The Plough Inn in Lisburn

Great Pint. Great LIVE Music and a lovely atmospheric local pub in the heart of Hillsborough.

The Snug - what can I say… the best food and cocktails. The biggest and tastiest small plates I have ever seen, coupled with excellent service in luxurious surroundings - can’t wait to return!

Have been here a few times and it's always very tasty. However during our last visit. The staff went above and beyond. During our meal my wife took ill, soon after we had received our starter (illness unrelated to the food btw). The staff were so lovely and accommodating of us having to leave mid meal. They even packed up my main course to take with me and didn't charge for my wife's main course. If I could give 6 stars I would.

Service tbh wasn't great. Ordered wine and unopened bottle left on table with no glasses. Had to ask few times about this. Sharing starter and into main before glasses came. Asked to see desert menu but never came back (table beside had same prob) Decided just to get the bill when paying didn't think warranted leaving a tip which l always would do. Never asked did we enjoy our meal when paying as would have said. Can't complain about food. Over the years have been in this restaurant few times, unfortunately won't be going again

Great place for a couple of pints and a good lunchtime feed.

Food cold, had to send it back.. chips over cooked.

Food was lovely... Service very poor (didnt get asked about coffee/desserts for kids/no dessert spoons/no drinks orders at the start for 20mins/had to move tables as they wanted to squeeze 13 onto a 10 seat table/mixing up our orders with another table) also rude. They did provide a discount, voucher & a free round of drinks as it was surprisingly bad & not very busy. After asking for some free drinks to compensate the initial 30 minute table delay & their confusion over our party size to extend our wait by 15-20 mins, they initially offered free water, which was eventually upgraded significantly after continued errors/poor service. Ordinarily its overpriced too.

What a disappointment! Waited at least half an hour for our drinks. Had to ask for water. The serving staff we had were clearly very young and inexperienced and struggling. They desperately need more basic training and guidance whilst working. “May I get you some drinks while you look at the menu”. “Would you like water for the table”. It’s not rocket science. I was actually embarrassed for them. Food was generally okay though not amazing. One of our group ordered the Thai vegetable curry which they said was dreadful. We won’t be in a rush back unfortunately.

The Plough is an instution in Hillsborough for a reason - it is always warm, inviting and cosy with good life flowing through it! Met some friends for an Xmas catchup and the dinner was excellent as ever, hope the Plough continues to go from strength to strength!

Beautiful spot! The food was amazing the atmosphere great and staff extremely friendly.. I would definitely recommend

Food was excellent and service superb. We had the Pate and mushroom toast plus salted chilli squid which was delicious followed by a well presented Turkey and ham dinner with all the trimmings as well as a juicy burger. Service was really attentive from start to finish

Lunch at The Vintage Rooms at the Plough. Loaded chips with spicy chicken went down very well, as did the Hillsborough IPA. The 'spicy' chicken was good for me, but it was too hot for a few friends, probably the jalapeños 🥵.

No Disabled toilets downstairs or any toilets downstairs!! 🤔

Place was busy, however staff were friendly and efficient and able to get us a seat. I had the Turkey toasted sandwich that came with skinny fries. My husband had the festive fries which looked amazing and he said they were very tasty. The place was cosy and comfortable. Great service and great food. Will definitely be back.

We (7) walked in for dinner just before 4 pm and didn't pre-book beforehand, but we were accommodated with a table but were told it was booked by people at 5 pm. We wished to have had more time as we all would've ordered a meal each. I still can't fault the food.

Food was absolutely delicious and presented beautifully. Would highly recommend.

Delicious 'fancy pub food'. Good selection but quite pricey.

Warm welcome friendly service scallop starter outstanding and great pint of Guinness. What more could anyone want!

Food was nice, although quite pricy and not worth it in my opinion. Nice atmosphere.

The Best place for the Best diner!

Ordered small fry which was mediocre and semi warm. Service without a smile. From experience until recently free tea with breakfast food as described but not any longer now. Paid £15.65 sharing a pot of not hot tea which was supposed to be separate. Consider this to be beyond the pale. Can't understand why Management doesn't take action based on Trip Advisor review summary for this restaurant. Return visit - no, elsewhere.

Great service from very friendly staff that appear to love their job, great interaction with the kids. Good experience all round. The Guinness is good too 👍🏻

The vintage room in the plough inn, is definitely worth a visit for a snack or something more substantial and if your lucky enough to have a window seat it's lovely looking across at the old Court house and entrance to the castle

Absolutely wonderful stop for food and drink. We tried several different main dishes and all were very good. I never had pigeon before but I have to say it was very good. The toffee pudding was also out of this world! Beautiful historic building with great staff. Absolutely worth the stop.

