The Smugglers Table - Down

I recently enjoyed a delicious seafood pie made by Roy at this restaurant. The curry dish was also exceptional, packed with flavor but not too strong. The only thing lacking was Julie's warm smile and the efficient, friendly staff.

After a hectic few weeks, we decided to dine at this restaurant for our Friday night meal. I was disappointed to have missed out on the seafood specials that were featured on their Facebook page, but my spirits were lifted when I tried Chef Roy’s Saddle of Venison special. The meat was tender, the jus was full of flavor, and the potato fondant and local vegetables were cooked to perfection. The dish looked even better in person than in the photograph. Julie mentioned that most of the dishes are gluten-free, as the chef himself is gluten-free, which explains why the sauces and jus on the menu are always so delicious. We ended the meal with homemade desserts and a refreshing cocktail from the bar.

If you live in the area and haven't eaten here, you must be crazy! I traveled from Donaghadee to attend a wedding at The Mill At Ballydugan and decided to book The Smugglers for a meal beforehand. The breads with tapenade and parfait were fantastic starters to share. The Finnebrouge Wagyu Fillet on the specials menu was one of the most perfectly cooked and delicious steaks we have ever had, as was the Sirloin. The pepper sauce was just right, not too overpowering but with the right amount of heat. The chips were excellent too. We shared the Double Chocolate Brownie for dessert, washed down with a wonderful Malbec. Instead of coffee, we opted for a cheeky Bushmills 10. The restaurant followed social distancing guidelines well, with sanitizer on every table and the staff wearing visors, which gave us peace of mind during these difficult times. Overall, we had a fantastic dining experience in a lovely setting with great food and excellent staff. I will definitely be looking for an excuse to return.

I would highly recommend the Smuggler's Table after a recent meal there on a weekday evening. The staff were extremely friendly and accommodating, and the food was delicious the lamb dish in particular was simple, hearty and perfectly executed, especially taking into account that we all wanted it cooked differently!

Our dining experience was so good on the first night, we decided to return there for our second night in Killyleagh. Julie was knowledgeable, calm and accommodating and on both nights we received excellent, friendly service from all the staff. But it was the perfectly cooked hake atop a bed of delicately flavoured mash and the plaice with the flavoursome fennel dressing that won my vote. I also felt that space was optimised so that we felt safe in these Covid times.