Hillcrest

Trump’s Bar and Restaurant at Trump Doonbeg, Kilrush V15 KH39

Classy and delicious pub food with a view of the first tee and the ocean dunes. There’s chowder, burgers, fish & chips, always least one really nice actual salad (many things billed as salads in Ireland are rather scant on the leafy greens), curry, seafood, beef, and chicken dishes. Braised lamb is sometimes on special, and it’s excellent. Their brown bread is very nice, especially with the chowder and a pint. Their staff are outstanding and most of them very local.

Memberships at this club are in the neighborhood of $25k these days. During busy times of day and for certain events the restaurant may close to non-members.

There’s a long drive from the main road to the hotel and clubhouse, and a little gatehouse on the way near the resort’s cottages. Stop there to let them know that you’re going to the restaurant, and they will let you know where to park up at the main hotel.

The Bellbridge House Hotel, Spanish Point

This family-run hotel is on the coastal road right after the bridge. The bistro has great classic Irish fare and their staff is friendly. Their chicken curry is a personal favorite, and so is their chicken vol au vent (chicken and mushrooms with gravy in puff pastry). Save room for dessert, their desserts are spectacular. Their scones are too if you’d just like an afternoon snack.

They host weddings from time to time, so be prepared with a backup plan if you get there and find an event on (or call ahead), but even if a wedding reception is in full swing you’ll still be able to order a pint at the bar and maybe sit in the front parlor and watch the cows in the coastal pasture across the street.

The Armada Hotel, Spanish Point V95 R883

Maureen has not visited Armada Hotel’s restaurant but Ronan has and reports that it is excellent, a beautiful and very modern restaurant with a fancy/foodie menu. It’s on the water at Spanish Point. There are also two bars in the hotel.

Tubridy’s, Main Street, Doonbeg

Another family run establishment serving delicious classic Irish fare with an elegant touch. Might want to make a reservation here, it’s always been pretty busy when we’ve stopped in. As you walk in the front door, you will find yourself first in a very traditional old bar, which is well worth a stop for a pint. The restaurant is in the back. I don’t know why, but it seems as though the name of the place is pronounced “Tubberdy’s”.

Barrtra, Lahinch V95 HX5K

If you are a foodie and/or into seafood, this is definitely your place. We go here as a special treat. Their prix fixe “surprise” menu is our go-to every time, but they also have an a la carte menu,

Chef Kebabs, Quilty V95 YEE7

This is Quilty’s chipper. If you’ve never had curry fries before, or happen to experience a hankering for a late night snack, this would be the place to go. They are open until 11:30pm (and til midnight on weekends), which is later than anything else in the area. Their fries are fresh, not frozen, and they have Indian food, too.

Sheridan Bar at Shannon Airport

If you’re starving when you get off the plane, there’s a cafe in the airport that has a good latte and ham & cheese croissants.

Quilty Tavern, Quilty V95 DC95

Close enough to walk (just take care on the roads as a pedestrian, the Irish drive like they’re all either in or under hot pursuit), and they have bar food during season. The locals hang out here and watch Irish sports and have a few gargles after work. The bartender would be able to provide options for hiring a driver/taxi service.

Daly’s Pub, Quilty V95 N273

This is as local a pub as you are going to get, but it doesn’t open til 9. From the house, walk out to the paved road and hang a left, it’s less than a mile down.

Friel’s, Miltown Malbay V95 C861

A fine pint in a very classic old Irish pub, with music most nights during the summer. It says “Lynch” somewhat more prominently on the front of the building than it does “Friels,” don’t let that fool you.