Best restaurants in the west.

bandit197

Golden Sea Chinese Restaurant in Charlestown Co. Mayo is one of the best chinese restaurants ive eaten in, and ive been to a few:D, here and abroad. Can anyone recommend a good Indian, Italian etc in the west. Cheers

Gun_Slinger

My tuppence worth:

Best restaurants by a mile I have tried in Mayo are in the Knockranny Hotel Westport and Park Inn Mulranny. Both 4 star hotel with amazing food. A little pricey but worth it for a special occasion.

Chinese in Castlebar I like is the Golden Sea as well (dont know if they are the same chain). Love the food here.

Lovely little Italian in Westport called Torinos. And the new one in Castlebar (Portifinos) isnt bad either.

Pub Grub, cant go wrong with most places out the Quay in Westport although its been a few years since I ate out there. Nevins pub near Mulranny is spot on, great spot for grub altogether!

themadchef

Chef's are the hardest to please IMO when eating out. so here's my selection in Mayo.

Agree with gun_slinger Nevin's is great for food, fast, reliably good food and very reasonably priced too. comfy spacious bar to eat in and the service is excellent.

For that very special occasion An Carraig in castlebar, church street (i think) very very good. all of the above with a more fine dining aspect. Alot pricier though, nice wine menu also.

Now, for that once a year occasion, or if youre really out to impress go to Newport house. Seasonal, so it closes for a few winter months, opens April to October i think.
i'm pretty sure it's around €60-€70 / head, set 7 course menu. Don't panic at that, portions are very small and the variety is wonderful. Homemade everything, great sorbets, cheeseboards are just indescribable, a salad course !! Really over the top 3 hour job but with Silver service, wonderful old high ceilings, and all the old fashioned things in the place it's a great evening. And it youre feeling flush they have wine priced over 2k per bottle in their vast cellar :eek:!!!

Have yet to find something decent for fine dining in Westport but Ring for coffee is the place for steak sambo's if i'm out shopping for the day.

jimmyjoe9

Where would one eat on Achill Island?? Going there next weekend.

themadchef

Honestly its a very seasonal place, so this time of year variety is very limited. Depends what youre looking for. I can tell you who does what this time of year.

Fine dining: only one place open, Ferndale, main courses about €26, not your run of the mill place, very exotic menu from wild boar to the highly reccomended Mongolian BBQ. Be prepared though, not a 1 hour job, Jon considers it a dining "experience" so its very relaxed.

Restaurants:
Achill cliff house, very popular with locals and visitors, reasonably priced opens for dinner about 6.30- 8.30 i think 098 43400. booking advisable on Sat night. Usual stuff, steaks are great.

Ostan Oilean Acla. Rest and bar food, open till 9pm i think. Same again, steak dinner is €20.95, fast service in the bar, its hotel so there is a night club too if you want to dance off the calories after!

Connaughtons, bar food and restaurant, not quite sure about opening times, but the bar food is all day. They get alot of the "christina Gallagher" business .

Gieltys, this is located almost at the end of the island on the way to keem bay, nice bar food menu, and they do a pizza menu u till eleven. No restarurant.

I work in Mastersons, it's in Dugort. Usual bar food menu on Sat, steaks ( i do seem to mention that alot dont i ) but its the most popular choice. Roasts etc, all the predictables if you know what i mean. bar food and restaurant on Sun, 3 course lunch €16.95. If you drop in say hi, always good to look after a fellow boardsie!

Oh theres always the chinese in Keel almost forgot, don't reccomend though, wish we had a decent one, i would be thier best customer!

Hope i haven't left any place out. As i said lots more open from Easter on.
After your weekend, regardless of where you at please come back and let me know how you got on. Was it good, priced well, service, cean etc. Nice to hear what people think of Achill in general.
Hope the weather doesn't let us down!
Katrina

oscarBravo

I had an excellent experience some time back in Mount Falcon near Ballina. I'll probably be going there again soon, so I'll report back.

threebeards

oscarBravo wrote: »

I had an excellent experience some time back in Mount Falcon near Ballina. I'll probably be going there again soon, so I'll report back.

