Must-see restaurants in Ireland

  • Blazing Salads

    Grafton Street & St Stephen's Green

    Organic breads (including many special diet varieties), Californian-style salads from a serve-yourself salad bar, smoothies and pizza slices can all be…

  • Vintage Lane

    County Sligo

    Mismatched antique furniture sourced from neighbouring antiques shops help give this cheery cafe an idiosyncratic air. The coffee, cakes and snacks are…

  • La Maison

    Grafton Street & St Stephen's Green

    Olivier Quenet's chic restaurant is all about French classics done just right: escargots dripping with garlic butter, wild sea bass baked in salt and…

  • Newman's West

    County Cork

    This yachtie-filled cafe-cum-wine bar (with many good choices by the glass) and art gallery serves soups, salads and enormous chunky sandwiches filled…

  • Doyle's

    Dingle Town

    Cherry-red-painted Doyle's serves some of the best seafood in the area (which in these parts is really saying something). Starters such as Dingle Bay crab…

  • Fish Kitchen

    County Cork

    This outstanding little restaurant above a fishmonger's shop does seafood to perfection, from the live-tank local oysters (served with lemon and Tabasco…

  • Derragarra Inn

    Counties Meath, Louth, Cavan & Monaghan

    This delightful ivy-covered pub has a wood-beamed interior and a large, sunny beer garden overlooking the river and St Aidan Church across the way. Its…

  • Ionad Bhalor

    County Donegal

    Immediately west of the ferry pier, Ionad Bhalor makes an appealing stop for a cup of tea or coffee and a slice of homemade pie or cake. There is also a…

  • Jolly Roger

    The West Cork Coast

    The nautically themed Jolly Roger pub alone justifies a visit to Sherkin Island. Enjoy a Union Hall smoked salmon sandwich washed down with pint of stout,…

  • Sqigl Restaurant & Roche's Bar

    County Wexford

    Local produce is the mainstay of Sqigl, where dishes range from beer-battered cod and chips to a Wexford cheddar burger or surf and turf. Bookings are…

  • Yamamori

    Grafton Street & St Stephen's Green

    Yamamori rarely disappoints with its bubbly service and vivacious cooking that swoops from sushi and sashimi to whopping great plates of noodles, with…

  • D'vine

    Counties Meath, Louth, Cavan & Monaghan

    Hidden down a small flight of steps and opening to a sunny courtyard, this convivial cellar bistro has a great selection of Mediterranean tapas dishes,…

  • King House Tearooms

    The Midlands

    In the King House courtyard, this little cafe serves coffee, tea and cakes (including a luxurious red velvet cake) and light lunches, like soups,…

  • Muck 'n' Muffins

    County Donegal

    A 19th-century stone grain store houses this 1st-floor cafe, pottery studio and crafts shop. Even on rainy winter days, it's packed with locals sipping…

  • Quay Street Kitchen

    Galway City

    Vegetarian and vegan dishes such as beer-battered organic tofu are a highlight of this small, busy restaurant on bustling Quay St. It also caters well for…

  • Java's

    Galway City

    We may be in western Ireland, but this is as northern France as they come. In this authentic Breton crêperie, savoury and sweet French pancakes have…

  • Doolin Cafe

    Doolin

    Locals love to gather at the picnic tables outside the Doolin Cafe – a white-painted cottage with purple trim. Bumper breakfasts are served until 1pm and…

  • Union8

    Dublin

    A hub for the local community of Dublin 8 (hence the name), this terrific spot serves tasty breakfasts and contemporary Irish cuisine (beautifully…

  • Gaby's Seafood Restaurant

    Killarney

    Gaby's is a refined dining experience serving superb seafood in a traditional manner. Peruse the menu by the fire before drifting past the wine racks to…

  • Petit Délice

    Killarney

    Be prepared to wait if you want to get one of the upcycled wooden-box seats at this rustic, always-busy and authentically French cafe-patisserie. Indulge…

