5 Ways To Sample The Taste Of The Causeway Coast

The Causeway Coast and Glens may be known for its world renowned tourist attractions, but the iconic route is also home to some of Northern Ireland’s finest food and drink.

Located throughout the stunning landscape of the North Coast, the Taste Causeway network has a range of award winning cupboard essentials produced by incredible artisans that will tantalise your tastebuds and elevate home cooked dishes. 

You can find out more in acclaimed chef Paula Mcintyre's newly launched book,’ Recipes and Stories’, which is now available in store.

Here at the Designerie, we are proud to stock some of the unrivalled tastes that the Causeway Coast has to offer, set to make any dining occasion extra special.

Take a peek at our list of the kitchen cupboard essentials that you can find in The Designerie:

Breakfast

Kickstart your day the Taste Causeway way with a perfect coffee and toast combination from Causeway Coffee and Irish Black Butter. 

With each blend locally roasted and using the very best ethically sourced premium coffee beans from across the globe, Causeway Coffee offers a range of beans that are second to none. 

To accompany your cup of coffee, Irish Black Butter is the award-winning conserve perfect for toast  and adored by fine food enthusiasts, home cooks, chefs and international visitors alike.

Owner and producer Alastair has put his own modern twist on the traditional black butter and created an Irish version perfect for breakfast and any time of the day dining thanks to its blend of Armagh Bramley Apples, cider, brandy, sugar, treacle and spices.

Lunch 

Beat the mid-morning hunger pangs with a taste of Dundarave Estate's very own jam and chutney range.

Stocked in-store at the Designerie and the Estate’s on-site farm shop, these are the perfect kitchen cupboard essentials to dip, spread and serve however you like. 

If you’re a home cook, be sure to add a sprinkle of Northern Ireland’s famous sea salt, Mussenden Sea Salt to finish your dish.

Harvested by hand from the waters of the world-famous Causeway Coast, the sea salt is delicate in texture yet strong in taste making it the perfect accompaniment to any lunch or dinner time meal.

Dinner

For evening dining, North Coast Smokehouse is the go-to for elevating simple dinner time stables like potatoes, salads, meats and seafood.

Producing naturally smoked foods in the picturesque coastal town of Ballycastle in Co. Antrim, the family run business has dinner time sorted with their range of smoked delicacies including smoked sea salt, smoked dulse seaweed, and smoked black pepper.

Perfect for making Asian inspired dinner dishes such as satay chicken, the artisan peanut butter company Taste Joy is a must-have in your cupboard. 

The company also has a delicious range of flavours for breakfast or dessert such as Double Roasted Smooth, Crunch and Dark Chocolate and Orange Peanut Butter. 

Dessert 

Satisfy your after dinner sweet tooth with a special treat from The Chocolate Manor, a luxury artisan chocolate producer that provides handcrafted and printed chocolates and workshops.

Perfect for birthdays or special occasions, customers can bring their words to life through the delight of personalised chocolate to bring a smile to a loved one's face.

Another amazing chocolate brand we recently added to our Taste Causeway display is North Coast Chocolates. Among the most popular flavours at the moment are Home-grown Peppermint and Vanilla and Homemade Peppermint cordial mixed with Madagascan Vanilla to which the mint gives a nice, fresh spark.

If chocolate isn’t your thing, then the delicious, hand-baked fruit cake by Nicola, owner of Blackrock House B&B in Portrush is a must-have.

Marrying the flavours of sultanas and raisins with the deep sherry flavour of Black Bush Whiskey, this recipe was originally created for guests staying at her 5* B&B but due to its irresistible flavours, Nicole has shared her take on an Irish classic with the world.

Dining out 

Whether you’re a returning local or visiting tourist, the Causeway Coast is filled with plenty of quality dining options.

Tartine Restaurant 

Prepare for a taste of Modern Brasserie by Gary Stewart at Tartine Restaurant at Distillers Arms! Originally the home of the Bushmills Distillery owners and operating for several years as a pub, the restaurant has retained many of its original features whilst introducing a dimly lit, atmospheric spot. 

Specialising in Irish cuisine classics and utilising simplistic cooking styles, the dishes are divine and made with local produce. Gary has also created beautiful artisan products as part of Taste Causeway. 

The French Rooms

Situated in the heart of Bushmills is the elegant and stylish French Rooms Restaurant where guests can dine in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere that blends Europe with the North Coast.

After a busy day of exploring, guests can recline by the double-sided fire whilst enjoying French-inspired dishes made using the finest local produce with a glass of champagne or house-made cocktail.

The Bushmills Inn

The Bushmills Inn offers a range of delicious menus, but what strikes us as the most intriguing is their option for the Cinema Supper Menu. 

The inn is home to an AA Rosette restaurant that welcomes diners with a selection of traditional and modern Irish cuisine, with a variety of dining options to choose from including an afternoon tea in the Loft, al fresco dining on the Patio, Irish tapas bar bites in the Gas Bar.