And did you have any experience of the food there afterwards Paul???

oscarBravo

KoNiT

JJ Gannons Ballinrobe nice food, well looked after..
http://www.ireland-guide.com/establishment/jj_gannons_hotel.5332.html

Old Arch, Claremorris
http://www.ireland-guide.com/establishment/old_arch_bar_and_bistro.4470.html

Ballyhaunis
http://www.billabongvals.com/welcome.html

artieanna

For a nice indian I would recommend Tulsi in castlebar. Lovely

oscarBravo

I'd normally agree, but my last outing there was... unimpressive. Might have been having an off day.

IloveAchill

Anytime we go to Castlebar we always go to The Olive Tree. Delicious home made food - greek/moroccon/indian dishes on the menu. Desserts to die for and the coffee is always a hit - only decent coffee in Castlebar! Gets mad busy at lunch time, but after 3pm is a good time to go eat and be happy ;-)

Enjoy!

Bob the Builder

The Purple Onion Restaraunt in Roscommon, can't think of the town name tho .... serves lovely food. cosy warm restaraunt. I left with an extremely positive experience.

If you go to Murrisk in Westport, you'll find the Tavern Bar and Restaraunt. Excellent Place. Ate there tonight, and I have to say the food was reasonably priced, excellent and friendly service. Quick food and it was delicious. Children's play area and Pool table as well.

Mango's on Bridge Street in westport is also a fine dine. haven't been there in a few months, but it is very nice...

thekooman

anyone know/recommend a Thai restaurant or a restaurant that does a mixture of dishes including Thai in the mayo area?

oscarBravo

Chinese in Westport - Lantern? - has a Thai section on the menu.

Captain Slow IRL

If you're in Ballina, try Quorum (in Quattro's pub) - bit pricey, but very nice food. The pub grub in Quattro's is nice as well - nicest garlic bread in the world:D

The Bard is also a regular spot for me and the missus - they now have an Italian chef and the food is excellant.

smurfy89

If you're looking for a good chinese in Ballina Chungs is the place to go! Chicken dry hot & spicy is lovely.. and the staff are always really friendly. The Lantern is good too though

Captain Slow IRL

The lantern has gone down-hill since the change of ownership - it can be a hit and miss with the food some nights.

Skyuser

Cafollas.....chips like no other.

smurfy89

Yum.. cafollas chips :P Best ever!!

Samhain

The chips in Cafollas in Castlebar arent as nice as they used to be, they dont seem to cook them for long enough. My recommendations for food would include The Shebeen in Westport for Sunday lunch, reasonable prices, good service. Tulsi in Castlebar was nice a few years ago but it has gone down. I think Dhaka is the best indian in town now but they do have the occasional "off" day. Agape is also nice for lunch, havent tried the evening menu yet though. Castlebar does has a shortage of really nice places to go for evening meals though....

donmeister

best places in castlebar for food

Indian:Tulsi,(forget,lol)Beside ESB Shop:D
Chinese:Golden Sea,Knockthomas Hill
Italian:Al Murettos,Linenhall St.
Irish/Seafood:An Carraig,Church St.
Chipper:Caffollas,Castle St.

RMDrive

I'll copy Donmeister's format...

CASTLEBAR

Indian: Dhaka (used to like Tulsi but since their staff set up Dhaka, I've gone with them)
Chinese: The one on the main street
Italian: Al Muretto (not a big Italian fan to be honest. But I love small Italians )
Irish/Seafood: NONE!! The menu in An Carraig hasn't changed in years and it annoys me to eat there because of that.
Chipper: Danolla's on Castle St. Way better than Cafollas. They fry their onions for their burgers!!

Olive tree is also pretty good but again could do with a menu change.

Mweelrea

oscarBravo wrote: »

I had an excellent experience some time back in Mount Falcon near Ballina. I'll probably be going there again soon, so I'll report back.

Couldn't agree with you more
The Kitchen Resteraunt in Mount Falcon, Ballina is a lovely place to eat

theduffer

has anyone eaten in the quay cottage westport recently? going to eat there tomorrow nite...

