DINING in Ireland’s county Clare

Tourism Influence: Clare’s proximity to attractions like the Cliffs of Moher and Bunratty Castle drives dining options, with many restaurants catering to tourists through themed menus or events.

Fine Dining

The Earl of Thomond at Dromoland Castle (Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co Clare). Located in the luxurious Dromoland Castle, this restaurant offers a grand, formal dining experience in an opulent setting with chandeliers and historic charm. Diners can expect meticulously crafted dishes using premium Irish ingredients, such as Burren Smokehouse salmon and Cratloe Hills cheese, paired with an extensive wine list. Ideal for special occasions or romantic dinners, the service is polished and attentive. Lobster bisque, foie gras, and aged Irish Black Angus steaks with bone marrow butter are highlights, showcasing rich flavors and local produce. Expect new tasting menus, featuring more sustainable ingredients from local artisans like Munster Microgreens or Wild Irish Seaweed, reflecting Dromoland’s commitment to environmental care.
Wild Honey Inn (Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare). Ireland’s only Michelin-starred pub, Wild Honey Inn offers rustic fine dining in a charming 19th-century inn within Burren National Park. Diners enjoy a cozy yet elegant atmosphere with ocean and mountain views, savoring dishes made with wild, local ingredients like Clare cheeses and Burren Smokehouse platters. Perfect for foodies seeking a high-end yet approachable experience. Lough Neagh smoked eel with fennel and apple, duck and foie gras terrine, and wild turbot with asparagus and colcannon are standout dishes, emphasizing fresh, local flavors., Wild Honey Inn will introduce new seasonal dishes or expand its Michelin-starred menu, incorporating more foraged Burren ingredients, building on its 2018 Michelin star legacy.
Oar Restaurant and Rooms (Doolin, Co Clare). Set in the scenic Clare countryside with views of the Cliffs of Moher, Oar offers rustic fine dining with a focus on local produce. The elegant dining room, paired with warm hospitality from owner Kieran O’Halloran and chef Cezary Sodel, creates a memorable experience for couples or small groups. Expect hearty yet refined dishes in a tranquil setting. Expect dishes like seared scallops or local lamb, showcasing Clare’s coastal and pastoral bounty. Oar will introduce a refreshed menu, emphasizing local seafood or Burren-inspired dishes, aligning with Clare’s food tourism growth.
Gregans Castle Restaurant (Ballyvaughan, Co Clare). Located in the Burren, this restaurant offers modern Irish fine dining in an elegant, calm dining room with turf-scented charm. Diners can expect a feast of creative dishes using local ingredients, ideal for those exploring the Burren’s atmospheric landscapes. The focus is on quality and hospitality, perfect for a luxurious escape. Rxpect offerings like Connemara crab or slow-roast organic duck, reflecting the kitchen’s modern Irish focus. Gregans Castle will introduce new tasting menus or sustainability-driven dishes, leveraging its proximity to Burren producers like St Tola Goats Cheese.
The Loft Restaurant at Durty Nelly’s (Bunratty, Co Clare). Housed in the historic Durty Nelly’s (est. 1620), The Loft offers a fine dining experience upstairs, contrasting the lively pub below. The comfortable, peaceful setting is ideal for family meals or romantic dinners, with a menu featuring fresh, local ingredients like Clare seafood. Expect a relaxed yet upscale atmosphere. Whole fish on the bone, showcasing the freshness of Clare’s seafood, is a highlight, alongside classic Irish dishes. The Loft will expand its menu with new seafood specials or wine pairings, capitalizing on Durty Nelly’s tourism draw and recent renovations.

