Disappointed diners struggle for table at popular restaurants

And anyone who has not already made a reservation will need an enormous amount of luck to get a table this weekend.

It is not unusual to have packed restaurants in the Triangle area of Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine during the summer, especially when big events such as the North West 200 road races or the Northern Ireland Super Cup — formerly the Milk Cup — football tournament are taking place.

The golf courses do a roaring trade as well, with enthusiasts getting their holidays to coincide with the Open Championship and getting the best of both worlds on and off the greens.

Some merely want to get ‘out of town’ and away from the Twelfth festivities.

But that special evening meal to end a fine day is becoming harder to book.

Some people have already contacted this newspaper to say that it is virtually impossible to reserve a place at any of the sought-after places on the north coast on Friday or Saturday night.

With the school holidays in full swing, the Twelfth fortnight upon us and staycations under way, Bronagh Morelli from Amici Ristorante in Portstewart said she was already booked up for most of the weekend.

“I have absolutely nothing at all on Friday or Saturday,” she told the Belfast Telegraph.

“We have been inundated with people looking for tables and unfortunately we’ve had to turn people away. There is a little availability on Sunday. I could take a party of six in the afternoon and I have a table for two at 3.30pm.

“There’s also room for four people from 4pm until 5.30pm but I’m afraid that’s it.”

She added: “People have been shouting at me all day long because I can’t take any more reservations this weekend.”

Bronagh also said Amici does walk-ins throughout the day and night for parties of two, three and four.

Danny Coyles, who owns The Anchor Bar and Anchorage Inn in Portstewart, said they were “fully booked most weekends”, although walk-ins can still be accommodated at off-peak times. 

“It’s still table service only, so that affects the number of people we can have in our restaurant at any one time,” he told this newspaper. 

“We’re only taking bookings for people who are coming in for food and every table here is booked up every Friday and Saturday night from now until the end of summer.

“The north coast is very busy. The biggest problem in the area is a real shortage of staff.”

Meanwhile, one Portrush resident said it was extremely busy in the seaside town.

“It’s so busy at the minute, which is only to be expected with so many people holidaying in Northern Ireland,” he said.

“Tables at decent times in the more popular restaurants are getting booked up early.”

According to Trip Advisor, The Anchor Bar Complex, Amici Ristorante, Villa Portstewart and Harry’s Shack are the top four restaurants in Portstewart, while the top three in Portrush are Kiwi’s Bew Bar, Ocho Tapas Bistro and Adelphi Bistro.

For anyone hoping to book a table this weekend, good luck and bon appetit.