TripAdvisor revealed last Wednesday, the 29th, the winners of the Travelers’ Choice Awards 2020, which selects the best restaurants, hotels and tourist destinations based on the opinion of its millions of users.
Among the Irish restaurants, Chapter One, located in the basement of the Writers’ Museum, in Dublin, was the winner. Another four restaurants in town are on the top 10 list, which also includes restaurants in Westport, Killarney, Kenmare, Galway and Kinsale. Check out the full ranking:
1. Chapter One, Dublin
This prestigious restaurant in Parnell Square, Dublin, has won the RAI (Restaurant Association of Ireland) award nine times and carries a Michelin Guide star since 2007. The restaurant is in the basement of the Dublin Writers Museum, which explains the name. Chef Ross Lewis was responsible for leading the banquet served during Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Ireland in 2011.
In addition to the lunch (€ 50- € 80) and dinner (€ 85- € 120) menus, the place offers a tasting experience for groups of 4-6 people at the exclusive chef’s table, made of volcanic rock. The 7-course tasting menu costs € 120 per person and must be booked through the website.
2. An Port Mór, Westport
Commanded by chef Frankie Mallon, this simple restaurant in downtown Westport, County Mayo, serves the best of West Coast cuisine with fresh, local ingredients. The menu includes some very original recipes, such as crab cakes, polenta with seaweed, and coffee bread, almonds and black pepper. Carnivores will love the dry-aged rib fillet for 21 days. For a restaurant with this reputation, prices are affordable: the value of the main courses varies from € 20 to € 30. There is also a 5-course tasting menu for € 39. Booking through the website is recommended.
3. Mulberry Garden, Dublin
Tucked away on Mulberry Lane in the heart of Dublin 4, this small garden restaurant opens only 4 nights a week, and offers a 3-course menu for € 55. The customer can choose one of three starter options, a main dish with meat, fish or vegetarian, and coffee, dessert or cheese to finish. As the restaurant uses only fresh ingredients from local producers, the menu changes every week, but the team always posts the current options on Instagram.
4. Pearl Brasserie, Dublin
With a more formal atmosphere, this restaurant in the center of Dublin mixes French and Asian cuisines. The site, led by chef Sebastien Masi, collects a long list of awards and recognitions. Starters range from € 10 to € 20, and main courses from € 20 to € 36. The highlight, however, is the € 80 tasting menu, which includes six dishes to choose from the chef. For groups of more than 10 people, there is a special three-course menu with a value of € 70 per person. Reservations can be made through OpenTable.
5. Rozzers Restaurant, Killarney
About 10 minutes from the center of Killarney – a small town in County Kerry, famous for its beautiful lakes – is the charming Killeen House Hotel, which houses one of the best restaurants in the region: Rozzers. The kitchen has been run by the same chef, Paul O’Gorman, since 1997. It is possible to choose a main dish + a side dish for € 40, or the main dish + two side dishes for € 50. The full menu, which includes starter, soup, main course and dessert costs € 55. All options include tea, coffee and petit fours, a French pastry, baked in the oven. The full menu is available here and reservations can be made through the website.
6. Mulcahy’s Bar & Restaurant, Kenmare
On Kenmare’s main street, in County Kerry, is Mulcahy’s, a very casual and family restaurant, but with very high quality food. Like the other names in the ranking, the restaurant is listed in prestigious guides such as Michelin and Georgina Campbell. The menu is international, with entrees ranging from sushi to risotto, and main dishes like fillet Wellington, sole and pork belly. Entries cost from € 10 to € 20, and main courses, from € 20 to € 35. The full menu can be viewed here, and reservations are by phone only.
7. Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, Dublin
This very fine restaurant was the first in Dublin to receive two stars in the Michelin Guide. Located in the luxurious Merrion Hotel, this is surely one of the most expensive (and award-winning) restaurants in the city. A meal with starter, main course and dessert costs € 130. There are also tasting menus with 4 and 8 courses, costing € 140 and € 205, respectively. Fortunately, during lunch the restaurant serves a more affordable option, which costs € 55 and includes two dishes. The full menu is available here.
8. L’Écrivain, Dublin
Open since 1989, this restaurant in central Dublin is run by the famous chef Derry Clarke, who has participated in several television programs in Ireland. Unfortunately, after 31 years in operation, Derry and his wife Sallyanne decided to close the doors. The restaurant will remain open until December 23, 2020. Dinner at the restaurant costs € 85 and includes a starter, a main course and a dessert. It is possible to make a reservation by email or phone.
9. The Seafood Bar @ Kirwan’s Lane, Galway
Galway’s only top 10 representative is an award winning seafood restaurant in the bustling medieval city center. It is the ideal place for those who like oyster, crab, shrimp, salmon and other fish. The place has an informal atmosphere and very reasonable prices. For lunch, there are special dishes for around € 20. For dinner, starters vary between € 7 and € 15, and main courses, from € 24 to € 33. For groups of 15 or more, there are two special menus, one for € 42.50 and the other for € 47.95, both with starter, main course and dessert. The full menus are available on this page. Reservations can be made by email or phone.
10. Finn’s Farmcut, Kinsale
On the main street of small and friendly Kinsale, County Cork, is Finn’s, a small restaurant run by the couple John and Julie. Everything is done at home, from bread to butter. All fish are from local fishermen, and meats such as pork, sheep and venison are from John’s parents’ farm. Entries cost from € 4 to € 14. Meats cost € 25 to € 36, and fish vary according to the market price. The full menu and reservation system are available on the website.
