The Old Schoolhouse Inn in Ards

The location is quiet, the rooms were very nice and comfortable. I enjoyed the feeling of staying in a home-like atmosphere. Breakfast was very delicious and contained several items that were served from vegetables and fruits that were grown in the garden out back. The host and hostess were the perfect touch to a great night spent at their Inn.

Nothing nearby roads flooded breakfast great

Een heel fijn verblijf in de mooie omgeving van Comber en een prima uitvalsbasis voor een dagje Belfast. Mooie ruime kamer, goede bedden en een heerlijk uitgebreid ontbijt! Een tip voor een bezoek aan Belfast is om gebruik te maken van de Park & Ride opties en de Titanic Experience is heel mooi en indrukwekkend (trek hier wel voldoende tijd voor uit en koop van te voren kaartjes). The Poachers Pocket is een hele goede plek voor een heerlijk hapje eten.

A delightful small hotel set in the Irish countryside yet convenient for Belfast and the coast. A wonderful breakfast awaits!

Welcoming hosts, attention to detail, comfortable and fairly spacious room, good breakfast. I recommend the rhubarb granola.

If ever in the area this is a new favorite place to stay. Host and Hostess were wonderful and very welcoming, making sure we got a full tour of the facility and recommendation of restaurants in the area for dinner.

Restaurant closed but the hotel was amazing

Loved our stay here. Great room and fab breakfast.

Great restaurant selling fantastic locally sourced food. We have eaten in this restaurant on numerous occassions and have always been impressed with the quality of the food.

It was very good but has closed down.it was very good but has closed down 100 characters.100 characters. It doesn't take 100 characters to say CLOSED.

Excellent food on every visit here probably best in the area and not any more expensive however check before booking as may be closing

Really enjoyed this restaurant excellent food and service. So sad it's closing 6th May 2018. If you wish to go you may hurry up

This place is unbelievable. Any one who hasn't had the pleasure of eating at this amazing restaurant, has surely missed out on a wonderful experience.

We stayed here for 2 nights -me and my partner, my brother and his - and it was such a lovely stay. The owner Terry was so kind to us, let us check in after 10pm and even gave us something to eat!

Excellent accomadation. Friendly. Lovely food. Infact all you could ask for.

The whole evening was lovely from start to finish. The meal was excellent, all 3 courses were delicious. The service was very good, all the waiting staff were pleasant, knowledgeable and very efficient. I couldn't fault any element of the evening - I'd thoroughly recommend the Schoolhouse

Attentive service. Delicious food with exceptional attention to detail. New Zealand Marlborough wine was also very good. Plenty of other diners in the restaurant but it was rather quiet - but it was valentines night.

Fantastic food, wine by the glass somewhat overpriced, service lacking. First and second course went well, delicious rabbit ravioli, seared mackerel to start then pork loin and cod fillet mains. Ordered cheese plate to share 20+ minutes later - eventually had to call the Manageress to ask for the bill as there was no sign of the cheese - was told that she was sure it was ready and would check! There was a table of eight being served and this seemed to put the pressure on, but a we told her a little communication would have helped. On leaving it was apparent that another table of two had been sitting with their empty plates probably for just as long. Left a rather bad taste after such good food. Had to scratch amongst an abundance of coats and jackets to find ours with no assistance. Poor show I’m afraid, staff training wouldn’t go amiss!

Enjoyed a fantastic meal at The Old Schoolhouse with friends instead of buying Christmas presents. We wanted somewhere special & a bit different.

Cannot fault this place at all. Exquisite food lovely atmosphere... will be back!!

I booked the Schoolhouse to celebrate my wife's birthday.

Just had a lovely Christmas lunch with the family. Only managed 2 courses - but they were both delicious. Highly recommend the Christmas pudding soufflé for dessert... very different. Overall, a very enjoyable meal. Highly recommend.

We hadn't been to the Old Schoolhouse for a good while but, a few weeks back, we gave it a go and were delighted, thoroughly enjoying the whole experience. We couldn't wait to return and visited again last evening. Another great experience with superb service, beautiful food and a great atmosphere. This is a gem well worth seeking out. I started with a snack of steak tartare, then a starter of pigeon with foie gras. My main was lamb and we finished with soufflé. I reckon there were a few Icelandic influences along the way which I loved and the food was all delicious, beautifully presented and, by the time pudding arrived, I was ready to loosen my belt a little. Thanks to the lovely staff for a great evening, we'll be back soon.

Food serve really nice way but long time.to get dish for us in this time we have been will say taste good but small portion for.sure

The old School House is definitely a 5 star restaurant.

We absolutely love the old school house Inn. We've been coming here every October for a few nights for the past 5 years. The welcome is always so warm. All the rooms are lovely but this year we had the newly decorated room and it was done really well. The bed was soo comfortable. I love the little sitting room where you can help yourself to tea, coffee and biscuits. The ulster fry every morning was perfect as always.... Six of us had dinner in the restaurant and as usual the food is sublime, the presentation, the locally sourced produce,and of course the taste made it a unique dining experience. We also treated ourselves to pre dinner cocktails, delicious. We found the service to be friendly and attentive. I would happily recommend this hotel and restaurant.

