Eighteen Ninety Four

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#5 of 20 Restaurants in Portstewart€€ - €€€, Irish, European, Vegetarian friendly

+44 28 7087 8211+ Add website

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Hours

Sun

12:00 - 19:00

Thu

17:00 - 21:00

Fri

12:30 - 14:3017:00 - 21:00

Sat

12:30 - 14:3017:00 - 21:00

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What is Travellers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Ratings and reviews

4.5

109 reviews

#5 of 20 Restaurants in Portstewart

Travellers' Choice 2024

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Food and ambience

Irish, European, British, Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options, Vegan options

“The prawns and belly pork starters were delicious followed by the monkfish an...”

“There was 5 choices for each course and offered a good choice.”

Romantic, View, Business meetings

“Delicious food & amazing views”

Location and contact

117 Strand Road, Portstewart BT55 7PG Northern Ireland

+44 28 7087 8211

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About

Eighteen Ninety Four is a superb fine dining restaurant in Portstewart operated by the Browns Bonds Hill Collection. Eighteen Ninety Four offers an unrivaled dining experience; superb food using the best local produce, excellent service and the most spectacular view across Portstewart Strand.

PRICE RANGE

€19.00 – €33.00

CUISINES

Irish, European, British

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner

FEATURES

Reservations, Seating, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Gift Cards Available

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4.5

109 reviews

Excellent

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Average

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Terrible

Lucinda Nolan

Limavady1 contribution

As a well seasoned traveller

Aug 2020 • none

As a well seasoned traveller and lover of all things culinary I’ve been wanting to visit for a while, it was well worth the wait! The sea view makes for the ideal setting, customer service is exceptional... knowledgeable, friendly and attentative staff... The food is undoubtedly the best I’ve ever eaten in Northern Ireland, this is fine dining at a very reasonable price. You’re getting so much more than a great meal out... I especially loved the wee bag of pork scratchings, such a brilliant idea! The crispy monkfish starter was unreal and the chocolate delice dessert with caramel ice cream was delicious. I cannot recommend this place highly enough. If you haven’t already been then I’d make it a must visit for my next meal out. Patron Chef Ian Orr and his team are amazing, can’t wait to come back soon.

Written 11 August 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cathy B

Limavady11 contributions

Wow. An experience not to be missed.

Mar 2020 • family

This place is fabulous, a beautiful setting, a lovely atmosphere with beautiful decor. The staff are so attentive and very knowledgeable about the menu that they are offering. We had a family meal here very recently, I have no words for the food that was served to us. Portstewart definitely needed a restaurant like this, something very special. We stared with the Guinness bread and garlic bread, delicious. I then chose the special starter, scallops, again, cooked perfectly and very tasty. For main I had the cod, again, delicious, a good portion size and presented beautifully. There was no way I was missing dessert (even though I was stuffed) I opted for the hazelnut meringue with toffee sauce, just wow. I've never eaten a meringue with this consistency before. Honestly, it was divine. If you are looking for the perfect dining experience, you have to try this place.

Written 8 March 2020

BrownsRestaurantsNI

What a lovely review, thanks Cathy :-)

Written 11 March 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

tmglover54

Portstewart13 contributions

The place to go for fine dining in Portstewart - and a great view

Jul 2020 • family

This restaurant is at Portstewart Golf Club but has a licence to cater for the general public. Although the food is a bit pricier than others in Portstewart, you are paying for fine dining and it delivers on quality. You get what you pay for. The food and service is excellent. The view from the restaurant is fantastic. Treat yourself and friends and pay it a visit. I'm confident you won't be disappointed