  • White Horses

    County Waterford

    Energetically run by three sisters, this bistro set in a former grocery shop concentrates on fresh local seafood. Push the boat out and try the Dublin Bay…

  • Xico

    Dublin

    It's quite the scene at this underground Mexican restaurant, where the music is loud and the food – tacos, tostadas and main courses such as salmon…

  • Camerino

    North of the Liffey

    You can pick up some tasty sandwiches at this cute bakery (marinated kale and feta on focaccia, free-range chicken with homemade slaw and sriracha mayo)…

  • Pitt Bros BBQ

    Grafton Street & St Stephen's Green

    Delicious, Southern-style barbecue – you have a choice of pulled pork, brisket, ribs, sausage or half a chicken – served amid loud music and a hipster…

  • Souper

    County Clare

    The choice of soups changes daily at this cosy cafe, which dishes up warming bowls of creamy garden pea, French onion with croutons, vegan leek and potato…

  • Caviston's Food Emporium

    County Dublin

    This is an excellent seafood restaurant with a long-standing reputation. From tuna loin to seared scallops, everything is fresh and beautifully presented…

  • Oyster Tavern

    Tralee

    Grilled Atlantic salmon, pan-fried Kerry Head crab claws, Dingle Bay prawn scampi and lobster in season star at this classy restaurant, but carnivores,…

  • Seafood Cafe

    Temple Bar

    Sister restaurant to the seafood shack Klaw, the Seafood Cafe is a more spacious outpost where you can enjoy native lobster dripping in garlic butter,…

  • Tuco's Taqueria

    Galway City

    At this student favourite, you first choose from tacos, burritos or enchiladas, then select your fillings (meat, vegetarian or vegan), extras (guacamole,…

  • Fig Tree

    Kilkenny City

    Many a visitor has stumbled into this clean, bustling cafe lured by its excellent all-day breakfasts. With quick service and plenty of seating, it's a…

  • Bailey

    County Wexford

    This converted riverside grain store has a spacious glass-framed terrace out front, and dark wood panelling, brown leather seating and subdued lighting…

  • BeaNice Cafe

    Counties Wexford, Waterford, Carlow & Kilkenny

    This cute cafe serves delicious breakfasts, homemade soups, salads (such as pesto-marinated chicken and roast chickpeas, or beetroot slaw), savoury scones…

  • Steam Cafe

    Clifden

    Tables scattered in the tucked-away courtyard draw you into a cheery cafe, full of natural light. Along with Clifden's best coffee, it serves scones with…

  • Bistro 53

    Counties Wicklow & Kildare

    Exposed timber beams, buffed Chesterfield sofas and lilac banquettes create a stylish setting for bistro dishes (cognac-sautéed lambs liver, wild venison…

  • Pepper Pot

    Grafton Street & St Stephen's Green

    Everything is baked and made daily at the lovely cafe on the 1st-floor balcony of the Powerscourt Townhouse. The salads with homemade brown bread are…

  • Steeples

    County Tipperary

    Part bookshop, part cafe, this place combines appealing junk-shop decor – ancient stove, old piano, glass-fronted display cases, mismatched furniture –…

  • Temple Bar Food Market

    Temple Bar

    Every Saturday this small square is taken over by food trucks, filling the air with the scent of pastries, artisan hot dogs, vegan curries and crêpes. The…

  • O'Neills Bakery

    Counties Meath, Louth, Cavan & Monaghan

    Breads, cakes and buns are sold still warm from the ovens (one of which is over a century old) at this five-generation-old village bakery. Knock at the…

  • Pang

    Grafton Street & St Stephen's Green

    Fresh and zingy Vietnamese rice paper rolls, banh mi (filled bread rolls) and pho (soup with noodles) are the name of the game here, all of which are as…

  • Tram Cafe

    North of the Liffey

    The coffee and sandwiches are tasty, but it's the location that's special: a 1902 tram built by Brill in Philadelphia that lay in a field in County Cavan…

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