Comber is a hidden sanctuary in County Down and the Old Schoolhouse Inn is a hidden delight. From the inviting converted redbrick schoolhouse nestled either side of the high entrance archway to the cosy large bedrooms a sense of immediate relaxation is de rigueur.

Stayed here one night a couple of weeks ago. I'd chosen it due to its proximity to my business meeting the next day. Arrived late on the Monday evening thanks to a delayed flight! It's in the middle of nowhere and I must admit I did wonder if I'd arrived at the right place when I pulled into the car park. I'd read good reviews on the restaurant but it was all in the dark - later discovered it's closed on a Monday. Found my way inside where Avril (owner) was waiting for me. I had only booked a few nights earlier through Hotels.com and the only room showing was a single, and on the booking form I asked for a double bed if possible. I was highly delighted to see that my bed request had been noted as the room I was given sported a super king size. This bed I later discovered was super comfortable too - you can't beat freshly laundered Egyptian cotton!

We enjoyed a superb dinner at the Old Schoolhouse. The food was, frankly, the best I have eaten in Northern Ireland. Clever, not silly, not over-complicated, perfect portion sizes. Delicious flavours and knowledgeable staff.

I had heard so much about this restaurant I was really looking forward to my visit. We chose the £20 set menu which is good value. The vegetarian menu however is extremely limited and the portion of garden vegetables ordered was a dish of broccoli. The food was good with excellent flavours but the service was dreadful. While the head waiter was very pleasant the two young members of staff who served us and did not seem to know what they were doing. I found the atmosphere and decor in general stilted and boring. It was definitely not worth the drive from Belfast.

We are just home from Sunday lunch what a disappointment we have dined here twice before and that was a disappointment but thought we would try again but we will never be back I didn't have a starter my partner had the gazpacho. Which he said wasn't great. Followed by lamb which was OK vegetables were rock hard I had the beef couldn't eat it tuff as leather and a tiny amount of creamed potatoes which were cold my veg was rock hard. Waiter took our plates away I'm sure he noticed I had not eaten mine but he didnt asked was there a problem with my meal he didn't care I had cheese and crackers to finish poor the crisp breads where awful This is the worst Sunday lunch I've had don't know why people like here the menu is very limited definitely would not recommend

My wife and I have visited here several times and everytime time we go it is excellent. The food is superior focusing on local produce and varities of textures. The staff have been excellent and an added touch to the recent visit was when your meal is served, another member of staff explains exactly what you have on your plate. (Particularly good when you aren't used to fine dining food). Absolutely first class everytime!

The food at this restaurant is exceptional, we had the three course lunch menu which is such great value at £20. Pleasant and helpful staff, and they clearly have an amazing chef. It would be hard to find a better quality of lunch anywhere else in the UK.

This is a gem of a place. The service is first class and the food was outstanding. The starter of gazpacho, with crab and avocado was one of the best dishes I've had in some time. The flavours were amazing! The restaurant is a bit off the beaten track, but well worth the visit...not to be missed.

I booked the old schoolhouse for our anniversary dinner. We normally eat in the local restaurants but I fancied something different. When we arrived I fancied a cocktail and I ordered a cosmopolitan and a mojito. The cocktails were amazing and were equivalent to the Fitzwilliam in Belfast. We went for the tasting menu with wine. I have to say the food was really good and the wine selected with the food really complemented it. Although I could have drunk a whole bottle of the lovely Rioja served with the duck. With this restaurant normally the puddings let it down however the chocolate pudding with the gorgeous port made this meal. Overall it was an amazing anniversary dinner and I can't wait to call back again!! I might sneak in for a couple of cocktails some evening as they are just yummy!!!

Mother and I had lunch here a couple Saturdays ago and as usual the service was impeccable and food Devine. We have eaten in the evenings and I have to say it's one of my favourite local dinning experiences and if thinking about it .... just book you won't be disappointed.

We went here for Sunday lunch and it was excellent. The staff, atmosphere and food, all were of a very high standard. The restaurant is roomy, with lots of space between tables and you are not rushed while enjoying your meal. The dessert was one of the nicest I have ever tasted - a take on strawberry cheesecake - exceptional!! we will definitely be back.

We took my Sister and Brother-in-law here as a treat and what a treat it was. We went on a Saturday night and had the taster menu complete with the wine tasting menu. The photo was exquisite and the service we received was second to none. We were so well looked after that you would have thought we were the only people there.We will definitely be returning and next time would love to try out the rooms as well.Many thanks.https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g551732-d220158-r500287410-The_Old_Schoolhouse_Inn-Comber_County_Down_Northern_Ireland.html#

Wir hatten ein Familientreffen in County Down und mein Schwager hatte dieses Restaurant vorgeschlagen. Der Abend war wunderschön, es stimmte einfach alles. Angefangen mit einem sehr kundigen und aufmerksamen Service, Speisen die sowohl vom Geschmack als auch der Art der Anrichtung einfach köstlich waren bis zu den Weinen, die uns empfohlern wurden und die ausgezeichnet zu den verschiedenen Speisen passten. Kurz gesagt: Es war ein wunderschöner Abend und ich bin sicher, dass wir bei einem der nächsten Treffen bestimmt wieder im "Old Schoolhouse" zu Gast sein werden.