Great service, good advice on selections (we asked) and great food. Loved the layout and feel of the place, really relaxing and good for groups or as a couple in our case.

A quick last minute bite! Doorstepped the Restaurant at the Plough for a quick bite to eat following seeing Les Miserables at the Odessey in Belfast. The team were very helpful and offered us a table for a 1.5 hours dining slot which was perfect. We had the Super Nacho Bowl to share and the fresh scampi 🍤 for main. All was excellent and I noticed all the staff VERY regularly approached each table asking if “everything ok with you meal and do you need anything else” This basic question 🙋 that many other dining establishments could learn from. Back to basics and make just the customer feels welcomed and cared for. It made you feel welcomed and that the team wanted you to enjoy the full visit and experience. 5 ⭐️ of experience and very professional young team. It’s been a number of years since I visited and would highly recommend this iconic spot to eat. A small but clever addition was the swivel dining chairs 🪑 that enabled the more elderly or less mobile guest to get in and out of the table and seat 💺 with easy.

I recently dined at The Plough Inn, and unfortunately, the experience wasn't quite what I expected. The food was a bit of a letdown — not only was it tougher than it should have been, but the menu also turned out to be completely different from what was advertised on their website. This was disappointing, as I had already decided on what I wanted before arriving. Adding to the unpleasant atmosphere, there were other guests who were practically yelling their conversations, boasting about irrelevant topics just to sound important. I doubt the staff would have done anything to address this, as it seemed to go unnoticed. Overall, it wasn't the worst experience, but I expected better from a place with such a reputation.

This used to be a great spot, but granted I haven't been in a while. It's probably the most expensive place in 50 mile radius, which I'm ok with if it's good quality and service. Truth be told the food was average at best ! But the worst thing was "Uncle Fester" apparently he's the manager, but probably the most rude person I've met. He's not easy to understand in his fake deep voice, and If that's what you experienced, then you are lucky !! To ask for a table and be treated like some idiot because you didn't book, lets be clear it's a country pub, not a 3 Micheline Star restaurant. Anyway if you want to charge the prices, get a manger that has served his time in a restaurant, rather than a dirty pub. Certainly won't be back !!

Had 2 drinks from front bar a few weeks ago, a bottle of cider and a coke zero cost me around just over £12, maybe it was a mistake I should have challenged it, but felt ripped off.

Dear, dear, dear……very disappointing. Had a reservation but was seated upstairs and around the corner and was quite dismal. Staff were lovely but the food was not. The roast beef was overcooked, fatty and tough, mash was dry and roasties hard. When asked by the server, who was lovely, if all was ok, he laughed it off when I said no. My meal was removed from the bill and not offered anything else. Left hungry and extremely disappointed. We will not be back………

The food at time of posting this is exceptional. Small but perfectly executed menu which does not fail to dazzle. Worth travelling for.

We had a beautiful Sunday lunch in the plough. The interior & ambience is superb so cosy & inviting especially on a miserable Sunday afternoon!! The menu was extensive so much choice with an additional specials menu. For a family of 6 one ate of the kids menu she had a starter of the main menu followed with chips & goujons said they were tasty. We had a mixture of starters from scallops to prawns the presentation was something you’d see in a fine dining restaurant & the food was delicious so full of flavour….. delicious! Mains the family had beef Sunday roast it was melt in your mouth & the chicken Sunday roast all with all the trimmings, the feedback “it was class”. Empty plates is a great sign from our kids. I had the monk fish curry I’d ate it recently in another establishment and I’d much prefer the Ploughs take, plenty of fish & prawns. I’d highly recommend the plough our only complaint is that it’s not on our doorstep as we’d be regulars for sure!. If you haven’t tried it you are missing out we are already arranging our next trip!

Arrived for lunch but ignored by staff while we waited to get a seat. Ordered beef stack and according to menu is 4oz burger with chicken breast and pulled beef £20, arrived with 2oz burger, 2 sliced chicken goujons and spoonful of pulled beef. Very pricey for lunch and staff seemed busy and less attentive.

The Plough Inn is a fantastic choice for a memorable lunch. From the moment we walked in, we were impressed by the warm and inviting atmosphere. The decor is charming, with a cozy yet elegant feel that makes you want to stay awhile. The service was top-notch—attentive without being intrusive, and the staff made us feel genuinely welcome. The food, however, was the real highlight. We only ordered main dishes, and they did not disappoint. I had the salmon, which was cooked to perfection, with a delicious blend of flavors that made every bite a pleasure. My husband opted for the battered fish, and he was equally impressed. The fish was crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and seasoned just right. It’s clear that the chef takes great care in selecting high-quality ingredients and preparing each dish with skill. Overall, The Plough Inn exceeded our expectations in every way. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to return to again and again. Highly recommended for anyone looking to indulge in exceptional food and warm hospitality.

