The Lighthouse Bistro in Carrickfergus

We stopped by for lunch on the way into Belfast and we're pleasantly rewarded with one of the best stops on our trip. We have been all over Ireland, and this was a memorable lunch!

The food here was amazing, and our server, Joanne, was fantastic! Lots of gluten-friendly options too, including dessert!

After a walk at The Gobbins we searched for a place nearby to eat and found this hidden gem. It's one of the best meals I've ever had. 🤩 The Steak Frites was delicious with just the right amount of seasoning and it melted in the mouth. It was so nice that we treated ourselves to dessert of Eton Mess, which was just as tasty. Thank you to the staff as they were so friendly and welcoming.

We had highly recommended brunch today after our walk and what a lovely welcome we received from the young lady passionate about her work and animal welfare. The local sausages were recommended and were delicious.

Had a great meal here. For a starter I chose the Jubilee Pork Arancini. Here they source high quality local ingredients. That starter, for instance, uses pork from a community-owned and run enterprise called Jubilee Community Farm. It’s the first such farm in Northern Ireland, so its great this restaurant is supporting them by using their produce. My main course was the (local again) Carnbrooke house smoked beef brisket. Loved it, had some potato skins with it. My dessert choice was their gluten-free Chocolate Cake. It was nice to have some ice cream on the side of the cake. From Bonugli’s over a century ago, through many other businesses in between, people have come here to enjoy ice cream by the sea. Speaking of which, they’re just around a corner from Whitehead’s famous promenade. When the weather is good they add tables down on the promenade itself, a dining location like no other. Around the corner up the street is the train station. They win 5 out of 5 for their scores-on-the-doors hygiene rating. Service was excellent. For a peer-reviewed judgement just look at their outside wall. You’ll see their unbroken chain of Taste of Ulster awards won every year from 2018 to 2023. That’s every year they’ve existed!

We ordered fish of today which is pan fried sea bass , it’s delicious. We also ordered risotto, and the quality is also very good. Nice dessert and coffee after mains. Not many choices for lunch but all the options are great! Highly recommended restaurant at Whitehead.

Attentive and personable staff, cosy venue nestled in an idyllic seaside oasis. Concise menu brimming with consistent & refined options to please the tastebuds, fill the stomach and be kind to the wallet. Get the baked apple, try the wine and enjoy your visit!

The food is awesome . Great sea food at a reasonable price.(++) The menu does include other options but I didn’t try these. They also offer a range of local craft beers (++) The service was on point . Attentive staff but not in your face. It’s just beside train station so get out of Belfast and try this place

I had a very tasty risotto. The room is very dark but nicely decorated.

Another fantastic meal at the Lighthouse Bistro, food amazing, service top class and lovely ambience!

The Lighthouse has the best food on the Antrim coast. This bijou little restaurant is a hidden gem for sophisticated yet uncomplicated eating. Fantastic service, a cosy ambience, delicious beverages, and very reasonable prices for the quality. Highly recommended!

A small but lovely little place. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The music was very good and the food was top class. Nice lunch sized portions and the banana toffee pudding dessert was amazing. Definitely going again, next time we are in the area.

I could write a book about how amazing the food, ambiance and service! FULL 5* Food menu is small but the reason is they concentrate on what they do best. Wine menu is extensive Lamb rump was so tender! Onion soup was so flavourful + piping hot Chowder had plenty of fish and soup. Tasted great! We will be back and definitely worth booking if you’re interested in visiting

Had a fab lunch in the Lighthouse Bistro with my mum. We both had the fish special which was cooked to perfection. Menu, wine list, quality and price point all perfect. Service, food, ambiance all 10/10 and in my favourite town too! We will definitely be back.

The Lighthouse Bistro always delivers, it’s one of those restaurants that is everyone’s secret favourite! The Chef is exceptional in preparation, connecting flavours and experiences of the best locally sourced food! We had the full three course meal with all the trimmings, because you know, all dishes are delicious and worth every penny! This time we ventured into a touch of wine tasting and paired our wines with our food, well another level of joy exploded on our pallet! I cannot commend the wine selection, chef and team on giving us a delightful evening of joy and great family and friends food memories. Well done, exceptional as always.

