Lock and Quay Londonderry in Derry

Visited the bar on Saturday evening with friends for our anniversary, lovely staff, very helpful and friendly. Thank you

Went here for my 60th birthday,took my dog wow wat an amazing welcome,bar lady was so inviting funny and friendly,food was soo good ,be going again

The staff were very accomodating even though we showed up fairly late for dinner on a Saturday night. We are traveling from Melbourne Australia and rate the food here very highly. Reasonably priced for high quality dishes. It’s always tricky traveling with two little ones but the staff made us feel right at home and nothing was too much an ask. Thank you for an experience we won’t forget!

We arrived at the Shipquay Hotel at 5:30 in the afternoon, more than two hours late because of delays that affected our bus journey from Westport. Since it was late in the day and close to dinner time, we phoned the reception to ask if we could book into the restaurant for our evening meal, and we were given a reservation for 7 PM. After we were seated, ordered drinks, and took some time to peruse the menu, a female server approached us and asked for our food order. I was interested in the “Trio of Slaney Valley Lamb,” which was described on the menu (see attached photo) as lamb rump, a lamb cutlet, and a lamb shank bon bon. The server was unable to explain to me exactly what a “lamb shank bon bon” was, but since I love lamb, I went ahead and ordered the trio. It was the most expensive entrée on the “From the Farm” section of the menu, but since my spouse and I were tired from our long bus journey, I decided that an entrée costing £26 (the equivalent of $33) would be a nice splurge to celebrate that we had finally made it to Derry. The server made a point of asking more than once if we wanted any sides with our meals, but since the menu indicated that my lamb trio would be served with beetroot purée, goat cheese curd, and minted potatoes, that seemed like plenty of food for me, so I declined to order extra sides. My spouse had ordered the “Irish Chicken Supreme” which was supposed to be accompanied by potatoes and rainbow carrots, so neither of us ordered side dishes, which resulted in a disapproving look from the server. When our meals arrived, we were in disbelief at the paltry portions. I was particularly upset to see that my “trio” of lamb was dwarfed by the plate. The lamb meat on the “cutlet” was a disk barely two inches in diameter, and the rump was the size of a large meatball. Hidden under a sprig of parsley was what I assume was the “bon bon,” which was a tiny ball of meat about half the size of a golf ball. I do not exaggerate when I say that this “trio” consisted of only five bites of lamb on my plate. Even the dollops of goat cheese curd were small, as was the serving of potatoes. I did ask the server if perhaps I had been given the wrong dish. “No,” she replied, “that is our lamb trio.” Not wanting to be the proverbial “Ugly American,” I decided not to complain and simply ate my meal, which took all of seven minutes, but I was still hungry. My spouse was also still hungry and ordered a martini and a dessert just to feel full, but I was too upset to spend any more money in this restaurant. We paid our bill and left, and we immediately walked to a nearby pub where I was able to order a substantial meal: a meaty lamb shank with two generous side dishes, all for the price of £17.95. I stewed all night over the fact that we had left the Shipquay Restaurant hungry and that I had to seek out another meal to feel that I had eaten a proper dinner. I was so bothered about it the following day that I decided to speak to Megan at the reception. I showed her the picture of the lamb trio on my phone, and she very kindly offered to take the photo back to the kitchen to ask the chef about it. When she returned, she said that the chef explained that the dinner portions were purposefully kept small so that guests could order side dishes. To me, that translated: We keep your main dish small so that you will HAVE to order extra food. In addition, the chef told Megan that lamb was expensive and in short supply, and that this contributed to the tiny portions served in the trio. While I commend Megan for her earnest attempt to sort it out, I felt that the chef’s explanations were feeble and deceptive. I feel awkward in rating our dinner experience so poorly, since all our other experiences at the Shipquay Hotel were positive. The breakfast entrées, all cooked to order, were lovely and generous, served by friendly, smiling people, and we were always offered extras like toast and pastries if we desired them. Whenever we passed by the reception, we were always greeted by pleasant staff members who took the time to chat us up and ask how our day had been. Special thanks to two young women, Megan and Mairead, who went out of their way to make us feel welcome. I just wish that I felt I had received my money’s worth from the only evening meal we had at the hotel’s restaurant.

