money here a customer will need to be prepared to spend a higher sum of money so I recommend booking a table and indulging in a leisurely meal to savor the complete experience.

A really good eating out experience starts as soon as you walk into the restaurant, and the warm welcome we received on going into Fontana set the standard for our night. The starters were delicious, the salt chili squid was crisp with just the right amount of heat. The prawn risotto tasty and with the rice cooked perfectly. The attention of the staff coupled with their knowledge and friendly engagement added to the enjoyment. The wines by the glass were delicious. Value is relative and we were more than happy to pay a reasonable bill for a great evening out.

Fabulous food, excellent service, good quality food all local producers

Ahead of our short trip to Northern Ireland I booked to eat at Fontana with my partner after reading good reviews about the restaurant online. Holding high hopes for a decent experience I was blown away by the service, food and welcoming atmosphere created by the staff. I was intending to propose to Sophie on our holiday if I could find the right opportunity - that happened at Fontana. A huge thank you to Adam, Elaine and the team for helping to create that special moment for us!

We had a lovely meal at Fontana, Good Friday evening, plenty of choice and attentive waiter, enjoyed the chilli squid starter, steak and salmon mains. Will definitely be returning.

I live in Boston now, but I love fontana, always amazing food, great service, I will be back in 19 days and I will be planning a delicious meal there, as a chef people ask my favorite restaurants and fontana is always top of the list, keep up the great work guys.

We visited Fontana after reading about the restaurant in the Michelin guide. We were a large party of 8. The service was impeccable and the food was phenomenal! We will definitely be back! Thanks again!

Unfortunately the turkey dinner was like a school dinner - very disappointing. The dessert was delicious. I think it must have been because it's Christmas as that is not usually Fontana's standard. They didn't charge us for dessert which was nice of them and we appreciated it

I had the tofu steak which was delicious. The only thing I would change is probably the seating area. The place felt too packed.

What a fantastic discovery. Wonderful welcome .. The service was outstanding. We were a group of three and we all enjoyed our food. Each dish was so tasty. Such a stunning lunch. Thank you.

Great place for lunch and to catch up with friends. There was a set menu or a small a la carte and staff were attentive and friendly. It is upstairs, so if you have mobility issues it would present a problem. If you have hearing loss though, it is ideal, as the layout and furnishings help absorb the noise

Fantastic food.and atmosphere. We had a lovely meal. I haven't been here for a long time. It is as good as ever. Will certainly go back soon.

A little gem tucked away from the main street. Food was spectacular as was the service. A must visit if in Holywood👍

Beautiful Restaurant with delicious food excellent choice of drinks and very friendly and welcoming staff. Highly recommended.

The excitement of seeing what on the Menu, keeps me coming back again and again. The team are always welcoming and friendly. Food to die for.

Lovely restaurant and excellent food

Wonderful evening. Friendly attentive staff and delicious food.

Fantastic food and friendly attentive service. On the slightly higher priced side but not ridiculous. Well worth it though for a special occasion.

Beautiful dinner at Fontana, Holywood. Never disappoints. So good. So friendly. Always memorable.

This is a hidden gem. Lovely ambience with a very friendly and helpful staff. A very high standard of cuisine- I will return again - and again.

Excellent food, service and atmosphere

Excellent lunch.10/12 Party of 6 all enjoyed a variety of starters & mains

My daughter and I visited the Fontana restaurant on Saturday night. We both had a beautiful meal. The staff were excellent especially Agata who was very attentive. Would recommend this restaurant first class food, service and a lovely ambiance.

Wonderful to have this place back after the pandemic. Crikey, we missed the Sunday brunch here, but it's back as good as ever. Better than ever, in fact!! Highly recommended 👏

a really fantastic restaurant, the food was really great I recommend it, I will definitely be back

Great to be back..food and staff excellent

We had missed Fontana. We wanted to celebrate our wedding anniversary and chose to eat here once again. Really enjoyed our meal. We made our choices of scallops and veal. Both excellent.