Shelflife

Had a meal recently in an carraig in castlebar, big table 12 of us, used to a good meal there but were very dissapointed.
wouldnt let a 15year old pick from the kids menu -(what difference does it make?) were still paying for the food.
didnt ask my son how he wanted his steak so it was nuked, my steak was over cooked, had to ask twice for drinks and sauces and the service was very slow.
we complained but they just shrugged and said thats a pity.

i always thought it was expensive but usually got a good meal, very disapointed with the meal and their reaction, we wont be going back thats 12 unhappy customers.

Captain Slow IRL

Shelflife wrote: »

Had a meal recently in an carraig in castlebar, big table 12 of us, used to a good meal there but were very dissapointed.
wouldnt let a 15year old pick from the kids menu -(what difference does it make?) were still paying for the food.
didnt ask my son how he wanted his steak so it was nuked, my steak was over cooked, had to ask twice for drinks and sauces and the service was very slow.
we complained but they just shrugged and said thats a pity.

i always thought it was expensive but usually got a good meal, very disapointed with the meal and their reaction, we wont be going back thats 12 unhappy customers.

That place seems to have a good reputation - I was meaning to try it out some night!

Update for Ballina restaurants!
- The chef's responsible for the fine quisine in Quorum have moved up to Brennans, haven't eaten out of either since the change.
- Have been to The Bard a few times since, and I have to say that the service is a big let-down lately. Waiters are very slow to get around and it's impossible to order a drink, and when you do, you have to remind them to get it for you. The food is still pretty good, but I doubt I'll be going back there for a while:(

red2

The Helm on the Quay in Westport has fab pub grub. There used to be a brilliant resturant called "The lemon Peel" beside the Wyatt Hotel, Im not sure was it relocated to the Quay.I know def it was closed at some point for renovations.If its still open , its worth your while to check it out,they did a fab early bird menu.Nevins and Hotel Newport also serve great food.

mardybumbum

I was in An Carraig on Saturday night for my mothers birthday and the food was fantastic. Will defenitely be back again. :pac:

And Danollas in Westport do the best chips ever!:)

lg123

nevf wrote: »

If you go to Murrisk in Westport, you'll find the Tavern Bar and Restaraunt. Excellent Place. Ate there tonight, and I have to say the food was reasonably priced, excellent and friendly service. Quick food and it was delicious. Children's play area and Pool table as well.

Mango's on Bridge Street in westport is also a fine dine. haven't been there in a few months, but it is very nice...

the tavern is excellent, if you would manage the soup and a main try it as there brown bread is probably the best i have eaten.

Mango's is very good too, maybe a little on the pricey side for some fish but you can pick something else if this is an issue.

for an indian in westport, Delhi Dar Bar (i think thats the name, its beside country fresh) is the best indian food in westport. they let themselves down a lot here in the service though, if you sit down you could be waiting ages for your food and i mean ages, but from my experience it will be good (almost worth the wait). Everest on the mall is a nice restaurant but the food is poor, their chilli mascala quoted as 'very very hot' on the menu is mild at best. their korma is as hot as custard. if you are into indian food, stay away.

as for a chinese, the best i have eaten in is Changs in ballinrobe, its accross from the ulster bank. best in ireland ime but i dont eat much chinese.
do any of the chinese's in westport have a seperate menu for the chinese people?

Captain Slow IRL

lg123 wrote: »

do any of the chinese's in westport have a seperate menu for the chinese people?

They'd have to - otherwise, there'd be a lot of fat chinese people waddling around!

Culchie

bandit197 wrote: »

Golden Sea Chinese Restaurant in Charlestown Co. Mayo is one of the best chinese restaurants ive eaten in, and ive been to a few:D, here and abroad. Can anyone recommend a good Indian, Italian etc in the west. Cheers

Indian just down the road in Tubbercurry is very good. (New Jewel in the crown).
Thai food in Austins (upstairs) also good.


I agree with you about the chinese in Charlestown as well, I had all but given up on getting a decent one round these parts.

smurfy89

Quattros food is sh it now since the chef moved. Brennans is meant to be nice but has a tiny menu! Dillons is the nicest ive eaten in.. and have to say the staff are lovely cuz i work there

Fatboydim

I have yet to find a decent Indian restaurant in the whole of Ireland. I don't know why they are so average but they are. Then again I used to be spoilt for choice when living in London.