Stayed in the wonderful Shipquay hotel on a visit home from Scotland. Decided to meet friends I hadn’t seen for 6months (since my dad’s funeral) in the Lough and Quay for dinner and drinks. However at 7pm , with one other customer in the bar, the bartender approached us and told us to “keep it down as we were disturbing others “ , we had been laughing, that’s all! The other customer assured us that he was not in the least disturbed. We obviously left to eat elsewhere (Bangkok Taste Kitchen, which was wonderful). I informed him that we we’re leaving because of his behaviour and was told’fine’. Amazed that a bar is more than happy to loss 7 covers. Now I am trauma informed enough to know that perhaps this bartender was having a bad day and was somehow triggered by our laughter but he would have been better off staying at home than doing his employer out of so much business.

Had the most beautiful meal here on Friday evening. Was on my own but staff made me so welcome and looked after so well. There was one wee barman(unfortunately didn't get his name) and his pleasant manner made my visit special

Had dinner(Cajun chicken, parmesan & mushroom linguini) and dessert(affogato) in the bar, absolutely delicious, fantastic attentive service and food and drinks(long island iced tea and a bramble) were served quickly! Definitely will be back

Went for dinner here and the food & beverage manager served us. Ordered the buttermilk chicken burger and got a different burger. The burger wasn’t battered. Asked the server was the order correct (as it was obvious it wasn’t) and she lied telling me what I was eating was the buttermilk chicken burger. She spoke to us in a condescending way. throughout. Checked the menu again and it confirmed I was given the wrong order. Spoke to the server again and was told I didn’t order the buttermilk burger and that she got the order correct. Couldn’t make it up. Aside from the rude server the food was below par.

Great Cheat Amazing Food Friendly Friendly to Children Lovely place Lovely people Great view for Halloween St. Patrick's Day Christmas stag do or hen do Amazing Service

Visited this restaurant last night unexpectedly and without booking. The barman Paddy was so welcoming and friendly. The food was exceptional, with great portion sizes and very reasonably priced. Can't recommend this place highly enough. Great dining experience. We will be back soon.

For Americans: the pronunciation is lock and key -- cute. In the Shipquay Hotel. The restaurant is quiet, the ambience refined. Seafood was excellent. Wine list somewhat limited but selections were excellent and pours generous. A very memorable and pleasant evening -- except for having to puff back uphill to the diamond.

Wow from start to finish this was perfect, lovely friendly barman who was very welcoming despite the fact that I was in just as food was finished. I had the Cajun Chicken dish and it was devine. Nothing was a problem. 5 star service and 5 star food. Place was spotless

The manager is clearly out of his depth, unprepared for a busy night and hasn't trained his staff properly. We waited 35 minutes for drinks. He's advised they were very busy but they had had alot of staff, it was just chaotic and the manager lost control. I seen him shouting at staff and customers. Very poor form

The staff at the bar are extremely rude & unwilling to help. And the staff are condescending.

Dropped in at lunch and served by welcoming and friendly waitstaff. Had the parsnip and butternut squash soup with their homemade sourdough and wheaten breads. Delicious! So glad we stopped in!

Had a lovely relaxing afternoon in the Lock & Quay was served by Mary who was friendly and chatty and directed us to where we wanted to go.. Will go again soon.

We came here for lunch today for a friends birthday. It was the first time we had been. I can assure you we won’t be back. The food was ok, the place itself is very nice but the staff well there’s no other description other than young rude and untrained. We asked to speak with the manager who was also a young girl. Her attitude and demeanour was nothing short of not rude it was as if she didn’t care and we were shocked that she was the manager. An older lady came along to back her up and she displayed aloofness as if she were too good to be dealing with the general public. Very disappointing certainly will not be back

Ordered 7 cocktails here while in for a drink for sisters birthday. Was really disappointed with the quality, they were bland and lacking in alcohol and at £8 each very expensive. Will not be back, try down the street instead..........

We had a cheese and meats sharing platter whilst staying for a few drinks. Delicios selection of hard and blue cheese and hams/chorizo. A nice bar. No live music though.

Lovely wee pub/bar accessed from the street as well as from within the hotel. Very friendly staff. Nice interior. Fantastic small bites (we had goats cheese bites as well as the black pudding croquettes) and a good selection of drinks. We would have gone back for another visit if we’d stayed more than a night in Derry.

Staying in the hotel so had a few drinks in the bar along with a sharing platter - staff fantastic really friendly. Great atmosphere and lots of TVs for the sport for the gentlemen