Lovely little bistro a stone's throw from the water. Sophisticated but relaxed ambience with interesting works of art. A good wine list with more than enough options. Lamp rump was likely the best I've ever had - there's a reason they keep getting Taste of Ulster plaques. My companions' duck filet and the homemade tagliatelle with lamb ragu were well received. And dessert was delicious. Service was attentive with a light touch. Worth a visit but advise you make reservations.

Food was excellent . Ful of flavours. Highly recommend. Very welcoming and friendly staff. Would happily go back. Thank you

Had a great meal here. For a starters I asked for the Jubilee Pork Arancini. Here they source high quality local produce. That starter, for instance, uses pork is from a community-owned and run enterprise called Jubilee Community Farm. It’s the first such farm in Northern Ireland, so its great this restaurant is supporting them by using their produce. My main course was the (local again) Carnbrooke house smoked beef brisket. Loved it, had some potato skins with it. My dessert choice was their gluten-free Chocolate Cake. It was nice to have some ice cream on the side of the cake. From Bonugli’s over a century ago, through many other businesses in between, people have come here to enjoy ice cream by the sea. Speaking of which, they’re just around a corner from Whitehead’s famous promenade. When the weather is good they add tables down on the promenade itself, a dining location like no other. I’ll include a photo of them from last summer. Around the corner up the street is the train station. They win 5 out of 5 for their scores-on-the-doors hygiene rating. Service was excellent. They’re now doing £10 lunch deals. For an peer-reviewed judgement just look at their outside wall. You’ll see their unbroken chain of Taste of Ulster awards won every year from 2018 to 2023. That’s every year they’ve existed!

Our first time at the Lighthouse Bistro was last year and we always wanted to come back sooner. The food was excellent and it’s a nice wee intimate place for dinner. I had Fish of the Day (hake) and my partner had the duck. Both dishes were of outstanding quality; the duck was perfectly cooked (medium rare) and the cherry sauce that came with it was delicious. The hake was fresh and very tasty. Good portion sizes. We also ordered Parmesan & Chunky chips as sides; these were excellent too. Desert was Salted caramel tart which was very tasty and moreish. Extremely friendly service, we will be back soon and I will definitely be recommending this place to anyone. It simply cannot disappoint

An absolute gem nestled in Whitehead, Lighthouse Bistro is a culinary haven crafted by a talented husband and wife team. From the moment you step inside, you're enveloped in an intimate ambiance that sets the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. The food? Exceptional doesn't even begin to describe it. Each dish is a masterpiece, bursting with flavor and artfully presented. It's no wonder this spot has become a favorite among locals and visitors alike. The atmosphere is just as delightful as the cuisine, creating the perfect backdrop for memorable moments with loved ones. And let's not forget about value for money – here, you truly get what you pay for, and then some. Five stars all around for Lighthouse Bistro – it's a culinary journey you won't want to miss!"

Have been to this little restaurant many times and we are never disappointed. Had seabass and pork belly today - both delicious - followed by my favourite - baked apple and ice-cream. Don't often have desserts but it hits the spot. Lovely friendly staff too.

We are blessed to live near this amazing award winning restaurant. The talented chef, Joni and Erica and her team are warm, welcoming and serve excellent food and dining experience. Brilliant for visitors and locals alike!

This is such a jewel to have in the town you live. Excellent cooking with local products, inspired by Joni's Finnish origin, and other European traditions. They also offer wine tasting, but still have to try this.

We had an absolutely gorgeous meal. The calamari was cooked to perfection and the lamb was delicious, so tender. We also had dessert which was the perfect end to our meal. Very friendly service and great wine too. Would highly recommend and can’t wait to return again soon.

