Thanks for taking the time to visit Gardiners G2 Restaurant Magherafelt. The concept of Gardiners is contemporary Irish and continental menus that bring good quality local food and service to the people of mid-ulster in modern, comfortable well kept surroundings.

Sean and his team have put together a challenging range of menus which perfectly illustrates the breadth and variety of their repertoire, using only first class produce with a strong accent on locally produced foodstuffs. This focus on locality has been rewarded by the Ulster Farmers Union “Gate to Plate” Award which Gardiners Magherafelt have won for use of Northern Ireland Foodstuffs. As Sean maintains: “local people support Gardiners, so Gardiners supports them”.

Menus that give the kitchen brigade a good stretch

Food Critic

After a brief rest we were delighted to be informed that our recommended restaurant was only a short five minute stroll away and so we eagerly went in search of dinner. A popular local eatery Gardiners restaurant in Garden Street was already buzzing with diners and a warm atmosphere by 7pm - always a good sign when a restaurant is busy for a first sitting.

Our hosts had recommended this as a firm local favourite and it was easy to tell that it enjoys regular repeat visits from local clientele as the chef and waiting staff seemed to have a great rapport with their guests. After agonising over the choices on offer we opted for, Panko Prawns with garlic & chilli dipping sauce & a petit salad and a parfait of chicken liver with house chutney and toasted flutes followed by main courses of confit duckling with spiced Toulousian sausage and Bretonne beans and for me the more traditional local dish of slow braised belly of Ulster pork with sultana and apple chutney. Despite the extensive kids menu Reuben opted for the five-year-olds staple favourite of chicken goujons and the staff were obliging in switching the chips to a portion of mash and vegetables.

I’m no restaurant critic but I can tell you our meal was beautifully cooked (crispy prawns and melt in the mouth pork), full of flavour, (in particular the spicy Toulousian sausage deserves a mention) and thoroughly enjoyed by every member of our family. More than content, we headed back to the super-king to snuggle down and get some sleep in preparation for our Sunday adventure.

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