The best restaurants Ireland

On the first floor of the Georgian house, Ghan House, nestles the beautiful restaurant with a view of Carlingford Lough, the natural border with Northern Ireland. Here, however, there are no boundaries between the chef's passion for cooking and the satisfaction of the gourmets who have the good taste to sit down. Even less distance separates him from the local producers he knows personally. At his place, the best regional products triumph beautifully, prepared with as little fuss as possible. The rest? Home-made! Bread, sorbets, butter..

The hotel is located at the end of the beach and has a beautiful terrace with a quiet atmosphere, overlooking the sea. You can dine dildo or just taste the Smithwick's in the bar, a good Irish ale for pressure.

A charming pub in the lower part of town, Summer Cove. Inside, cosy lounges have been lovingly decorated with old nautical charts, and you can enjoy a roaring fire on a chilly day. The atmosphere here is excellent, ideal for chatting with the locals. Upstairs is the restaurant, serving Mediterranean-influenced cuisine. A good choice of dishes featuring freshly caught fish and seafood.

In operation for over 150 years, this charming cottage, which offers traditional and rather gourmet cuisine, marks the entrance to the Gap of Dunloe. It is a 20-minute drive from Killarney. From here, you can reach a hiking trail. Cars are forbidden in summer beyond this point but, for those who would be put off by walking, small horse-drawn carts are available. The cottage offers a cosy fireplace in winter and regular live traditional music throughout the year.

The restaurant at Casey's offers refined cuisine, like its lotte with saffron and saffron sauce.

Perched on a small hill, at the edge of the road leading to the village, an old small church serves as a bar-restaurant. The few tables located outside are pleasant in good weather, with a nice view of the bay. Nothing extraordinary on the menu, which is quite short. The place is worth the experience for its location and its personality, and we will choose it rather in daytime to eat on the go or to drink a coffee. Inside, the dark wooden furniture has been kept for the restaurant, and the whole has a slightly gothic feel.

Located in a very nice building in the city, with high ceilings and arched windows, built in 1844 (as the terminus of the Dublin suburban railway line, by the way), Hartley's serves traditional Irish food, often seafood, with a rather well-crafted international touch. And the desserts are really excellent. The owners of the establishment cultivate a pleasant and warm atmosphere that makes you want to come back. A good address during a trip to Dun Laoghaire.

Vegetarian restaurant perfectly correct. Without a licence, you can bring your own wine or beer. Reasonable prices for original recipes (pancakes and mushrooms, Russian pies…). The card changes every week. Possibility of eating seafood for non-vegetarians.

A unique clientele is located in this restaurant with a modern setting and impeccable service. À la carte, among others, dishes of tempting pasta, seafood and steaks.

A true institution in the city, Kirby's is a hybrid establishment that offers a pub, with good traditional music and much frequented by locals and tourists, and a restaurant, with dimmed lights and large comfortable benches. To make matters worse, the service is efficient and attentive. Specialising in steak, the menu is very classic for a pub and also offers fish and vegetarian dishes. Do not miss the Irish coffee. An excellent and authentic address.

Hidden in a narrow alleyway that doesn't look like much, this restaurant is one of the most gourmet in the region, which is why it won an award in a gastronomic contest. The atmosphere is that of a tavern, a little dark but warm at the same time. The cuisine here is sophisticated and inventive, based on top quality meat and fish. The dining experience is well worth it! When you make a reservation, it is best to ask for a table upstairs, because on the ground floor, you can hear too much coming and going on the stairs.

The Lobster is a great place to eat in the Ring of Kerry. Here you can find, at any time of the day, seafood dishes, caught exclusively in the waters around Waterville. They are very well prepared in a gastro-pub spirit and the plates are of a great finesse. And to satisfy everyone, lamb and beef are also on the menu. An establishment that has won numerous awards in local and national competitions. A must try if you are in the area.

Beer hall and steakhouse are the two specialties of Bull & Castle, with a wide choice of beers and steak slabs. The restaurant is very popular, despite its rather high prices. But let's face it, the interior offers warmth and conviviality, the decor is sympathetic, smiles are the order of the day and, above all, the meat offered by this steakhouse is simply delicious. And it's always expertly cooked! The little extra: each dish is recommended with a specific type of beer or wine.