Thank you so much . This was my 2nd time visiting this beautiful place and I can say it was absolutely gorgeous . It was even better as I won the meal !! The service was amazing with lovely friendly staff . It’s well worth a visit and definitely recommend. Thanks again from both of us .

Back to our favourite for some lovely food. Great wine list and I loved the duck starter and pork belly. Washed down with an Italian pinot noir. Yummy. Partner had calamari and fish of the day which was seabass. Clean plates for us as usual! Thanks again LB.

I had heard great things about this little bistro and was excited to try it recently. Entering the tiny dining room it was very dark, we where greated at the door and sown to our table, menu was presented and the phone torch had to come out to read the menu. The menu read well and looked to have some nice dishes. We ordered some drinks and wine. The first option was not available so we picked another favourite from Italy. The drinks arrived but when the red wine arrived it was colder than it was outside. It was freezing cold. We asked if they could warm it for us but they looked at us like we were stupid and said it just needed to come to room temperature. It took some time until we got some boiling water to try and take the chill off the wine as it was so cold it would have taken 2 or more hrs to come to temperature. When the starters arrived they were just ok. They lacked seasoning and had no real flavour. The main course wasn't much better, pork belly with no crackling and over cooked lamb rump left us feeling really disappointed with the whole experience. Dessert was average as the strawberries on the Eton mess were rock hard, we paid the bill and left. The service was really disappointing and needs attention and its such a shame as its a beautiful little venue. A really disappointing experience to start 2024.

I was absolutely delighted to win a Christmas Dinner for two at The Lighthouse Bistro. As usual, it did not disappoint. Delicious food, friendly service and a warm & cosy atmosphere. My husband and I had a lovely relaxing evening. We’ll definitely be back in the New Year. Thanks again! 😊

I attended an evening wine club event hosted by the owner Erica Lutzman and guest speaker Louis Ludik own brands of wine "Hellbent" all from his native Stellenbosch in South Africa. I thought the night was very informative. With some generous samples of wine pairings and cheese selection from 'Mike's Fancy Cheese' as well as a beautiful array of charcuterie from 'Corndale Farms.' It was a lovely & relaxing atmosphere, staff were very attentive and I will definitely be back at the next one! Definitely not to miss!

Eleven of us were there in Saturday night for Christmas dinner. There was a lovely choice on the special menu and everyone enjoyed their meal. That’s pretty good with a big party. The ambience in the restaurant is lovely topped off with the tasteful Christmas decorations. Lovely wine list and friendly helpful service.

Fantastic meal for a special family birthday . The food was stunningly presented , and wonderfully flavourful, delighting the vegetarians and non vegetarians alike. The house champagne was superb , as was the Austrian Riesling. An intimate, authentic welcoming atmosphere .

We dined again at this wonderful bistro. I had see bass and my husband had roast chicken, both cooked to perfection. This is such a great place in beautiful surroundings. I always look forward to the tasteful decor and warm welcome from lovely staff. Looking...

I had a lovely dinner in the Lighthouse Bistro. Everything was just perfect, one of the best restaurants I’ve ever eaten in internationally. I highly recommend it for the whole dining experience.

We walked in without booking, but we received a very friendly welcoming. The staff was really nice, good food and beers. Definitely recommend

Lovely lunch served by lovely staff. Fish was excellent.

Definitely one of the best restaurants in East Antrim. Fresh food, local produce and great wine. Hard to beat!

My husband read the reviews about The Lighthouse in Whitehead just last week and decided we were obviously missing something on our doorstep. We decided to make a booking for Saturday evening, looking forward to an enjoyable experience. It did not deliver our expections at...

I had lunch with a couple of friends at the Lighthouse Bistro which had been recommended to us and what good advice this was! The weather was amazing so we sat outside at one of the tables across the street from the bistro to make the most of the sunshine and the view. We all had fish cakes with garlic potato skins or chunky chips and everyone enjoyed their food. The staff were friendly and efficient and the atmosphere was relaxed. The glorious weather certainly added to the mediteranean vibe on this particular day but I imagine the Lighthouse Bistro would be a lovely place to eat at any time of year.

