Lucinda’s Hot 100
Continuing our guide to the best places to eat in Ireland — this week, the seaside
We have some of the best natural scenery in the world, especially when it comes to our rugged, romantic coastline and the fabulous views it offers. Indeed, the cast and crew of the latest Star Wars film hopped on a plane to Ireland to ensure they had the kind of stunning scenery that could only exist in a galaxy far, far away. From John Wayne to Meryl Streep to Tom Hanks, all the big names have dropped anchor here at one point or another. So don’t take our fabulous coastline for granted, says Lucinda O’Sullivan — check out these 20 top eateries in our coastal regions for 2017
THE SEAVIEW
The Seaview, at the recently revamped Portmarnock Hotel, has unforgettable views of the famous five-mile ‘Velvet Strand’, not to mention its immaculate golf links. The Seaview’s talented chef, Tom Walsh, is making waves on the foodie scene, and the restaurant is open all day, from morning coffees through lunch and afternoon tea to dinner, which is seafood-based. portmarnock.com
AQUA
Perched right out over the water at the end of the west pier in the popular fishing village of Howth, Co Dublin, Aqua might just have the best coastal views around. Great seafood meets wonderful ambiance in this fabulous fishy restaurant. Grab yourself an order of crab claws with chilli and garlic butter or a steamed half lobster with mango salsa. aqua.ie
ALDRIDGE LODGE
Definitely worth the detour is Billy Whitty and Joanne Harding’s Aldridge Lodge in Duncannon, Co Wexford. Offering seriously good food, with lots of local lobster, crab and prawns, at fantastic prices. Blink and you could miss it driving by, but inside it’s an ultra-modern restaurant, with a few simple but charming bedrooms for guests. aldridgelodge.com
THE LIFEBOAT INN
Great fun, food and drink at Niall Cadden’s welcoming seaside inn in the beautiful fishing village of Courtmacsherry, Co Cork. Open daily from 12pm, they do great casual food with seasonal ‘catches of the day’, and regularly feature live musical acts and events that are worth checking out. spiders.ie/lifeboat
MARKET HOUSE
Perched high above the N71, west Cork’s main coastal drag, Rosscarbery’s pretty square boasts a number of pubs and restaurants, all in close proximity to several beaches. James and Julie Bell’s Market House deals in food that is simple, fresh and full of flavour. There’s no wine licence here, but patrons are welcome to bring their own at a small corkage fee. Tel: (023) 883-1001
PILGRIM’S
Also located on Rosscarbery’s square, the very hip Pilgrim’s offers a compact, ever-changing seasonal menu of nibbles, small and large plates, with dishes intended to be shared around the table. Think eclectic contemporary, with black garlic, tidal greens, kale, ponzu, miso, kimchi, labneh and gooseberry relish. pilgrims.ie
THE PORCELAIN ROOM
Specialising in Asian fusion, with lots of great Thai and Vietnamese influences, Joanne Cassidy’s trendy Porcelain Room restaurant, on Ballydehob’s main street, is a hot destination for summering ‘west Corkers’. A teeny-tiny restaurant perhaps, but, when it comes to flavour, they’re a big kahuna. facebook.com/The-Porcelain-Room
DONEMARK WEST
Just west of Bantry, the colourful, cute and quirky Donemark West has been wowing visitors with their friendly welcome and their excellent food. From their sweet, juicy prawns and perfectly seared scallops, to smoked haddock and wonderfully crisped egg, the food at this little eatery is fabulous. facebook.com/Donemarkwest
O’CARROLL’S COVE
This family-run beach bar and seafood restaurant in Caherdaniel, on the Ring of Kerry, has a great following, owing to its fresh local seafood, juicy steaks and fabulous location, in a cove famous for turquoise waters and sandy beaches. ocarrollscove.ie
TIGH TP
Right on top of a beautiful little sandy
beach on the Dingle Peninsula stands Tigh TP, a pub and guesthouse that lives for the summer months. It’s a great spot for the whole family — treat yourself to a delicious casual meal and a drink while the kids go and build a sandcastle. facebook.com/Tigh-TP-Baile-na-nGall
DAROKA
“Not everything is organic and not everything is local, but everything is the best,” says Daniel O’Brien, chef patron of Daroka in Ballybunion, Co Kerry. Close to the beach, on the edge of town, it’s modern and cool, but without any pretentious nonsense. daroka.ie
RANDADDY’S
It’s all about classic Beach Boy coolness at Randaddy’s, with chef/proprietor Randy Lewis’s seaside restaurant in Lahinch, Co Clare, bringing good vibrations to any diner lucky enough to walk through the door. They do a fabulous Caesar salad, great pizza and pasta dishes, as well as an impressive chargrilled sirloin. randaddys.ie
POPPY SEED CAFES
The venture of a team of four enterprising women, the popular Poppy Seed Gourmet Cafes are all about creative, high-quality, home-made food in a relaxed environment. They have locations in Galway city, Oranmore and in the pretty seaside village of Clarinbridge. poppyseed.ie
PADRAICIN’S
This maritime-inspired seafood bar and restaurant on Galway’s Furbo beach, offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, with extensive menus for all the family. Make a reservation for one of their ‘Guinness & Oysters’ parties, and revel on the shores of Galway Bay. padraicinsrestaurant.com
BEOLA
Part of Eldon’s Hotel in the little hip harbour village of Roundstone, Connemara, Co Galway, Beola offers an impressive a la carte menu, including a full range of locally sourced seafood fished straight out of the nearby waters. eldonshotel.com
EITHNA’S BY THE SEA
An award-winning seafood restaurant offering remarkable views out over the harbour in Mullaghmore, Co Sligo, that can also be enjoyed al fresco. Besides great seafood, Eithna is a dab hand at baking, so make sure to try one of her delicious home-made cakes. Mullaghmore is a surfers’ paradise, so grab an early lunch from Eithna’s and then go catch some killer waves. eithnasrestaurant.com
BELLE’S KITCHEN
On Pier Road, just off Rathmullan beach in Donegal, Johnny Patterson’s funky cafe bistro deals in top-notch seafood and home-made grub. Whether it’s a quick bite before you hit the beach or a romantic meal beside the sea, they’ve got you covered. Don’t miss out on their delicious home-made cakes and desserts. facebook.com/Belleskitchen
LIZZIE’S DINER
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Lizzie’s also offers lots of gluten-free and vegetarian options, as well as a corkagefree BYO. Located on the main street in Dunfanaghy, Co Donegal, this waterside diner is definitely worth a look. facebook.com/lizziesdiner
BEACH HOUSE
Looking out over Lough Swilly, in Donegal, from the large windows of the Beach House Bar & Restaurant, would be the perfect setting for a romantic evening with your paramour. Think fillet steaks, pan-fried cod and Mulroy Bay mussels in a cool, contemporary atmosphere. thebeachhouse.ie
NOBLE
Bright, modern and cool, Noble, a busy neighbourhood restaurant in the coastal town of Holywood, Co Down, is definitely worth a go. Its seasonal menu and extensive wine list even brought in some of the visiting Game of Thrones cast. The service and atmosphere here deserve an Oscar. Hooray for Holywood! nobleholywood.com lucindaosullivan.com