Taste Summer in Ards and North Down

Wednesday 25 June – Sunday 6 July 2025

Various locations, featuring Comber Earlies Food Festival

A showcase of local food and drink with a series of seasonal foodie-themed events with Comber Earlies Food Festival on Saturday 28 June.

Celebrate the first feast of summer with authentic food and drink experiences showcasing unique venues and our local food heroes.

>> The Programme at a Glance <<

Please note: Menus for some elements of the Taste Ards and North Down food programme are seasonal and subject to change without advance notice. For information contact the host venue for the specific foodie experience that you are interested in.

Recipe inspiration

There are many ways to cook these famous potatoes, here is some inspiration for you to try at home - Comber Earlies recipes.

Stay a while

Why not make a break of it? Relax in the beauty of this place, offering everything from 5 star luxury to cosy guest houses or unique self-catering options, maybe camping and caravanning is more your thing, let us help you plan your perfect getaway.

Find out more in our Plan Your Trip section.

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[Please note, details subject to change. This event is being photographed/filmed. Images may be used in Ards and North Down Borough Council promotional material. If you do not want your image to be used, please inform our event staff].

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Taste and Enjoy...

Comber Earlies Food Festival

A celebration of the local PGI status Comber Earlies potatoes and the delicious local food and drink offering, with guest chefs and cookery demonstrations, an artisan food market, live music, family entertainment, crafting and more!
Comber Earlies Recipes

Comber Earlies potatoes have enjoyed Protected Geographical Indication status since 2012. A recognition of their unique taste and flavour thanks to the micro-climate in which they’re grown in the rich soil of the Ards Peninsula and Comber areas. There are many ways to cook these famous potatoes, here is some inspiration to try at home...

Book tasty foodie events now...

Local providers are running lots of fabulous foodie activities across the borough as part of this celebration of food and drink, find out more and book some delicious treats below….

Pier 36: The Comber Spud Menu

This menu, 'The Comber Spud', is curated and hosted by Pier 36 as part of Taste Summer in AND
1. 25 Jun 20256 Jul 2025
Peg Loom Weaving

Part of Taste Summer in AND | Visit Kiri Cottage and learn how to weave using a peg loom. This simple form of weaving teaches everyone, children included, the basics of traditional weaving. No experience is needed.
1. 25 Jun 2025
Summer Wine Night

Part of Taste Summer in AND | Join us for an evening of fine wine and flavour as we celebrate summer with a carefully curated tasting menu. Each dish, designed by Executive Head Chef Andy Turner, showcases the best of the season — think vibrant produce, bold flavours, and beautifully balanced plates that pair effortlessly with our sommelier's hand-picked summer wines.
1. 26 Jun 2025
Comber Earlies Showcase Dinner at No.14

Part of Taste Summer in AND | Meet our Local producers with a late supper in the walled garden, sample some local produce.
1. 27 Jun 2025
Tastes of South Africa

Part of Taste Summer in AND | Neill Wines, local experts and purveyors of global spirits and fine wines invite you on a journey through the vineyards of South Africa.
1. 27 Jun 2025
Weave a Willow Potato Basket

Part of Taste Summer in AND | Join us for our "Weave a traditional Irish Potato Basket or Sciathog" workshop in the Walled Garden and explore the traditions of Irish willow basketry.
1. 28 Jun 2025
The Copeland Experience

Part of Taste Summer in AND | Come and experience a tour the distillery, taste our award winning spirits, learn about the way we make our gins, rums and whiskeys and hear about the stories of smuggling and seized contraband in the local area!
1. 28 Jun 2025
2. 5 Jul 2025
3. 6 Sep 2025
4. 13 Sep 2025
5. 20 Sep 2025
6. 27 Sep 2025
Paddle and Pizza

Part of Taste Summer in AND | We offer a paddleboarding experience from the shores of Strangford Lough, just 2 minute from our home at Tracey's Farmhouse Kitchen, Killinchy. Instructor Joe will teach you the basics of paddleboard and afterwards you'll feast on delicious homemade pizza straight from the wood fired oven.
1. 28 Jun 2025
2. 29 Jun 2025
Electric Picnic

Part of Taste Summer in AND | Guided E Bike Tour and Artisan Picnic
1. 29 Jun 2025
2. 14 Sep 2025
Traditional Northern Irish Bread Making

Part of Taste Summer in AND | Learn how to make traditional breads in Tracey's Farmhouse Kitchen located on the shores of Ballymorran Bay, Killinchy, on Strangford Lough.
1. 1 Jul 2025
Sunset Paddle and BBQ

Part of Taste Summer in AND | Guided Kayak Tour and sumptuous island BBQ
1. 2 Jul 2025
2. 10 Sep 2025
The Comber Earlies Quiz Night

Part of Taste Summer in AND | A quiz night packed with craic, craft pints, and Comber-style competition. As part of the Comber Earlies Festival, we're mixing up pub trivia with a healthy dose of spud pride and local banter.
1. 3 Jul 2025
Whiskey Tasting at Copeland

Part of Taste Summer in AND | Whiskey Tasting at The Copeland Distillery. Throughout the evening, you will learn about the history of The Copeland brand and The Distillery.
1. 4 Jul 2025
Brews and BBQ

Part of Taste Summer in AND | This 4th July, gather with us in the heart of Comber for BBQ & Brews : A Taste of Home — a celebration of local flavour, craft, and community
1. 4 Jul 2025
Comedy, Craft Beer and Cheese – A Raclette Night to Remember

Part of Taste Summer in AND | Get ready for a night of belly laughs, brilliant beer, and ooey-gooey raclette as we serve up Comedy, Craft & Cheese — the ultimate feel-good evening for foodies and funnybones alike.
1. 5 Jul 2025
High Tea at Sea

Part of Taste Summer in AND | Enjoy a thrilling fast boat ride through the islands of the beautiful Strangford Lough, and enjoy a High Tea treat while at anchor.
1. 5 Jul 2025
Tour and Tipple at Echlinville

Part of Taste Summer in AND | The Echlinville Distillery Tour and Tipple offers offer a unique insight into the workings of our family run farm distillery.
1. 5 Jul 2025
The Copeland Experience

Part of Taste Summer in AND | Come and experience a tour the distillery, taste our award winning spirits, learn about the way we make our gins, rums and whiskeys and hear about the stories of smuggling and seized contraband in the local area!
1. 28 Jun 2025
2. 5 Jul 2025
3. 6 Sep 2025
4. 13 Sep 2025
5. 20 Sep 2025
6. 27 Sep 2025
Slow Food Weekend, No. 14 at the Georgian House

Part of Taste Summer in AND | A two-day mini symposium in the heart of Comber exploring the world of ‘slow food’ at a local scale through tastings, live demos, discussions and debates with special guest chefs and producers who are rethinking our food system through their innovative businesses.
1. 5 Jul 20256 Jul 2025
The Orlock Farm Sundays

Part of Taste Summer in AND | We would love you to join us for one of this years Orlock Farm Sundays series. This is an exclusive farm walk and relaxed two course wild dining experience at The Orlock, home to Ballyboley Dexters. The perfect opportunity to reconnect with nature and learn about regenerative farming.
1. 6 Jul 2025