Synge and Byrne Kilbroney Forest Park in Newry and Mourne

While walking in Kilbroney Park, a hot chocolate was needed. Synge and Byrne the perfect spot to enjoy a snack and a hot drink whilst looking over the lovely forest walk.

Service absolutely diabolical and other customers complaining too. One customer saying he didn’t get all he had been charged for.

Synge and Byrne, Kilbroney Park is a fantastic place to go to for a snack and a drink. They serve up great hot chocolate, tea and coffee. Nice traybakes too. Good staff decent price. Fab location. Good for anyone. Certainly worth stopping there whilst on the walk.

Had coffee and lunch at this cafe on a recent visit to Kilbroney Forest Park. The coffee was good when we eventually got to the front of the queue but be careful where you sit on the terrace - we found ourselves directly outside the open window of the toilets complete with sound effects! Lunch was a disaster. The cafe was very busy but we managed to secure a table inside as it was now raining. Eventually a sulky young man came to clear it and give it a very minimal wipe over. There was food on and under the chairs. We had requested some tap water to drink and this was dumped on the table in warm glasses. There wasn't a great deal of choice of food and a lot of it was expensive - you can't have a quiche or sausage roll unless it is part of a meal with odd looking salads which I believe cost around £11! We opted for soup of the day which was courgette. When it arrived after quite some time, it was barely warm and extremely salty but we decided not to complain as we needed to leave soon. The sourdough bread was actually very good! We will take a picnic on any further visits.

Just had the big breakfast Food was cool eggs undercooked and spinach raw sausage white Very underwhelming Food used to be very good Has gone downhill this year Last ciabatta lunch I had the filling had 1/2 the usual amount Coffee still good hope it don't receive cutbacks as well

The food here is lovely so it's a shame about the service. It's really disordered and chaotic...the young guy taking my order stopped at least 5 times to talk to another member of staff about a different order/customer. In the end he got someone else to take over from him and I started with the order all over again. My children went in to order ice-cream afterwards and after queueing for a while in the ice-cream queue were told when they reached the top they would have to join the main queue to order. They did as they were told and waited 20 minutes in the food order queue at which stage I went up to see what was keeping them. There were people going directly to the ice-cream counter to order despite my children having been told this was not allowed. When I questioned it the waitress who had sent them away replied 'I don't know what way the system works here to be honest' no apologies. Disappointing.

Great selection of food and drinks on the menu, staff are very friendly, professional,helpful and accommodating. Sandwiches with choice of salad were excellent, drinks were hot and very nice, plus everything was reasonably priced.

Slight improvement in service from last time although I visited mid week rather than weekend. One point is that I witnessed an employee lifting cakes without using tongs or gloves. This has happened on 2 occasions when I was waiting to be served. The cafe closing time of 4pm is quite a hindrance at times as I usually get there around 3.45pm and staff are already clearing up. Just waiting for Newry cafe to open soon after the floods. Service there has always been good.

Chaotic, slow, frustrating, service. Food was scarcely mediocre. The space is crowded and dark. Definitely won’t be returning.

Kilbroney Forest Park is a magnificent amenity with great walks and trails but this cafe is a mess. My own experience this morning was that I was left waiting for over 30 mins sitting at my table waiting for my breakfast. Eventually got my food after asking waitress twice. Saw numerous examples while I was there of wrong orders going to tables and other customers waiting long periods for their orders. The staff appear very young and inexperienced and poorly trained. No evidence of any manager or supervisor in control or taking responsibility. Urgent action required to sort this place out. It’s a mess.

What a fantastic cafe to have in a park, great selection of food, good coffee and great service from staff. Although some of the staff were just new and abit nervous, they worked hard listened to what we we’re looking for. Will be back soon

When is this cafe going to get its act together? Young inexperienced staff on duty this morning. No sign of a manager or supervisor. At one stage 7 people were waiting for coffees after paying for them. I was a frequent visitor and stopped going few weeks ago. However today I went with a friend and it’s just as bad. Waited 20 minutes for 2 coffees. If you visit Rostrevor at weekends give this place a miss and visit Evanlay Horsebox in the Square for coffee. It’s a one man show but service is definitely better.