The Plough Inn is a fantastic choice for a memorable lunch. From the moment we walked in, we were impressed by the warm and inviting atmosphere. The decor is charming, with a cozy yet elegant feel that makes you want to stay awhile. The service was top-notch—attentive without being intrusive, and the staff made us feel genuinely welcome. The food, however, was the real highlight. We only ordered main dishes, and they did not disappoint. I had the salmon, which was cooked to perfection, with a delicious blend of flavors that made every bite a pleasure. My husband opted for the battered fish, and he was equally impressed. The fish was crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and seasoned just right. It’s clear that the chef takes great care in selecting high-quality ingredients and preparing each dish with skill. Overall, The Plough Inn exceeded our expectations in every way. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to return to again and again. Highly recommended for anyone looking to indulge in exceptional food and warm hospitality.

We recently went back to visit The Plough for the first time since it has been under new ownership. I must say it has received a new lease of life. The decor has been refreshed, and the menu is revamped. The food was excellent, and the atmosphere was buzzing. We hadn't planned to stay on, but the music and craic meant our night was filled. We would highly recommend a visit.

The fish and chips were absolutely phenomenal. Service was a little slow, but it looked like they were a person down! The space is gorgeous

We really enjoyed our evening out. My hubby had the pigeon. Excellent meals. Staff were very nice. Nothing was a problem.

Great food, lovely atmosphere and service

Food first rate... steak well cooked to my taste... Hillsborough cod was also well prepared... service excellent ..

Used to love coming to this place but it’s got just so expensive and really not good value. £18.50 for a not very exciting burger with a few chips thrown in. If you want bacon it’s an extra £1.50. I mean it was tasty enough but for £20 it’s not value for money. Will have to find a new favourite place as this one is just extortionate. No complaints about service. Attentive and polite

Nice but very expensive. Coffee and scones for two £18:50. Scones were nice but even at this price the coffee was a small cup. There are plenty of other places offering similar food and service and a much lower price!.

A great place for lunch! Food is delicious and is in reasonable portion. Don’t miss their banana sticky toffee pudding !!

It has been awhile since I was last in the plough and it didn't let me down. The food and the service was first class. The ambience of the plough is like no other Well worth a visit.

Good choice of food and service.

Great atmosphere, would have loved to see something better for vegetarian in mains. We just ate all the snacks and starters and love the nachos and hallumi fries.

We had our dogs with us so we had a table out at the rear of the Inn , nice area with a roofed part if was raining . Food was excellent, good sized portions , with a side plate of vegetables. A dish of water for the dogs to . Worth a visit

A dining out experience. The atmosphere was electric. Packed restaurant. Definitely worth a revisit.

Great selection of food. High standard as well. Highly Recommended. Good atmosphere for a catch-up with friends in the bar. Friendly staff

Very relaxing atmosphere, food & service were great.

Fantastic food and great service! Great set with different rooms up at different levels, great location next to the Fort and the park too

Just wanted to leave a review for an exceptional meal last night in the Bistro. A lovely menu - we ordered the monkfish curry, lobster and chicken Kiev - delicious. Lovely staff also and we were not rushed away from our table afterwards which allowed a lovely catch-up with friends. Thanks to all

Great service , Great staff and great wee Town

Service was awful, wouldnt come back

Don’t plan to be in any rush!! Ok maybe I was premature! The food is amazing. Change review from 1 star to 4. The service for drinks and food was sooooo sloooowww. Four people serving four separate tables within a single space - could’ve been done by one person easily. The bar is 7 metres from our table so the drinks should have been quick. Service to all four tables was slow - not just ours. BUT The food was really good.

Fabulous place we to eat, drink and hang out . Service was good , welcoming and kind..my wife loved the hamburger!

If we could give zero star's we would. A table was booked last week for a Friday evening meal from the time we walked in the staffs attitude was absolutely terrible when we complained about there food not being cooked properly and cold we just got feeble excuses I'll never set foot in your premises again.......

Place was empty,said they couldn't serve 2 people dinner. Won't be back near the place.

Quite simply- first class and very good value...a lovely way to conclude a day's sightseeing in Hillsborough including our guided tour of the Castle!

