This is maybe our highest non-golf recommendation for Newcastle. It’s across the street from the Slieve Donard, which is where many will stay and abuts Royal County Down. The owner is a golf nut committed to his shop. Great coffee, brunch, and food through the afternoon, and a wonderful easy-going vibe if you need to work or hang with your group to decompress. There’s also a to-go window if you’re hustling to play golf.

A bit on the fancier side, but a great option for dinner after a full day of golf. We had good steaks and seafood here. It’s quite close to Royal County Down as well and on that side of town.

We had pizza here our first night in town, late and desperate for sustenance. It turned out to be great and hit just right. We had many locals suggest Villa Vinci as a must-do for pizza while in town. We also did that one at a later date. Both were solid, but we liked Piccolo better – maybe it was our first-night desperation.

We had pints here a couple nights because it was a pitching wedge from our Airbnb. We did not eat here. A good place for a beer with a classic pub look, but pick the right time. It was moderately crowded but comfortable when we were there, but we were told on multiple occasions this is where all the youths get after it – some of age, some underage. So if you’re some middle-aged guy traveling through town, maybe not your scene if it’s late.

We landed here after a big rugby match and it was a rowdy mix of youths dancing to live music and a big party of older folks at the back pub. We had a few pints here but no food. It’s a cool space with big windows on an intersection on Main Street.

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We did not make it here, but it came recommended multiple times as a classic Irish pub for drink and food. It is not walkable from the main area of Newcastle and Royal County Down.

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The Slieve Donard is the fancy, mainstream spot at the end of town where most tourists who have come to play the reputed No. 1 golf course in the world will stay. We had a fine lunch – salad and sandwiches – at the Wolf Bar in some high-backed leather chairs, warming up before a walk out the back door into the sideways rain for a round.

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This is your primary (and almost only?) hotel option in Newcastle while in town for golf. It’s part of the Marine and Lawn collection, which is an American-financed group gobbling up hotels near primo golf courses. The building is still in its authentic spot, but it’s obviously nice and updated inside given the money behind it and its convenient location adjacent to Royal County Down. We did not stay here, but we did walk around the lobbies and restaurants on our way through to the course and had lunch in the Wolf Bar on a second trip.

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A must-visit if you are in Portrush. I like the places and activities that make me feel most present in that moment and place. The Harbour Bar accomplished that. There was nothing but the conversation and Guinness in front of me. It’s probably a bit of a tourist spot, but not because it’s made great efforts to become one. And it’s not some charmless chain. On this trip, it was a classic must-see spot, but also one that provided a few moments of stress-free clarity, wherein work and the next task were set aside in favor of present company and place.

The restaurant attached to the famed Harbour Bar. We landed here multiple times in a short stay in town. It’s a solid, elevated food option that’s better than basic pub food. The space is separate from the bar so there’s ample seating for a full-blown, legit restaurant. And when you’re done, you can top off at the more charming bar that gets all the fame and glory.

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I would not suggest the northern coast of Ireland is the best place in the world to get Italian, but this is the best meal we had all week at the Open. It came highly recommended from all locals and delivered. I would suggest if you are trying to book one great meal, go here and get it done. The menu has some variety and the location, isolated and right on top of the cliffs on the outskirts of Portstewart between Portrush, is supreme.

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We had a nice dinner here in Portrush one night after being run ragged all day. A strong menu with options, shading probably to the fancier side but not stuffy at all. Highly recommended.

Another that might fall into the “must-stop” category. This coffee shop was a hit with all four Fried Egg staffers on our first visit. The best coffee we had in the country, at an incredible setting looking out to the sea. And some excellent, healthy food options for mid-morning or midday. The setting, the food, the drinks, and the people all provided a much-needed boost for our days on multiple visits. I would love to spend a full morning at that coffee shop looking out over the beaches and ocean.

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A fish place that is right on the beach in Portstewart, just down the hill from the golf club. Locals who have lived there forever also recommended it, so it is not just a tourist trap. You park on the sand for a quality lunch or dinner.

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The Ramore Group seems to own much of the dining options in Portrush, which could be good or bad depending on your POV. They try to vary it up with different cuisines from pizza to pub fare to seafood across different restaurants, but there is a bit of sameness that hits each time. Maybe the familiarity is a good thing – it caters well to the golf crowd. We hit the Wine Bar during Open week and it was a fine meal in a scene location with the ability to walk all around town right after we were done.

The north coast area has many options for hotels. We stayed at a great Airbnb right on the port and then rented through Causeway Coast Vacation Rentals for the Open for a place right on the West Strand Beach, walkable to Royal Portrush and into town. But there are several hotels, like the Portrush Atlantic, the very fancy Dunluce Lodge, which is new and on the golf course, but a hike to get into town for anything. Or the fancy Portrush Adelphi, again from the folks at Marine and Lawn. Finding a rental in Portrush or Portstewart, to me, is a great way to settle in for a solid price.