A very friendly, efficient cafe with great food and wonderful views across Strangford Lough. I hope to visit again soon with my Mum.
We went on bank holiday Monday. It was busy but the queue wasn't long and we were able to get a seat with a fantastic view. The food and drink was good. And took mo time at all to be served it.
Staff couldn't do enough sorting out a cash sale when they only take card..bird flu about,birds have netted area to preserve them from wild birds bringing it onto the site. Superb views sitting in restaurant looking out windows to uninterrupted view over Lough
No cash purchases in restraunt .service very good .range of foods.bird flu local so restrictions on movement.
Basic food, a bit pricy but perfect for my elderly mother, and the view is great.
One thing I’ve noticed, the staff have great taste in music and I often come away having heard a great album in its entirety. I’ve shared some really decent music chat that’s kept me going on Spotify for the week. They could do a side hustle in local radio. Cracking views from the cafe, a great space for a sit down after leisurely walk.
I visited Castle Espie on Fri 8th Oct. We had a friend visiting from Dublin who recently broadcast a radio interview on the importance of seagrass for the Brent geese. My friends & I thought Castle Espie would be wonderful for her to visit. We had 'lunch in the cafe and I was so embarrassed at what was on offer. She had a toasted sandwich which was served in a paper bag and she had to open out the bag to serve as a plate. I had to do the same with the wheaten bread I was served with my soup. Our water was served in plastic tumblers...a glass would have been much nicer, especially when both need to be wash. Our coffee was served in a disposal cup which when instructions followed folded into what I can only describe as a child's sippy cup. I know all the products seemed to be compostable which I congratulate but giving how covid restrictions are lifting and places are trying to get back to normal I found this method of serving food a disgrace. Why have they not gone back to ceramic which are easily washed...are they too lazy? I use to be at Castle Espie on a regular basis when my children were younger and I do think the whole wildfowl experience is fabulous but I won't be back to the cafe any time soon neither will my friends. The cafe could make a good profit for the trust but not under these conditions. I know the up to date guidelines on serving food and the cafe is very out of date!! I would like to add that we didn't find any sanitiser as we entered the building, there was a bottle behind the till at the cafe...out of reach from customers...luckily a few of my friends had some in their bag. It seems like 2 extremes here. We were pleased to find hand sanitiser at the tills to pay for the visitor experience. I do feel how the cafe is being run reflects badly on the trust.
The Kingfisher Cafe at Castle Espie is located at 78 Ballydrain Rd, Comber, Newtownards BT23 6EA, UK
You can contact The Kingfisher Cafe at Castle Espie at +44 28 9187 4146
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