The Best Restaurant in The Northwest, Ireland

Background Illustration for Restaurants

Donegal mountain spring lamb, Glen Bay crab, Donegal Bay oysters and mussels, Lough Swilly wild salmon, Enniscrone lobster, freshly baked scones, crusty homemade brown bread, and Guinness cake are just some of the delicious reasons why you will not go hungry traveling through the Northwest. Sligo Town has established itself as a sort of last stop for food lovers, with a number of tempting shops promoting local produce that are well worth a visit. The Sligo Food and Cultural Festival, held each May, is brimful of activities. You're likely to find the finest food at the higher-quality country houses, where chefs elegantly prepare local meat, fish, and produce in a hybrid Irish-French haute cuisine. In Donegal Town, be sure to ask for what are officially Europe’s top sausages, made by McGettigan’s butchers.

The Cottage Restaurant

$

A refreshing blend of European and Asian-influenced food with a friendly Leitrim flourish makes this whitewashed restaurant in the tiny village of Jamestown, just 4 km (2½ miles) from Carrick-on-Shannon, an extremely popular evening venue. Situated across from the river, some diners arrive straight from the quayside to sample dishes such as Thai-style beef carpaccio, spiced monkfish with lemongrass, or Tandoori-style quail with plum and onion chutney. The Cottage—with a traditional half-door entrance—is also renowned for the range of the Malaysian born chef-owner Shamzuri Hanifa's exotic spices, sauces and dips; many feature his special balsamic jelly, chilli and coconut prawn bisque, acar pickle, or sundried tomato paste and basil pesto.

Jamestown, Ireland
071-962–5933
Known For
  • Irish twist to Malaysian flavors
  • Chef's spices and sauces
  • Delightful riverside location
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon.–Wed.

Something incorrect in this review?