The best place to eat. Sophie our waitress was great. Very attentive. Great atmosphere. Would highly recommend

Called into Holywood today and decided to stop and have lunch, for a birthday treat and we were not disappointed.I was really in the mood for a few chips so ordered a small roast cauliflower, Gubbeen cheese & barley with a side order of chips and it an absolutely delicious combination of flavours.My husband had the piccata chicken, ciabatta and skinny fries, which he enjoyed very much. Incredibly friendly atmosphere & a thoroughly enjoyable experience overall.

World class service featuring replica standard menu, absolute pleasure to attend and the team are always welcoming. Would highly recommend!

As a regular at Fontana, I thought that it was time I repaid them with a well deserved review.I Attended last Friday with my kids and was accommodated without a booking by the lovely Elaine.We all ordered of the set menu, having pulled pork brushetta, goat cheese with butternut squash, followed by curried monkfish and gnocchi with parmesan cheese. We added a couple of sides and a bottle of sauvignon blanc. The whole thing came to £115, less than 40 quid per head. Best restaurant and best value in Holywood, we are fortunate to have it.

This is the best restaurant, the food was superb, sea bass was gorgeous and the pistachio and honey cake for dessert was the perfect end. Not only is the food the best you will eat the staff are fantastic, Sophie was our waitress, she was such great craic. Every meal we have here is the one we then compare everywhere else to. Make sure you visit Fontana’s

My family and I are regulars at Fontana’s and I’ve been going there for more than 15 years (only 22). Fontana is the best restaurant in Holywood and competes with the best in Belfast (personally prefer Holywood to the city centre).Eileen and the staff always make us feel at home and are very attentive. This is the cherry on the top, and brings the whole experience together.I’ve not had a bad meal here, with the last one always topping the previous one. Personal favourites consist off; lobster corquil, prawn risotto, monkfish curry, duck and raspberry due, goat cheese fritters. And countless others.Last time we went was Friday 17th Jan. Eileen was able to squeeze us in on short notice and get us table 5 (best table in the house). We opted for the 2 course set price £21.50 (can’t beat it). I opted for a new starter. roasted butternut squash with whipped goats cheese- I can only describe it has divine. As main I got the monkfish curry with pak choi. The curry has a kick of flavour and spice but is perfectly balanced with coconut making it light and flavourful. To end the evening we got the warm apple and cinnamon pie, it speaks for itself and a perfect way to end the evening.If you’re looking for the perfect lunch/ dinner spot, look no further. There’s no wonder how this place has got a Michelin guide. It consistently creates a gastronomical experience every time.

We were four couples out for dinner mid-December 2019 ... small portions, overpriced, a case of style over substance Im afraid e.g. my husband and I had Turbot for main course, it was the tiniest thin tail piece of Turbot resting on greasy vegetables £27, my husband said it looked like 'a rasher of Turbot'. A starter of one scallop, half a baby potato and a smear of puree, said Scallops plural on menu, it all just seemed to lack imagination and skill; the service was slow, our waitress did try her very best, she was under pressure,I did mention to her very quietly of our dissatisfaction; Dinner was £160.00 per couple including wine and only one person of the eight had a pudding! I have had many spectacular meals in Ox and Muddlers both Michelin star restaurants for less. Im sorry Fontana, I wanted my experience there to be better.

Cosy atmosphere, lovely food and friendly staff

I had been many years before but I was curious if it was still as good. Iced water was served flavoured with fruit , and there was a Christmas a la carte menu. There were so many appealing dishes on the menu that it took some tome to decide. The starters were both excellent and my partner was already impressed with the venue. I had traditional turkey for main course , most unlike me , but I can honestly say it was the tastiest turkey dinner I have ever experienced. Sprouts were perfect , turkey was moist etc. I even opted for a dessert and again wasn’t disappointed. Staff were friendly and attentive and I would definitely go back !Thanks Fontana

We've been before and have never been disappointed. Again we had an excellent lunch with attentive service. Very relaxing ambience and really good food. We were given a sample of a wine to try. We'll definitely be back again.

