Follow the Bushmills Salmon and Whiskey Festival Taste Trail
4th - 6th oct 2024
Please support our local businesses by following The Bushmills Taste Trail, a Bushmills Business Association initiative and a vital feature of the annual Bushmills Salmon and Whiskey Festival programme. Bushmills Village boasts a wide range of quality food and drink experiences, including shops, delis, restaurants and bars, many of which offer whiskey and salmon-inspired specials over the festival weekend. This year the organisers, CC&GBC Events Team, are offering a ticketed self-guided tour. See below for details.
FAQ's
All you need to know to enjoy a self guided foodie trip around Bushmills, supporting local businesses!
How does it work?
This self-guided tour can be enjoyed by purchasing a ticket/s from the Bushmills Visitor Information Centre, Tartine at Distillers Arms or Maegden (check opening hours for each outlet to avoid disappointment).
How much are the tickets?
Tickets cost £20 per person, are being organised by the CC&GBC Events Team and we believe they will be available to purchase close to the event start date (details to be confirmed). Tickets will entitle you to purchase goods/dishes up to the value of £20 over the 3 days of the festival weekend (4th to 6th Oct 2024). Buy more than one if you are planning to fully embrace this foodie experience. You can spend your ticket/s in more than one venue.
Why buy tickets?
The great advantage of buying tickets is that the first 100 customers will get a very special 'goodie' bag from the festival organisers Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council. This event has also been supported by the Old Bushmills Distillery.
Can't buy tickets?
Please note that you can also pay directly by card and cash in participating venues that cannot accept tickets. Businesses are expecting a busy weekend over the festival, and special dishes are subject to availability.
Who is included and what is on offer?
Scroll down this page to see businesses that have put forward their specials. The festival programme includes a QR code which will bring you to this page. Participating venues will have their festival themed dishes on display or simply ask for the details.
Check out our 'not to be missed' section on this page, lots of great small independent businesses to discover & support!
Not all our incredible businesses are featured on this particular Festival-Themed Taste Trail this year, but they will be open for business and look forward to welcoming you! #supportlocal
Where can I see the full festival programme?
Click the following link to view the full programme from Friday 4th October 2024 to Sunday 6th October 2024.
Bushmills Salmon and Whiskey Festival Programme 2024
Bushmills Salmon & Whiskey Festival Taste Trail Map 2024
The Bushmills Inn Hotel & Restaurant
The award-winning Bushmills Inn Hotel & Restaurant has been firmly established in the village of Bushmills for over 30 years, although the original coach house and stables dates back close in time to 1608. The AA Rosette Restaurant offers all-day dining and serves the finest dishes using seasonal and locally-sourced produce in an elegant, atmospheric and relaxed setting. As well as fine dining in the Restaurant you can enjoy al fresco dining on the Patio, a choice of gastro pub dishes in the Gas Bar or a traditional Sunday Carvery. For more information, menus and to book a table go to Best Restaurant in Bushmills near Portballintrae | Bushmills Inn
Bushmills Visitor Information Centre (VIC)
A range of free local tourism literature covering the Causeway Coast and Glens and Northern Ireland, maps, visitor attractions, events and transport timetables is now a small part of the service offered by this popular VIC. Book experiences: browse the range of local gifts and crafts.
Seasons of the Glens Fine Food Boutique showcases their impressive growing range of local producers and you will have the opportunity to hear the stories behind the produce by talking to .he knowledgable customer service advisors in Bushmills Visitor Information Centre.
Bushmills Townhouse
A welcome new addition to the Bushmills Taste Trail, the Bushmills Townhouse has hit the ground running since it opened its doors earlier this year. njoy a modern dining ambiance with exceptional local produce and an Italian twist. Under the guidance of Chef Patron Ian Orr, our restaurant offers a unique culinary journey, blending regional ingredients with Italian flair. Enjoy light bites during the day, à la carte dinners in the evening, and hearty Sunday lunches. Join us for an unparalleled dining experience that showcases the best of Northern Ireland.
Destination Bushmills
Another welcome new addition to the Bushmills Taste Trail, Destination Bushmills offers a delicious creative menu. Fully licensed Destination Northern Irelands only charcuterie bar. The best of local produce from brunch to dinner. Eat, drink, discover in this completely renovated space located in the heart of Bushmills village.
