Water Margin
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Quick info
About Water Margin
On Hanover Pl in Coleraine, Water Margin is a Chinese restaurant set beside the river, with views overlooking the water from the dining room. Leather chairs and carved jade furnish the space, and the kitchen prepares traditional dishes such as vermicelli noodles, chow mein, and king prawns, alongside onion rings and garlic mushrooms. Stella beer and mocktails are served alongside the food, and chopsticks come on request. Kids are given their own cutlery and place mats. The restaurant takes walk-ins rather than bookings, and it gets busy enough that a wait for a table is common. Orders for food tend to arrive quickly, often within 10 to 15 minutes. Takeaway is also offered. Parking is available on site, though some spots note it runs limited.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree parking lot · Free street parking · Paid parking lot
- AccessibilityWheelchair: parking lot, restroom
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs · Kids' menu
- DietaryVegetarian options
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Menu & Prices
27 dishes · mains £1–36- DEEP FRIED KING PRAWN (GFO)£1.00
- SESAME PRAWN TOAST£1.00
- CRISPY CHICKEN FILLET PIECES£25.50
- CRISPY HONEY CHILLI CHICKEN OR BEEF£26.50
- CRISPY HONEY GARLIC SOY CHICKEN OR BEEF£26.50
- CHICKEN, BEEF OR PORK WITH SATAY SAUCE (VO)£26.50
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention quick service, river view, garlic mushrooms and limited parking.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention quick service, river view, garlic mushrooms and limited parking.
Customer Review Summary
Quick service stands out most, with several diners noting food arriving within ten to fifteen minutes of ordering. Close behind, the riverside view and attentive staff draw repeated praise, including one visit where child friendly cutlery and place mats were provided for kids. Specific dishes singled out include garlic mushrooms and salty tofu, called the best Chinese menu one reviewer had eaten, alongside vermicelli noodles, chow mein and king prawns on another visit. Several mention the food as tasty or delicious and the menu as extensive, with mocktails and a frothy cappuccino also noted. A recurring trade-off is cost, with more than one reviewer calling it expensive, and parking is described as limited by one visitor. One reviewer, returning after a few years, found the food lukewarm and the chicken tough, well below their expectations. Others note it gets extremely busy and suggest booking ahead, though the restaurant doesn't take reservations. Waits were generally short, with one couple seated on a couch briefly before being called.
Customer Review Summary
Quick service stands out most, with several diners noting food arriving within ten to fifteen minutes of ordering. Close behind, the riverside view and attentive staff draw repeated praise, including one visit where child friendly cutlery and place mats were provided for kids. Specific dishes singled out include garlic mushrooms and salty tofu, called the best Chinese menu one reviewer had eaten, alongside vermicelli noodles, chow mein and king prawns on another visit. Several mention the food as tasty or delicious and the menu as extensive, with mocktails and a frothy cappuccino also noted. A recurring trade-off is cost, with more than one reviewer calling it expensive, and parking is described as limited by one visitor. One reviewer, returning after a few years, found the food lukewarm and the chicken tough, well below their expectations. Others note it gets extremely busy and suggest booking ahead, though the restaurant doesn't take reservations. Waits were generally short, with one couple seated on a couch briefly before being called.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“While staying Coleraine for a wedding we popped into the Water Margin for something to eat. We were not disappointed. One of the best Chinese Restaurants that I've ever visited. We hadn't booked prior to arrival and were very lucky to get a table straight away. It was a very hot day but we were sat night under the air conditioning. The service was first rate, very friendly, welcoming and attentive. The menu was extensive with great choice. The food was excellent and portion size was plentiful. Great value for money. The restaurant is located right beside the river and has plenty of parking. I would definitely recommend it to anyone and would certainly visit again if ever in the area.”
- Google user
“I had the best Chinese-menu I have ever had. Starter: garlic mushrooms. MAIN (Vegetarian) Salty tofu. Yes, they supplied chopsticks if needed. Absolutely brilliant. I'll definitely return next time I'm in N. Ireland. Loved it!!!”
- Google user
“Food was really tasty and good. We took vermicelli noodles and chow mein, it was really good. Had king prawns and onion rings with Stella beer”
- Google user
“Really lovely place. The view is gorgeous, especially on a sunny day. It was packed with people, always a good sign. We waited on a couch, which wasn't long. The food was delicious and well cooked. The service was great. Well recommend this place.”
- Google user
“This restaurant has such attentive staff. Within 15 minutes of sitting down we had our order on the table already! Staff were great with the kids with child friendly cutlery and place mats. The food was tasty and we would be back. The only reason for the 4 star is that it's very expensive as other reviews have stated but it wouldn't put me off!”
Hours
- Monday
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- Tuesday
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- Wednesday
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- Thursday
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- Friday
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- Saturday
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- Sunday
Highlights
“Smart leather chairs and carved jade in waterfront venue, serving traditional dishes, plus takeaway.”
- Great beer selection
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Great wine list
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Accepts reservations
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Good for kids
- Vegetarian options
Show more amenities
- Bar onsite
- Cozy
- Onsite services
- Beer
- Coffee
- Late-night food
- Offerings· 6
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Wine
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Family-friendly· 2
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
- Dining options· 5
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Atmosphere· 3
- Casual
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Highlights· 4
- Great beer selection
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Great wine list
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Parking· 4
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Paid parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
- Planning· 1
- Dinner reservations recommended
Location
Chinese restaurants near Water Margin
- Peking Garden4.6750.1 mi£1–10
curry, quick delivery, chopsuey
- Sun Do Restaurant3.91280.2 mi£10–20
large portion sizes, inconsistent chicken quality, overpriced deliveries
- Jade House4.11481.7 mi£1–20
chicken curry, chips, rubbery chicken
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Margin | 4.5796 | — | £20–30 | quick service, river view, garlic mushrooms |
| Peking Garden | 4.675 | 0.1 mi | £1–10 | curry, quick delivery, chopsuey |
| Sun Do Restaurant | 3.9128 | 0.2 mi | £10–20 | large portion sizes, inconsistent chicken quality, overpriced deliveries |
| Jade House | 4.1148 | 1.7 mi | £1–20 | chicken curry, chips, rubbery chicken |
The 3 nearest chinese restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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Photo: LIR · 4.7 · 389 Google reviews
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