Fodor's Expert Review Carrick Cottage Café

Venture a few miles south of Newcastle and a 10-minute drive toward Annalong to Head Road where hedgerows are replaced by stone walls to find a 100-year-old traditional whitewashed building that has been refashioned as a cozy café against the backdrop of Slieve Bingian mountain. Set amid the timeless wide-angle landscape of undulating countryside and green fields unspooling to the distant horizon of coast and sea, this is the place for those hungry for scenery as much as tray bakes, sandwiches, and salads. Don't miss the caramel shortbread hot chocolate or Illy coffee, served beside a blazing log fire. In good weather you can sit outside. Breakfasts are served until 3.00pm. Carrick Cottage now also offers summer accommodation in 'glamping' pods sleeping 2-5, from £160 per pod.

The café is often busy with walkers since it is beside one of the main paths leading into the mountains and is a short drive from Carrick Little car park, a major entry point into the hills.