The Harbour Bistro
Quick info
About The Harbour Bistro
The Harbour Bistro is a bistro in Portrush at 1 Harbour Rd, with a bar downstairs and live musicians upstairs. Sundays centre on a carvery, where the choice runs to four or five different meats served with all the trimmings. The rest of the menu includes salmon and steaks cooked on a wood burning grill. Table service means orders come to the table rather than through a queue at the bar. Sticky toffee pudding is on the dessert list.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree street parking · Paid parking lot · Usually plenty of parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, restroom, seating
- Good for kidsHigh chairs · Kids' menu
- DietaryVegan options · Vegetarian options
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention sunday carvery, steaks, sticky toffee pudding and bang bang chicken.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention sunday carvery, steaks, sticky toffee pudding and bang bang chicken.
Customer Review Summary
Diners most often return for the Sunday carvery, praised for its range of four or five meats, huge portions and food described as fresh, hot and full of flavour, with the sticky toffee pudding as a generous finish. Close behind, reviewers like the table service and the lively buzz, plus the bang bang chicken, a bar they call excellent and live musicians upstairs after dinner. The a la carte menu draws a sharper split. Critics describe overcooked steaks, including a T-bone that arrived gray and was remade but still not as ordered, a dry hamburger, dry chicken, a bland halibut and a cold Bearnaise. One reviewer says the chips were oily and the stuffed mushrooms bland, and reports leaving feeling a little sick. Several call the prices high for the food, and a few say service was minimal. The salmon was fresh but a bit dry, and the Biscoff cheesecake was singled out as the best part of one disappointing meal.
Customer Review Summary
Diners most often return for the Sunday carvery, praised for its range of four or five meats, huge portions and food described as fresh, hot and full of flavour, with the sticky toffee pudding as a generous finish. Close behind, reviewers like the table service and the lively buzz, plus the bang bang chicken, a bar they call excellent and live musicians upstairs after dinner. The a la carte menu draws a sharper split. Critics describe overcooked steaks, including a T-bone that arrived gray and was remade but still not as ordered, a dry hamburger, dry chicken, a bland halibut and a cold Bearnaise. One reviewer says the chips were oily and the stuffed mushrooms bland, and reports leaving feeling a little sick. Several call the prices high for the food, and a few say service was minimal. The salmon was fresh but a bit dry, and the Biscoff cheesecake was singled out as the best part of one disappointing meal.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Two of us shared the wood burning grill salmon with champ and veg and garlic butter. The salmon was fresh but a bit dry, and portions were large, especially the champ and veg.”
- Google user
“I have never left a review before but I would not recommend this place to anyone we were extremely disappointed and regret wasting our money here! The staff are fantastic we can not fault them at all extremely welcoming but unfortunately this can not make up for the fact we left annoyed and a little sick. Food is EXTREMELY over priced , over cooked and so bland that it made us feel ill. The steaks were dry, the chips were a mouthful of oil (we tried one each and ended up leaving the whole bowl), the stuffed mushrooms were so bland and like baby food (again we tried one and left the rest) We wouldn’t be so upset if the price had of reflected the food but after £150 wasted we will not be back.”
- Google user
“Really enjoyed my visit here at harbour. Great food, friendly service.Definitely worth a visit.”
- Google user
“We heard this place was great and we were excited to try the steak. Unfortunately, the dining experience was very disappointing. Service was fine. I asked if the Halibut was fresh and the uncertain server said he needed to check with the chef. If you are paying these prices the staff should be more knowledgeable and the fish should absolutely be fresh and not frozen. He reported back that the fish was fresh. It tasted fine. Quite bland and slightly overcooked. It came with a choice of sauce. I chose Bearnaise. It was quite cold and lacked the typical lemon and tarragon flavor. My husband and son both ordered steaks. The T-Bone was ordered medium rare and arrived quite gray- well or mid well. They remade it, but still it was not as ordered. My son’s filet on the bone was mediocre at best. His pepper sauce was under seasoned and bland- like a cheap gravy from a packet. The rocket salad and fried onions were nice. Best part was the Biscoff cheesecake. If you want a much better meal, I highly recommend the chateaubriand for 2 at Shanty which comes with lovely roasted veg. The potato sides there were also amazing.”
- Google user
“Hadn't been here for a few years so it was a relief to see customers no longer had to queue at the bar to order food - instead there was proper table service which was very friendly and professional. The menu hasn't changed much over the years and all the classics are still on there. The bang bang chicken was very tender and nicely spiced. It was only Thursday night but the restaurant was very busy and lively with the usual buzz about it. Would definitely like to return.”
Highlights
- Great beer selection
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Free street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Kids' menu
Show more amenities
- Vegan options
- Bar onsite
- Cozy
- Beer
- Coffee
- Late-night food
- Offerings· 6
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Quick bite
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Planning· 1
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Dining options· 5
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Atmosphere· 1
- Casual
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Highlights· 3
- Great beer selection
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Parking· 2
- Paid parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
- Family-friendly· 1
- High chairs
Location
Restaurants near The Harbour Bistro
- The Dolphin Portrush4.14350.5 mi
fish and chips, curry sauce, mushy peas
- The Tides Restaurant4.32,6410.9 mi
sea view, starter or dessert included with main, moroccan chickpea stew
- Superfry, Portstewart4.03322.9 mi
fish and chips, chicken goujons, poor customer service
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Harbour BistroOutdoor seating · Vegan options · Vegetarian options | 4.1270 | — | sunday carvery, steaks, sticky toffee pudding |
| The Dolphin Portrush | 4.1435 | 0.5 mi | fish and chips, curry sauce, mushy peas |
| The Tides Restaurant | 4.32,641 | 0.9 mi | sea view, starter or dessert included with main, moroccan chickpea stew |
| Superfry, Portstewart | 4.0332 | 2.9 mi | fish and chips, chicken goujons, poor customer service |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