Total lack of supervision on a Sunday morning when people are out and about in the park. Young staff not properly trained. Waited 20 mins for 2 takeaway coffees! Orders of drinks sitting ready but no staff to bring them to customers. Cashier had to leave till and deliver. Dirty cups and plates on tables. Where was the manager??

Just WOW wat a kip food wuz dry and over priced my son wuz so hungry and got chips he said there something wrong with these mummy which we tasted and they where hard still frozen my daughters cheese toasty wuz as hard as the road joke .com over priced dirt the staff havnt a clue am so surprised this place even open just wow still in shock

Walked in having not been there before so lined up at the end of 4 people waiting, young guy approached from behind the counter, no hello, just "are you waiting for food" to which I said no just a coffee, he then pointed to the othere end and said " down there " , so I walked to the other end waited for a while to order before a girl was so rude no hello again just said abruptly " what are you waiting for? " I said I'd like a coffee please altho I haven't ordered yet, she said " you haven't ordered? Go down there " , pointing me back to where I had just been, at this point I thought I'm not spending my money here being spoken to like that and left. I work in customer service, those same people come into my store and are treated with respect and manners, I couldn't believe the level of service, I won't be returning

This is my first ever visit to a Synge & Byrne cafe and this one is nestled in a Local Council owned forest park/caravan park. So the views are stunning. My wife has been a few times to one in our local city on a ladies who lunch arrangement so we have three S&B in a 20 mile radius. All the savoury food looked so inviting and prices seem reasonable. I opted for a flat white and a cappuccino and I was surprised to find both were more expensive than Starbucks. There was an option to pay an extra £1 to get your coffee in a re useable lidded cup. Bring back the cup get back a quid. I took two and we’ll keep them in the car. As they were busy I had time to choose something sweet from quite a range of goodies. I opted for rhubarb pie. It was fine pie albeit the filling was out of a tin. The staff were delightful. There’s about a dozen of this chain nestled around Ireland. This one is in Kilbroney forest park Co Down and they have another in Slieve Gullion forest park in Co Armagh also controlled by the same local council who treacherously shafted the original cafe there by Grounded. This chain is also sprinkled around shopping centres and a few national parks in the Irish Republic. They are fairly environmentally tuned in so 4 green stars. Their website is silent in if the pay living wages rather only hints at being decent on wages.

I arrived ar 1540hrs and there were people sitting and eating at the tables. I approached the counter to ask for a cup of coffee. The young girl said would a takeaway be okay as they were closing at 4pm. I agreed but asked if I could drink the coffee until 4pm st one of the vacant tables. The answer was no so I left without a coffee and disappointed.

This place should be avoided until they get their act together. Soup of the day...tinned (but hot at least) at 5 quid. It came in a small bowl and with white cut toast bread when we had asked for granary. Doesn't soup normally come with crusty bread? Anyhow they'd run out but didn't tell us when ordering. Cakes...overly sweet and made with cheap ingredients. I had rocky road but found hardly any marshmallow. Plenty of waxy chocolate. Quiche wasn't too bad...nice crusty base although filling was overly wet. The place was filthy with uncleared tables and a dirty kitchen floor. The service was glacial. Cost of meal was 20 quid for two soups, a small quiche and a rocky road pudding. A ripoff.

Thankyou so very much too the wonderful friendly staff on Monday evening who were very generous and amenable in serving my family & I much needed ice cream, after their staff meeting when thy had already finished a hard day's work. Very much appreciated and many many thanks:)

Attending Kilbroney vehicle show on 18th June. There were 12 people in our party alone plus another 20 or so who all arrived at the same time, shortly after 8am. We were all looking to have breakfast, some of us having travelled over an hour to attend the show. Told, rudely, several times that although the cafe had opened an hour early as a favour to those attending the show, they weren't prepared to serve their normal breakfast menu until 9am. Why bother opening early then? Only options available were bagels or soda bread. Neither of these were appealing, but as my husband walks with a stick, the catering vans at the bottom of the hill were too far to walk to. The bagel options were bacon or salmon and cream cheese. Ordered 2 bacon bagels and 2 cappuccinos. Bagels were stale, unto aster and came with a thick layer of cream cheese spread on. Hadn't asked for cream cheese, nor did the handwritten menu board mention cream cheese with the bacon. One rasher of bacon per bagel. Bacon was u smoked, yuk, and undercooked so it was soggy. Coffees were OK but not topped with chocolate. £18.65. For the privilege. The rest of the people who came in after us all left when told they couldn't get breakfast until 9am. The catering vans did a great trade that morning, that's where we should have gone in the first place. Very disappointing.

