Bia Sasta: My top 10 eateries in Ireland

With restrictions easing and countrywide travel possible again, plans are being made for summer.

I am hopeful that restaurants and bars will be able to open on 7 June as promised and that my travels will bring me back to some great places I have eaten in the past.

I cleared some files last week and came across notes I made for a project I worked on in 2018 and 2019. I had the pleasure of eating in some wonderful places and the misfortune to eat in some really terrible ones.

Here is my top 10 list of places to eat around the country this summer:

In county Limerick, you can’t not eat in 1826 in Adare. Chef Wade Murphy’s food is beautiful, delicious and prepared with a lot of care. The wonderful Mr T and I spent a lovely evening in the dining room and hopefully, this year, we will be able to dine outdoors. 1826 Adare is opening again on 10 June.

Mannion’s in New Ross is a must. Currently open for take-aways, Mannion’s is a beautifully decorated country pub that happens to serve excellent food. I still remember the delicious trout with lemon butter. Service was excellent, efficient and very friendly even on a busy night. I can’t wait to visit again.

The Abbey Tavern in Howth might be considered a tourist trap but that doesn’t take away from the fact that they serve great food. Currently only open for click and collect, no update on reopening has been published yet. I am just thinking of ordering one of their tasty seafood platters to eat at the walkway with a view over the sea.

In Co. Louth, The Glyde Inn Annagassan looks a bit unassuming but don’t let that stop you from eating here. I spent a lovely afternoon there a while back and had the best prawn pir pir ever coupled with sea views – I will be back.

The HangedMans in Milltown in Co Kildare is one of these rare gems where the character of a place has been maintained while offering excellent contemporary food. The menu can compete with any fine dining restaurant. Excellent service is just the icing on the cake.

The Roadside Tavern in Lisdoonvarna is well known in food lover circles and for a good reason. It is very rare to get crab cakes without potatoes but here I got the best tasting ones. There’s no pretence with a very simple interior that hasn’t changed in decades – and I hope it will last for many more decades.

The Singing Pub in Co. Donegal is worth a trip. I recommend to book in normal times as my first visit was on a Tuesday afternoon and I was lucky to get a table. And lucky I truly was. Seafood prepared with care and skill, so delicious that I even considered moving!

Paddy Coyne in Tullycross is a great mix of local pub and amazing restaurant. We spent a lovely evening enjoying some of the best seafood we had in a long time. Very personal service, prices are reasonable and you will go away smiling. I wasn’t able to get an update from them on reopening but I am hopeful that a trip to Tullycross will result in some tasty food.

Buffalo Boy in Carrick-on-Shannon is a place where I didn’t expect great food but I was pleasantly surprised when I tucked into some delicious beef parcels. Slowcooked tender beef, spiced beautifully and wrapped in thin crispy pastry. Meat lovers will be happy campers.

In Galway you have the choice of many excellent food places but John Keogh’s would be one I would revisit just because they know how to cook fish. It is a busy spot but you get excellent service. I am not sure if they have outdoor facilities but I am hopeful that we can visit soon again.

This list is based on my past visits in 2018 and 2019 and dishes I have eaten in each.

Here’s to an amazing summer 2021 filled with sun, laughter and delicious food!