Chinese food in Westport - I tend to go with The Orient Aroma - But again some days it's better than others.

Ardmore House is best for that special occasion.

Sol Rio can be very good when they are on form - but it's pretty standard.

Mediterraneo is my personal fave at the moment.

Lemon Peel is good.

Best cafe type food is Antica Roma.

the Helm is best pub grub by far - but this gets busy.

the Tavern in Murrisk I used to like but I was very upset with their attitude when we had my mothers 80th there. Some of our guests wanted to order from the bar menu and they got arsey about it. Even though we offered to pay restaurant price for the food. because of this I have not been back there.

Captain Slow IRL

Was in Al Muretto's last night, hands down one of the nicest places I've ever eaten in. Both staff and food have to be commended!

bandit197

Culchie wrote: »

Indian just down the road in Tubbercurry is very good. (New Jewel in the crown).
Thai food in Austin's (upstairs) also good.


I agree with you about the chinese in Charlestown as well, I had all but given up on getting a decent one round these parts.

I was in the Indian in Tubbercurry for my birthday and it was very good food and reasonable prices (just remember to bring your own bottle of wine or beers if you want them as they dont sell any. Corkage is 2 euro if I remember correctly)

I haven't tried Austin's yet but its on the cards.

I was also in An Carraig in Castlebar for the first time last week. Perfect for that special occasion. The food is fantastic. I had the seafood and it was perfectly prepared and fresh. Its a bit pricey but the food, service and surroundings reflect that.

I was recently back in The Golden Sea in Charlestown and the quality of the food seemed to have slipped slightly. It could have been an 'off night' but i do know that the staff have been changed so Ill give it another chance again. Ill report back.

Culchie

bandit197 wrote: »

I was in the Indian in Tubbercurry for my birthday and it was very good food and reasonable prices (just remember to bring your own bottle of wine or beers if you want them as they dont sell any. Corkage is 2 euro if I remember correctly)

I haven't tried Austin's yet but its on the cards.

I was also in An Carraig in Castlebar for the first time last week. Perfect for that special occasion. The food is fantastic. I had the seafood and it was perfectly prepared and fresh. Its a bit pricey but the food, service and surroundings reflect that.

I was recently back in The Golden Sea in Charlestown and the quality of the food seemed to have slipped slightly. It could have been an 'off night' but i do know that the staff have been changed so Ill give it another chance again. Ill report back.

Seeing as you seem to be in East Mayo a bit ....also check out Lir Cafe Bar in Ballaghaderreen (don't dare tell them they are not in Mayo!) Food is good there...casual but good.

bandit197

Culchie wrote: »

Seeing as you seem to be in East Mayo a bit ....also check out Lir Cafe Bar in Ballaghaderreen (don't dare tell them they are not in Mayo!) Food is good there...casual but good.

I will do, Ive passed there before and wondered what the food was like. Cheers

nuac

Re Red2's post last September, the Lemon Peel moved to the Asgard some time ago, but are now back at Lower Quay Street.( Westport) Was there recently and found food very good and staff attentive. The owner/chef Robbie comes out to chat to the patrons which is a nice touch.

steph1

Skyuser wrote: »

Cafollas.....chips like no other.

Well you have got to be kidding me. Thats if its the Ballina caffolas that you are referring to.??

I was in there recently and got a bag of chips. A bag of bits to be exact. There must have been only about 5 or 6 decent chips in the bag.

A few weeks later I decided to give it a try again and this time the chips were worse as I think they were reheats. Why do chippers continue to do this craic giving out reheats. Things are too dear now. A bag of chips (small) costs 2.20. Freshly made chips is what we want. Not reheats :mad:

There is nowhere else to get 'real' chips. All the other places serve frozen chips.

