Aghalee, British, Modern Restaurant Guide

2021 Review: “The ingredients are fresh, local and put together with verve” at Chris McGowan’s five-year-old venue. The Great British Menu star, who worked for Richard Corrigan and Pierre Koffmann, brought newfound contemporary techniques such as brining and fermenting to small-town Co Down – executed with “exceptional dedication” and “warm and professional service”.

2021 Review: Marty Murphy’s well-liked, industrially styled brasserie (est 2013, and recently revamped, adding to its appeal) may not gain any particular raves, but is a decidedly “decent” spot by all accounts – and, even on a “very busy Saturday night, it still produces good solid cooking”.

2021 Review: Solidly good marks last year for Niall and Joanne McKenna’s “understated and classy” venue, which last year incorporated its neighbouring ‘bar and grill’ and fine dining operations into a single more brasserie-style set-up, complete with cocktail bar: many of the dishes, including steaks, come from the charcoal grill.