On a day trip to Whitehead, we came across the restaurant. Do not hesitate to eat here. We had: onion soup, lamb with cherry sauce, and the cheese board.. They were all MICHELIN STAR quality.

My husband and I went to the Lighthouse Bistro after a referral from our guide on the Gobbins Path. We were extremely impressed by the quality of the staff and the food. The sea bass was fresh, perfectly cooked and delicious.

Friday evening after work. Seafood and great atmosphere. Great start to a weekend

A little gem ,so quiet and relaxing, food was so good !

Lunched here today with an excellent Chowder for me and fish of the day for Joan. I washed mine down with a Black Stout and Joan had a glass of Pinot Grigio. We will return😋

Beautiful place to eat when you're in Whitehead for the walk and scenery. Advisable to book as very popular . My husband had fish of day and I'd seafood chowder. Both were mouthwatering dishes . The decor inside restaurant is very pretty but most of...

My friend and I booked a lunch and must say it was absolutely beautiful. I ordered the sea bass which was probably the best I’ve ever eaten, it was cooked to perfection, crispy skin and white flakey meat accompanied with amazing baby potatoes, fresh greens...

Husband and I just dined in The Lighthouse Bistro, as an impromptu meal out. We both couldn’t say a better word about our experience. A welcoming and tastefully decorated environment, within the beautifully iconic seaside town of Whitehead. Everything about our visit was a 5 star! Waitress attentive , friendly and very helpful with our questions regarding wines etc. The food was beyond delicious. I’m sometimes restricted with my DF options but I had plenty to choose from which were all mouth-wateringly amazing. Hubby went with the beef brisket, which just fell apart with the slightest of touches but still jammed with flavours, and don’t get us started on the homemade house bread!!! We came away feeling filled but not uncomfortably stuffed, both commenting on how lucky we were to have such a class of restaurant on our doorstep. Thank you again, we can’t wait to return!

excellent restaurant staff very friendly and helpful, our meals was 100% the stake was cooked 100% not over priced, the meals came out very quick, wheelchair friendly, beside the sea and train, we will be back again, jamie kelly newry 21/7/2023

excellent restaurant, staff very friendly and helpful our meals was 100% the stake was was done 100% wheelchair friendly, the meals came out very quick, and not over priced, will be back again jamie kelly newry 21/7/2023

I generally don’t like to leave any negative reviews but I was fairly disappointed in my visit to the bistro. My husband and I both felt that the food was overpriced for quality and our chips and veg were quite undercooked. Portions are also quite...

Restaurante pequeño, en pueblo pequeño, comedor con encanto, perfecto para encuentros románticos. Bien decorado y confortable, carta original de platos irlandeses y buena carta de vinos y cervezas. Lugar tranquilo y muy recomendable despues de la visita por los "Gooblins".

Restaurante pequeño, en pueblo pequeño, comedor con encanto, perfecto para encuentros románticos. Bien decorado y confortable, carta original de platos irlandeses y buena carta de vinos y cervezas. Lugar tranquilo y muy recomendable despues de la visita por los "Gooblins".

Great people to work for, with a friendly atmosphere and friendly staff great hours, pay plus holidays.

A colleague had mentioned this place, giving it very good reviews. When I looked it up, I had to try it. It exceeded expectations. A sign of a good restaurant is a small menu - when you go somewhere and it has 10+ starters, 10+...

A small intimate place by the sea. Food and service were excellent. Good wine also with a great range of quality. Definitely recommend.

Excellent food, we'll definitely be back again

Such a lovely place to spend an afternoon enjoying good food and good company. Excellent service from very efficient and friendly staff.

Went to the bistro for the first time for a birthday meal. The meals were absolutely delicious and the service was amazing. Will definitely be back!

We hadn't booked but we're lucky to be accommodated with a table for 2. Beautiful decor and welcoming staff. We both had Fish of the Day. It was the most delightful meal. My husband and I loved The Bouillabaisse. This is such a special place...

