French's Cafe and Bistro
Quick info
About French's Cafe and Bistro
French's Cafe and Bistro is a bistro on Castlewellan Rd in Downpatrick, with table service and drink orders taken at the table. The menu runs from the Hawaiian Burger, served with chips and a bacon slice, to Pulled Beef with French fries, coleslaw and BBQ sauce. Seafood chowder and a chicken strip starter appear as recurring choices, alongside chicken goujons. Steak comes with pepper sauce, and brownie with sauce rounds out the dessert options. Walk-ins without a booking have been seated and taken straight to a table.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree parking lot · Free street parking · Paid parking lot
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, parking lot, restroom, seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs · Kids' menu
- DietaryVegan options · Vegetarian options
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention hawaiian burger, seafood chowder, chicken strip starter and steak with pepper sauce.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention hawaiian burger, seafood chowder, chicken strip starter and steak with pepper sauce.
Customer Review Summary
Diners repeatedly single out the Hawaiian Burger and pulled beef with fries and coleslaw for lunch, close behind the gougons one reviewer calls the best their daughter has had and a steak with pepper sauce, with the brownie and moist dessert also drawing praise. Portions are described as generous and prices as reasonable by several, though one longtime customer reports that after years of visiting, portions have shrunk while a steak reached thirty pounds, prompting them to stop returning. Another diner recounts good service at the start of a busy Saturday sitting that then stalled, with repeated attempts needed to flag staff for a coffee and wine order. Most describe being seated without a booking, even in a party of five, and note the space staying comfortable despite a large group of around thirty. One birthday party recalls staff going out of their way, calling the whole approach the icing on the cake.
Customer Review Summary
Diners repeatedly single out the Hawaiian Burger and pulled beef with fries and coleslaw for lunch, close behind the gougons one reviewer calls the best their daughter has had and a steak with pepper sauce, with the brownie and moist dessert also drawing praise. Portions are described as generous and prices as reasonable by several, though one longtime customer reports that after years of visiting, portions have shrunk while a steak reached thirty pounds, prompting them to stop returning. Another diner recounts good service at the start of a busy Saturday sitting that then stalled, with repeated attempts needed to flag staff for a coffee and wine order. Most describe being seated without a booking, even in a party of five, and note the space staying comfortable despite a large group of around thirty. One birthday party recalls staff going out of their way, calling the whole approach the icing on the cake.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“We found this place by chance and went in party of 5 without booking as we didn't know the area and the staff were so helpful and found us a table. Also the food was amazing, the girls were really nice and and nothing was to much trouble for them Thank you so much We will be back again if we are in the area”
- Google user
“We been going here more than 6 years but last 2 years its get expensive and portions are getting very small , tiny pieces of steak £30 come onnnn kids even got noticed anyway we are out the game”
- Google user
“Often passed here but never eat here. Myself and a friend booked 5..15pm on a Saturday evening.. He had chicken strip starter and extra chips and I had seafood chowder. The strips were actually breast of chicken and were fad as was the chowder. Service at the start was great but then it stopped. They were busy and I had a lot of bother attracting attention.. After time I got someone and ordered the chicken strip starter myself. After more attempts to get help over 5 minutes we ordered a coffee and an Irish coffee and glass of wine.. At £50.00 very reasonable and recommended ,apart from delays.”
- Google user
“Not overly busy. Staff polite, courteous but friendly. Food very very good. Highly recommend”
- Google user
“A lovely little place, whether you want breakfast, a coffee or a dinner, you won't be disappointed. I've been a few times now after first trying their food at a weekend at Dolly's Farm and each time has been a great experience. The staff are pleasant and friendly The café is spacious and cozy, great selection of foods and drinks. All food is delicious, generous portions and well priced. I cannot fault anything and look forward to my next visit.”
Highlights
- Fireplace
- Great beer selection
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Great wine list
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Show more amenities
- Family-friendly
- Vegan options
- Bar onsite
- Cozy
- Beer
- Coffee
- Offerings· 8
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Accessibility· 3
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Dining options· 8
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Family-friendly· 3
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
- Planning· 1
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Highlights· 5
- Fireplace
- Great beer selection
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Great wine list
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Atmosphere· 2
- Casual
- Trendy
- Parking· 4
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Paid parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Location
Restaurants near French's Cafe and Bistro
- O'Reilly's Restaurant4.71079.6 mi away£20–60Good for kidsReservations
monkfish, lamb, sunday roast
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| French's Cafe and BistroOutdoor seating · Vegan options · Vegetarian options | 4.8717 | — | £10–20 | hawaiian burger, seafood chowder, chicken strip starter |
| O'Reilly's RestaurantGood for kids · Reservations | 4.7107 | 9.6 mi away | £20–60 | monkfish, lamb, sunday roast |
The 1 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
Browse more
Explore more of Downpatrick, or find Restaurants in other cities.