Maud's Ice-cream parlour
Nestled in the heart of Bushmills, Mauds Ice Cream Parlour offers an unforgettable treat for ice cream lovers and tourists alike. Located in an atmospheric building on the corner of the diamond area, this parlour is the perfect spot to indulge in a delightful array of award-winning ice creams. Among their most celebrated offerings is the signature Bushmills Whiskey Ice Cream—an indulgent treat that perfectly captures the rich heritage of the region. Each scoop is crafted with care, ensuring you experience the very best in artisanal ice cream.
Lorna's kitchen
Lorna kitchen in the heart of the village is the place to visit for a flavour of traditional north coast food. Lorna heads to her kitchen at the crack of dawn to ensure that customers are served the freshest selection of firm favourites. Freshly baked scones, tray bakes, her legendary fry ‘The Big 1’, made to-order omelettes with your choice of filling are just a few of the popular all-day breakfast options. Classics include Irish stew, warming soups with homemade wheaten bread and a wide selection of sandwiches, paninis, goujons, burgers and much more!
Available to sit-in or take away Lorna’s Kitchen is warm and cosy café with a big heart! If you follow Lorna on socials you will know she announces her freshly baked scones flavours every morning as they come out of the oven! Give Lorna's kitchen a follow for more information on daily specials.
Bilberry Mill
Located in the centre of Bushmills, this light and airy café showcasing stunning local art is a firm favourite with its outside tables being one of the hottest seats in town! Bilberry Mill is dog friendly and has a special menu for your furry friends. This hard-working team includes talented bakers that bake a mouth-watering range of delicious bread, savouries, scones, decadent desserts, and tray bakes every morning to enjoy in-house or to take away. Expect a delicious and varied menu of freshly prepared food. Favourites include daily lunch specials, sandwiches, toasties, paninis, burgers, pizzas and all the daytime dishes designed to refuel a trip to the Giants Causeway or recharge the batteries on a lunch break from work or a much-needed catch-up with friends.
Bilberry Mill is the master of invention as they are continually revamping their layout and menu offerings to satisfy their customers. Their varied menu is impressive, and a full, extensive barista-style menu is available, along with a wide variety of hot and cold drinks.
Check out their social pages.
Market Square
Market Square is a licensed café restaurant housed in the historic trading market established in 1827. Neil Campbell and his energetic team offer seasonal dishes featuring a range of local produce, many of which are from the Taste Causeway collaborative. A popular breakfast, brunch and lunch venue offering an extensive range of dishes and specials. Reviewers rave about their MSQ Burger, Californian sourdough open prawn and Donegal Benny, to name a few! Market Square is fully licensed and well stocked with local beers, a great selection of wines and a cocktail list ready for Bushmills sundowners!
Lily's at The Diamond
Adjacent to the clocktower, Lily’s superb location offers a bird’s eye view of the village from its cosy first floor seating area. Serving a wide range of hot and cold beverages, breakfast, lunch and sweet treats such as freshly baked scones, tray bakes and pastries. A firm favourite with locals and visitors, you can pop in and choose your preferred filling for your sandwich, toastie or panini to enjoy to take-away or sit-in.
Bilberry Takeaway
Owned and operated by Aaron and Megan Kerr, behind the beloved Bilberry Mill Coffee shop, this new venture offers a unique experience that combines a bakery, deli, pizzeria, and farm shop all under one roof.
When you step into Bilberry Takeaway, you're greeted by the inviting aroma of freshly baked bread and pastries, Whether it's a warm loaf to accompany your dinner or a sweet treat to savour with your coffee, you'll find something to delight your taste buds. The deli boasts a range of artisanal sandwiches and delicious sausage rolls all crafted from the finest ingredients.
If you're in the mood for something hearty, there is an impressive range of delectable selection of handcrafted pizzas and their Sunday carvery is an absolute must!
For those looking to take a piece of Bushmills to take home, the farm shop is stocked with a variety of local produce and gifts.
Kane Family Butchers
This third generation family butcher is located just off the Diamond area but serve customers province-wide with its efficient delivery service.
They offer a breath-taking range of quality produce with great deals and packages in store, through their online shop and social media posts. The shop is stocked with a range of local produce, including Bushmills own Dundarave estate preserves.
The Bush House Bar
The Bush House Bar, with its quaint front bar area and back room snugs, retains the traditional feel of this friendly public house. The beer garden is popular when the sun is out, and the open fire is popular for hot Bushmills whiskies when the weather turns.
Live music is a key feature of what to expect during a visit to The Bush House Bar. If the jukebox isn't in full flow, you can enjoy live music from a selection of talented musicians and vocalists, including Pub Landlord Karl 'Spud' Smith.
