Shopping in Derry is like no other, we have so much pride in our local vendors and high street heroes. Check out our top tips if you are planning a shopping spree in the city.
Foyleside Shopping Centre
Right where our tours begin we have Foyleside Shopping Centre. Boasting over 50 stores to ensure that you can find whatever you may be looking for. Grab the essentials in Boots Chemist or Marks & Spencers, indulge in a sneaky bite from McDonald’s or the food court on Level 3 and treat your loved ones to a gift from Rituals or Yankee Candle. There is something for everyone at Foyleside!
The Craft Village
A hidden gem in the city home to many local traders.
A traditional Irish village , home of the Shirt factory mural and authentic thatch roof cottage. Experience some fine dining in Artis restaurant, or grab an award winning scone from The Cottage whilst exploring some of our city’s finest artists – from cake shops to design makers and from book stores to fashion this is an opportunity not to be missed on your visit to the city.
The Richmond Centre
With 35 of your favourite high street retailers under one roof the Richmond Centre has something for everyone. Pop into Mermaid Cove and treat yourself to some locally produced bath salts or into Equivalenza to pick your favourite scent – you will not be disappointed!
On wandering throughout the city, please also be sure to pop into our local traders in and around the walled city. Top recommendations from us include ‘Ferry Clever’ on Bishop Street for all your gifting needs and ‘Vine’ on Shipquay Street for local charcuterie, candles and homewares.
Be sure to join a Martin McCrossan City Tour to get your bearings on the walled city – a first stop shop to navigate the rest of your stay!
Whether its a light lunch you are after or some fine dining, Derry is certainly a foodie destination! We have everything from casual street food to Michelin recommended – be sure to tickle your tastebuds on your visit here!
Brown's & Browns In Town
Michelin Recommended. Fine dining menus and numerous award wins , Browns is renowned for its sumptuous food and impeccable service. With the original restaurant ‘Browns Bonds Hill’ just a short walk over the peace bridge to the East Bank of the River Foyle and their additional restaurant ‘Browns In Town’ in the heart of the city centre on the cityside this is certainly one not to be missed!
Browns Bonds Hill, 1 Bonds Hill, Derry ~ Londonderry, BT47 6DW
Thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Browns at Bonds Hill. The food was excellent and the chef was able to adapt the menu to accommodate my husband’s food intolerances eg gluten and dairy free. The service was efficient and friendly. A visit to Browns is most definitely a first class culinary experience
– Trip Advisor Review 2023
Walled City Brewery
A gastropub and taproom based in the heart of the city in Ebrington Square with a delicious menu and a range of one of a kind craft beers. The Walled City Brewery have previously won the title of “Best GastroPub in Ireland”. In 2022, they expanded their restaurant to open a new Taproom experience – following your meal in the restaurant you can venture into the Taproom and sample some craft beer brewed on site – or even try their signature Gin – Earhart Gin – named after one of the world’s most famous female aviators Amelia Earhart who landed in our city in 1932.
Personal Recommendation from Charlene McCrossan – a pint of Kicks Lager – named after the Undertones hit ‘Teenage Kicks’
Delicious innovative flavours. Sea bass with fried capers and spicy sauce. Amazing starter of fish cake with big chunks of salmon and cod. A real gourmet delight in a nice relaxed setting. Excellent and friendly service.
– Trip Advisor Review
Walled City Brewery, Parade Ground, 70 Ebrington Square, Derry, BT476FA.
Java Coffee Shop
The perfect midday stop either before or after a walking tour with ourselves! A warm welcome awaits whether it’s a Full Irish breakfast and a Coffee you are craving or a healthy superfood salad for lunch or a homemade scone and a cuppa. Scones freshly made on site every morning, from wheaten and treacle to raspberry and white chocolate! You are on your holidays – why not! Friendly staff, excellent service and in the cafe there is also a visitor information stand so pick up a map of the city , have a coffee and decide how to spend the rest of your day!
Personal Recommendation from Charlene – Healthy Assiette – Scrambled Eggs & Avocado on Sourdough
What a lovely friendly place, run by lovely friendly, welcoming people. The wide variety of scones are to die for. Drop in for a great value breakfast as well.
Too busy seeing the sights and want something on the go? Then Get Fed offers everything from sandwiches to Vol- au- Vents and Paninis. They also have a range of cakes, coffees and traybakes to go – perfect for those wishing to not miss an opportunity to see all the sites!
Personal Recommendation from Charlene – Chicken Curry Vol-au-vent
Get Fed Foods, 1A Carlisle Road, Derry, BT486JJ
Badgers Bar
Situated right outside the Walled City, right in the city centre and their gable wall is the home to the all important Derry Girl’s mural – Badgers Bar is a must visit ! Fantastic pub grub, in a cosy traditional setting with perfectly poured pints of Guinness what else could you ask for?
Personal Recommendation from Charlene – Madras Curry
Badgers Bar, 18 Orchard Street , Derry, BT486EG
Claude's Cafe
“Say nothing till ye see Claude” an infamous local saying in our city, this beautiful cafe offers both hot and cold options, a perfect lunch stop! The owner Declan is renowned in the city for his generosity at Christmas time, providing those in need in the city with Christmas Dinners. A gem of an eatery.