We visited at lunch after a walk to lighthouse. Hadn't booked but we were accommodated for table for 2. Lovely decor, pleasant staff and our meals , Fish of Day were superb. Such a delightful place 😊

Fantastic wee bistro. Food was delicious, can't recommend it enough. The staff were nice and attentive. We got the fish of the day and the duck, both great.

Foods great. Chunky chips are my personal favourite!

Tasty starter and main meal but for the price it was not worth it. The meal was not filling and we had to come home and cook a meal as we were still hungry.

Did the walk around the lighthouse today and popped in for a delicious lunch of smoked cod. Fabulous food, wine and service. Lucky to have this amazing wee gem on our doorstep!

Every time I have been the food has been delicious and I always want to go back for more. The staff are friendly, polite and professional. The atmosphere is relaxed and the restaurant is very cosy and glamorous.

Absolutely vile attitude from staff and management. Should be ashamed!!

Had an gorgeous meal last night. All cooked to perfection as per usual and fab service.

Absolutely loved it here. I had the calamari to start and the duck served with garlic potato skins, delicious. Cocktail was fantastic too. Atmosphere was relaxed and romantic, it’s not somewhere I would bring my young children though, it’s a small place and they are...

Another fantastic lunch today, fish of the day, Seabass! Cooked to perfection, will definitely be back soon!

Yum yum yum yum yum. Everything perfect. Waiting staff could not have done more to ensure that every single person had a fabulous time! Lovely, lovely, lovely! Food fab, atmosphere amazing.

Delightful Bistro,amazing Food &Erica an outstanding host..highly recommended

This was our third visit to this amazing restaurant and I can honestly say it's our favourite place to eat you just want to keep going back from the minute you are greeted at the door until you leave you couldn't get nicer staff they...

This is a hidden gem of a restaurant. Absolutely fabulous food and service. Extensive menu and wine list. Amazing value for money. Very highly recommended. We just dropped in on the off chance of getting a table! Many thanks Jenny- we will definitely be returning!!

Cozy wee restaurant, plus the food is incredible. Good for people looking for healthier choices too.

After refueling at Hamilton Fuels on 5 Balloo Way, we went to a nearby restaurant for lunch. This was our first visit to the Lighthouse Bistro. It is located at 2 Marine Ave. The 3 course set lunch was outstanding! The calamari starter was so fresh. The fish main course was delicious and the mini meringue dessert was amazing, especially the apple sorbet. The staff were welcoming and friendly, which made the whole experience so enjoyable. A truly memorable meal. We look forward to visiting again!

Had an incredible lunch. Food delicious and staff and service outstanding. A relaxing and pleasant dining experience for couples with the perfect location for a stroll along the promenade. Perfect dining experience.

My wife and I have visited the lighthouse bistro quite a few times but were quite disappointed the last time with the price of the main courses and these do not include a side, these are charged extra. Really at these prices a side should...

The Lighthouse Bistro did It again! We had such a nice evening with exelent food and wine. The service was professional and friendly. Thank You Guys! We'll be back soon!!

Absolutely beautiful food in a gorgeous restaurant. Went for a lovely lunch with my mum and got the 3 courses for £23 lunch deal. Great deal and the food was delicious. So tasty and beautifully presented. Erica was a lovely waitress, so chatty and welcoming and gave great recommendations for food and wine. Would definitely recommend to anyone visiting whitehead!

Had a very enjoyable group event in The Lighthouse Bistro last weekend. Food and drinks were fab! I particularly enjoyed my Beef Bon Bons starter. Amazing flavours! All of the staff we dealt with were unfailingly friendly, helpful and professional. Will be back for sure!

One of our favourite eating spots. Used to be bring your own bottle, which we loved. It has now got a good wine list. Service and the food are excellent. And the atmosphere on a busy night is great.

What can I say about this fantastic restaurant WOW!!!!This was our second visit to this amazing place we had lunch a few months back in it and the food ,service and staff were wonderful so we couldn't wait to get back to try the dinner...

