The Kingfisher Kitchen in Ards

Castle Espie is a bit of an anticlimax. Place is very rundown and had not many birds to see. One elderly staff member was quite rude not so friendly at all. More interested in taking our money than helping negotiate the map. Onsite cafe is a rip-off! No wholemeal sandwiches. Tuna sandwich was £4.70! Same sandwich up road was £2.65! Staff moral very low! Avoid both places.

Nice lunch of cheese and pickle toasties and tea for two overlooking the ponds with Strangford Lough in the background. Unfortunately there is at present a bird flu epidemic and the ducks are confined to an enclosure to separate them from local wild birds.

My husband decided as a treat he would take me to this cafe for breakfast on reflection I wish he hadn't. Cafe looks lovely great location lovely view over the duck pond, we first asked if we could have poached eggs unfortunately chef didn't do poached eggs so I ordered the scrambled eggs. We must have waited 10 ,15 mins before we were told there wasn't any eggs so I ordered a sausage toasties. Well after another wait of 10 15mins our food came out we should just have sent it straight back.I can only think that the sausages had been reheated from god knows when as they were rock hard at the ends and caramelised or very well done, side salad was awful 2 lettuces leaves with black bits on them and a slice of tomatoe with a questionable bit at the top. It was very disappointing and not worth the money do yourself a favour and don't visit the cafe.

Don’t usually write reviews but the service, coffee and ambience were all so bad at this cafe I felt compelled to! They advertise chai and oat milk but didn’t have either even though it was the morning and staff didn’t even apologise. Ordered an ordinary latte and an almond milk latte that was slopped out and didn’t taste good. The radio was blaring, tried to get attention of staff to turn it down but they were too busy running about even though only a handful of customers were in. There was food smeared on the upholstery of one of the booths, won’t be back. The view across the bird sanctuary is nice though.

Had friends up from Dublin so went for a walk & planned on having coffee & a catch up. The staff serving us were so rude. It was as if we were putting them out by being there. We were told the kitchen wasn't open as the staff deserved their break when we asked to order food. When my friend asked for chocolate on her cappuccino she was told she'd already been offered it if she'd been listening. Not a nice way to spend a sunday morning. Drank our coffee & left!!!!

Had 2 toasties for lunch, very tasty and with a view over the duck pond outside the visitor centre. Comfy seating too.

Great place for breakfast reasonably priced and great coffee. Well worth a visit the food is lovely.

Good pit stop after wandering around the wetland reserve. Good quality though simple food. The baked potato was hot and filling. A bit of a queue but not too long to wait

this little cafe is just fab, offering little babychinos and free samples of tray bakes with stunning views what more could you want?

Went for a catch up with old friends and having three prams we needed somewhere with plenty of room. I ordered the sea food chowder which had to be one of the best dishes I have had recently!! Actually very good value! Great place for kids with a free soft play area. View is absolutely stunning overlooking the wet lands and Scrabo tower. A great lunch!

Cold rainy day so the coffee shop was vert appealing. Staff on counter were very pleasant. Coffee ok but a trifle weak but that may be just a personal preference.

I have been here twice in the last 3 weeks for a fry up. It has to be the nicest fry in the local area...in my opinion. The potato bread was lovely and thick, the sausages and bacon were gorgeous produce and cooked really well. Mushroom and eggs are the same. You get 2 bacon, 2 sausage and 2 egg which I was not expecting at all! I hate frys full of grease and this is just the ticket to set you up for the day. Lovely views out the window although we sat out the back the last time, refills of coffee and you don't have to pay in to Castle Espie itself to use their cafe. Highly recommend!

The setting is lovely with great views over the ponds towards Strangford Lough and dozens of overwintering ducks and geese. The small cafe has a small selection of toasties and paninis as well as a few more substantial meals on their lunchtime menu with the usual unexciting selection of fillings. The only down side was a long wait for the food.

nice setting restaurant very poor and expensive staff too busy talking among themselves to bother with customers ...very few people there in day we went i now see why !