The food was fantastic, beautiful setting very peaceful. Enjoyable experience and I'll definitely be back

Everywhere deserves a 2nd or even 3rd chance so I decided to re-visit The Old Schoolhouse Inn after a bit of a break. Food has always been exemplary but service and billing has been questionable at times. Popped down for Sunday lunch recently and was not disappointed. Service was top drawer this time. They seem to have a new Maitre D' or Duty Manager, maybe Eastern European or Russian. She was totally on it service-wise...from the way she introduced our courses to the manner in which she corrected other staff on their serving errors (which we barely noticed!) Very professional and the sort of service I would expect from a high end establishment. Both myself and my Partner were very impressed. This is exactly what the restaurant needed. There were noticeably more staff working than previous visits so no long waits for service this time. I had a Raviolo starter of wild boar (or some gamey meat), can't recall exactly, in a broth with truffle. It was to die for and absolutely delicious. We both went for the Sunday roast and I can say without a doubt the Schoolhouse does the best Sunday Roast I have ever tasted in my life. You really feel that each dish has been individually hand crafted just for you with flavour and presentation as a priority. This is not food that is just rattled out. Desserts also amazing as per usual and lovely breads & butter to start. Another plus point is they have obviously learned from past mistakes - when I got my bill (had to remind waiter who forgot but a minor quibble in overall experience) he stepped me through what we had ordered as it was on the bill. This was a nice touch and obviously done to correct some of the billing issues customers had previously with unknown extras added on to their meal. Overall a brilliant experience and I will definitely come back based on this and recommend to others. Still probably one of the best places to eat in Northern Ireland and hopefully they will maintain the improved service levels.

A great restaurant with a fabulous menu lovely staff and a beautiful art collection, you might recognise the chef owner form The Great British Menu TV show.They also have some lovely guest rooms.

Five stars all day long. From the minute we arrived to our departure all i can say is that it is a must venue . Staff amazing Food amazing Accommodation amazing. Just go. You will not be disappointed.

Went back to the Schoolhouse for Sunday Lunch yesterdayThis lunch is one of the best quality and value for money aroundIf you have not been you do not know what you are missingThe range of starters , mains and desserts are all top drawerWe started with a selection between us of the pate, soup and tart. All agreed a very tasty way to get ready for the main courseThe stand out is always the Beef , always cooked to perfection. Our party of four all had this and cooked pink it melts in your mouthWe ordered the chips as a side, the were crisp on the outside and fluffy on the insideIt is always hard to follow such a lovely meal with dessert but in the Old Schoolhouse you miss out on a treat , spoil yourself with one of these treatsThe wine list is there to suit all pockets, we had the Portuguese red at £23 a bottle, very smooth and nice with the beefThe food in this restaurant would give any Michelin starred restaurant a run for its money, and at a fraction of the priceBook soon you will not be disappointed

It had been years since I had visited - not disappointed lovely bar area for pre-lunch drink, good services and attention and knowledgeable staff. Food was beautiful with a good varied menu definitely worth a visit - even have rooms if you want to stay over

Fantastic lunch - cuisine as good as it gets, service excellent and would highly recommend this restaurant. Dominic was particularly helpful and showed us around the accommodation. Will not wait so long for our next visit!!!!

This was the most delicious Sunday lunch I've had so far. I had the chicken, husband had the beef and both were exquisite. Starters and dessert also lovely. Wait staff professional. Good time intervals between courses. Only negative was I thought my cocktail was too strong but not a big deal. We will definitely return. Bit out of the way but totally worth it for the quality of the food.

Beautiful food and staff were so nice x

Have been here many times but would like to review my recent visit. Are friends visit more regularly than ourselves but we had the chance to get together for what was a great night of food and wine recently.Started with champagne as we were celebrating our friends bday and then the food. Every single dish that we all ordered was outstanding. The cauliflower soup with smoked haddock that I had was to die for and my fillet steak was perfection. Homemade bearnaise was delicious too and had to get some more.The wine recommendations were great as always and our friend knows a thing or two about the vino so that helps.Dominic our waiter is such a gentleman. He really makes sure that everything is to everyone's liking and always explains all your food and wine choices which is a nice touch. Not to mention that he's just very pleasant and genuine too. Can't wait for my next visit!

Have been here a number of times in the past few years and is always good but went last night and it was honestly the best meal I have had out anywhere! I ordered the brill, It was absolutely delicious and the beef dripping chips were divine. Highly recommend. Service was excellent and waiters were very pleasant and friendly. Will definitely be back soon.

