the lighthouse bistro

Whitehead

About us

The Lighthouse Bistro

Nestled along the coast between Carrickfergus Castle and the Gobbins Cliff Path, The Lighthouse Bistro is situated just off Victorian Whitehead's colourful promenade. 


The Lighthouse Bistro is a small, cosy, award winning family run restaurant which makes everything from scratch including its own pasta, breads and smokes and pickles a range of local produce too. You can expect to find local cheeses, seafood, coffee and a range of meat dishes such as smoked pork belly and steaks on the menu. 


The Bistro holds various events throughout the year including tapas nights, wine tasting and tasting menues. Dates are announced here and via social media. We are unlicenced but you may bring a bottle!


Our menu is subject to change. We regularly have daily lunch and evening specials on offer. 


WE WILL BE CLOSED FROM 2ND JULY TO 18TH JULY FOR OUR SUMMER BREAK. WE WILL BE OPEN AGAIN ON FRIDAY 19TH JULY. 


Sea you all soon!


#thelighthousebistro

Lunch

Breads: on sour dough

Smoked beef brisket

6

onions, mushrooms, thick gravy, aioli

Cured salmon & king prawn

6

radish, mustard mayo

Chicken & avocado

5

ice berg, lime sour cream

Fimiletown goats cheese

5

fresh tomato & basil salsa

Small plates

Seafood chowder

6

mixed seafood, sour dough

Chicken wings

5.50

Bushmills mayo

Strangford mussels

7

white wine cream, Bistro bread

Super food salad

6

avocado, feta, cucumber, peas, mixed leafs, seeds

Pasta

fresh pasta, cream or tomato sauce with garlic bread & smoked cheddar

Chicken & chorizo

Salmon & seafood

Smoked bacon & mushrooms


All    £10

Smoked beef brisket

10

butternut squash puree, red wine jus, green slaw, garlic skins / chips

Chicken Bordeaux

10

root vegetables, mushrooms, red wine reduction, garlic skins / chips

Bistro Menu

Starters / Small Plates

Seafood chowder

6

mixed seafood, sour dough

Chicken wings

5.50

Bushmills mayo

Fivemiletown goats cheese

5

sour dough, fresh tomato & basil salsa

Salmon geviche

7

radish, cucumber, mustard mayo

King scallop

7.50

black pudding, pea & mint puree

Super food salad

6

avocado, feta, cucumber, peas, mixed leafs, seeds

Mains

Lighthouse bouillabaisse

18

mixed fish and seafood, tomato & basil sauce, baby boils, House bread, aioli

Bistro beef

17

6 oz premium sirloin carved, root vegetables, baby onions, mushrooms, red wine reduction

Chicken

16

local free range chicken fillet, smoked bacon, garden greens, tarragon cream, white cabbage pickle

Smoked pork belly

16

marinated king prawns, butternut squash puree, red cabbage pickle, chilli jam

Lamb chops

mp

mint feta, buttered green beans, House slaw, red wine jus

Half duck

17

roasted onion, sherry vinegar sauce

Oysters au naturel (6)

18

served with sea salt, lemon & Tabasco 

(NB. Preorder required when booking the table!)

From the Grill

All served with choice of sauce & butter saute mushrooms

Cleaver&Steel premium sirloin 12oz

21

Smoked pork belly

15

red cabbage pickle, chilli jam

Chicken fillet

15

local free range chicken fillet, white cabbage pickle

Weekly game & seafood specials

Venison, pigeon, duck, scallops, lobster due the availability & seasons.

Sides

all £3

Handcut house chips

Garlic potato skins

Baby boil potatoes

Trio of vegetables

House salad

Sauces

Bushmills pepper cream

Red wine jus

Madeira

Garlic butter

Chasseur

Sherry vinegar gravy

Kids corner

all £5 and served with chips, peas & carrots

Fish fingers

Fresh chicken goujons

Minute steak (£2 supplement)

Macaroni & cheese

Dessert Menu

Pear & almond tart

Blackberry cheesecake

Chocolate fudge cake

Lemon posset

Rinkha ice cream

all £4.50

Vegan Menu

Small plates

Vegetable soup

4.50

Sour dough, herb oil

Garlic mushrooms

4.50

Virgin olive oil, parsley

Bruschetta

4

Sour dough, tomato & basil salsa, herb oil

Super food salad

6

Avocado, tofu, mixed leafs, cucumber, peas, seeds

Mains

Salt & chili tofu

17

Crispy tofu, sesame seeds, Asian flavour vegetables

Polenta steak

16

Root vegetables, mushrooms, baby onions, red wine reduction, House pickles

Spaghetti

15

Mixed vegetables, tomato sauce, garlic bread

Portobello mushroom

15

Mixed beans cassoulet, House pickles

Desserts

Bistro sorbet

4

Chocolate fudge cake

4

Thursday Tapas Menu

Cold

Spanish tortilla

4

Salmon geviche

6

Salted beef pincho

5

Goat cheese & piquello peppers

4.50

Duck and orange salad

5

Avocado pincho

4.50

Hot

Seafood & chicken paella

7

Chorizo in red wine

6

Spicy mussels

5

Smoked pork belly

5

Patatas bravas / aioli

4

Mixed beans & avocado

5

Sweet

Crema catalana

3.50

Sangria sorbet

3

Chocolat mousse

3.50

All three for

9

nb: Weekly changes!

Visit Us

The Lighthouse Bistro

2 Marine Avenue, Whitehead, Carrickfergus, BT38 9QW

028 9337 2447

Hours

Lunch

Tuesday to Saturday 11-14


Evening

Thursday to Saturday 17 - 21


Monday & Sunday - closed.


Booking recommended. 

Contact Us

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Press

The Food Awards NI 2019

We were thrilled to be Highly Commended in the overall Customers Choice Award at the Food Awards NI this year! Thanks so much everyone!

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Sunday Life

'A star is born. The Lighthouse Bistro has it all!' 

Great review from TableTalk in the Sunday Life 3 months after opening (October 2018). 

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Taste of Ulster

We are proud to be a Taste of Ulster member and use local produce where possible! We passed our mystery inspection with a 97% pass rate. 

Team Lighthouse

The Lighthouse Bistro Team

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 Having worked for over 30 years in the business, Chef Joni's food obsession leads to a dining experience based on fresh, seasonal and made from scratch plates.   

Our staff are dedicated to providing a relaxing and welcoming dining experience and look forward to meeting you!

Special Events and Catering

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Our restaurant is available for private events: weddings, business lunches, dinners, and more. We would love to discuss how to be a part of your next event or meet your outside catering requirements!

Changing and Set Menues - Seasonal and Local

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Look out for our changing seasonal menues which take advantage of the amazing produce growing and available in these lands! We also provide a set menu experience. Please get in touch for further info. Feedback on our menu is always welcome.