Carriages Bistro — Restaurant in Northern Ireland

I have visited Carriages quite a few times and I couldn't complain about the food, service or atmosphere. Unfortunately, on my last visit to the restaurant, it was awful! I visited with family (3 adults) and was sat at a table near the desk. It was a Saturday night, and the phone was non-stop. We sat for over an hour waiting for our food to arrive. My gammon came out looking dry and over cooked. I asked for it to be changed, a "new" one arrived 2 mins later as they conveniently had a spare in the oven!! Looked like the same one flipped over. Was so hungry at this point that I doused it and the mash in gravy and ate it. When we went to pay and mentioned how bad the experience was, the girl at the till said,'I know I'll pass it on." Didn't even offer to reduce the bill by a pound and instead hurriedly took our money and moved on to the next person waiting for their carryout. I was so disappointed as we had brought a family member to try after raving about how good they were and we were left looking very stupid and unlikely to recommend in future... more likely to avoid...

The place itself is really nice.. Love the decor and the theme related posters.. The staff were nice and friendly.. The service was ok... Place was a wee bit drafty and cold at times.. we ordered one well done and one medium rare.. I was surprised that the lady serving us the meal never asked who's was what.. Anyway all was OK because we got exactly what we asked for... Finished that all up then waited about 10mins for the scotch whisky coffee.. That didn't arrive at all.. So instead of going up and asking for it.. I decided not to bother and just head home as I was feeling shattered.. Basiclt didn't want to make a fuss.. However Normally when there's a special on.. You get that special.. So in a nut shell... The service at the start was nice and friendly.. But after that.. There was none.. Not even at the end when paying for the Bill.. Was I made aware of the scotch whiskey coffee.. Maybe it was getting late and close to closing time and the staff just thought.. Hope they don't want the coffee.. Pitty.. As the place is really nice...

This place is famed amongst my Northern Irish family and I have only recently been able to visit, on previous trips home COVID was happening and the other time we tried to order a take away but the wait was too long. To finally be able to visit properly and sit inside and have the full experience is something else. It never clicked that the name related to trains I thought the old fashioned horse drawn things. The service is excellent, cheery staff and made to feel very welcome. The food is something else, I went for a gourmet don pizza after hearing so much about it and it did not disappoint, it's packed with flavour and so filling, I had a nine inch one and still couldn't eat it all, my partner went for a roast beef, and the beef was amazing, full of flavour and cooked to perfection, I nearly regretted my choice. Then came the bill just over £30 for 2 these prices don't happen in the UK. It's somewhere I will definitely be...