Written 31 July 2020

J99636

37 contributions

Left such a sour taste

Jun 2021 • none

A group of 8 friends, all professionals, ate at 1894 on Sunday evening past. We had the most amazing meal, food and service at the table were top class. Could not and would not fault it in any way. That was until we (4 of us) asked the barmaid for a drink after dinner while we waited on our taxi (20 min wait). We were greeted with "how long is your taxi going to be" and when asked about a specific cocktail, dismissed and told "we dont do that one" (it wasnt an out of the ordinary cocktail). We ordered other drinks and sat down. This initial greeting left us very shocked and shortly afterwards we were handed a bill for the drinks and the bill was incorrect. Added a bottle of wine rather than a glass. When I went to speak with the barmaid, she immediately went on the offensive, when I was trying to be constructive about our experience so far, and raised her voice and at one stage when I asked to speak to a manager was told "to keep my managerial thoughts to myself". The manager had left early and left this young barmaid to lock up the restaurant for the evening. This situation was difused by another member of staff (josh) who was extremely professional and handled everything with the greatest level of experience and understanding. The Barmaid once again tried to "clarify" things with us and we asked her just to leave us alone. Josh again got involved and she ended up shouting and him in behind the bar and treating him terribly in front of us all. The whole experience of 1894 was ruined by this one person working there. I understand things are only opened up again and hospitality are finding it difficult to get staff, but this is no excuse for the unmannerly and unprofessional behaviour of this young barmaid. On speaking with the Manager 4 days after the incident, after leaving emails and phone messages, all she did was apologise citing the above reasons for us being treated the way we were. That to me is certainly not satisfactory. We have all visited other Browns Restaurants over the years and enjoyed them, but this has left such a sour taste in our mouths, that we will neither be visiting or reccommending them to anyone going forward.

Written 25 June 2021

LornaM

22 contributions

Underwhelmed and disappointed

Nov 2021 • couples

We had booked 1894 for an evening meal and were very much looking forward to some exciting fine dining as we have previously enjoyed several excellent meals in Ardtara House. Unfortunately our expectations were not met. We had booked for 8pm and were somewhat dismayed to receive a phonecall from the restaurant suggesting that we arrive earlier as they weren't busy. The lack of other diners isn't an issue for us as our priority when dining out is the flavour and originality of the dishes. Sadly we found the food uninspiring and bland. When we raised our concerns, the price of one starter was deducted but we really would have preferred to pay in full for a memorable meal created with flair, expertise and imagination. Regrettably we will not return.

Written 19 November 2021

St Lucia

Derry2 contributions

Very disappointed

Dec 2021 • none

Had been really looking forward to lunch and using a gift voucher which my brother had purchased for my birthday. On arrival we were shocked that we weren’t asked for our Covid 19 status. We were then shown to a window seat with a great sea view but the restaurant was cold and lack lustre with no ambience - maybe down to the fact there was hardly anyone in it. A very sad looking, unlit Christmas tree sat in the corner and the background music could barely be heard. The lunchtime menu was limited and extremely expensive. The food itself was so disappointing - very bland and not what we were expecting - not on a par with any of the other restaurants in the group which we had previously visited. When we had finished, we settled the bill (for which we got no receipt) and as we don’t like complaining, left without expressing any dissatisfaction. We definitely will not be returning.

Written 2 January 2022

Colin

Northern Ireland143 contributions

Overpriced fine dining let down by unrefined service.

Apr 2022 • couples

As part of the Browns Bonds Hills group of restaurants, it, like many other restaurants these days, classify themselves as ‘Fine Dining’, and it is, to a point. However you still enter through the questionable/confused decor of the golf club and if you are fortunate and get a window table you are rewarded with spectacular views of the strand. We were greeted immediately and shown to our table, water was brought as were some breads and a dip which was a nice touch. We opted for the three courses with matching wines for starter and main course. The plates were nicely presented in good time and cooked to a good standard. The sides were limited and the salads quite disappointing. However when one pays £27 for a steak the fine dining experience needs to be accompanied by fine service and this is probably the main gripe I would have. Instead of being allocated an individual server for the evening we had 4 different staff in various styles of dress and demeanour. Smarted up the service and maybe expand the menu and this could be a really good spot.

Written 10 April 2022

Gillian D

Belfast41 contributions

Superb❤️

Sept 2020 • friends

I had heard wonderful things about this restaurant and finally got there this evening! I was not disappointed- everything about this place is wonderful- ambience, staff and not least the food! This is fine dining at its best on the North Coast. The little appetisers served courtesy of the chef were a lovely touch and every course following was a feast for the eyes and palette. I cannot speak highly enough of the staff and this place and will definitely return! Simply loved it!!

Written 17 September 2020

PDL

Portstewart231 contributions

Celebration dinner

Aug 2020 • none

My wife and I were due to eat here a few days after lockdown, but unfortunately Boris removed that option! We had been looking forward to our meal since then. A nice spot with wonderful food and good service (barring a few teething issues). The monkfish starter and baked goat's dishes were of particular note. Lovely relaxed atmosphere with Covid 19 measures being present but not what I would describe as 'intrusive'. A nice balance had been met in my opinion. My only gripe would be, at time of booking (well in advance), I had asked for the best table possible as it was a combined celebration for my wife's 50th and our 20th wedding anniversary. The seat we were given, was stuck at the end of bench right beside the door and well away from the sea views other diners were enjoying. Absolutely no mention was made of the celebration and no other tables were available. That being said, we would both return.

