Harden's survey result
Summary
“Shack does not do it justice!” – “Despite the name, this is actually a proper restaurant, but right on the beach next to the National Trust car park” (it is owned by the National Trust and run by the son of Harry, who was a chef nearby). “It’s a delightful find: a really good fish restaurant right on the most amazing beach” with a “warm and comfortable interior” and “brisk and friendly” service. “The food range is reasonable” and “they really care about fish”. “There are some gems such as a huge piece of turbot which we enjoyed immensely”, but “there’s excellent fish ’n’ chips if you want to keep it simple”.
Summary
“Less a shack than a real wooden beach restaurant”, “owned by the National Trust on the amazing beach at Portstewart” – this unusual spot is “all about fish, as you would expect”, with “smashing fish ’n’ chips, and huge and delicious turbot. More surprising was the excellent desserts”. It’s run by Donal Doherty (son of the late Harry), who “keeps an eye on the proceedings”. Top Tip – “it’s right on the beach so you can walk off your meal after lunch”.
Summary
“Wonderful views out to the surfers’ beach (and you park on the beach too)” accompany a trip to this large shack, owned by the National Trust. As you’d expect, fish and seafood are the main events on Donal Doherty’s menu. (The eponymous Harry was Donal’s father, who passed away a couple of years ago).
Summary
The only building on wild Portstewart Strand, this large modern shack – owned by the National Trust – complete with growing eco roof serves a “varied and well-presented fish menu” backed up by vegetables from the nearby Doherty family farm in Donegal. (Donal, who opened the shack in 2015, last year announced the passing of his father Harry, who opened the family’s first fish restaurant in Bridgend more than 30 years ago). Top Tip: “take a pullover as it gets chilly”.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Harry's Shack?
118 Strand Road, Portstewart, BT55 7PG
Restaurant details
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £25.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 10.00% |
118 Strand Road, Portstewart, BT55 7PG
Opening hours
| Monday | 12:30 pm‑3:15 pm, 4:45 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 12:30 pm‑3:15 pm, 4:45 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12:30 pm‑3:15 pm, 4:45 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12:30 pm‑3:15 pm, 4:45 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Friday | 12:30 pm‑3:15 pm, 4:45 pm‑8:45 pm |
| Saturday | 12:30 pm‑3 pm, 4:45 pm‑8:45 pm |
| Sunday | 12:30 pm‑3:30 pm, 4:45 pm‑8:15 pm |
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