
Gattos
Quick info
About Gattos
On Lower Mill St in Ballymena, Gattos serves Italian dishes across a 20-item menu, with pizza as part of the range. The Dirt Bird pizza, made with chicken, mushroom and bacon, is named as a house specialty rather than a standard option. Other dishes include Calamari, Risotto Primavera and Sirloin Steak. Wines and cocktails are offered alongside pints of Madri. The step-free entrance suits visitors with mobility needs, and high chairs are available for families with young children. Reservations are recommended, though the room also takes walk-ins. The restaurant opens Wednesday to Sunday and closes on Mondays and Tuesdays. For those eating off site, takeaway is available, including pizzas such as pepperoni.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree of charge street parking · Free parking lot · Somewhat difficult to find a space
- AccessibilityHas wheelchair-accessible entrance · Has wheelchair-accessible seating · Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs available · Has kids' menu
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention pollo alla veronese, carne platter, dirt bird pizza and risotto primavera.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention pollo alla veronese, carne platter, dirt bird pizza and risotto primavera.
Customer Review Summary
Diners repeatedly single out the Dirt Bird pizza and Risotto Primavera as standouts, with one reviewer calling the risotto "one of the best" they've had, alongside praise for the Carne Platter, Pollo Alla Veronese, and a Picanha one longtime visitor calls a favourite after seven years. Calamari, Gamberoni, Polpette, and sirloin steaks also draw mentions, and the wine list and cocktails get repeated nods. Service is consistently described as friendly and warm across nearly every review. A few notes temper the praise: one reviewer found the calamari's breading overwhelmed its flavor and noticed a slight kitchen smell on entry, another found the sea bass slightly overcooked, and one diner called the carbonara "criminal" and the food overpriced for its quality, though even that reviewer praised the staff. Several reviewers say they walked in without booking and were seated straight away, with more than one already planning to return to try the pasta.
Customer Review Summary
Diners repeatedly single out the Dirt Bird pizza and Risotto Primavera as standouts, with one reviewer calling the risotto "one of the best" they've had, alongside praise for the Carne Platter, Pollo Alla Veronese, and a Picanha one longtime visitor calls a favourite after seven years. Calamari, Gamberoni, Polpette, and sirloin steaks also draw mentions, and the wine list and cocktails get repeated nods. Service is consistently described as friendly and warm across nearly every review. A few notes temper the praise: one reviewer found the calamari's breading overwhelmed its flavor and noticed a slight kitchen smell on entry, another found the sea bass slightly overcooked, and one diner called the carbonara "criminal" and the food overpriced for its quality, though even that reviewer praised the staff. Several reviewers say they walked in without booking and were seated straight away, with more than one already planning to return to try the pasta.
Featured reviews
- Dominika Lyness
“Went on Sunday as a walk in and was seated straight away. The food was delicious, and the menu had plenty of good options. Will defo be back to try their pasta.”
- James Martln
“Really disappointing, I thought the food was over priced compared to the quality. Carbonara with cream and white wine sauce and smoked bacon is criminal! The food was very disappointing, average at best. Definately will not be back. The staff though are fantasic, very warm and helpful, credit to them”
- Andy Powell
“Quite a busy little place. The food was decent on the whole though sea bass slightly over cooked. service good.”
- ian erskine
“Excellent meal today, great service and interesting wines!”
- Melody Brown
“Hands down, my favourite restaurant in Ballymena. I travel to Ballymena for work every month and I have been coming here now for 7 years. Best Picannha and cocktails and the staff and really friendly.”
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
- Has great beer selection
- Serves great coffee
- Serves great dessert
- Has great wine list
- Popular for popular for lunch
- Popular for popular for dinner
Amenities
- Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Free of charge street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Offers takeaway
- Serves dine-in
- Good for kids
Show more amenities
- Has bar on site
- Casual
- Serves beer
- Serves coffee
- Serves healthy options
- Serves late-night food
- Offerings· 6
- Serves alcohol
- Serves cocktails
- Quick bite
- Serves small plates
- Serves spirits
- Serves wine
- Crowd· 2
- Good for groups
- Popular with tourists
- Parking· 2
- Free parking lot
- Somewhat difficult to find a space
- Dining options· 5
- Serves lunch
- Serves dinner
- Serves dessert
- Has seating
- Has table service
- Atmosphere· 3
- Cosy
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Family-friendly· 2
- High chairs available
- Has kids' menu
- Highlights· 3
- Has great beer selection
- Serves great dessert
- Has great wine list
- Popular for· 3
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
- Good for solo dining
- Facilities· 1
- Has toilet
- Accessibility· 2
- Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Planning· 1
- Dinner reservations recommended
Location
How Gattos compares to nearby restaurants
- Gattos · This shop4.7420 reviews
Mentioned in reviews: pollo alla veronese, carne platter, dirt bird pizza
- Fayre Grill3.9108 reviews0.1 mi
Mentioned in reviews: chips, ulster fry / mini fry, cash-only payment
- 54 reviews0.3 mi
Mentioned in reviews: doner kebab meat, mixed kebab on naan, chicken madras
Gattos This shop | Fayre Grill | Nice 'n Spicy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.7(420) | 3.9(108) | 3.8(54) | |
| Price | £20–30 | £10–20 | £10–20 |
| Distance | — | 0.1 mi | 0.3 mi |
| Open today | |||
| Good for kids | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Reservations | ✓ | — | — |
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How this listing is sourced
- Where the data comes from
- Name, address, hours, contact details, amenities, ratings and review counts come from the business's publicly available profile data — not from the owner and not from paid submissions.
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- Placement is never sold. Every business on the page is ordered and compared using the same public signals, so an owner cannot pay to move up.
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