Well hey ho back again for another night of Will's delicate delights! It was my sister in laws 80th and plain eaters are she and her husband. Well .......what can I say food visually was so exciting, the tastes were fabulous. As for our guests they will be back!Thank you for making the evening so special.

We booked quite late, but they managed to squeeze us in. The restaurant is interesting. Panels of sound deadening material line some walls, making a great difference to the atmosphere and the decor. Often modern restaurants are so noisy it can spoil the evening. We enjoyed the background music which was not overpowering, but added to the atmosphere.The food was good, served in rather unusual dishes. My husband had pate and I had duck to start. Both were tasty, as was the home made seeded bread.To follow we both had fish, My husband had hake which he enjoyed, I had a rare treat, sea trout. Again excellent.I had a scoop of artichoke ice cream, which sounds a little odd, but tasted delicious, John had sorbets, green apple and blackcurrant with the artichoke ice cream.The service was really good, friendly and efficient. We will be back.

Attempted to book a meal here for my wife's birthday on 1st Feb and had the booking cancelled by the restaurant with a few hours notice due to an electrical failure. These things happen, so I tried again last week, booked online and drove to the restaurant, quite a bit off the beaten track. On arrival, in spite of my booking confirmation by email, we were told by staff the restaurant was booked out for a private function. Plan B again after a wasted journey!Can't review the meal unfortunately as I can't get past the entrance hallway!Sorry.

We have been wanting to try the Old Schoolhouse for a while so when the Openhouse Festival laid on a bus trip we jumped at the opportunity. As with all Openhouse Festival food events we had a great night but the review is about the Old Schoolhouse which was a meal of two parts. The starter, fish course and desert were exceptional and we're a real surprise given the playfully simple menu. However, whilst the flavours of the main were excellent, the duck itself was extremely tough and I can only put this down to poor cooking. It's all very well being inventive and producing interesting and exciting dishes but if you can't cook a piece of duck it's time to go back to basics or stick to what you know.Will we go back? Probably as our appetites we sufficiently whetted to want to go back to try a meal of the regular menu.

Awesome staff and food just shy of a Michelin star!

Super location, close to Dublin centre, great efficient staff, wonderful dinner and breakfast, fantastic bar to relax and let the world go by. A little gem

This was my first time at the Schoolhouse. What a find. It was a cold evening so really nice to come in and see the fire lit and offered the chance to sit by the fire and have a drink before moving to the table. Decor is simple and chic. Such a warm atmosphere. Service was exemplary. Each dish was explained as it was served out. As for the food - outstanding. I really was not expecting such high quality. It is fine dining for sure. Stand out for me was a piece of cod with oyster "emulsion" (foam). Absolutely did not expect this level of food for a place so out of the way down some narrow country roads. Excellent meal. Highly recommended. Will return.

Dinner for two on Saturday 28 Jan. Really can't fault this place. Beautifully chilled glass of prosecco on arrival while viewing the menu. Good selection to choose from. Our meals were fantastic. This was our 3rd visit in as many months and quality has been fantastic each time. Great service and good value for this level of dining. Really well done to all involved. Already looking for an excuse/occasion to come back again. Fair chance we will book again soon with no excuse or occasion. Definitely worth a visit!

It's been a while since we have eaten here but it is still brilliant. We went for Sunday lunch and couldn't have asked for much more. Service was first class, the food delightful and price was fair. The only complaint. Perhaps someone should do a little tidying up outside. First impressions are very important. Inside is great, love the art.

The food in this place is just outstanding. There are many more expensive restaurants that could learn from the schoolhouse. Staff are friendly and professional. I have never had a bad experience here and the food is always a class above the rest.

My husband and I wanted a wee treat before Christmas. So we booked a table just for the two of us. On arrival made to feel welcome, but there was no atmosphere! No one else there except us.Dominic was an excellent host if it hadn't been for him , it would have been dismal. Food ok but very little on the plate for the price. We feel totally overpriced for what we had. Sorry Old School house.

Went here with as a group of 7 for the taster menu.A simply stunning collection of courses with accompanying wines, served by some of the most experienced, knowledgable and professional staff I've had the pleasure of being served by.The overall ambiance of this place is fantastic and although a little out of the way- it's well worth it..

I decided as it was such a wet, dreek, December day - I needed some cheering up and after watching the BBC Masterchef final last night - there was only one place that would meet those standards....Will Brown's Old Schoolhouse Restaurant. I took my mother with me who would generally like meat and two veg and spuds. Will's cooking with modern twists was totally flavorsome (no salt/pepper needed), hearty, warming and filling. I started with a smaller bird - pigeon and moved to the turkey with a fantastic chocolate dessert to finish. Mum had the celeriac and pear soup, the turkey and then a christmas tart. For a traditionalist plain diner who made school dinners for 100s of children - she loved it. I love this place and I was pleased that the No1 woman in any man's life - his mother - enjoyed it too! THe personal touch was there too...when Will took the time to speak with us. Great start to the Christmas weekend.

