Top Rated Restaurants & Cafes in Derry

The Verbal Arts Centre is one of the most exciting cultural centres in the city. In March 2001 it had a £1.7 million boost, which has allowed it to enhance the already considerable range of arts activities there. Also, the centre's location, right on the city walls, makes it an interesting stop-off point for visitors. It often has literature readings and exhibitions featuring well-known local and national writers; and the coffee house is open Monday to Friday. The centre's website provides a regularly updated list of events. Edel Gallagher and Kate Newman are just two of the contacts you can talk to about what's new.

Small in size but big on food quality, this restaurant offers quickly prepared meals with that elusive homemade taste. Everything from an all-day Irish breakfast to Sunday Lunch is efficiently put together. The Town Clock focuses on popular meal choices such as burgers and pizzas. But the idea is to cook these to make them more tasteful than fast food. The restaurant is fully licensed, and the diner can enjoy wine or beer with their meal, though the choice of both is limited. Children are welcome and a separate menu is available for them.

Owned by a family from the central Italian town of Abruzzo, this restaurant serves authentic ethnic cuisine in a superb location near the river. Every element mirrors aspects of the old country. Once the food arrives you can't help but feel that you're sitting in a trattoria somewhere in Italy. The restaurant ensures that vegetarian customers are catered for too. Media reviews have all been positive. Here's a quote from a city magazine: " This is THE place. The food is terrific; the wine a treat - definitely restaurant of the year. " If you need to say: " I know this little Italian place ", La Sosta is the phrase to use. It is open from 6:30p until late.

Situated county-central in this pretty market town, the restaurant is listed favorably in more than one guide book. Despite the emphasis on quality dishes like monkfish, rabbit and salmon, the prices are reasonable. Imagination has gone into the starters: prawn filo parcels and guinea fowl terrine are just two. A short well-chosen wine list has no bottle more than £20. Owners Stanley and Maria Matthews put on theme nights to try out new ideas. The interior is muted but welcoming, being a small, 10-table affair with nice paintings and simple down-lighting adding to the overall informal mood.

The Drift Inn is one of the most attractive bars in Buncrana. Once home to the town's railway station, it went through identity makeovers in the 1950s, 70s and 90s. Traditional Irish music is played at weekends. There is a friendly warm atmosphere, and regulars and visitors alike claim that the pub serves one of the best pints of Guinness in Ireland. The light and airy restaurant -- actually built on the former railway station platform -- has both bar food and a la carte menus. In 2001 it may go through another period of positive transition, as it is up for sale.