The Bushmills Meat Centre
The Bushmills Meat Centre is another interesting stop. This local family farm butchers have been selling a quality range of their own farm reared meat for over 30 years.
The Laverty family also champion the best of the area with a full range of local food heroes such as a favourite Broighter Gold rapeseed oil, Ballykenever preserves.
You will also find a large range of bakery produce, home-baked pies from their own lamb and beef and all the condiments to encourage customers to produce a feast for their families and friends from scratch.
The Hip Chip
The Hip Chip is Bushmills oldest traditional fish and chip shop serving great food since 1992, winning many awards along the way.
Earlier this year they expanded their premises to include a bright and airy seating area. An extensive menu to sit in or takeaway is full of firm favourites. Burgers both beef and chicken, hand cut chips and a range of sauce and accompaniments. Pies, goujons, sausages the list is endless. Pop in and browse their impressive menu.
The team at The Hip Chip offer a delivery service and have the very popular Bob and Berts Coffee station available in store.
McConaghy's Ice Cream & Souvenir Shop
McConaghy’s is another Bushmills institution stocking traditional souvenirs including beautiful Aran knitwear, and Irish Linen, gifts and award-winning ice Morelli’s ice cream.
Julie and Tommy also showcase delicious whiskey edible gifts including Irish Whiskey fudge and Irish Whiskey Marmalade are always popular.
Friendly service and a warm welcome make a visit to McConaughy's a must stop!
MAEGDEN
Cheese, cheese and more cheese might draw us in but does not adequately cover what the magical Maegden offers. It truly is a proper cheesemonger.
Their stunning counter showcases the best of Irish farmhouse cheesemaking - from Northern Ireland’s Young Buck to Co Cork’s St Gall - with some excellent Scottish and English cheeses added in to the mix.
This bustling space is surrounded by shelves filled with enviable larder ingredients and unique artisan products, all individually hand-picked by owners, Emma and Jo, for their quality, authenticity and integrity - the ethos which is very much at the heart of all Maegden offers.
The menu includes their infamous grilled cheese sandwich selection, sweet treats and snacks, and incredible speciality coffee. A visit to Maegden is an experience in itself and a must-stop if visiting Bushmills.
North Coast Pizza
The much anticipated North Coast Pizza open their doors in May 2022 and quickly became a favourite for their extensive range of pizza’s whether they be off-menu or bespoke. They feature doughballs, sides, dips, cookies and dessert pizzas. loaded fries. They offer a delivery service and regular post competitions so follow them on their social pages now!
They have embraced the spirit of the Bushmills Salmon and Whiskey Festival. You can join them for a cookery demonstration (see programme for timings) and don't miss their festival special, "Bushmills Fusion", a sweet potato base infused with maple & Bushmills whiskey, topped with Locally smoked Salmon, goat cheese , chives and fresh Lemon zest .
It succinctly captures the essence of the pizza by emphasizing the use of Bushmills whiskey while also implying a blend of flavors and ingredients. The term "fusion" suggests a creative mix, appealing to those who appreciate innovative culinary experiences. This name also conveys a sense of locality and craftsmanship, making it a great fit for the festival that celebrates local ingredients. It invites curiosity and highlights the unique characteristics of the pizza, making it memorable for those who try it. Overall, "Bushmills Fusion" strikes a perfect balance between sophistication and creativity, making it a standout choice!
Tartine at Distller's Arms
Tartine at Distillers Arms is a historic gem, a couple of minute’s walk from the world-famous Old Bushmills Distillery. Rich in history and character oozing, you’ll experience an atmospheric restaurant like no other. The restaurant comprises of three beautifully appointed, interconnecting areas, each with a contemporary selection of local artist’s original paintings and prints, which owner Gary has been collecting. The lighting is low, the atmosphere relaxing, and the service attentive. Our stone-walled dining area is steeped in centuries worth of stories, where food was enjoyed, and glasses were clinked over the centuries. Whether you’re looking for a romantic dinner or a small celebration among friends or colleagues, we ensure that there will be plenty to talk about as you sip on our craft cocktails while enjoying delicious, freshly prepared seasonal dishes.
At Tartine at Distiller's Bushmills Salmon & Whiskey Festival is one of our favourite events of the year and we have proudly to contributed to this local food and drink celebration since its inception. Chef Patron Gary Stewart is collaborating with Chef Robert Curley from the Slemish Market Supper Club to bring a festival themed Bushmills Supper Club on Friday 4th October 2024. Tickets available via the link below. Chef Gary will be taking part in both Cookery demonstrations at Sharvagh House and 'Meet the Maker' showcases at the Bushmills VIC. See programme for timings.