Open since 1957 in a beautiful Georgian building, this chic restaurant, with its dimmed lights and muted atmosphere with red walls and paintings of artists, serves delicious Italian and Irish cuisine with diverse influences. The menu includes excellent steaks and deliciously melting sole. Affectionately dubbed The Troc by Dubliners, it's a popular spot - locals swear by it for a special occasion - and we strongly advise you to book.

In the grounds of the Brooks Hotel, this excellent restaurant serves imaginative Irish (and international) cuisine in a rather designer and contemporary setting. Chef Patrick McLarnon has won many awards for his modern cuisine using fresh seasonal produce. The prices are very affordable, considering the quality. On the menu: homemade gnocchi, duck in cider and scallops. The Jasmine bar, open every day, is a pleasant place to continue the evening. It serves excellent whiskies.

You have to climb to the first floor to discover this very nice restaurant with its original and colourful decoration. Wooden tables, walls decorated with posters and paintings of artists give a warm side to the place. Coq au vin, homemade gnocchi or shoulder of lamb with its gratin and wine sauce are on the menu and the dishes are simple, varied and always successful. The chef's cuisine draws its influences from the Mediterranean region. There is also a wide choice of vegetarian dishes and an interesting wine list.

As soon as you step in the door, you are immediately immersed in the décor with the names of the vineyards hanging on the walls. To take a seat, you have to go down to the basement. Behind the bar, bottles are stacked on top of each other, old French songs resound in the red room, old posters adorn the walls, and the cosy and intimate setting invites you to relax... Here, spicy and fragrant dishes are served that will delight the fine gourmets: hot goat's cheese salad, mussels marinière, charcuterie plate, rack of lamb with honey and whiskey..

In the heart of Temple Bar, this charming café attracts passing tourists, without being shunned by Dubliners. We love the large wooden tables and the rustic feel of the place. Perfect for a coffee, tea, cappuccino or hot chocolate break between two visits on a rainy day (yes, it happens!) or an Irish breakfast. It's served all day and it's excellent. Also very good bagels and sandwiches to eat on the go. Music in the background gives an extra relaxed feel to this lovely place

Opened since 1991, Harry's is a very good table, renowned throughout the country, and yet not salera your addition. Donal opened this restaurant in 1991 and works exclusively with products from the peninsula of Inishowen. He chooses his own animals, the cuts himself and keeps the meat in the cold room of the restaurant. The location is modern and comfortable, rather in the style of the nouveux restaurants, which is rare in the province. The lamb, fish, and the two dessert chocolates are recommended.

Sean Og's is a very beautiful wooden place, divided into two parts: the pub and the restaurant. The time you wait for your table, you can wait in the next room, where you will have the pleasure of returning after dinner to listen to live music. The kitchen is a little more elaborate than the one that is usually proposed in the pubs, and the service is dynamic and charming. On the weekend, the dining room is turned into a nightclub for the delight of night lovers. A very versatile place!

When you see this établissmement from the street, you're saying it would be better to go through it because the addition promises to be salty. But, as in Ireland, we must not rely on appearances. Opened in July 2010, Oscar's Café serves fairly sophisticated dishes based on high quality products (including some vegetarian options), at even lower rates than in most pubs. All in comfortable armchairs arranged along the large windows of this quiet and relaxing place on the background of Art Deco. Free Wi-Fi.

The restaurant at Vaughan's Anchor is an excellent restaurant that has been delighting its visitors for over four decades. The food is always fine and sophisticated. On the menu, the chef offers mainly seafood caught off the coast of Clare, but don't worry, the few meat dishes are not to be envied. And the service is always impeccable. Otherwise, the adjoining pub is the ideal place to have an aperitif or a digestive in a good atmosphere. Reservations are recommended in high season.

Shamrock offers a quality «food bar» that comes out of the ordinary. Very friendly staff.

Here are tapas like in Spain! And the choice is very, very wide: cheese croquettes, Serrano ham, marinated lamb kebabs, meat or fish balls, fried calamari, paella, cheese platter, spinach omelette... You will enjoy these tasty dishes in a large, quiet room, with a neat and elegant decoration. If you are a couple, we advise you to share one of the tapas platters. And the few tables on the terrace will make the happiness of the gourmets during the sunny lunches.