Cafollas in Ballina has gone downhill since it changed ownership.

shaca

ot take away from new chipper beside carrs shop on lord ed street. They were more like the old cafollas chips - really nice. Think you would have to pay me to eat in cafollas at this stage. Last time i was there I had to return my food. My 2yr old wouldnt eat his either and trust me this boy is not fussy when it comes to food.

yellowpens

Ballina is flooded with places to eat, I only like to eat in 2 places in Ballina Both can be found on the Eating Out In Ballina Page of the Ballina Site Jordans up near the bus station & Mocha Beans on the main street both always have great food and priced right IMHO!

NewFrockTuesday

I used to work in Murphy Bros in Ballina - I spent about 4 months there. The guys who owned it - Alan and Paul - were dead on, but they had a horrible bully of a head chef who made life very unplesant for everyone. I was 19 and terrified of him! The food was really good and very well prepared - Im not sure how it is now but Id defo drop in if I were ever in Ballina again.


The Knockranny house Hotel - I worked there for a year. Loved Westport and the hotel is very very good. The same family own one or two of the other hotels in town as well...cant for the life of me rem the names....they cater hugely to the wedding market.

My fav places to eat - Madchefs steaks take some beating so Mastersons in Achill - plus I live just back the road

Cafollas in Castlebar - yum chips.

The indian restaurant on Mainstreet - Madchef took me there one night about 2 years ago. Was delicious!

Also Ferndale in Achill - whacked out presentation but very tasty!

Fatboydim

Deepsense wrote: »

The Knockranny house Hotel - I worked there for a year. Loved Westport and the hotel is very very good. The same family own one or two of the other hotels in town as well...cant for the life of me rem the names....they cater hugely to the wedding market.

That would be the Corcorans.

There's a new place in Westport that seems to offer Mexican food. [Well when I say Mexican I think it's just ribs steak and a spot of chilli sauce. Anyone tried it yet?

finisklin

All this talk of food is making me hungry......Cafe Rua in Castlebar is outstanding and the new premises by the courthouse is smart and clean. Staff are also friendly and attentive.

Was a fan of crockets in Ballina, however the portions are smaller and it is pricey! Brennans is good and has a busy yet chilled out atmosphere.

McCormack's in Westport do a great soup and sandwich. The chicken salad sambo is to die for.....

Gaughans in Ballina for a toasted special...pricey (€10) but good for those pick me ups days we need once in awhile.

As regards chips it can be really hit or miss in....thats why I recommend making them yourself - either thick or thin and fry them off to how you like them done. Delish.

Though the closest to homemade chips I've come across on our island is Fureys outside Enfield in Kildare/Meath. They are the real deal.....scrummy.

Was a good Indian in Ballina....its changed to the Everest now. Haven't been so can't recommend it.

Captain Slow IRL

finisklin wrote: »

..................Brennans is good and has a busy yet chilled out atmosphere.........................

Went there recently, very impressed with the food - they have the same style wedges in sweet sauce that Quattro's used to serve:)

finisklin wrote: »

.................Gaughans in Ballina for a toasted special...pricey (€10) but good for those pick me ups days we need once in awhile..............

How the **** do you justify a tenner for a toastie?!

finisklin

Captain Slow IRL wrote: »

Went there recently, very impressed with the food - they have the same style wedges in sweet sauce that Quattro's used to serve:)




How the **** do you justify a tenner for a toastie?!

Those occasions are getting rarer and rarer as the recession bites! Seriously good though.....

dublin2galway

Pyramid restaurant in the Neale. Amazing food (their carpet bag must be tried. fantastic), friendly staff, well laid out and most importantly very very good value.

Don't be turned away by the exterior which suggests it's just a pub. Restaurant is a separate section and goes on out the back.

Maigh Eo

:)For those who are wondering where to eat in Ballina do check out Crockets on the Quay, I have eaten there three times over the past few months....YUMIE check out the chicken wings as a starter. Its a huge filler, Breannans or correctly known as Market Kitchen is FAB too, so it is often a toss up between the two but with main courses, chicken, pasta etc at 13 euro in Crockets its handy out!!

hazelhand

The Alisan in Claremorris is a good Thai restuarant, and reasonable too

Neworder79

Dont get my hopes up, good Thai restaraunts are hard to find in Ireland! Is it a real Thai or one of those awful Chinese pretending to be thai jobs?