We went to the Plough last week as we had received a gift voucher as wedding present. It was still in date but when we went to pay we were told that they didn’t accept these vouchers anymore as it had new owners. This is shocking behaviour by a business not to honour the gift vouchers. There was nothing during to booking to let you know that this was the case. It totally ruined what had been a nice evening. The owner was to ring us to discuss the situation but it has been a week and still hasn’t. Totally unacceptable behaviour. We won’t be back.

Popped in for some small plates before a walk around Hillsborough Park. We had the Salt and Chilli Squid and camembert starters with a basket of warm breads and olive tapenade. The food was lovely and the serv8ce brilliant

Staff will make you leave 30 mins before closing to suit themselves. New owners making mistakes. Last orders over 1.5 hours before closing. Turned ALL lights off to make people leave before closing. Family have come here for years and not seen attitude like this from staff.

Closes earlier to suit themselves, will make you leave. Issues with new ownership. Been a Plough customer for years, last orders were early then were told we had to leave 30 minutes before closing, after plenty of hints and comments from staff, including turning ALL the lights off over 30 minutes before closing. Last orders was an hour and a half before closing. Where does this business’ priority lie? Not with locals. Back to the Hillside we go. Had friends to visit over from England so was an embarrassing experience.

Very tasty roast beef dinner & stuffed chicken breast.. was treated to two Yorkshire puds (thank you) thank you for looking after us so well.. we will definitely be back 😋

Great, can't recommend enough, the red Thai Curry is out of this world.

Was treated to here from a friend and to be honest top job food service and atmosphere 100%

Really lovely lunch today very tasty good value and lovely staff

Came for lunch first time here absolutely brilliant travelled from Armagh handy from motorway had chicken and scampi great Guinness superb dessert

We had a brilliant evening out for my husband’s birthday. Lovely food & excellent service, really enjoyed the evening & highly recommend it. Will definitely be back

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at the Plough Inn. The waiter was very friendly and attentive. The food was delicious and tastes fresh, The Pub had many great seating areas to enjoy a drink with friends.

Excellent food and service good value for money

Food adequate athough overpriced and portion sizes rather small but when came to pay had a gift voucher which was for Plough Inn and did not expire until April 2024 but staff declined to honour it. Wont be back

Wonderful food and a brilliant venue, with Hillsborough Fort and Lake Walk right behind to help work up that appetite. The variation on veg was particularly beautiful 😋

Visited The Plough for Sunday Lunch with my family. The staff were great, very attentive and nothing was a bother to them. We had three courses and each course was outstanding. Lovely atmosphere and made feel really welcome. Very much looking forward to returning soon.

Had Sunday lunch here last week. Simply phenomenal!! Will be back next week. It’s just superb!

Best place to eat with the family, we go here often and absolutely love the place. No bad experience yet. My little girl has food allergies and nothing is ever to much for the staff, their knowledge is great and are always very attentive. Food and prices is all amazing and no matter how busy the place is it never makes a difference to the service provider. The manager does a great job in running the bar/restaurant. We will be back often.

Went here for a Valentine’s Day meal as the food has been awesome lately! My fussy self and my partner were not fussed on the set menu so were offered a table by the fire and a different menu. Food was quick, fresh and so tasty. Staff helpful and kind as always. Place clean and up to standards. A great spot for a drink by the fire, great music and so cosy! Always end up calling in most weekends! Thursday night pub quiz - £1 for a plate of tasty grub during it also! And great prizes!

Went for lunch with 9 girlfriends for a catch up. Food was fab as always and the cocktails even better.🍸 Great atmosphere and staff very attentive and friendly. Hope to return soon.🤗

Fantastic atmosphere in the new marquee when the rugby was on, food is beyond amazing and the staff are always helpful and good craic. Always a great experience at the Plough.

We absolutely love coming to The Plough. The bar staff have a great rapport with their customers, they are always so friendly and chatty. My partner and I were here a few nights ago for some great pints and great craic. Bar snacks are out of this world, I forgot to take pictures but the food was absolutely stellar. From the service, the live music, and a joyous atmosphere, this is such a cosy and homely wee spot. You couldn't ask for more. Thanks so much to Keith and the lads for looking after us so well, we can't wait to see you again soon x

Had Sunday lunch here a week ago. It was simply fantastic- kids loved it. Treated like little princesses since we entered the door. My wife and I had the same starter which was awesome (prawns) and then one roast and one steak -phenomenal!! Kids also loved theirs and having held out for dessert were blown away. Atmosphere was so family friendly - staff are awesome; so friendly and thoughtful. Dad defo intends to return for the rugby specials this weekend, sounds awesome

My experience at The Plough was nothing short of top class. From the moment we stepped in, we were enveloped in a warm, festive atmosphere that immediately put us in the holiday spirit. The attention to detail in their decorations and the cozy ambiance made for an unforgettable dining experience. The Christmas dinner itself was an absolute delight! Every dish was expertly prepared, bursting with flavor and showcasing the finest seasonal ingredients. From the succulent roast turkey to the indulgent desserts, each bite was a taste of holiday perfection. However, what truly set The Plough apart was their exceptional service. The staff went above and beyond to ensure that every guest felt welcomed. Their attentiveness and genuine hospitality truly elevated our dining experience. I can't recommend The Plough highly enough. It's a five-star dining destination that never disappoints.