We had an absolutely fantastic meal this evening in The Old Schoolhouse Inn. The setting is superb, very relaxed lounge area to enjoy a drink and order our meal. Food was absolutely stunning, portion sizes were spot on and the food was cooked to perfection. Staff were extremely attentive, the whole thing was perfect.

Usually head to Balloo House when we are out in Comber's direction. However I had heard good reviews of the Old Schoolhouse Inn so decided to take a trip....and we were not disappointed! It doesn't look like much from the outside but the inside of the restaurant is beautiful - contemporary but comfortable. We decided to just go for main courses but were grateful to receive the delicious complementary bread. Alongside the bread came the nicest butter I have ever tasted, it was smoked and seriously tasty. For main I had fish and chips and the fish was beautiful and light. All members of the party cleared their plates! We were too full for a dessert, however the waiter noted that we could have a plate of Petit Fours, which were also lovely. The best thing about the lunch was the very reasonable prices. We will be back!

There is nowhere, there is nobody in Co.Down who can match Christmas dinner served at the Schoolhouse in Comber. Heaven on a plate. Turkey beautifully and elegantly presented with the best cranberry sauce, divine brussel sprouts and perfect potato fondant..for a moment I felt like Marcus Wareing judging the Master chef professionals.. And let's not forget the cocktail - WOW. (Poachers take note)N:B I'm booked again for more of the same ...

Our December romantic lunch for two. Three course lunch, superb food and seemed very good value at £25 each. Add a lovely glass of wine, which wasn't over priced and all in all made for a lovely afternoon. Choice of five starters, mains and dessert, so something to suit everyone. Quality of food was excellent with a slight twist to traditional menu's. Staff friendly with a good balance of service. Well done all!

There are small portions of food, over priced. The staff are not excellent as they should be. The service is slow, they do not bring you water when you ask them to. One waitress banged the plates down off the table before setting them down which was very annoying. And she did not apologise. I would not rush back here.

The new menu is fantastic. Please get along and try it. So much choice and every dish Judy works so well on the plate.

Love him or hate him....Will Brown can cook. I for one did not warm to his personality on either the Great British Menu or the abortive one-off local TV showing him "foraging" for local produce, smoking fags in his kitchen and dismissing food critics that he invited to his own premises. Anyway being a Chef requires a certain temperament so this isn't surprising. Setting aside all that the food they serve here is amazing, probably some of the best I've had in Northern Ireland and far superior to the other venues under the spotlight in Belfast City Centre. I could wax lyrical here about each dish and how good the breads and desserts are but I won't bother. The menu is reasonably simplistic and they still attempt to cater to the less discerning diner so you will get a burger or beef bourguignon. I think the menu makes sense for the locale but would be great to see a little more variety here. What I do take issue with in The Old Schoolhouse (hence the 3 star rating) is the service and billing practices. As someone who has worked in both kitchens and the floor you can sense the confusion and stress when you come in to this place. Staff are friendly but it seems understaffed. You can arrive, be shown to the small waiting area and wait for some time for a drink order to be taken. Sometimes they offer to take your coat...more often they don't. Service is generally good when someone attends to you but occasionally you can be left waiting for ages...especially after your main meal. They need attentive follow through here and you can't help think you are forgotten about. I've also seen a few arguments between staff....not loud or intrusive but obvious enough for a customer to notice. Anyway my biggest problem with this place is the extremely DUBIOUS billing practices i.e. overcharging almost every time I have been. On separate occasions this has ranged from a few drinks (£27) to unknown food in excess of £70. On each occasion I queried the bill and they made light of it, without looking at receipt in detail, said someone must have had a made a mistake and removed it instantly with a somewhat insincere apology. I sent family here and they had a similar experience. Again, they queried the bill and items were removed instantly without discussion. To have overcharging this consistent would indicate to me a few likely possibilities. None of them are palatable. As a repeat customer I am reluctant to visit again. I can only think of the number of times they have overcharged regular customers who have not checked their bill. This might explain why the last time I was in on a weekend night the place was virtually empty. I would've given The Old Schoolhouse a 5 star review if it wasn't for the service/billing issue. For that they get 3. I hope the owners read this and take note: PLEASE STOP OVERCHARGING YOUR CUSTOMERS !!!!!

A restaurant which has evolved with time and the generations. Lovely food, beautifully presented and served by friendly attentive staff. My son chatted to the sommelier about Italian wines and chose and enjoyed a wine he would have otherwise overlooked. We are looking forward to our next visit.

My partner and I regularly eat in this superb restaurant on the outskirts of Killinchy. On Thurs. 10th Nov. we had a wonderful evening of fine food, wine tasting and live music. Each delightful dish was delicately presented and accompanied by a splendid wine. Wines were analysed in detail by humorous Dennis. Background music by Finbar created a relaxing ambience which led to us having a few dances to finish off the night. Having attended similar events in other European destinations, I would honestly say that few have matched the Michelin star standard of food, service and entertainment. Congratulations Will Brown and team.

