Where: The Smuggler’s Inn, 306 Whitepark Road, Bushmills, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, BT57 8SN
When: 11th January 2018
The Smuggler’s Inn is a family run inn and restaurant just outside Bushmills on the way to the UNESCO world heritage site of the Giant’s Causeway. I stumbled across this place as I cheekily popped in to ask if I was going in the right direction to my hostel as I was cycling from Portrush to the Giant’s Causeway with no map and no working phone.
After checking in at my hostel I returned to the Smuggler’s for some grub, I had had nothing since porridge that morning so was looking forward to eating and wow, the Smuggler’s really blew me away!
The Smuggler’s Inn run an early bird offer from 4pm – 6:45pm which entitles you to a free starter or dessert. Assuming there wouldn’t be a vegan dessert I opted for a starter of vegetable soup; a hearty, warming chunky soup with carrots, leeks, celery and pearl barley. For main course I went for the falafel burger. Sometimes I find falafel a bit dry, this was just the right texture of moistness and came with a home-made relish and a garnish and served on a lightly toasted bun, there was also a free side dish of sauté mushrooms.
One should never assume things, and I was delighted that there was also a dessert option – vegan ice cream with fruit. I also had a lovely coffee with almond milk. And a sneaky Guiness – it’s now vegan too, as of 2016.
Needless to say I left happy and full. This place has the full package; lovely staff that are helpful from start to finish, great vegan options despite not being a vegan establishment, almond milk instead of soya for your teas and coffees, fun maritime decor complete with old masthead and not to mention the cost of all my food and drink came to just under £15! They also have a little cabinet selling jewellery from local makers.
I hope I’m in the area again so I can revisit. Thank you Smuggler’s Inn!
The Greedy Herbivore 