I don't mind paying over the average price for a meal if it tastes good. All I can say is that the cheese & ham toastie I ordered was well & truly the worst I have ever tasted. I couldn't taste the cheese & when I opened the sandwich I could only just about see it. Cheaply made for extortionate prices. I thought it might have been a one off until my mum came home today from Craigavon branch. She had half the scone she bought home with her to show me how bad it was because she didn't think I'd believe her. It actually hurt her gums trying to eat. She also wasn't happy that there wasn't even a whole cherry in the so called cherry scone. Don't waste your money!!

Excellent service and food! Highly recommend their pies and sausages! The kids loved their ice cream treats after their meal. Had great service from Claire there, who made my kids excited with the whole experience and went the extra mile to make us feel welcomed. After that we spent the rest of the afternoon in the park and play area,kids played for hours!

We had an immensely enjoyable time at Synge and Byrne today, served prodigiously with great care by Tommy…definitely would endorse this barista!

No staff wearing masks which means I won’t be in a hurry back. Food good and it’s a nice setting. Music a bit naff

We enjoyed a lovely coffee and cake here last week with seats outside taking in beautiful views. Great location to enjoy nature.

Located in the beautiful Kilbroney Forest Park, Synge and Byrne is worth a visit. After enjoying one of the lovely walks in the Park, drop into this Cafe for a delicious snack or tray bake. Coffee is good and the Cafe has all the dairy...

Having wanted to go to two other places in the end had to come here as nowhere else was open. Good to be back to eating in. Had the bacon and sausage bap, was tasty enough but nothing special. If it has only been a...

We love this but we just had a bad experience in this place today..our order was forgot about..we asked where our food were and the order was half complete..we also ordered chipotle sauce for out chips and the server (dark hair guy with glasses) was...

The place was very busy Didn’t seem to have enough staff to cope The food was very good But some of the staff were not pleasant and dismissive of a request

Great cafe and dealt with the Holliday traffic well Food 5star The cleanliness was a little lacking. Maybe blame that on the tiny tos who tend to take the place over

Great place for a bite to eat and chat with friends or family. Bright airy surroundings and look out over Kilbroney Park.

I couldn’t find one for Tollymore so I thought this was close enough lol I went to tollymore for a Sunday walk with my family , and was pleasantly surprised to see your coffee trailer just what the park needs and so happy to hear...

I mean I get it, it may not be what you want but it's not hard to just take a vat outside of it bothers you. The thing is not hostile. That would be another story. It's in a great spot. Good for working in...

I went for coffee to this cafe and was annoyed at the way the manager treated a member of her staff. This gentleman was working at the till, as well as trying to make and serve the coffees on his own. There was quite a...

Visited today for a quick coffee and cake with my wife. Girl server was very friendly and coffee really good. Fantastic views over the park with beautiful changing Autumn colours. The afore mentioned cat was there and is very friendly and does not seem to...

Called in for a much needed coffee after a gruelling but exhilarating ride round Kilbroney red trail. The guy at the counter was offering the customer in front of me a slice of cake for free, as it was going out of date the following...

Dropped in after doing Rostrevor parkrun. Got takeaway cappuccino and blueberry muffin. Muffin freshly baked. Good coffee. Lovely views over the park. Lots of sandwiches ciabatta pies cakes on view. Looked delicious. Staff very friendly.

My husband and I visited this cafe today and were shocked to find a cat sleeping on the soft seating area. As we had ordered our food we sat down with our toddler and ignored the cat. Unfortunately when our food arrived the cat awoke...

I have been in this cafe quite a few times now and always had a good experience. Today however I called in for a breakfast and had to wait 30 minutes for my food. There were only 6 other people at most in the place...