Fabulous food and amazing customer care staff pay attention to the smallest detail. Good meat and fish dishes a little limited on vegetarian options and no vegan. Surroundings are relax and excellent choice of wines and beers. It's expensive but worth the quality of food and experience.

Terrific food and service. Would certainly return. Would be advised to make reservations at busier times. Only drawback back is that restaurant is located on second floor and might not be accessible for the elderly or infirm. Having said that a 94 year old member of our party made it up the stairs with a little assistance and time. Amazing what a good appetite can overcome.

Even our local guests had not previously tried this restaurant so we acted as the guinea pigs. The entrance, décor and furnishings could best be described as "homely" at worst slightly downtrodden. Nevertheless the restaurant recently celebrated its 20th anniversary so it clearly has followers, In the evening there is a choice of A La Carte or Set Menu midweek and both the range and sophistication of the dishes was impressive for High Street, Holywood.I started with Lobster Coquille, fennel, chilli, beurre blanc, breadcrumbs and parmesan (£10.00) which seems a lot of ingredients to cram onto an upturned shell but the flavour and texture were really good even though one suspects the amount of lobster was small. For the main course, I chose Mustard & herb crusted rack of lamb, dauphinoise potatoes, roast beets and red wine jus (£23.50) with the meat served pink unless otherwise requested. The lamb was perfectly cooked, tender and offset with the crunchy crust. No desert for me although my wife's Apple & Blackberry crumble with homemade vanilla ice cream looked and tasted delicious.All four of us were unanimously delighted with Fontana for its surprisingly good food. Recommended and I am sure another 20 years is possible.

Thank you to everyone at Fontana for such a fantastic day on a Sunday for my mums 80th celebrations. The food was outstanding - everyone loved their meal. The service was also superb - you could not have done anymore for us. A brilliant day.

Fantastic meal tonight. Food delicious and service exceptional. Very impressed with Chloe- an asset to any restaurant. Will be back.

I use Fontana regularly, but I'm a little lazy about posting reviews, preferring to post about excellent restaurants when I'm travelling - but Fontana deserves more, more reviews and more accolades as it matches and sometimes exceeds all those restaurants I've relied in the past. My wife and I called last Saturday without a booking and were accommodated at a lovely table at the back of the restaurant. Service was attentive and very warm and friendly. Our menu choice included lots of fish, meat and vegetarian options and we both loved all we were served. I have to give special mentions to my starter though - Fois Gras with pickled blackberry and ginger - it was simply stunning. I will return to Fontana - and write more reviews; we are lucky to have such a culinary delight in North Down.

Dîner un vendredi soirVisiblement le lieu chic où aller pour la vieille Irlande de Holywood ! Accueil très sympathique, lieu très agréable, jolies tables, belle carte et bons vins. Service soigné, un peu lent (il faut prévoir d'y passer du temps). Bien pour un dîner en amoureux mais pas pour dîner rapidement. Tout était très bien, bien présenté, mais quand même un peu cher pour la qualité.

Amazing food and staff. Never disappointed.

Great restaurant. Enjoyed a fabulous meal there on Saturday night. 0stsff really friendly and attentive especially Agata

Excellent food...super staff...nice decor and a lovely ambience. Magic.

Great food both starters and main courses atmosphere excellent

Slow service but worth the wait. Very enjoyable dining experience. Would recommend this restaurant. Staff friendly and helpful.

Malgré une arrivée tardive (14 heures) nous avons été très bien accueillis. Le menu est attrayant et les plats sont superbement présentés ! L’addition est raisonnable, ce qui ne gâche rien au plaisir.

Great modern European cuisine! The scallops are amazing! Lovely friendly staff! Great puds! Definitely returning!

Great atmosphere. Perfect for a special lunch.

Visited Fontana on a one night break, on entering restaurant staff very friendly and welcoming which is a good start.

We have lived in Belfast for a year now, and finally tried Fontana. It was one of the best meals out we have had in Northern Ireland. Everything was home-aide and full of flavour. We will be back again soon.

