The wonderful Ramore Restaurant in Portrush was once the leading light of cosmopolitan fine dining in Northern Ireland. Today, George and Jane McAlpin and family offer a different style of hospitality, where informality goes hand in hand with quality and value, but what is now the Ramore Complex - comprising five individual restaurants - remains one of the region's most popular dining destinations
The Ramore Wine Bar, Coast Restaurant (Italian style), The Harbour Bar & Bistro, The Mermaid Kitchen & Bar and Neptune & Prawn, make up the complex; the cooking is as good as ever, presentation is very attractive and service is quick and attentive.
Ramore Wine Bar: On the ground floor, the Wine Bar offers a wide choice of contemporary dishes - and more traditional food, notably on Sundays. L&D daily (Tel: +44 (0)28 7082 4313; no bookings except for parties of 10+)
Coast Restaurant: Ground floor restaurant offering stone-baked pizza, pasta dishes and modern Italian cooking. Family friendly. Open late afternoon/evenings Wed-Sun. No reservations except for large parties.Tel: +44 (0) 28 7082 3311
Neptune & Prawn: A sociable, informal experience with an emphasis on Asian sharing dishes served up as they are ready. The restaurant is on the ground floor and there's a cocktail bar upstairs. No children. Open Wed-Sun from 5pm (Sat & Sun to 1am). Tel: +44 (0) 28 7082 2448.
Mermaid Kitchen & Bar A recent addition to the complex, this bright first floor restaurant overlooking the harbour offers relaxed informal dining for adults in a child-free zone. Open late afternoon/evenings Wed-Sat & Sun 1-9pm. Reservations accepted. Tel: +44 (0)28 7082 6969; line open daily 11am-5pm only. Not suitable for children; no wheelchair access.
The Harbour Bar: This famous old quayside pub has retained its original character in the front section. Upstairs, there's big screen sport, cocktails, a Gin Bar, pizzas from a wood burning oven and live music. Behind the old bar The Harbour Bistro has been sympathetically refurbished and has a wood burning grill; mainly contemporary food and some old classic Harbour favourites. Open late afternoon/evenings Wed-Sun, L Sun only (2 sittings).Tel: +44 (0) 28 7082 2430; reservations accepted for large parties only. No children after 8pm.
Nothing ever stands still at the Ramore, so you can be sure that the McAlpins already have plans for something new - whatever it is, it will be well done.