As always the staff are so attentive and make you feel very welcome, food is always good but it’s never fine dining which is good and what we like! Casual decent good food! We always try to arrange to come for a catch up dinner with friend 2 / 3 times a month etc New owners have acquired the Plough since December and price have increased massively! Starters are priced from £11.50 / £13.50 seriously inflated! We decided this week to change our venue and we went to James street south belfast. This place is classed as fine dining and better value than our local, with most expensive starter at £12 We shall keep an eye on menus at the plough, not saying we won’t return but we’ve definitely had to look outside the box. Don’t ruin the plough please and get real with the prices.

Great spot for a pint and a bite to eat

food is decent but service is always so slow and off putting

The food was fine when it eventually arrived but the service was terrible. We have booked a table but when we arrived there was a long queue of people and simply no staff to be seen. When we were eventually seated it was 20 minutes before they took our order. We waited a very long time for our food (simple brunch items) and coffees took even longer. Food was a little cold but there seemed no point in complaining - and nobody came near us so no one to complain to! Really disappointing. Lots of customers were commenting on the poor service.

Celebration meal, good food and service.

Great service , Great bar, Great atmosphere!!

Had breakfast in The Vintage room. The mini fry was £11. Poor quality ingredients, deep fried sausage, bacon had obviously been cooked earlier and kept warm rendering it dry and tough, soda bread was greasy and the potato bread had no discernible taste. If you want a proper breakfast in Hillsborough I suggest you visit Joxer.

Breakfasts outstanding. We run bed and breakfast business but often it’s lunch time before we stop to eat and if we fancy a treat made for us the Plough is the def local go to!

My friend and I dined here at The Plough this evening and we have to say it was such a lovely experience.. The staff were second to none and the food was excellent. It’s been a long time since I visited here and now we cannot wait until our next visit. Thanks so much…

Great value for money and service greatly appreciated thank

We Were originally met with a warm experience in the beginning, After a short while we decided to obtain some food and come back to enjoy our pints which the plough provided. We were rudely equated with a sour young woman who abruptly told us to leave the bar at once, this young blonde lady clearly needs to learn some manners as the customer service was appalling, we were then forced to clean our tables and bring our pint glasses to the front of the bar or else we were faced with being banned from the Bar for life, My son who did not participate in the indulgence in food was forced to stay behind and put on his hands and knees to clean under the table or else his personal identification would be permanently withheld. humiliating experience and would not recommend for anyone in the future, In all my many years of life i haven’t experienced manners so disgusting. My christmas period has been ruined. Stay away!!!!

Can't comment on the food as I only had drinks here. Friendly, helpful staff. Relaxed atmosphere. A lot bigger than it looks outside with so many different sections. Doormen were friendly and helpful and were able to control the crowds as it was very busy over the Christmas period.

I had the roast beef im afraid it was really poor - dry and tough - roast potatoes underdone and the Yorkshire pudding which didn’t arrive as it should have with the meal inedible - to top it all they charged an extra 2.50 for a tiny bowl of gravy which should have been provided in the first place - in all a very poor experience and I’m afraid not a place to eat at all

We just popped in for a drink and decided on just a few nibbles. I had the risotto with sourdough, which was really tasty and well cooked. Hubby had a lovely homemade veggie soup with lovely fresh wheaten. We have eaten quite a few times in the past and rarely disappointed. The best though, was a really lovely pint of Guinness. Not all Guinness is equal.

Delicious meal out for our wedding anniversary! Plenty of choice on the menu. We went for main and dessert. The scampi was to die for - so fresh, piping hot. My husband really enjoyed his steak. They didn’t have a dessert menu which was disappointing but they had various things to choose from in a dessert counter. I’m not a brownie/chocolate dessert fan but my husband is, have to say it was incredible. I ordered lemon tart which was lovely and refreshing.

Good food, good service and great atmosphere. In my view one of the best spots to eat in Hillsborough. Consistently good and a decent menu.

Had to wait for half an hour for a table but it was worth it as the food was delicious, first time in the pub won't be the last.

Fantastic Food with friendly Staff