The China Garden

A fixture of the Knockeen side of Ballymena, The China Garden has been serving the town for decades and is regularly named among locals' favourite Chinese takeaways. The kitchen turns out the full sweep of Cantonese-style classics, and its Chicken Chow Mein and fried rice get particular praise from regulars who have been ordering here for years. It carries a top Food Hygiene Rating from the council, and sits at 3.8 out of 5 from 84 reviews on Restaurant Guru.

This is a takeaway built on consistency rather than fuss, with curries, noodle dishes and rice boxes that arrive in hearty portions. The odd review notes that busy evenings can mean a wait, but most agree the food is worth it and rank it among the better options in the area. For a dependable Chinese supper in this part of town, it remains a long-standing go-to that has clearly kept its loyal following for good reason.