While sauntering around Holywood, we happened upon the beautifully decorated laneway entrance, which enticed us in to check out this lovely restaurant.

Normally enjoy this restaurant however last week visit was spoiled by an incompetent server. He was not fully informed about drinks or food menu, was not aware red organic wine was not available, brought me white organic with no explanation until I queried it. I feel servers in this restaurant lack training. When I was leaving I informed him I didn’t enjoy my experience, but he didn’t seem at all concerned that it might put me off coming back.

Cibo ottimo, locale curato e personale gentilissimo!

We went as a family group to celebrate a birthday.

High quality food in a bright and relaxed setting. Will be back.

We had dinner at Fontana last night. Starter, main, dessert & bottle of red wine from the set menu (£59.99) Absolutely delicious. Elaine our server was extremely attentive. Highly recommend this restaurant for a relaxed, fine dining experience.

Lovely place to have dinner with frieds. The decor isnt up to date but the food is really excellent.

Having written a less than complimentary review about Fontana some time ago, I thought I would redress this after eating a really excellent meal there last night. We were a party of five, and we all enjoyed every single course. The 3 front of house staff were knowledgeable and remained courteous throughout, in spite of the the pressure of 80+ covers. I will certainly return soon.

We are regulars to this fabulous restaurant. Where not only is the food always great but the attention to detail on the presentation is always spot on. The staff are wonderful too.

Great place under new management

After a high recommendation, I decided to book our work Board Dinner at Fontana and we were not disappointed!

We visited fontana on 31st of jan to avail of the set menu.My partner ordered a beetroot terrine as shes a limited meat eater for a starter, unfortunately foie gras (something she would never ever order) had been sent out but before realising the mistake had consumed a mouthful which was then later rectified , unfortunately the kitchen dont seem to know the difference between the two dishes, the taste of the foi gras put my partner of the rest of her meal which totally ruined the evening.Did Email restaurant no response. Poor service all round which is a shame as food we did order was good.

This was my first visit to this restaurant. From the minute you enter the door you are made to feel welcome. With a menu and wine list to match we had a wonderful evening. Food was first class and service attentive without being over powering. Look forward again to visiting in February. Thank you.

Beautiful food and great friendly service in a very nice environment.

We have just had our church staff Christmas Dinner here, with a choice of Turkey and Ham, Hake, or 28 day aged steak. I chose the steak from our presented three options, in medium rare, and having eaten steak at some of the very best steak houses in Ireland.... ..... I am astounded, surprised and very very happy to say that this was absolutely the very finest steak I have ever had!!! It was absolutely beautiful!! The staff were amazing, courteous and very professional. Fontana by far and a way is I think my favorite restaurant ever now - I can’t say I have enjoyed a meal just quite so much as I have done this evening!! Absolutely incredible!!!!

What other excuse could there be for the most disappointing dining experience we had this evening.

There were over 20 in our group out for Christmas dinner.We were all welcomed warmly and a drinks’ order taken immediately.Our various courses all arrived together hot and to order.Would highly recommend and cannot wait to return.

6 of us had a Christmas lunch which was absolutely delicious - everybody loved everything they had. Service was excellent, ambience brilliant, and very reasonably priced. And a lovely Malbec as well!!

I was fortunate to be invited to lunch on what appeared to be one of their busiest days of the year. At no time was this reflected in the service or standard of food. The team at Fontana are professional, warm and only to pleased to accommodate your requests. The non alcoholic warm cider was a welcome addition to their delicious Christmas menu. The food was imaginative with a variety of ingredients which I am certain is what gives it a Michelin BibGourmand, year after year. It has also just won best restaurant of the year, no easy feat when so many new establishments are opening across town.

Having been to Fontana many times, and always been more than pleased with the service and the food , I wanted to go to celebrate my birthday with friends but unfortunately, this visit left us all underwhelmed and very disappointed.

Visited Fontana on Friday evening for our office Christmas Dinner and had a fantastic time.