Personal Recommendation from Charlene – try the Hot Chocolate !
Claude’s Cafe, 4 Shipquay Street, Derry, BT486DN
Pyke 'n' Pommes
Named by National Geographic in the Top ten restaurants in Ireland – whether you wish to visit their trendy double decker bus on the banks of the River Foyle or their sit in restaurant , you will not get a taco like it anywhere else! Locally sourced, authentic, street – styled food.
Personal Recommendation from Charlene – Cauliflower Taco
Pyke ‘n’ Pommes (double decker bus), Strand Road (between Baronet Street and Foyle View Apartments, Derry, BT487NS
Vegetarians will be at home in any Lebanese restaurant as they include many vegetarian healthy options. Close your eyes and pretend you have been transported to the Middle East. Described as a small oasis and a hidden gem, Cedar is a culinary experience not to be missed!
Personal recommendation from Charlene – Halloumi Salad
Are you visiting the city ? Looking for things to do in Derry ? Then look no further – we have you covered ! Check out some of our top attractions to visit in Derry / Londonderry.
Walk the 400 year old City Walls
the first thing to do in Derry when you arrive – great viewpoints of the city and an added bonus is that the City walls surround the city centre so it’s a fantastic way to get your bearings!
Visit the Guildhall
Did you know that one of the top things to do in Derry is something that cannot be done anywhere else in the World?If you visit our City Hall the Guildhall, then you can view the Nobel Peace Prize, the Gandhi Prize for Peace and the Martin Luther King Prize for Peace all side by side.The legendary John Hume who came from our city is the only person in the world to have won all 3 of these prizes, worth your time for that reason and many more!
Visit the Murals
The Bogside murals were painted by the Bogside Artists, these murals depict the difficult time period in the city’s history known as the Troubles 1968 – 1998. Visit the Bloody Sunday memorial garden and the Free Derry Corner.
Also be sure to visit the Derry Girls mural painted by UV Arts in 2019.
Peace Bridge
Connecting both the East bank and West bank of the River Foyle, offering pedestrians and cyclists a way to peacefully travel from one to the other, the peace bridge opened in 2011. The ‘S’ Shaped design reflects the meandering pathway to peace, the bridge is a metaphor for strength through adversity and a symbol of peace. If you walk from West to East you will find yourself in Ebrington Square, a former Army Barracks with listed buildings which are now home to breweries, restaurants and bakeries.Soon to be the home of a new hotel and our long awaited Maritime Museum.
The Tower Museum
The Tower Museum is located within the walled city and features two permanent exhibitions, “The Story of Derry” and “An Armada Shipwreck-La Trinidad Valencera”, also boasting a contemporary exhibition space and open air viewing facility. Definitely worth your time and avail of discounted entry if you take a walking tour with ourselves.
St Columb's Cathedral
One of the city’s most historical buildings, completed in 1633 making it the worlds first purpose built Anglican Cathedral, displaying artefacts from the siege. Named after St Columb/ St Columba, the patron saint of the city who established a Christian settlement here in the sixth century, the cathedral is built in the Planter Gothic Style. How exceptional to walk inside a building laced in so much history.
Shopping in the City
The city’s best kept secret, the craft village features an array of unique artefacts created by Derry’s own collection of artists and makers. From bespoke jewellery inspired by the undulating Irish landscape to contemporary fashion designers and beautiful dried floral bouquets, purchase something you know nobody else would have, or simply immerse yourself in the colour, craft and creativity! Cake shops, cafes and the fine dining restaurant Artis will make sure to give you fuel for plenty of shopping.We also are the home of two fabulous shopping malls Foyleside and Richmond Centre and have many high street stores in between!
Selfie with the Derry Girls
Visiting the Derry Girls mural will have you diving into the colloquialisms originally picked up from the hit Channel 4 drama “Derry Girls”. Make all ‘yer muckers’ jealous with a pic of you beside Erin, Orla, Michelle, Clare and James.Painted by UV Arts in 2019 on the gable wall of Badgers Bar, be sure to pop in for a pint or a fantastic pub grub lunch.
Museum of Free Derry
Run by the families of the victims of of the troubles period 1968-1998 , learn about the Civil Rights movement in the city up to Bloody Sunday, located amongst the ‘Peoples Gallery’ murals in the Bogside.
Siege Museum
Run by the Apprentice Boys, learn more about the Siege of 1689 and the marching traditions in the city and across Northern Ireland. Located just off the walls on Society Street next door to the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall.
There are so many fantastic things to see and do in our wonderful city, this is why we feel so passionate about our role as tour guides. Come join a walking tour with us to learn and explore more! Tours operate 7 days a week at 10am, 12noon, 2pm & 4pm and cost only £6pp. There is no need to book this tour – all you have to do is show up at 11 Carlisle Road at your preferred time. We look forward to sharing our city, our history and our culture with you!