Casual Dining

Vaughan’s on the Prom (Lahinch, Co Clare). This newly refurbished restaurant on Lahinch’s promenade offers a casual, fire-driven dining experience with a Spanish Josper grill. Diners can enjoy a lively atmosphere with ocean views, savoring dishes made with local seafood and meats. Ideal for families or groups seeking quality food in a relaxed setting. Barbecued Aran Island monkfish with hazelnut crust and aged Irish Black Angus steaks with beef jus are standout dishes, emphasizing bold, smoky flavors. Vaughan’s will introduce new Josper-grilled specials or outdoor dining options, enhancing its appeal as a coastal dining spot.
Monks Ballyvaughan (Ballyvaughan, Co Clare). Located on the pier with stunning Galway Bay views, Monks is a vibrant gastropub known for its fresh seafood and casual, cozy atmosphere. Diners can expect friendly service, regular locals, and a menu highlighting Clare’s coastal bounty, perfect for a relaxed meal after sightseeing. Prawn curry with turmeric-infused rice and chickpeas and fish burgers with lemon aioli and pickled fennel are popular, showcasing local seafood. Monks will expand its seafood menu or add new outdoor seating, leveraging its prime location and 40-year seafood legacy.
Gallaghers of Bunratty (Bunratty, Co Clare). This award-winning restaurant combines rustic charm with modern chic in a thatched-roof setting. Diners enjoy a vibrant, family-friendly atmosphere with exceptional seafood dishes and attentive service. Perfect for tourists visiting Bunratty Castle, it offers a taste of Clare’s culinary heritage. Seafood platters with cold crab meat and melt-in-your-mouth smoked salmon are highlights, showcasing the freshest catches. Gallaghers will introduce new seafood specials or medieval-themed dining events, tied to Bunratty’s tourism appeal.
Barrtrá Seafood Restaurant (Lahinch, Co Clare). Overlooking Liscannor Bay, Barrtrá offers a cozy, family-run dining experience with stunning sunset views. The casual setting is perfect for families or couples, with a menu featuring fresh seafood and meat dishes. The ‘surprise seafood menu’ adds an adventurous twist. The five-course surprise seafood menu (€35) features unexpected dishes like local hake or mussels, celebrated for freshness. Barrtrá may refresh its surprise menu or add new vegetarian options, maintaining its focus on local produce.
L’Arco Italian Restaurant (Ballyvaughan, Co Clare). This authentic Italian trattoria in the Burren offers a modern, art deco-inspired setting with a family-friendly vibe. Diners can expect fresh pizzas, pastas, and salads made with local ingredients, served with warm service. Ideal for a casual yet flavorful meal. Various pizzas and pastas, such as seafood linguine, are highlights, leveraging Clare’s coastal produce. L’Arco will introduce new Italian-Burren fusion dishes or seasonal specials, building on its four-year streak of “Best Casual Dining” awards.

Budget Dining

Cairde (Ennis, Co Clare). A cozy cafe in Ennis, Cairde (meaning “friends” in Irish) offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere with a roaring stove fire. Diners can expect affordable breakfast and lunch options, perfect for a lazy Sunday or quick bite. The friendly staff and community vibe make it a local favorite. The breakfast burrito, combining an Irish fry-up with a Mexican twist and Tabasco kick, is a standout, ideal for all-day breakfast lovers. Cairde will expand its all-day breakfast menu or add new budget-friendly specials, enhancing its appeal in Ennis.
The Creamery Pub & Food Barn (Bunratty, Co Clare). A traditional Irish pub in Bunratty, this budget-friendly spot offers hearty meals in a lively, family-oriented setting. Diners can expect classic pub fare served seven days a week, perfect for tourists or locals seeking value and comfort. Expect staples like Irish stew or fish and chips, emphasizing local ingredients. The Creamery will introduce new pub classics or themed nights, tied to Bunratty’s tourism scene.
Bofey Quinn’s Bar and Restaurant (Corofin, Co Clare). Located in Corofin, this traditional pub offers affordable, homemade meals in a cozy setting with live Irish music. Diners can expect a warm, community-focused atmosphere, ideal for budget-conscious travelers seeking authentic Clare vibes. Expect hearty dishes like beef and Guinness pie or local seafood chowder. Bofey Quinn’s may add new music nights or budget specials, enhancing its cultural appeal.
Wild at the Cave (Doolin, Co Clare). Adjacent to Doolin Cave, this cafe offers budget-friendly, healthy meals in a casual setting, perfect for a post-exploration break. Diners can expect fresh, tasty options in a relaxed atmosphere, ideal for families or solo travelers. Open crab sandwiches and St Tola goat’s cheese salads are highlights, showcasing Clare’s local produce. Wild at the Cave will expand its menu with new healthy specials or takeaway options, catering to Doolin’s tourism boom.
The Pantry (Ennis, Co Clare). A budget-friendly cafe in Ennis, The Pantry offers fresh sandwiches, salads, and drinks in a cozy, welcoming setting. Diners can expect affordable, quality meals, perfect for a quick lunch or coffee break while exploring the town. Reviews praise sandwiches and salads for their freshness and value. The Pantry will introduce new budget-friendly lunch combos or local ingredient-focused dishes, aligning with Ennis’s vibrant food scene.
Clare’s Culinary Scene: Clare’s dining landscape thrives on its coastal location and Burren produce, with fine dining venues like Wild Honey Inn emphasizing Michelin-star quality and casual spots leveraging seafood. Budget options focus on hearty, affordable fare, often tied to pubs or cafes.
Sustainability Trends: Restaurants across all categories are likely to prioritise local, sustainable ingredients, with fine dining venues introducing foraged or zero-waste dishes, reflecting Clare’s eco-conscious ethos.

Dining in Ireland

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Award winning restaurants

County Clare:

Ireland’s county Clare is renowned for its dramatic cliffs and traditional heritage, with the Cliffs of Moher offering breathtaking views over the Atlantic. The Burren’s unique limestone landscape provides hiking and rare flora, while Bunratty Castle offers medieval history with its restored interiors. Check out the traditional music scene in Doolin and the county’s coastal beaches. Clare is Ireland’s eighth largest county by size (3,188 square km) and 19th largest by population (127,938). Population peaked at 286,394 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 73,597 in 1966. In terms of hospitality, Clare is Ireland’s sixth most visited tourist county with around 485,000 international visitors per year.

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