On arrival at the Lighthouse Bistro we were cordially welcomed and seated at a cosy table . We enjoyed a Calimari starter, fish of th day which was Hake cooked to perfection and the Seafood Chowder ( so good). Albariño our choice of wine. Superb....

It was so good the first time, we had to return and bring our family with us! The Lighthouse Bistro is intimate, friendly and offers excellent cooked-to-order dishes. The menu has plenty of choice, but is sufficiently concise to allow the chef to prepare everything...

This was our first visit to the Lighthouse Bistro. The 3 course set lunch was outstanding! The calamari starter was so fresh; the fish main course was delicious & the mini meringue dessert was amazing, especially the apple sorbet. The staff were welcoming, friendly &...

What a find! The Lighthouse was small, intimate and very friendly. We needed to eat after travelling all day to get to the ferry at Belfast. Calling at very short notice we were lucky to get a table and the two ladies serving were welcoming and helpful. The food was to die for- Beef Brisket and a Chicken Supreme both with Garlic Skins as recommended, they were delicious. Followed by Chocolate Cake and Mini Lemon Meringues, yummy. Our only complaint is that we were at the end of our holiday and so won’t be able to go back anytime soon. We will however recommend to our neighbours who are Irish and return quite frequently. Thanks again.

Fantastic restaurant Please go, if you love great food

This place was a great find .. everything about it was fab . The service and food were both excellent and we enjoyed a lovely meal. I had the pasta which was absolutley delicious 😋

From the first point of booking a table Phillip was very professional... We arrived and Phillip showed us our seat.. Food was amazing... What a small intimate restaurant... Service and attention to detail is excellent... One thing I will say is Philip is outstanding at what he does.. A true credit. Will definitely be back.. A truly great dining experience.... Small and very few tables but this reflects in the food and the service. If I could give more than five stars then this is a place that deserves it. Not to foget Janey and Erica too... Lovely staff

From the first point of booking a table Phillip was very professional... We arrived and Phillip showed us our seat.. Food was amazing... What a small intimate restaurant... Service and attention to detail is excellent... One thing I will say is Philip is outstanding at...

What an amazing find! We very wanted a “foodie” establishment where we could be sure of excellent well-cooked and appealingly-presented cuisine. The Lighthouse Bistro didn’t disappoint. The fish of the day was prepared to perfection, and the dessert was irresistible. A triumph! The service was...

Visited here on a recent trip to Whithead, we had noticed it before so decided to pop in and have some lunch. We received a warm welcome, the 2 ladies serving could not have been nicer and we had great craic with them! The food...

Excellent little eaterie. We managed to get an early dinner table on a Saturday. By the time we left the restaurant was full and clearly tables are turned over on busy nights. We received a warm welcome and helped navigate the menu. We’d a whole...

Arrived a few minutes late but greated warmly with a smile. Menu small but perfect and what a great selection of dishes. I chose the beef n bird burger and other half chose the chilli chicken. Both went down a treat. Cooked perfectly and amazing...

My friend and I called in for a snack. We decided on the cheese board (to share) and a coffee. As much as it was tasty, I mean cheese… what’s not to love, we found the portion and selection to be poor. I also thought...

Food was ok. Server was a bit aloof.

This is a great little restaurant- interesting menu with all fresh options. Beautifully cooked and very nice service- we really enjoyed it!

Absolutely fabulous. Food is great and the staff very friendly. Recommend you book before you go. I did and it was perfect. They even added two more who decided to come

We had a lovely evening at the Bistro. We booked online, the staff were friendly and attentive. The food was delicious, seasonal and freshly prepared, special touches in the sauces and dressings, we were very happy with our choices. There was a good atmosphere in...

Here for lunch. Chowder was fantastic. Friendly staff and lovely atmosphere.

We had friends dining with us ,they thought the food was lovely.Freshly baked bread and dips. Mussels in beautiful sauce, Scrumcious Steak cooked exactly as we requested.Good wine.😃👌