Award-winning Ballynahinch fine dining restaurant closes

Award-winning Ballynahinch fine dining restaurant closes

30 May 2018

BALLYNAHINCH’S award-winning Bull & Ram restaurant has closed, less than two years after it opened.

The Dromore Street business closed last week with head chef and owner Kelan McMichael confirming he now plans to focus solely on the brand’s other restaurant in Belfast which opened on University Street in October. 

It is understood that all staff based in Ballynahinch have been relocated to Belfast as a result of the closure.

Mr McMichael said he would like to thank customers, his staff and our suppliers for their support and the many successes the Ballynahinch business has achieved.

“We look forward to the next culinary chapter which we plan to unveil in the not too distant future,” he continued. 

“Our Belfast restaurant remains open as normal and and we are in the process of changing the menu with plans to introduce a ‘cafe’ style menu which will offer a more international and fusion choice of food which reflects how the city is changing. We will also bring in an array of smaller dishes for people as this reflects how people like to eat today.”

Mr McMichael opened the Bull & Ram in a former butcher’s shop in Ballynahinch in June 2016, restoring an Edwardian building back to its former glory, complete with the original meat hanging rail and herringbone oak ceiling. 

Within months of opening, the restaurant won three categories at the Yes Chef Awards, including the award for best casual dining in Ireland. The popular eatery was also awarded Best Restaurant in Ulster at the 2017 Good Eating Guide and Best Newcomer in Ulster at the 2017 All Ireland Restaurant Awards.