Will Brown produces food that looks good, tastes good and is very good, Value for money with lots of local produce incorporated in the menu. I attended the winter wine and tasting menu event......it was just ace. Having accommodation as part of the family run business,,,,,provides a complete package without any worry about lifts/taxis etc. Popping in for lunch is also a treat - you have to visit this restaurant...its one of the best.

After hearing the Old Schoolhouse had for the second year in a row been awarded a Michelen Bib Gourmand. The menu was small but well chosen and well presented including novel and creative choices form the vegetarian menu.Staff were attentive and recommended some nice wine choices.Only slight downside was the temperature in the restaurant which was unbearably hot by the end of the meal.

We booked the whole of the back part of the restaurant as we had a party of 23 to celebrate my father in laws 90th birthday. It was laid out in a large square so everybody was able to see each other and talk to each other as well. We were allowed to decorate the room and take our own birthday cake which was a nice touch as some places won't let you. There is a 10% service charge at the schoolhouse which I don't normally like as I like to give credit for service when it is due but on this occasion it was worth the 10%. Food was excellent although the tomato soup was green and tasted like potato soup. As each of our party paid for themselves I paid cash at the end of the night and about 15 minutes later one of the staff approached me and said they had made an error as they had not taken the £50 deposit off we had already paid and gave it me back. I would not have checked so really appreciated the honesty. All in all a great place and would recommend it 100%

We went for Sunday lunch and it was fantastic! The chef sent breads out with a selection of butters, they were beautiful. I had the venison starter that came with lovely pickled veg then to the roast beef! You could have cut it with a spoon, melted in the mouth and full of flavour! Great food, great service keep it up

Dinner for two.I have been to the Old School House a number of times and can't help feeling it has lost its way. I note the Old front of house manager has left and I think this has resulted in a definite drop in the usual standards. We walked in and a staff member firstly ignored us for around two minutes then asked are names and said simply "follow me" and proceeded to take us to our table. I had to say we would prefer a drink and a look at the menu first. Not a great start. Then....The menu. We had intended to order the 5 course taster menu with matching wine but it was just too vague and no mention of what the matching wines would be. Decided to order from the main menu and even this has been simplified to include fish and chips and burgers etc. We ordered muscles for a starter and they were small and overdone. I had the pate, very nice. A rib eye and the fish, both okay. Wine was very nice. Cost. £120 Overall. Will let it rest for a while. Dissapointed.

We had the 2 courses for £20 and could not be beaten. We both had the most stunningly displayed pate with a small loaf with smoking butter, dulse butter and the pate was delicious plus chutney. Main I had pork belly + pork fillet with roasted beetroot and various veg and Comber spuds. The other roast beef which was generous roast with winter veg and a delicious Yorkshire pud. Wine was reasonable and excellent and Dominic head waiter was a pleasure. Will be back.

Went back on Saturday night to the SchoolHouse with a group of 10 friends. Most of the party hadn't been before but had been very excited to try!! From the second we arrived the chilled and relaxing ambience was set with a warm welcome from the fabulous front of house, Karena. The bread starters were beautiful and truly whet all the appetites! The starters were exceptional - and set the tone for what followed. Literally the best Beef Bourguignon have ever tasted - literally melted in mouth and such a mouth watering array of beautiful flavours in one dish. Most of the men had the steak and comments like "absolute perfection" resounded at all ends the table! The staff also very helpful and attentive and the drinks flowed. Will came out to greet our party at the end also which was a lovely touch to see the "man himself!" Already can't wait to go back again - better every time, just when you think that's not possible!!

We have eaten at the Old Schoolhouse on quite a number of occasions for lunch and dinner including the tasting menu with paired wines etc and have recommended to various friends and family. We were there recently for my partner's birthday - the food was excellent across starters, mains (although would have preferred more fish options- I had mussels as a main and my partner had sea trout) and desserts etc. The food was as excellent as ever. Noticed lack of cocktail list (granted did not ask for one but fairly sure it used to be an option here) and although they have a decent gin menu- the gin serves were a bit more basic than some places. Although to be fair I think they have been looking for new staff in recent times so this explain some of the latter. My main problem was the fact that an item listed as misc food was included on our bill in error at £74.50. A lukewarm apology received and a correct bill then produced. Fine- mistakes can happen and of course you should check your own bill. However, this is not the first time our bill has been wrong here over time. In addition, we bought my partner's folks a gift voucher which they used not that long ago- they had an excellent meal however £40 of misc drinks were added to their bill which they did not have but thankfully they also spotted the error before paying. Having spoken to some of their friends about their meal, their friends also experienced issue with bill being overcharged. Whatever the issue is that seems to be reoccurring - this needs addressed urgently.

The food at the Schoolhouse is excellent, but you must check your bill.I've been overcharged three times. The first was under the old management, the father of the current chef, Will Brown, so I discount that. But in the last 15 months, I've been overcharged on two out of three visits, on the last occasion by over £80.Can such a record just be down to mistakes?It's a pity that the attentive staff don't extend their responsibilities to ensure that the bill presented reflects the meal that has actually been served!However the food is good, so I will be back. I'll just bring my calculator next time!