This is a pleasant place to visit, especially on a good day when the birds can be viewed from the cafe. The photo of a breakfast put me off having one so we had coffee and scones - which were on the expensive side. Other food was also dear - eg £1 for a packet of Tayto crisps and over £2 for a small Pringles. I thought it a bit Scrooge-like that they don't allow families to bring their own picnics. Staff were friendly and efficient although they didn't want to get involved with a couple of very noisy kids who had been let loose by their grandparents. A pleasant spot but they need to review their prices.

Although there is a complete menu of dishes offered, from breakfasts to lunches, we only went in for coffees. There was the usual selection of home produced traybakes on offer and, as people are more used to nowadays, a complete range of freshly brewed coffees.

Lovely range of food and beautiful scones, traybakes and cakes - all well presented and very tasty. Full meals also available with beautiful views across the duck ponds etc. Not overly priced and well worth a visit.

My husband and I hadn't been to the Castle Espie cafe for many years til last May. What an absolutely gorgeous surprise! The first thing we thought then was, what an amazing modern bright building! Floor to ceiling windows, vaulted ceiling in shining unpainted wood. We went into the cafe, (having walked over the beautiful pond through the walkway - talk about a good first impression!) Well honestly it continued in exactly the same vein for the whole visit. The staff were so friendly and helpful, (and having been many times now that is everyone who works there without exception) the coffee very good, breakfast yummy. I had the American breakfast this morning which was, there is no other word for it, exceptional. The scenery as you sit near the picture windows is lovely, from the wildlife, the pond, and on and over to the lough, and Scrabo itself. We love going there, and have told everyone we know all about how good it is! Oh! I didn't even get to mention the attractive colourful furniture, the scones, the brownies, or the outside patio! We had the most interesting walk around Castle Espie in the sun this morning too. Just a great place to spend time.

Called in here for a coffee and a quick bite while out for a cycle. The cafe/resturant is nicely decorated with good views across the lough. The staff were friendly and the scones/baked goods were spot on. Coffee wasn't anything special but did the job rightly. Prices were the same as most other places so no complaints there.

I have eaten here a couple of times now and I can't complain at all, the food is lovely and staff very friendly. Always yummy specials on too! Great views to enjoy whilst eating. Will return :-)

Staff nice but food poor, dull, pre-cooked and reheated, overpriced and took over 30 minutes to arrive. Cannot understand why it is well reviewed. The WWT itself is great.

Good selection of food and caters well for children. Clean with amazing views, very relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Stopped for lunch today and had an amazing lunch with kids. Good selection for kids lunches and main meal of steak roll delicious. Very cheap for the quantity of food and quality of surrounding. Staff very friendly and observant. Homemade tray bakes were a must and coffee after lunch was superb. We will be back!!

We occasionally eat lunch here or have tea and ice cream in the courtyard when it is sunny, though this faces away from the birds. I found the home made pizza tasty, but the crust was very tough indeed.

Called in for breakfast on the way to another location for a day out. The food was lovely and the views were great. Well worth a call in if just for coffee or tea or something more.

Goats cheese tart was very good. Fisher man's pie was a bit short on fish. Salad was good with nice dressing. You can get 20% off with a nipsa card.

Called into Castle Espie today and was totally shocked to see the new re-vamped "Kingfisher Kitchen". However it was a lovely surprise. The new seats are comfortable with lovely views across Lough and centre. And the food was very nice and reasonably priced. Had the Ulster Fry (see menu for price ) and it was lovely and not too greasy. Staff were lovely and helpful and polite. A credit to the place and a great re-vamp. Well done and worth a visit even if just for a coffee and the view!

Had a great breakfast at a reasonable price, although drinks seem expensive. The views over Strangford lough are beautiful and most scenic! Lots for the kids to do too, my 2 year old daughter thoroughly enjoyed the soft play area.

Visited today and had a light lunch. Just sandwiches but they were freshly made and well filled. Only one criticism the Brie had been in the fridge and was hard. Saw other customers having proper lunches and it looked lovely. Probably a bit on the dear side but the view watching the birds on the pond was really good. Nice pleasant and friendly staff.