Crave Kitchen
Quick info
About Crave Kitchen
Reached by stairs or a lift, Crave Kitchen sits upstairs above a butcher's shop on Greenvale St in Ballymena, so visitors with mobility needs can get up to the room without the steps, and a step-free entrance leads in from the street. The kitchen runs a daytime menu that moves from porridge, scones and a build-your-own fry with white pudding into lunch plates such as chicken curry and salmon in a sundried tomato and spinach sauce, with a soup of the day and a caesar salad among the sides. A set lunchtime meal is offered, with the drink charged separately. Tables are taken on a walk-in basis, and a queue tends to form down the stairs around lunchtime. You leave your plates at the table and pay at the till, where you can also ask for takeaway boxes if you would rather eat elsewhere. High chairs are on hand for families with young children. It opens Monday to Saturday and closes on Sundays.
Good to know
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention chicken dishes, build your own fry, salmon with sundried tomato and porridge and coffee.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention chicken dishes, build your own fry, salmon with sundried tomato and porridge and coffee.
Customer Review Summary
The complaints are specific. One longtime visitor says the lunch deal has crept up in cost while a chicken curry arrived looking like a pea curry with some chicken in it. Another reports a cappuccino and scone order that took over 45 minutes and led to a walkout. Others mention a cold dish, hard egg, too many chicken dishes, and no vegetarian options at lunch. One diner paid at the till, asked for a takeaway box, and found the table already cleared.
Customer Review Summary
The complaints are specific. One longtime visitor says the lunch deal has crept up in cost while a chicken curry arrived looking like a pea curry with some chicken in it. Another reports a cappuccino and scone order that took over 45 minutes and led to a walkout. Others mention a cold dish, hard egg, too many chicken dishes, and no vegetarian options at lunch. One diner paid at the till, asked for a takeaway box, and found the table already cleared.
Featured reviews
- Dee Craag
“Terrible service, waited 10 minutes until someone took my order of a cappuccino and scone, then another 35 minutes until the scone appeared, was told the docket didn't load or something and was asked what drink I'd ordered, so reorder the cappuccino which took another 10 minutes, I was leaving the table when it was brought I informed the staff member I no longer wanted any of it as I'd been waiting for over 45 minutes. Will not be back”
- John Dunlop
“Always busy, staff very attentive, food excellent.”
- Peter Cook
“Been a couple of times over the past 2 years. Found the quality of food and drink of a good standard and consistent. Fast and efficient service from the staff. The place has always been busy on our visits. It can get a bit noisy at times.”
- Gary Millar
“Having initially offered a lunchtime meal for £10 including a drink, that soon changed to £10 not including a drink. Then £11. Then £12 and now £13. Not content with that my chicken curry yesterday arrived looking like a pea curry with some chicken in it. We have already cut down our once weekly visit to once a month. At their current rate of price rises and cutting corners that gap will only increase. The service is always good though. UPDATE: Porridge and coffee this morning. They didn't hold back on the portion of porridge. Good strong coffee as well.”
- Mihaela Olteanu
“Lovely and tasty food, but unfortunately no vegetarian options for lunch. I choose salmon which was well cooked with a lovely sauce with sundried tomato and spinach. There was no mixed salads to pick from for sides apart of the caesar salad ... They should cater for vegetarians too, even if the restaurant belongs to the butcher. The other meals look lovely too. Nice hot plates makes a difference for a good meal too. Very busy restaurant, clean , lovely atmosphere and the staff were attentive and helpful.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
- Closed
Highlights
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for solo dining
- Healthy options
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
- Good for kids
- Casual
- Coffee
Show more amenities
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Dessert
- Solo dining
- Cosy
- Dining options· 4
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Seating
- Family-friendly· 1
- High chairs
Location
Restaurants near Crave Kitchen
- Fayre Grill3.91080.1 mi£10–20Good for kids
chips, mini fry, cooked breakfast
- Nice 'n Spicy3.8540.1 mi£10–20
doner on chips, mixed kebab on naan, curries
- Rococo4.47970.2 mi£15–30Good for kidsReservations
turkey and ham sunday lunch, veggie/chicken fajitas, sunday roast (2 courses £25)
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crave KitchenGood for kids | 4.259 | — | — | chicken dishes, build your own fry, salmon with sundried tomato |
| Fayre GrillGood for kids | 3.9108 | 0.1 mi | £10–20 | chips, mini fry, cooked breakfast |
| Nice 'n Spicy | 3.854 | 0.1 mi | £10–20 | doner on chips, mixed kebab on naan, curries |
| RococoGood for kids · Reservations | 4.4797 | 0.2 mi | £15–30 | turkey and ham sunday lunch, veggie/chicken fajitas, sunday roast (2 courses £25) |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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