We had an excellent meal mid week. The service was good but the restaurant was quiet as it was a Wednesday evening. We had a mix of starters which were all good and all had steaks which were very good if not a bit unadventurous. We were surprised at the extent of the bill at the end but a good evening overall.

We were fortunate to stay at the adjacent accommodation and eat at this superb restaurant. The staff were attentive but not overwhelming. We enjoyed lobster as an entree, followed by the pork belly and duck with raspberry parfait and selection of cheeses to finish. The food was of a high standard, and it was not surprising that the restaurant seemed full of regular local visitors. The Kitchen has its own vegetable garden, ensuring this produce is fresh.

My sister and her husband went for lunch to celebrate their anniversary, unfortunately I am on holidays elsewhere or I might just have gate crashed their celebration.Well, today she FB me to say how much they enjoyed the cuisine, with a difference, the service and the general ambiance of the restaurant. So pleased they enjoyed it. Well done School House and staff!

The service was very good. Lovely friendly staff. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming. The food well what can I say it has been a very long time since we have sat down to such a mouth watering meal. Delicious. We both started with the crab well the flavours alone - it was like a party in my mouth just wonderful. We couldn't wait for our mains and we weren't disappointed. My husband had the sirloin and I had the rib eye. Again I couldn't fault any of this. It came with veg and triple cooked chips with a little pot of heaven to eat with our steaks. We didn't have dessert as we didn't have ant room left. Had two tea's and we left extremely satisfied would definitely go back sooner rather than later. Highly recommend.

We went for Sunday lunch today as a birthday treat with our two children 6&8 yrs old. Food was really lovely and well priced for such quality, I'll definitely return to try more. Do try, you won't be disappointed!

love going here. staff are friendly and welcoming. food is excellent and presented well. I'm quite a picky eater but I always find something on the menu to my taste, looking forward to my next visit.

I had a delicious lunch with an old friend last week. The service was excellent and the food and ambience were great.

We dined & stayed in this beautiful quiet tasteful award winning inn last night. We had invited another couple to join us on this mouth explosion experience. We indulged in the fantastic gin menu & drank excellent wine whilst enjoying the superbly mastered cuisine.Starters : the crab was in a league of its on, one of our guests travels the world and his smoked salmon was "outstanding". Mains : the beef burg was melt in the mouth "the best she had ever tasted" the duck and pork well they were both unbelievable. Cheese : north & south cheeses that were Devine with homemade crackers and chutneys. This spot set out in the country but not too far from castle Leslie and other tourist attractions is the ideal spot for the more appreciative pallet of local soured produce and home grown delights. The bedrooms are clean comfortable and a welcoming cooked breakfast before checking out made our stay one that will most definitely be done again.

I ate here last night with my Dad and fiance after reading good reviews. The food is sensational - fantastic flavours, textures and flavour. The menu is a little on the pricey side but I don't doubt this is reflected in their locally sourced seasonal produce and skill putting it on the plate. However we ate off the set menu which they have Mon - Thur - 2 courses for £15 or 3 courses for £20. They don't skimp on portion sizes and I tasted a violet potato for the first time. All of the staff were lovely and friendly and the restaurant itself is like eating at a kitchen table in a lovely home with a bit of luxury. For any occassion this restaurant is a belter and somewhat of a hidden gem. The chef worked in Marco Pierre White's kitchen and his passion and enthusiasm is served on your plate with the wonderful fresh ingredients. It's heartwarming to see their own garden right beside the kitchen.. You probably think I have been paid to write this review but I can't stop gushing! To love every single course is a rarity these days and my dining experience last night really was faultless. Do your tastebuds a favour and book at your earliest opportunity!!

This was my second visit to the old schoolhouse. My first was with my father for a birthday lunch and the second a romantic meal with my husband. It's a deceiving place, it doesn't have a lot of curb appeal which I think is why on both occasions it has been fairly quiet . Inside hosts a modern feel, quite dark and moody, modern art and furnishings. Not to my taste as I would prefer it to be sympathetic to the era of the old school that houses it. That said the surroundings are not important, this place oozes deliciousness ! The food on both occasions has been 100% yummy! Both times myself and my dad and husband went for a three course meal. Every course delivered on appearance, smell, taste... Jammed packed full of flavour!Waiting staff are attentive and friendly. We met the chef himself, lovely guy, very talented man. It's a must for a meal, whether lunch or dinner!! Five stars !!!

Visited for the first time for Sunday lunch with my wife and daughter and was extremely impressed. As previous reviews have noted, this is Michelin star food. Even the mash potato was unbelievable - the waitress mentioned that the chef comes in at 7am to roast potatoes for 2-3 hours (instead of boiling). This gives a sense of the quality and finesse of the food. Add in very pleasant staff and extremely good value (£25 for 3 courses) and you've got one of Northern Ireland's top restaurants. Can't wait to return for dinner.

