These have to be the Best Restaurants in all of County Clare.
County Clare is known for its stunning scenery and tourist attractions, such as the majestic Cliffs of Moher. However, Clare is also the perfect place for foodies.
The Banner County has lots of wonderful local produce to choose from such as St.Tola’s goat’s cheese and Burren smoked salmon. There are loads of fabulous restaurants to choose from, all with their own unique flavours and atmospheres.
5. Ennis Gourmet Store
Anne Leyden opened the Ennis gourmet store in 1997. Ann is a food science specialist, and her advertising and marketing qualifications have helped her develop the idea of Gourmet Gifts.
As well as being a store where you can buy a range of gourmet hampers and fine French and European wines, there is also a French-style bistro. Here, you can enjoy a relaxing light lunch or snack. On pleasant days you can sit outside and people watch at your leisure with a glass of wine or a cup of fresh coffee.
Dabid Lasbleye is a wine importer from Brittany, France. He has worked over the years with some of the best sommeliers in different Michelin Star restaurants in Europe.
This background has helped him gather an excellent choice of French and European wines. The Gourmet Store can prepare wines and champagnes by the case or bottle.
Address: 1 Old Barrack St, Clonroad Beg, Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland
4. Brogans
The first thing to say about Brogans is to get there early if you want a table here at the weekend or be prepared to wait at the bar. Brogans always seems to be packed but for good reason.
They say a sign of a good restaurant is if locals eat there too and Brogans is filled with Clare residents.
It’s the oldest Family-run Traditional-Style Bar & Restaurants in this Market Town of Ennis. It was done up in recent years but it still retains its traditional bar atmosphere while serving hearty comfort food, which is always stunningly presented.
There is also live music to be enjoyed in the evening. Even the descriptions of the meals on the menu are mouth watering: Herb Crusted Salmon, Slow Roasted BBQ Ribs, Char Grilled Tiger Prawn Salad, Clonakilty Chicken and Crock of West Clare Mussels.
Address: 24 O’Connell Street, Clonroad Beg, Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland
3. Cairde
Since opening in 2012, Cairde has become something of an institution in the market town of Ennis. The café’s name is taken from the Irish word for friends and it’s very apt because this is where friends and family alike meet up to share a meal together.
The staff is so warm and friendly they also feel like friends. The atmosphere is made all the more welcoming by the roaring stove fire that greets you on your entrance to the café.
Cairde serves breakfast, lunch and hot drinks. However, on Sundays, Cairde does an all-day breakfast for those who want to have a perfectly lazy Sunday. If I could recommend one thing it would be the Breakfast Burrito.
It combines two awesome foods: an Irish fry up and a Mexican style burrito. They also add a touch of Tabasco sauce to give the dish a special kick. It’s the perfect vehicle to eat for breakfast or at any time of the day on Sunday.
Also on the menu are local favourites like Eggs Benedict or Eggs Royale (Poached eggs on an English muffin with smoked salmon and hollandaise sauce) and American Style Pancakes with blueberries or bacon, as well as ciabattas, soups, salads and of course hot drinks.
Address: 3 Old Barrack St, Clonroad Beg, Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland
2. The Rowan Tree
Situated right beside the beautiful River Fergus, the Rowan Tree can always be depended on to have an eclectic mix of food on offer on their menus. The building used to be a private members club, which makes it a fabulous setting for a restaurant. The menu is widely varied and all locally sourced.
There’s a wide range of dishes to choose from, such as flatbreads, pasta, pizza, salad, steak, chicken, butternut squash and risotto. On a pleasant evening, you can have a coffee al fresco on the terrace overlooking the river, they even provide blankets to wrap up in chillier weather.
Address: 1 Harmony Row, Lifford, Ennis, Co. Clare, V95 CPK4, Ireland
1. Wild Honey Inn
The Wild Honey Inn in Lisdoonvarna was awarded a Michelin Star in the 2018 Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland. If you’re interested in food and in the Clare area you have to try out this little gastropub.
A Michelin Bib Gourmand holder since 2010, the gastropub was the only newcomer to join an 11-strong list of Michelin star restaurants in Ireland this year. The pub dates from 1860 and is currently owned and run by chef Aidan McGrath and his wife Kate Sweeney.
The pub’s connection to County Clare doesn’t stop at its location, The Wild Honey Inn prides itself at serving wild, local produce. So you can sample great Clare cheeses, platters of delights from the Burren Smokehouse, and house bread.
Address: Kincora Road, Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare.