I met some friends for coffee and a snack recently and the staff were friendly and helpful. The big negative was the presence of a cat in the seating area of the cafe. This is unacceptable to most right thinking people and the owners need...

Came here with my family for food and coffee and the treatment from what I believe was the manager was not pleasant, a smile goes a long way. Rude and nasty, will not be back in Rostrevor Synge and Byrne will stick to Slieve Gullion... Other than manager, the staff were lovely and helpful!!

We called up yesterday just for coffee and cold drinks. Really good strong coffee served with a smile. I liked the thoughtful provision of water bowls for dogs. The well stocked food counter looked amazing and we'll eat next time! And what a fabulous view from the balcony.

We had a beautiful lunch after a walk, we wanted to eat outside and got our lunch in take away boxes which was extremely handy. The food was a little on the expensive side.

Was considering writing this but I could not, not do it... after reading another review that I also witnessed another time I will not be back.. an other girl picking on staff members, it looked like bullying to me, I always came here after a walk in the park to stop to get a coffee but after the way she spoke to myself and staff is really not acceptable at all. The food is too dear and not worth it at all. Won’t be back

Not the first time I’ve been here and disappointed with the service in this place. This time I was here with my Wife and young daughter after a walk up the park. I ordered 2 coffees and a sausage roll which were fine but it was the woman who was making the coffee that put me off ever coming back in through the door. Not only was she extremely rude and had a face like thunder, she made one of her workers (a young girl at least half her age) cry because she made what looked like a wrong order. She continued to try and justify her actions to the rest of the staff after the young girl had left but for me this ruined my visit to this cafe. No employee should be made to feel the way that young girl felt. Her customer service is woeful! They say a smile goes a long way........ that’s were I’ll leave this

Went today and although the place was packed to the doors the queue moved very quickly. The staff where all rushed off their feet and still provided 1st class service. Great food. Great coffee. 5 Stars well earned. Great work guys. Highly recommended ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

We visited the cafe on Easter Sunday with friends & their kids. The cafe was clean, the views fantastic as always BUT the lady behind the till at approximately 11.30am (tall, thin, short dark hair) was rude. She wasn’t busy when my husband approached the counter to order food, and dictated that no he was to return to the food counter to place his order without a smidgen of a smile! If you don’t like what you do, I’d suggest a different career path. The 2 food counter staff were in no way responsive to our food order until we stood for sometime waiting. These small things make a massive difference & I really wouldn’t recommend Synge & Byrne again. When the food did arrive it was clearly reheated & the sausages did not look like the high quality price paid for. Coffee was mediocre. All round disappointing.

This is a perfect spot when you're busy in kilbroney Park. Convenient for kids too as there's the narnia trail in front and the playground behind. Very welcoming staff too.

We arrived and ordered our food and went to find a table overlooking the park only to discover a cat had made its home on the soft seating area in the restaurant. I don’t think I have ever been so put off my food. We would have left only we had a toddler who was very hungry. As we ate, I happened to turn round and see to my horror, a member of staff going over and sitting down to pet the cat. She did wash her hands afterwards, however did not change her apron and went back in to the kitchen.We did raise the issue of the cat and how it shouldn’t be allowed in an eating establishment, but to our disbelief the staff member responded by saying “that cat is cleaner than a lot of bikers we get in here”... a very distasteful comment. Whether the cat was abandoned or not it should not be allowed were people are preparing and eating food!The food is very overpriced ... two sausage rolls and two coffee £16.50! We will not be back!

We’ve used this cafe a few times over the past couple of months, both for business meetings and for post-mountain bike feeds. We’re always given a warm welcome by the wonderful lady in charge, and there’s plenty on offer to eat or drink whether it’s a quick bite or something more substantial. Would recommend

The food was ok' The price was excessive The service was ok. What was not ok, was the "resident" cat, being welcomed by a staff member. I and my friends will not be back

Great for a coffee and a tray bake or for something more substantial try a sandwich with sweet potato fries

Loved the ‘real food’, cakes and coffee. What a view out over Kilbroney Park and Carlingford Lough. Salads are particularly good.