Chef Will Brown has definitely cracked it the food was excellent, aroma taste and portion size magic, we visited on a Wednesday where we were pleasantly surprised that the menu cost was £55 per couple for a three course meal with a bottle of wine.Please please do yourself a favour and visit The Old Schoolhouse you won't be disappointed

Food was good but staff unfriendly. They served my desert which included ice cream, whilst I was away from the table feeding the baby. Even though we asked them for a little break after mains. so my desert was melting by the time I came back. I would expect much better considering the premium prices paid.

last week we enjoyed an amazing evening. we started with Wimbledon cocktails with fresh strawberries from the garden.the food was first class and the service was outstanding in every way.I would like to thank William for the home made pettifleurs.will and karena and their team where amazing and I would like to thank themfor making my mothers birthday party so special

On arrival we were asked if we could take a seat at the bar before being shown to our table, we sat here for about 30 minutes, which was annoying as we had booked a table in advance. The food was amazing. Not a single bad point about the meal.However the staff seemed almost rude. When we thanked one waitress after she took our plates away from the main, she didn't even look at us never mind respond with a "your welcome". Just an uncomfortable and unfriendly vibe about a couple of members of staff.

We had a rare child free dining opportunity and finally got round to visiting here. Decoration is subtle, calm and pleasant. After a quick martin Millar gin in the bar area (gosh I love a gin menu and a staff member that appears to know their gin!) The set menu was that rare beast of being just as exciting as the main menu. Choices made we were shown to our table in a relaxingly timely manner. That massive test (for me anyway) was passed, our drinks were carried to our table. I do hate traipsing to a table carrying drinks and handbags! I had the beetroot and feta starter, fresh, flavoursome and colourful. OH had the mackerel. Fresh tasty and beautifully presented. Alas he didn't eat his flower cos he's a MAN dontchaknow! We (incredibly greedily as it happened) ordered bread too. Onion muffin sublime, brioche a bit greasy and the spiced sweet bread was gorgeous but I felt somewhat misplaced in the group as it was quite sweet. Yummy none the less. Loved the dulse butter. He being a red guy and me a white led us to have just a glass each. The white Vicars sauv was lush. I had beef bourguignon with mash (again greedily we could resist a portion of triple cooked chips to share ) the mash was delicious, creamy but not starchy, seasoned but not salty. Chips were crunchy and fluffy inside. The beef was fall apart tender. The sauce had evidently started life in an enormous vat and had been lovingly reduced to a sticky, flavour exploding, rich emulsion, gorgeous. OH had the lamb with mash. His wasn't just as flavoursome as mine. The meat was a little on the dry side but very pleasant none the less. Confit potato perfect, another lovingly observed day long creation I imagine. OH had cheese and biscuits. Three lovely choices served with homemade shard like crackers and lush choice of three jams. Carrot, fig and onion...oh the onion....mmmmm.I had the creme caramel, soft set with just a nice amount of wobble, the sauce that dark almost hinting at bitterness that marries so well with the creme. Served with a wafer thin round of nutty crispness and a scoop of creamy, drinky run and raisin ice cream. Rounded off with a nice wee double espresso for me and an americano for him this was a superlative meal. Staff were attentive but subtle, pleasant and knowledgeable. Exactly as it should be, on hand when needed but unobtrusive when not. Surprisingly priced at three courses for twenty quid. Def on our list to book Sunday lunch with the littles, I can smell the roast cooking from here! Thank you for a super evening everyone!

We dined here on a Saturday night, and it became obvious that there were not enough staff for the night even though the place wasn’t at full capacity. We arrived on time for our 7.30pm booking, however we were told to sit down and have a drink beforehand (it wasn’t a question) even though other couples were shown straight to their tables after us. Our orders were then not taken for 20 minutes (even for drinks) as there was only one bartender and she was busy with other tables. It’s not a large place (4 parties in the bar max) so this felt quite awkward and embarrassing. When we were shown to our table the food took a long time to come. It was gone 9pm by the time we got our main course – I was about to complain but would have to get up to go to the bar to do so as there weren’t any staff around. This included at least a 30 minutes wait between starter finishing and main being served, although I didn’t time it, which felt unacceptable as we were starving! We didn’t receive an apology or any acknowledgment that this had taken a long time, it felt like the staff hadn’t noticed. The food was really nice, I enjoyed mine more than my partner did though and I felt there were a few too many things on the plate always. I had crab starter and the halibut main, my partner had the sea trout starter and a steak main (this one was a bit overdone, he asked for it medium rare and it came medium. Apparently the sauce was delicious though). I thought the chocolate dessert was to die for. However for a high end place we didn’t get the service you’d expect for the price – other little things were missing which you noticed like no candle on some tables, some stains on the walls and no meal descriptions. With improvements in service this place could be great.

Had a wonderful lunch with friends last year and forgot to do review. Great staff friendly and professional. Food quality excellent very tasty.Really lovely place for lunch .thank you.

This is my favourite place to eat out in Ireland. Excellent service and amazing food. I find it reasonably priced and great for lunch or dinner