Written 3 August 2020

Eimear Kearney

Randalstown23 contributions

The best place to dine in Portstewart

Aug 2020 • none

This restaurant is outstanding, the views over Portstewart Strand are breathtaking, the service very professional, but the food is the real talking point. Every course was fantastic, from the home baked breads and goats cheese starter, to the hay smoked lamb presented in a wooden box at the table and the lemon tart and strawberry soup for dessert. The children also enjoyed the food. We look forward to returning on our next visit to the Port - it is such a joy to have a restaurant of this standard in Portstewart (and they didn't mind that we were wearing our shorts and casual gear)

Written 11 August 2020

347hughk

Belfast22 contributions

Outstanding food, excellent service, with one of the best views in Ireland

Sept 2020 • none

The staff were very welcome, the restaurant is very pleasant with a view overlooking Portstewart Strand to Donegal. Spotlessly clean with Perspex divisions between tables and well spaced to ensure safe dinning. The service was both friendly and attentive, I noticed that one we had ordered the choice was given to the right person without having to ask or interrupt conversation an attention to detail unusual in Northern Ireland. The food was simply outstanding, the fish particularly good and without doubt one of the best meals I have had in any restaurant in Northern Ireland/

Written 20 September 2020

Ulster Press GS

2 contributions

Ulster Press Golf Society visit to 1894.

Jun 2021 • none

We had a party of 52 players that dined in the restaurant on 3rd June.. we had a steak followed by a wonderful chocolate dessert. The steaks were all cooked just as members had requested them, no complaints. Helpings of the sides were beyond generous and everything food wise was as good as we have had anywhere in 15 years. Service was excellent and Carol the manager was a great help in the run up to the event and on the day.. Can'r recommend the experience highly enough, near perfect! No hesitation in taking the members back there at any time, many thanks from us all.

Written 5 June 2021

Pinkmini 55

Aghadowey4 contributions

Retirement meal for 55 people

Jun 2022 • friends

Views is amazing and definitely one of your biggest assets. Food was delicious although with everything pre ordered a week in advance at your request I would have thought that everyons meal and side ordereds would have come together. The customer service overall from booking until leaving the premises on the night was alot to be desired to the extent that the man in charge came across as extremely rude. I don't very often leave reviews but felt that how our booking was dealt with warrantied me to high light some points for your business to improve on. The Bar closed at 11pm with no prior warning before the night We also hired a private DJ for entertainment for the whole evening but unfortunately he was ask to finish his music at 11 so our night come to a very quick and quiet end. Extremely disappointing after expecting so much more from a well established environment.

Written 2 July 2022

Jill W

3 contributions

Don’t waste your money

Jul 2021 • couples

Visited 1894 on Saturday 17th July after a year of sitting in. I was so excited but unfortunately was very disappointed. I had visited 4 times before and had recommended the restaurant to others but it was not good. I had requested a window seat but got seated at the back even though window seats where available for the duration of our visit, however it is just a seat and does not affect the food. We both ordered the cured mackerel which was ok if you don’t mind smily skin however all the accompaniments where picked which lead to a very vinegary taste it definitely needed some sweetness. I then had medium cooked lamb which was over cooked which was fine however again the accompaniments where all cold, sour cream (buttermilk) and a chorizo flavoured tapenade (called smoked tomato chutney) which did not compliment the lamb. Overall for the restaurant everything was disappointing and mediocre not fine dining and definitely not what I expected going by pervious visits. The wine pairing did work well with each dish and also saved the starter as it provided a sweetness. Definitely will not be recommending again the north coast has a lot to offer and a lot more restaurants with more potential do not waste your money.

Written 18 July 2021

fiona229

269 contributions

Fantastic birthday meal

Dec 2020 • none

Went for lunch with another couple to celebrate my husbands 65th birthday. Although the dining room was quite empty. Aron was so friendly that there was a great atmosphere. The views were stunning. The food was exceptional. Gin cured salmon to start. The lamb cooked in hay was fantastic. I loved the fact that they brought it to the table in a wooden box so we could see it sitting on the smouldering hay and then took it away to carve it. Desserts also amazing especially the passion fruit hot soufflé. Could not recommend this more highly. Give the news from Stormont today am happy to say their dine at home experiences are also exceptional!