Book tickets for Bushmills Supper Club
OLD BUSHMILLS DISTILLERY
Old Bushmills Distillery is home to the world’s oldest licensed distillery and some of the finest Irish whiskies in the world.
Over the festival weekend the team of Old Bushmills Distillery guides – the Whiskey Educators, will be running tours which can be pre-booked.
See first-hand how the craft of whiskey- making and the living history of our grain-to-glass processes. Experience the impressive sights and rich scents of each stage from mash tun to pot still to barrel. Complete your tour in the 1608 bar to taste for yourself the culmination of more than 400 years of expertise and innovation.
Times and pricing are detailed on the festival programme.
SUPPORT LOCAL - BE SURE TO ALSO VISIT
Centra Bushmills
Tune into their socials for a good laugh, there is always something happening in the newly refurbished store. Call in and see the incredible range of food, drinks and groceries on offer. An impressive deli counter which offers everything from freshly cooked breakfasts to Sunday roasts. Food to go is complimented by the award winning 'Frank and Honest' coffee selection. You can also 'sit-in', grab a newspaper and watch the world go by. Check out their offers and don't leave without browsing their impressive Bushmills Whiskey selection in the off-license!
Mike's Coffee Shop
The original Bushmills Coffee shop, long established with a big following. Mike & team serve all the classics as well the most incredible fusion dishes from around the globe.
The Sweet Lil Mouse
Although we miss Karen Carlton and her impressive window displays and well stocked sweetie counter, we are delighted to welcome Heather and her too cute 'The Sweet Lil Mouse' shop. It is filled with gorgeous gifts and goodies and if you are brining little ones to the festival be sure to call by and say hello to Heather. We dare you to leave without a bag full of sweeties!
The Courthouse Shared Space Creative Hub
The recently restored building and extension is pulling out all the stops to open in time for the Bushmills Salmon and Whiskey Festival. Lots of foodie experiences on offer in partnership with Taste Causeway and there is great excitement over the recent announcement that Sean and Trudy Brolly are opening a Bistro in the Courthouse building. There are full details of what to expect in the festival programme.
Flash in the pan
This firm favourite has had a facelift, renovating their shop front. Their award winning menu will be available over the weekend and worth a visit. The long established 'Flash in the Pan' is ideally located if you fancy grabbing a tasty bite on the way to the River Bush for a picnic!
Chinese take-aways
We have two! Yes, Bushmills definitely has it all. You must try Yi House and or China Garden. Loved by locals and regular visitors, everyone has their favourite dish.
Convenience store & Off sales
The Co-Op and Spar have well stocked range of food, ideal if you are staying in self catering and need to stock up on all the essentials.
Retail therapy
The festival weekend is not just about food and drink, it is showcasing Bushmills and what it has to offer. Indulge in some retail therapy.
Therapy Style for starters has a province wide following, stocking a range of exclusive brands. Taylor Yates, the sustainable brand has a stunning range of bags and clothing. Val u style has been looking after the ladies of Bushmills and further afield for many years and the lovely Val embraces the festival every year with her striking window displays and street presence. The team at Save the Children, all volunteers have one of the most popular 'pre loved' shops in the area. Designer labels are often found as well as decor pieces.
Second hand books, toys and games are worth a browse next door and if Art and Antiques are of interest, Bushmills has both. In fact we have NI Largest Art gallery at the 1608 Gallery.
So much to experience, in addition to the food and drink element so just take your time and browse the Main Street and support local, thank you!
Bushmills Taste Trail preview with Gary Stewart
Join Gary Stewart, award-winning Chef, Producer and Patron of Tartine, at Distillers Arms for a whizz around the village to see what was featured last year (2023).
FESTIVAL ORGANISERS - CC&GBC Events team
This event is managed by Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council and is subject to change. To avoid disappointment, keep a close eye on the Council's socials in case of programme changes or cancellations. Bushmills Banquet, The Bushmills Business Association and associates are volunteer members of the Bushmills Salmon and Whiskey Planning Group and cannot be responsible for programme changes or modifications. We hope you all enjoy this fabulous food and drink festival and if you wish to contribute to future festivals contact the events team directly.
Bushmills Salmon and Whiskey Festival Programme 2024