A very welcome addition to the Carrickfergus dining scene - and to the growing number of good coastal eating places in Co Antrim - Neil Johnston (well known from his former Belfast restaurant Graze,in Ballyhackamore) opened Luna in early 2025 and it has gone down a treat. The perfect neighbourhood restaurant, it has an inclusive 'all boxes ticked' approach, starting with Breakfast/Brunch, then morphing into Lunch (including a Sunday Social, offering great roasts), and more substantial offerings in the evenings, with a tempting midweek menu for Wednesday and Thursday and a more serious offering on Friday and Saturday nights.
Handy to Carrickfergus Castle, just a short stroll away, Luna's blue awning is easy to spot - and, once inside, you'll find friendly staff and a smart modern room, with some bright nautical prints and simple furnishings. The wooden tables, comfortable cushioned metal chairs and porthole mirrors work well at any time of day, and the blue exterior lighting that floods into the dining room in the evening creates a restful ambience for dinner.
Menus are simply presented on a wooden clipboard and change frequently, especially in the evenings - and with the maxim 'Eat Local Stay Happy' proclaimed on their website there will be plenty of local seasonal food to enjoy and excellent cooking by head chef Matt Cole and his team. A concise, carefully selected drinks list that is perfectly pitched for the food style includes some bottled beers, a gin cocktail selection, prosecco and wines - just 4 reds and 4 whites - available by the glass, bottle or carafe.
Breakfasts include a terrific Luna Grill, a colourful non-greasy plate of crispy streaky bacon, pork sausages, soda and potato bread, which is a delicious take on the traditional Ulster fry up. It's good to see it executed so well, and there's a smaller Mini Grill version too. Other options may include Spanish style eggs and Toasted muffins with cream cheese and smoked salmon, which is given a lift with careful presentation. And then there are classy versions of popular Avocado dishes, and a Coconut porridge - but also the real thing, an irresistible creamy version of proper porridge with local honey, whiskey and soaked prunes...This early offering links into the lunch menu, opening up further choices including soup, a BLT club sandwich, Luna crispy fried Squid with curry mayo dip (very nice) and perhaps also delicious Crispy Pork Belly, potato topped Fish pie and a Pulled beef with parpadelle pasta ribbons.
The mid-week evening 'Treat' menu starts early at 4pm, offering choices such as a super plate of Lemon sole fillets, with scallion croquettes, green beans and butter sauce, and maybe a slow cooked Beef daube with mash and red wine jus that's perfect in chilly weather. The ante is upped on weekend evenings, when prime scallops appear in various guises and there may be Venison scotch eggs in season, along with main course options like Duck confit, a Sharing Steak (from the renowned Peter Hannan meats of Moira), Roasted salmon, and a vegetarian dish that can also become a vegan option, by asking the helpful staff who know the menu inside out. Delicious home made puddings to finish, too - a Toffee and coconut tart with salted caramel ice cream is a lovely dessert, for example (not tool sweet, well balanced), or Italian Affagato that comes with milk ice cream and a Biscotti, while Dessert of the Day might be a moreishly silky smooth Iced Parfait... Coffee flows all day if you want to pop in to read the menu, or to ask about reservations, but don't expect buns or tray bakes with it.
All round, this a unusually satisfying customer-focused place that has quickly established itself on the culinary map, and rightly so, with its excellent cooking, good value and thoughtful hospitality - and it's really handy to Carrickfergus Castle, making an extended stop here very worthwhile.