A little out of the way from Kilkenny town centre, this upmarket restaurant boasts a Michelin star (since 2014) and has built up quite a reputation in the area for its French and Irish fusion cuisine. A meticulous cuisine with great finesse but always generous on the plate. The plus: an interesting wine list, as well as an attentive staff. As for the decoration, the room, in the shape of a crescent, exhibits many colourful works of contemporary art. A table to try if you are in the region.

Going to Newcastle House is an opportunity to enjoy a deliciously refined dinner in a former royal residence. Indeed, King Harmans lived in this imposing residence in the 1800s. A residence that already had a long history, since this manor house was created around 1680. Robert Choppayne was involved in the foundation of the central block. On the kitchen side, the traditional recipes are not lacking in creativity and the dishes are always very well prepared. To the delight of the good society that comes to dine here.

The establishment opened by Julian Mak, is an excellent restaurant of dim-sum, these famous small delicious Chinese pies. They are of course to be tasted with Hong Kong specialities always well presented. The two chefs have traveled in Asia, before coming back to Dublin, with mastered and nicely presented recipes. The sophisticated setting is a little cold, but the Ranelagh village and family atmosphere of the restaurant easily compensates. Notice to lovers of authentic and tasty Asian cuisine!

We love this restaurant, which has the casual feel of an American canteen. The large wooden tables give the place a warm, family atmosphere, but do not sacrifice the trendy character of Camden Street. On the plate, you can enjoy poultry, beef or lamb, roasted or grilled. The prices are reasonable and the service is very good. Note that some vegetarian options are also on the menu. With so many places to eat in Camden, this is a great option when it's time to sit down to dinner.

Dubliners call it "D&C". This restaurant showcases good Italian food that has won various magazines and other Irish awards. The menu, in Italian and English, offers gnocchi, risotto, calamari in sauce and many other recipes that make Italy the land of foodies. The menu changes regularly, depending on the season, the arrival of new dishes and the inspiration of the chef. Don't worry, the tiramisù is always present! A good address which changes a little from the Irish gastronomy.

At the end of Galway's famous Quay Street is this cosy, warm little address offering a wide range of delicious dishes: mushroom and spinach soup, crab bruschetta, slow-cooked pork neck and mash potatoes, beef and Guinness stew with crusty bread... Everything is good, prepared with care from local products. Add to that vegan and gluten free options, honest prices and smiling service and it all adds up!

Overlooking the harbor and facing the bay, The Quays is a bright and pleasant place to eat. At lunchtime, the menu offers a varied choice of sandwiches, large and tasty salads, burgers and other light snacks. When the sun goes down, the menu reveals more elaborate dishes, notably based on freshly caught fish and seafood, but always in the fish and chips spirit.

Despite its posh restaurant feel, and its menu featuring lobsters and crayfish, Aqua is still quite affordable. Established in 2000 in the former Howth Yacht Club, this fish restaurant has maintained its menu at excellent value for money. The kitchens are open to the main room, which is itself surrounded by picture windows overlooking the sea. If the sunset is too bright, Aqua is happy to lend you sunglasses. Don't forget to book in high season, as the place is very popular.

Next to the famous Hogan's Bar, this resto-bistro serves very good quality French and Mediterranean cuisine in a setting that is both rustic and refined, where beautiful antique objects are displayed. Rough wooden furniture, mismatched chairs, period photos hung on red brick walls, it's very nice! As for the cuisine, the menu offers snails, duck confit and mussels marinière; all dishes that are very local and that you will appreciate! Good brunch rather Irish on the weekend.

This excellent and award winning Nepalese restaurant is a must in Temple Bar and Dublin. The menu offers a wide range of dishes typical of this region of Asia that will delight your taste buds. We recommend the famous monkfish tareko with fish, chicken tandoori or bandel tareko with pork, chicken or duck. Moreover, the portions are copious and refined and the wine list is really impressive. In short, in a friendly and family atmosphere, you will enjoy yourself!

The Donnybrook is an excellent Irish restaurant, serving all the specialties of the country. The dishes are well prepared and masterfully executed. We recommend the lamb, the guinea fowl or the excellent mushroom risotto. The space is quite large and bright. One drawback, however, is that the restaurant welcomes groups, which can sometimes make it very noisy. A nice wine list is also proposed by the establishment. An address, off the tourist track, that we warmly recommend.

