can anyone recommend a nice place for lunch?

ms34

Hi, bringing the wife to Carlingford on Saturday and I'm looking for some tips on where to stop for lunch on the way. Driving from Dublin and dont mind a detour for the right place.
All recommendations appreciated.

ZiabR

It very much depends on the time of day you are going. Alot of the Hotels, Restaurants etc dont do lunches this time of year as its off season. Are you looking for a lunch menu or a dinner menu?

Hotels:

The Carlingford Arms
4 Seasons Hotel

Bars/Gastro

John Longs Bar
PJ's Bar - Good food here

Restaurants:

McGees
The bay Tree - One of, if not the best food in Carlingford

TCM

Monasterboice Inn on the way up You won't get better.

PGE1970

TCM wrote: »

Monasterboice Inn on the way up You won't get better.

The Valley Inn, Mullary (5 mins past the Monasterboice Inn).


You will get better and cheaper!!

Scotty #

TCM wrote: »

Monasterboice Inn on the way up You won't get better.

I'm always amazed to hear these kind of reviews about this place. I visited it a few years ago after hearing similar reviews and ended up refusing to pay after we'd sent our food back twice. Maybe I got them on a bad day?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Scotty # wrote: »

I'm always amazed to hear these kind of reviews about this place. I visited it a few years ago after hearing similar reviews and ended up refusing to pay after we'd sent our food back twice. Maybe I got them on a bad day?

Same here. It's seems very over rated.

OP, how far are you driving? From Dublin? In 45 minutes from the airport you'll be past Dundalk. Why not just go straight to Carlingford, where there's plenty of good places to eat?

slipperyox

Wildwood cafe Carlingford.

Not the usual, fantastic food, and hilltop view.
Cant go wrong

pcasso

Fitzpatricks, which is five minutes off the M1 on the way to Carlingford, recently reopened and had a decent reputation for its food with a Johnny Fox's vibe if you are familiar with that pub in the Wicklow mountains.
Strandfield house, which is just off the M1 on the turnoff for Carlingford is not too dissimilar to what Avoca Cafe would have been like ten years ago and while not fancy surroundings the food is excellent.
In Carlingford itself the best place in town is the Baytree restaurant and Ghan House hotel though I don't think Ghan House do lunch.
McKevitts hotel, also known as the Village hotel and PJ O Hares does decent Pub grub.
Ruby Ellens, is a bit quirky but the food is decent.
Wildwood cafe has a fantastic location overlooking Carlingford Lough and the food has a healthy slant but still very nice.
The carrot cake there is as good as it gets

ms34

thanks for all the suggestions folks. we have been in Carlingford quite a few times and have eaten in most of the places mentioned in the town. We're eating dinner in fishy dishy so i thought itd be nice to get lunch on the way up rather than in town. im slowly working my way through the suggestions and taking the detour time and the menu into account before deciding. ill report back ...
thanks again

Mr Magnolia

Strandfield @ the Ballymascanlon roundabout.

http://strandfield.com/

slipperyox

Mr Magnolia wrote: »

Strandfield @ the Ballymascanlon roundabout.

http://strandfield.com/

No hot food/meat dishes IIRC

Mr Magnolia

slipperyox wrote: »

No hot food/meat dishes IIRC

Plenty of hot dishes. It's a vegetarian spot; perfect for lunch imo.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

slipperyox wrote: »

No hot food/meat dishes IIRC

Hot yes, but vegetarian and very limited for my tastes.

10green bottles

The Glyde Inn in Annagassan is excellent.
5*'s/5 from me.

Scotty #

Scotty # wrote: »

I'm always amazed to hear these kind of reviews about this place. I visited it a few years ago after hearing similar reviews and ended up refusing to pay after we'd sent our food back twice. Maybe I got them on a bad day?

I know it had a great word of mouth reputation for a long long time, talking the first time I was there about 20 years ago, and all through the years, no idea who has run it over the years or what changed but last time I was there was 2 or 3 three years ago they gave us a filthy baby chair and luke warm food. We left without eating or paying never to return. I haven't heard anything since to convince me to go back.

Homer

Have been there 3/4 times in the last two years as the in laws and my own parents wanted to go. Incredibly busy any weekend we were there! Food was good, service was good. Only complaint is that it’s so busy with families and kids etc that the noise was unbearable the last time I went. Will try the Valley In for sure as an alternative

ms34

Just a follow up for those who might be interested.
Didn't get to go away before Xmas in the end but finally made it up a week ago.

We did lunch in Strandfield House. Seemed the easiest option because of its location. It was good but my god the place was packed and as a result wasn't the most relaxing.
Dinner in Fishy Dishy though was A1. I'd definitely eat there again.
Thanks again for all the input

tayto lover

ms34 wrote: »

Just a follow up for those who might be interested.
Didn't get to go away before Xmas in the end but finally made it up a week ago.

We did lunch in Strandfield House. Seemed the easiest option because of its location. It was good but my god the place was packed and as a result wasn't the most relaxing.
Dinner in Fishy Dishy though was A1. I'd definitely eat there again.
Thanks again for all the input

Fishy Dishy is lovely.
Dermot and Gillian run a good ship.

youcantakethat

pcasso wrote: »

Wildwood cafe has a fantastic location overlooking Carlingford Lough and the food has a healthy slant but still very nice.
The carrot cake there is as good as it gets

+1. Their Nori cakes and cauli bangbang is lovely too.