A new offshoot of the Mourne Seafood Bars in Dundrum (Mourne Seafood Bar Dundrum) and Belfast (Mourne Seafood Bar Belfast), this smart modern café in Newcastle offers an informal way to experience the great seafood that the McCoubrey family has made their niche.
As in their other restaurants, they specialise in fresh fish from the local ports of Keel and Annalong, and mussels, oysters and cockles from their own shellfish beds on Carlingford Lough – and, whenever possible, use local fish that is not under threat.
No nonsense menus read refreshingly simply - hake fillet with minted pea cream; mussels in garlic white wine cream, or Thai style – and there’s a 14oz dry aged sirloin steak with chunky chips & pepper sauce for anyone not in the mood for fish.
A separate children’s menu is all one price (£4.95) and they hold a Lobster Fest every Thursday night, which is great value at only £11.99 for a whole grilled lobster (+£1 with thermidor sauce). This place should do very well.
Seats 90 (private room, 30). Open Thu-Sun (& Wed high season); Thu 12-8.30; Fri 12-9; Sat all day 12-12.30; Sun 12-8.30. L 12-6pm and evening menu from 6pm onwards. Children welcome (high chair, childrens menu, baby changing facilities); wheelchair accessible (public areas & toilets); air conditioning. House wine £12.95. Closed Mon, Tue (& Wed off season). Diners, MasterCard, Visa, Switch. *The McCoubreys also run Mourne Coastal Tours (www.mournecoastaltours.com) , offering boat trips of 15 minutes - 1 hour along this beautiful coast.
