Lucinda O'Sullivan's Ireland

Wednesday 26 July 2017

We have some of the best natural scenery in the world, especially when it comes to our rugged romantic coastlines and the fabulous views that they offer. Indeed, the cast and crew of the latest Star Wars film hopped 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 my 20 top eateries in our coastal regions for 2017.

The Seaview
With views of the famous five mile ‘Velvet Strand’ and golf links, The Seaview at the Portmarnock Hotel, where the Chef Tom Walsh is making waves on the foodie scene, opens all day, including lunch and afternoon tea. Dinner is fish based.
portmarnock.com

Aqua
Perched 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 great ambiance in this fab 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. Offering seriously good food 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 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 to check out.
spiders.ie/lifeboat

Market House
Perched high above the N71, West Cork's main coastal drag, Roscarberry’s pretty square boasts a number of pubs and restaurants, all in close proximity to several nearby beaches. James and Julie Bell’s Market House deals in food that is simple, fresh and full of flavour. There’s no wine license here but patrons are welcome to bring their own at a small corkage fee.
Tel: (023) 883-1001

Pilgrim’s
Also located on Roscarberry’s square, the very hip Pilgrim’s offers a compact, ever changing, seasonal menu of nibbles, and small and large plates, with dishes intended to be shared around the table.
pilgrims.ie

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 cracking food. From their sweet juicy prawns and perfectly seared scallops, to smoked haddock and perfectly crisped egg, the food at this little eatery is fab.
facebook.com/Donemarkwest

O’Carrolls Cove
This family run beach bar and seafood restaurant in Caherdaniel, on the Ring of Kerry, has a great following, owing in a big way to its fresh local seafood, juicy steaks and fabulous location in a cove famous for its turquoise waters and sandy beaches.
ocarrollscove.ie

Tigh TP 
Right on top of a beautiful little sandy beach on the Dingle Peninsula awaits Tigh T.P.,  pub and guesthouse that lives for the summer months. 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, of Daroka in Ballybunion, Co. Kerry. Close to the beach, on the edge of town, it’s modern and cool but without any nonsense.
daroka.ie

Randaddy’s
It’s all about classic Beach Boy coolness here, with Chef/Proprietor Randy Lewis’ seaside restaurant bringing good vibrations to any diner lucky enough to walk through the door. They do a cracking Caesar salad, some great pizza and pasta dishes, as well 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, homemade 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 busy little hip harbour village of Roundstone, Connemara, Beola sports 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 sporting remarkable views out over the harbour in Mullaghmore, Co. Sligo, that can also be enjoyed al fresco. Besides from great seafood, Eithne is a dab hand at baking, so make sure to try one of her delicious homemade cakes. Mullaghmore is a surfers paradise so grab an early lunch from Eithne’s and then go catch some killer waves.
eithnasrestaurant.com 

Belle’s Kitchen
On Pier Road, just off Rathmullen Beach in Donegal, Johnny Patterson’s funky cafe bistro deals in top notch seafood and homemade grub. Whether it’s a quick bite before you hit the beach or a romantic meal par le mer, they’ve got you covered. Don’t miss out on their scrumptious homemade 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 corkage free B.Y.O. 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, is the perfect setting for a romantic evening with your par amour. 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

First Published In The Sunday Independent