Bakeries in Ballymena
We list 6 bakeries in Ballymena, spread across 3 areas. Each one has its own page with hours, directions and its food hygiene rating.
Explore Ballymena area by area
All bakeries in Ballymena 1–6 of 6
The baking story of Ballymena
Ballymena, in the heart of County Antrim, grew as a linen and market town, and its Ulster-Scots heritage runs deep in local speech — and in local food. Potato bread is often called fadge here, and griddle breads such as soda farls are part of everyday life. The town's bakers fill their counters with the traybakes Northern Ireland is famous for: caramel squares, fifteens, rocky road and coconut-topped slices, alongside Paris buns, iced fingers and wheaten loaves. Ballymena is surrounded by rich farmland, and Slemish, the mountain where St Patrick is said to have herded sheep as a boy, rises to the east. The Glens of Antrim, with their waterfalls and villages, are a short drive away.
Local bakes to look out for
- Fadge – The Ulster-Scots name for potato bread, griddled and fried.
- Soda farl – A quarter of griddle-baked soda bread.
- Paris bun – A domed, sugar-topped bun with a soft sponge-like crumb.
- Fifteens – A traybake of digestives, marshmallows and glacé cherries rolled in coconut.
Bakery hunter's tip: Explore the town-centre bakeries for traybakes and farls, then drive out to Slemish or the Glens of Antrim for a picnic.
Did you know? 'Fadge' is a traditional Ulster name for potato bread, especially in areas with strong Ulster-Scots heritage.
Bakery types in Ballymena
| Type | Bakeries | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Bakers | 4 | 67% |
| Bakery Cafés | 2 | 33% |
| Artisan Bakeries | 1 | 17% |
Ballymena at a glance
| Bakeries listed | 6 |
|---|---|
| Busiest area | Ballymena Centre (3) |
| With published hours | 0 |
| Open on Sundays | — |
| Hygiene rated | 5 (100% top rated) |
| Nation | Northern Ireland |
| Local time | Thu 8 Oct, 08:04 |
Bakeries in Ballymena: FAQs
How many bakeries are there in Ballymena?
We currently list 6 bakeries in Ballymena, across 3 areas including Ballymena Centre, Cullybackey and Harryville. The list includes independent bakeries, cake shops, patisseries and chain branches.
Do Ballymena bakeries have good hygiene ratings?
5 of the 5 bakeries with a published inspection result hold a top rating (4–5, or Pass in Scotland). Ratings come from the Food Standards Agency register.
What kind of bakeries can I find in Ballymena?
The most common type is traditional bakers (4), followed by bakery cafés and artisan bakeries.