Restaurants in Ireland
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Greenacres Food Hall
Ireland's best cheeses and other foodstuffs are beautifully displayed in the cases at the excellent small food hall housed in very correct former law offices. The wine selection is the best south of Dublin; stock up for picnics.
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Griffin's
A local institution which, although it's been run by the Griffin family since 1876, remains as fresh as a bun hot out of the oven. The small bakery counter is laden with sweet and savoury treats. But the real pleasure lies upstairs in the cafe rooms where you can have fine coffee, tea and choose from sandwiches, hot specials, luscious desserts and much more.
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Guy's Bar & Snug
A very well-run pub that combines trad charms with very modern touches. The basic Irish pub chow is quite good, especially dishes made with local seafood.
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Halo Pantry & Grill
Housed over three floors of a converted shirt factory decorated with local art and photography, Halo offers light meals and snacks (including superb homemade lasagne) in the Pantry, and more formal dinners (from steak to seafood) in the upstairs Grill.
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Harbour Restaurant
You'll be surprised by the extensive menu at this popular local haunt, with its nautical theme, bare stone walls and plush furnishings. As well known for its pizza as its seafood, you'll find something for everyone at this friendly, down-to-earth spot.
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Hillside Bar & Restaurant
This is a homely pub serving real ale (and mulled wine beside the fireplace in winter), with live jazz Sunday evenings and a dinky wee beer garden in a cobbled courtyard out the back. The upstairs restaurant offers formal dining, with crisp white table linen and sparkling crystal, and a menu offering French/Irish cuisine.
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House
Wonderful spot on the main street leading away from the harbour where you can feast on dishes like crunchy Bellingham blue cheese polenta or wild Wicklow venison stew as well as a fine selection of fish.
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Howth Fishermen's Farmer's Market
One of the best in Dublin, this is the place to come for fresh fish (obviously) but also for organic meat, veg and homemade everything else, including jams, cakes and breads. A great option for Sunday lunch.
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Hunter's Bakery & Oven Door Café
If you fancy a quick snack, this homey bakery has a comfy cafeteria at the back, serving good coffee, cakes and light meals. It's a local institution, patronised by a broad cross-section of the community, with a pleasantly old-fashioned feel.
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Indigo
A table on the fabulous riverside deck overlooking the Lee is the ideal spot at this relatively new brasserie, but should you be forced inside you'll find consolation in the menu, which offers up excellent burgers, steak sandwiches, salads and sandwiches, all made with locally sourced ingredients. They have a pretty decent wine list too.
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Jacksons
The top spot to eat in town, this modern restaurant is run by an award-winning chef keen to make the most of seasonal local produce. The menu features local meat, fish and game in interesting combinations. Upstairs there are 10 big, modern rooms with warm wood furniture and plenty of light.
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Jacques Bistro
The region's best produce and seafood is prepared with French flair at this lively and contemporary bistro. By day you can enjoy a coffee at a table outside or a lunch special. At night the kitchen prepares dishes such as luscious local crab claws, cassoulet and more.
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Jim Edwards
If Fishy Fishy has a serious rival, it's 200m away in this unassuming pub, where the bar food is way above standard and the restaurant exceptional. A very traditional ambience belies the high quality of the menu, which doffs a cap to meat-eaters but specialises mostly in all kinds of locally caught fish.
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Kearney's Castle Hotel
Although it looks like a grand old castle (part of the building does comprise a medieval fortified tower), inside it's dungeon- dark and modernised, but there's a good range of meat, fish and poultry dishes.
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Kehoe's
Decorated with nautical equipment, right down to the beer garden built from a trawler mast and boom, this inviting pub just up the hill has live music at weekends.
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Kilkenny Design Centre Cafe
Upstairs from the craft shops, this arty, organic- oriented cafe is one of the best places in town for home-baked breads and scones, salads in a vast variety, sandwiches made with local salmon, numerous hot specials, and sumptuous desserts. It's cafeteria style so you can ponder your choices in detail.
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La Dolce Vita
You can always settle down with a perfect Italian coffee under the tricoloured awnings outside. Or have a perfect little plate of pasta. But on weekend nights you can fully enjoy the talents of Roberto Pons, who prepares exquisite little dishes that transport you to Tuscany.
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La Jolie Brise
Part of the Youen Jacob empire that also owns the Waterfront next door, this casual restaurant does excellent food. Enjoy meals (delicious thin-crust pizza and fish and chips) at the plethora of picnic tables on the square in front of the Waterfront guesthouse.
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L'Atmosphere
Always crowded, this rollicking bistro has an energy most places in Paris wish they could import. Classic French dishes with modern Irish flair (and Waterford produce) are served with élan. Perhaps hard to imagine, but you really will need to try to save room for dessert – they're superb.
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Lautrec's Brasserie
Romantics can hold hands at the tiny tables in the tiny dining room and partake of the disproportionate wine selections at this seductive, rose-coloured French bistro. All the classic choices are here and the frites are thin and crisp. Look for two-course specials from €20.
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Lemon Tree
With its tiled frontage and dated sign, this place doesn't look too hot from the outside but one taste of the food and you'll be glad you made it in the door. White linens, pale walls and painted wood panelling give it a bright, convivial atmosphere, and the innovative menu offers an excellent choice of fresh seafood, poultry and meat dishes blending French flair with country Irish classics. Everything from the breads to pastries is made on-site.
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Lemon Tree Cafe
Organic coffees and delectable baked goods hold the fort through much of the day. At lunch there's a long list of ever-changing sandwiches, soups and hot specials. It's pedal to the metal for summer dinners with a wide range of fresh and creative dishes.
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Lennons
Carlow's best dining is found amid the artsy surrounds of Visual. It's a sleek and appropriately stylish space, with a wide patio outside where you can see sculpture on the college's grassy grounds. Lunch features creative sandwiches, salads and hot specials. Dinner is more refined with a seasonal menu that emphasises the organic. Excellent wine list and a chic bar area.
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Lir Café
Food is limited to cakes, biscuits and the real treat, handmade chocolates, including Bailey's truffles. Great coffee, hip atmosphere.
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Lismore Farmers Market
The upscale surrounds attract a fab collection of vendors including Dungarvan's Naked Lunch, whose tasty sandwiches you can enjoy in the park or at tables set up on the gravel path.
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