Four Gems for Dining Out in Clifden, Ireland

The town of Clifden, the capital of Connemara in the west of Ireland, prides itself as the ideal base for visitors seeking outdoor activities in the picturesque hills and mountains that surround this picturesque town. Luckily after whet your appetite hiking, horse riding, mountaineering, etc. In the region, the town also has excellent options for eating out that suit all palates and budgets.

Most Clifden hotels and pubs can offer hearty Irish favorites on their menus, but the following four have just gone above and beyond with their service, locally sourced produce, atmosphere and delicious food.

Marconi Foyles Hotel, High Street, Clifden

This iconic Clifden city center hotel offers good food, good service, at reasonable prices, in pleasant surroundings.

The seafood is especially good (as can be said of all the restaurants in the city, given the excellent local produce). It is worth a visit, but be sure to make your reservation, especially in high season.

Mitchell’s Restaurant, Market Street, Clifden

The menu at Mitchells is primarily seafood, as it is primarily a seafood restaurant. With the Atlantic Ocean at its doorstep, this restaurant makes the most of the local produce available with a menu brimming with monkfish, salmon, trout and other fish prepared with finesse and consideration in a variety of soups, chowders and entrees.

That said, there are also chicken, duck and beef options on the menu and the obligatory traditional Irish stew. All the meat is sourced from local farms around Clifden and is of an extremely high standard. Some local favorites include the stuffed chicken breast over tagliatelle and the filet, both of which are superb.

3-course early bird menus are available all year. The service is friendly and efficient. This restaurant has a lovely atmosphere, but it gets crowded in high season.

Steam Coffee House, Station House, Clifden

This is a nice little cafe in the grounds of the Station House Hotel Clifden serving coffee and delicious cakes.

A large percentage of their produce comes from the owners’ organic garden fresh each day to compose the beautiful food, wine and homemade soups, desserts and fresh salads served.

Combine this with probably the best coffee in Clifden, great service and beautiful surroundings and you have the most wonderful place to have lunch.

Fogerty’s Restaurant, Market Street, Clifden

Fogerty’s offers a wide range of dishes on its menu, enough to satisfy a multitude of diners. Everything from bangers and mash to beautiful seafood is available on their menu. Local favorites include the highly recommended rack of lamb which is sourced locally and cooked to perfection with meat falling off the bone.

The quality of the food is exceptional and its prices are very reasonable. The staff is attentive and very helpful. Children are welcome and well cared for.

They have an early bird menu for around €21 per person and are also open for lunch.