Hanley's has managed to recreate English Cornwall in Dublin, importing the famous pasties, puff pastries (usually with meat) perfect for filling a small hunger between two visits to the city center. We have a penchant for the spinach, pecan and feta puff pastry. It's great... Also noteworthy, there are a few vegetarian options on the menu. There are a few tables to sit at, but, in general, we take our pasties to go. Not without having enjoyed Hanley's warm welcome beforehand!

Before or after visiting Kilmainham Gaol,don't hesitate for a second to treat your taste buds to a pleasant moment behind the large glass windows of the brand new Urban 8 restaurant. With a beautiful decoration and a quality service, it is an ideal address to eat simple but frankly well executed and delicious dishes. The burger is excellent and the weekend brunch is very hearty. A nice and large terrace allows you to enjoy the sun while sipping a good glass of wine or a pint of Guinness.

This is a good address with an original concept that has a good reputation in the capital. A la carte, buffet or "all you can eat" meals, each person prepares a bowl of meat or fish, seasonal vegetables, rice or noodles, and dresses it as he or she wishes with sauce and spices; all cooked before your eyes on a hot plate. Friendly atmosphere, charming service. A very good choice! And an unusual place that will bring back some good memories to the steppe lovers who had the chance to travel in Mongolia.

A small, quiet restaurant, away from the city center, located in the outskirts of Ranelagh. An ideal address for those who seek the calm of the suburbs and the quality of establishments less frequented by tourists. The menu, with Italian flavors and always fresh products, is quite small, but is a very good option for lunch. Also good breakfasts and an excellent brunch on Saturday and Sunday. A well-kept secret that you will be happy to discover and try. Enjoy your meal!

The owner opened this restaurant in 2008 and has since, every Wednesday at 20 a. m., had jazz concerts. The House is a bistro as you would like to cross more: fresh fish caught off the village, that they smoke themselves, simple and delicious cuisine, homemade pastries for tea time or dessert and a nice wine list (the bottle costs between 20 € and 57 € and glass about 6 €). Count about 10 € lunch and 15 € dinner. Beer garden.

Just a stone's throw from the streetcar stop (Luas, Smithfield station), this cosy, relaxed and very warm café serves quality food. Early in the morning, many people come here to have their breakfast while reading the newspaper of the day. The choice is quite large from the early morning: scrambled eggs, eggs-bacon, pancakes (very good by the way!), muffins, coffees, teas... And, at lunch time, there are also some good options for a quick and quality meal: soup of the day, sandwiches (gourmet), bagels, wraps, quiches, salads..

This is a very good choice if you like Lebanese cuisine. Decorated in the traditional oriental style, the restaurant (located upstairs) bathes in a friendly atmosphere, you don't only come to dine, but also to spend the evening. Numerous mezze options (including an excellent menu for two people) well seasoned for vegetarians as well. Some evenings, a belly dancer adds an extra touch of exoticism to one of the most famous Lebanese addresses in the Irish capital.

This fishmonger's is also a good caterer, offering rather well-stocked seafood platters, iodised tapas and some more robust fish dishes, such as seafood linguine or a prawn and monkfish pie. There are also good bottles of wine on the menu, particularly white, to wash down a pleasant meal on Howth Harbour before or after an invigorating stroll. When the sun is out, lunch on the few tables on the terrace is pure bliss.

The Beshoff family originated in Russia and settled in Ireland in 1913. For lovers of fish & chips, the Beshoff is a must-try in the Irish capital. Numerous variations on the original recipe have been devised, with a range of fresh fish on offer (cod, salmon, haddock, skate), and it's also possible to eat (on the premises or to take away) chicken burgers or breakfast. The front of the store has more charm than the dining room itself, which looks rather cantine. But it's a hive of activity!

The Bad Ass menu offers simple dishes (pastas, burgers, pizzas, omelets, salads...) but always effective. Frequented for ages by students, artists and musicians, who appreciate the authentic setting of the place, this bar-restaurant is especially lively at the end of the day, at the aperitif hour. Every Friday, a stand up comedy night is organized on the stage of Bad Ass and every day, you can enjoy live music. For a simple and noisy meal, just like the Temple Bar area.