Great place for a family walk, depending on ages, I’d also recommend the Narnia Trail. Friendly staff at the cafe and apparently great for mountain biking too!

Good selection of tasty food. Decor ok. It's the view which sets it off.We are local so not our 1st visit.Some staff not that friendly or indeed helpful. Also not very efficient...I was asked 3 different questions regarding my simple order of a toastie & a sausage sandwich even after the girl wrote it down? Admittedy it was busy but they should anticipate busy Sunday mornings in the park with walkers & families.

A lovely cafe, with brilliant selection of delicious food and helpful staff. The view is spectacular, well worth a visit especially after mountain biking.

Walked in through the door this afternoon to purchase hot chocolates, teas, coffees & buns after our walk around the forest. However, we were not two feet in through the door when we were yelled at from the kitchen by ‘lady’ with short dark hair shouting ‘we are closed’The lights were on, people walking around and people eating their food and there was no indication that the cafe was closed. Unacceptable way to speak to potential customers.We have also previously eaten here, and my husband ordered a chicken ciabatta - the bread was like concrete and inedible. We used to enjoy calling in to the previous cafe that was here as they had lovely breakfasts coffee etc... such a shame that Kilbroney is left with this establishment.

The family enjoyed a great meal and coffee after a hectic MTB at RosTrevor...I had the Chicken Pie and chips, wifey had the salted bowl and the kids had toasties. It was all good and the service was efficient and friendly

- Good food - Fancy lunchtime style fair - Vegitarain Friendly - Friendly staff - We ate outside on the balcony but plenty of seating inside.

Normally enjoy a visit here but the kids chicken stick was inedible and smelled at 4.95 nor cheap would have been better at McDonald's and I hate them. When mentioned to the server he said that's terrible no compensation or alternative offered. Also the gluten free bread was stale

Don't like to leave a bad review but the scone was inedible despite being warmed in an attempt to soften it and the replacement carrot cake had crispy edges due to being left out and exposed to the elements. The staff are helpful here but they are working with bad quality food that isn't stored properly. £2.95 for a small and crispy bun is, in my opinion, overpriced.

Coffee was good, service was okay, but you'd better be ready for the bill, it's not cheap. I imagined they would of done more with the place from taking it over. The views as always are sublime.

Much of the food is preprepared and then heated. They are providing slightly posher food than your conventional cafe. I enjoyed what I had but wasn’t to the taste of others. One lady who works there was very bossy and loud which was annoying even among the crying children.

Went for 1st time last week since Synge & Byrne took it over. Coffee was lovely, food was delish but customer service was woeful! With 3 of them behind counter, 2 girls were too busy chatting and ignored me the first time i went up, after a few minutes i interrupted them to order a coffee and one of the girls passed it over to the fella and they continued chatting. Went to counter 3 times while i was there and not once did i get a please or a thank you from young fella, this was the same experience all 5 of us had when we went up to counter. Pity because the cafe itself is nicely decorated, great location, like i said food & coffee lovely but the customer service was disappointing!

Went for a bite to eat here after a hike 2 weeks ago. Now I’m friggin addicted. I go for the same thing at least 3 time per week now. Parmesan and chicken quiche with beet salad and zingy slaw. Unreal. Staff and premises are top notch. Keep up the great work.

Great place for lunch when you're out and about. The sandwiches are great but it's the side salads that really make the meal something - always different and unusual choices on offer. The bakes are incredible too. A really nice spot for when you've had a day in Kilbroney.

Perfect place for lunch after a morning of biking/hiking in the beautiful local area. A vast array of gorgeous food, all very healthy and delicious.

Called in for a cuppa after a mtb run round Kilbroney. First impressions were good, and we were not disappointed. It does already appear to be popular with quite a few folk which is great. The staff were very friendly. And patient - I couldn't decide on what I wanted to accompany my cappuccino! (coffee was made exactly how we like them) I went for the carrot cake in the end. OMG it was sooo tasty! Unfortunately I had to share with my OH! Prices are reasonable. Less than £8 for the 2 cappuccinos and carrot cake. I love the decor. Very clean place. The views are fab. Thankfully the windows are kept sparkling clean!Absolutely loved it here today and we will certainly be back. Keep up the good work!