Restaurants in Western Cork
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Jola's
With double-height ceilings, exposed brick walls and a stunning chandelier, Jola Wojtowicz's restaurant brings a dash of metropolitan style to Kinsale. The food is equally adept, confidently marrying Eastern European and Irish cuisine. The pierogi (dumplings) made with Clonakilty black pudding are divine, but are merely preparation for the mouth-watering mains, which include a particularly lovely dish of lamb cutlets with basil and walnut pesto.
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Glebe Gardens & Café
The beautiful gardens here are an attraction in themselves; lavender and herbs add fragrant aromas that waft over the tables inside and out. Food is simple and fresh, sourced from the gardens and a list of local purveyors.
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Otto's Creative Cooking
You have to book at this remote spot at a stunning location near Butlerstown. There's plenty of choice on the set menus, with all the produce locally sourced and much of it organic and coming from Otto's itself. A four-course lunch is available for around €35, a five-course dinner for around €55. Why not make a night of it and stay in one of the individually decorated guestrooms (around €110/€130 for a single/double) reserved for diners?
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Fishy Fishy Cafe
Arguably the best seafood restaurant in the country has a wonderful setting, with stark white walls splashed with bright artwork and a terrific decked terrace at the front. All the fish is caught locally; have the cold seafood platter, a tasty spectacle that's a concert of what's fresh. Scallops are dollops of goodness. Front-of-house staff are charmers, but waitstaff can look tired. The Fishy Fishy empire also includes a superb fish 'n' chip shop.
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Jim Edwards
Like many places in Kinsale, this much-frequented eatery has bar food of a restaurant standard. A steady Irish touch is nicely frothed with European influences. In the bar you may need to fight for attention amid the clamour, but once served you'll want to stay all night. The restaurant specialises in steaks and fish, and does an excellent seafood platter for around €30.90.
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E Kirby 66
An old neighbourhood pub has been reborn and has a welcoming dinner menu of Italian classics. It’s great for when you want to say no to mussels and say yes to spaghetti and meatballs. There’s excellent pizza and, in a nod to local tradition, fine seafood ravioli. By day this charmer is good for a coffee and a pause along the gentrifying street.
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An Súgán
A traditional bar with a national reputation for excellent seafood. You dine in a room crammed with knick-knacks – jugs dangle from the ceiling, patrons' business cards are stuffed beneath the rafters, and lanterns and even ancient fire-extinguishers dot the walls. But there's nothing idiosyncratic about the food – the seafood chowder is great for a light meal, the crab cakes are memorable and there's a choice of around 10 different kinds of fish, depending on the daily catch.
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Bulman
This is seaside eating at its best. Escape from central Kinsale to this gastro pub in an unspoilt harbourside venue, where salty informality is a style in its own right. Seafood excels here, whether swimming in chowder or laid out seductively on a platter. Much of everything is sourced locally; herbs are right from the kitchen garden.
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Malt House Granary
You'll be able to check out the Clonakilty black pudding, Boilie goat's cheese, Gubbeen chorizo and Bantry Bay mussels among other ingredients on the menu at the Malt House, as everything on your plate originates from West Cork. The interior design is a hotchpotch of stylish and kitsch. The seafood platter is a classic.
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Vintage Restaurant
The décor may be a little fusty these days but the Vintage is one of the reasons that Kinsale deserves its gourmet label, with prices that are truly justifiable. Unbeatable dishes range from oyster starters to mains of lobster in brandy or sea bass in white port crème; fish that demand a magic touch - and get it.
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Kalbo's Bistro
This local favourite recently downsized to give the owners a slight break for their well-deserved popularity. But the simply prepared classic meals continue. Locally sourced produce and a deft hand in the kitchen mean that pancakes in the morning and bacon sandwiches at lunch are tops. Dinners are creative.
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Betty Brosnan
A prime place for lunch, this historic cafe offers lots of breakfast choices (including a 14-inch cooked Irish feast for the ‘very hungry’), sandwiches, lasagne, smoothies and puddings. The upstairs gallery displays black-and-white travel photography by owner Dermot Brosnan.
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Chez Youen
This Breton-inspired restaurant was the town's gourmet pioneer and it's still as good as ever. The luscious shellfish platter (€50), containing lobster, prawns, brown crab, velvet crab, shrimps and oysters, offers the chance to sample shellfish at its unadorned best.
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Dillons
Bright, inviting Dillons serves interesting variations on Irish staples in its bistro-style dining room. The emphasis is on meat (for example, Skeaglianore duck breast and roast quail), but there are interesting fish and veggie options too. Credit cards are not accepted.
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Max's Wine Bar
Behind the brilliant red traditional wooden facade is a restaurant popular with locals that combines French influences with the best Irish produce and seafood. The menu changes regularly but the wine list doesn't (at least in concept): it's always vast and alluring.
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Fishy Fishy Shop
The casual retail outlet for the vaunted restaurant, you can pause here on your Kinsale ramble for just a superb coffee but, really, you’ll want some of the best fish and chips in town, or one of the other treats. Tables are located both inside and out.
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Gleesons
Gleesons is a temple of fine dining that melds Irish produce with continental technique. The surrounds are nicely understated, with a wood and slate decor. The seafood, not surprisingly, is tasty. Early diners can enjoy a good value three-course set menu (€35).
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Vista Wine Bar
This shiny modern bar has spectacular views over the marina, and diners can enjoy the rhythmic clank, clank, clank of rigging banging on boats. Come for quiches and the baking at lunch, tapas in the evening (from 6pm) and wine and coffee any time of day.
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Hoby's
More excellent Irish-European cuisine is served at this swish place. Subtle colours, thoughtful seating, candlelight and friendly service make you feel that it's all just for you. A three-course set menu is available for around €28.50.
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Man Friday
Around the harbour walk in relaxing Scilly, this veteran seafood restaurant has outdoor seating with views back across the harbour to Kinsale. Book if you want a terrace table on balmy evenings. Just the walk down to the entrance is magical.
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Over the Moon
The classic deep-blue and white exterior plus the beguiling logo make you want to walk inside; you should. Locally sourced foods (purveyors are listed) star on a creative and changing menu of fresh fare.
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Courtyard Bar & Bistro
Tables out back overlook the brook, out front they are sheltered from the rain and have heaters. Inside a fire burns and you’ll enjoy the scents of excellent baked goods, fine sandwiches and other comfort foods. Superb coffees.
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Dino’s
People happily spill out over the surrounding sidewalks at this nautically themed chippy and family restaurant. Besides fish and chips, Dino’s does breakfasts (€7). Plop down on the low wall and enjoy marina views.
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Muddy Mahers
The big bar meals here are good and tasty. The menu includes plenty of meat dishes, veggie options, a great ocean chowder, an even better fish pie and well-filled sandwiches, including the Holy Cow! steak special.
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Casino House
The bright, simply decorated farmhouse overlooking the sparkling bay is the perfect setting for the modern Irish cuisine of Casino House. Local produce is used in every dish. It’s just off the R600.
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