Great review from Georgina Campbells Ireland guide

Copper Restaurant

Just off the diamond in the centre of Warrenpoint, Neil Bradley and Sarah Meaney’s appealing restaurant lies behind a smart understated façade. Inside, there’s a bar and a fine high-ceilinged dining room, with tables welcomingly set up with classic white linen and all the nice little touches that convey a quality feeling. Neil is an extremely strong advocate of local food: his fish is bought straight off the boat at Kilkeel Harbour, his herbs and vegetables are from Lurganconary Organic Farm at Kilkeel, and naturally reared beef and pork for the restaurant come from the nearby Narrow Water Castle Farm…thus the building blocks of good food are in place and, if you add the magic ingredient of seriously good cooking by a talented and dedicated chef, it is no surprise that this delightful restaurant should be on so many customers’ list of favourites. A range of imaginative but admirably concise set menus is offered (lunch, early dinner, vegetarian) as well as a more extensive à la carte; typically delicious summer offerings might include starters using vegetables, herbs and local fish in season such as fresh pea risotto with local ham & mint or spiced mackerel fillets with orange & rhubarb salad, possibly followed by a great meat dish like char grilled Narrow Water sirloin with dauphinoise potatoes & chili butter, or cumin roast lamb with potato gnocchi & aubergine. Finish, perhaps, with an unusual dessert like vanilla mousse with crushed strawberries and vanilla sherbert… The vegetarian menu is equally appealing, and also an 8-course Tasting Menu (£35) available for whole tables, which offers exceptional value. Everything served here is delicious, but the underlying reason for this restaurant’s success is that it is so customer-friendly – all menus offer extremely good value and, where possible, flexibility too; an interesting wine list is very fairly priced and, not only is service charming and efficient under Sarah’s direction, but she keeps in constant contact with customers throughout the year, offering special dining deals that entice people back. And, once through the door, Neil and Sarah ensure an enjoyable – perhaps memorable - experience, at a fair price. Well worth a detour.

*A daytime Copper Cafe is now open at the Newry Museum.