Top 10 places in Ireland for Father’s Day

If you really want to push the boat out and spoil your dad, then consider An Port Mór. Frankie Mallon’s multi award-winning restaurant can be found in the beautiful coastal town of Westport, Co. Mayo. Mallon has a deep knowledge of Irish produce and one of his many awards is the Winner of Emerging Irish Cuisine category at the 2019 Association of Ireland Awards. Taste the Wild Atlantic Way through an exciting menu that changes daily, using the freshest produce available to the team that day. From grilled Clew Bay scallops to a 12oz pork chop on the bone, we can assure you dad will be grinning from ear to ear with his food.

Sol Rio has been going strong since 1997. This award-winning restaurant is run by a husband and wife team: Portugal native head chef Jose Barroso and proud ‘Covey’ (Westport born and bred) Sinéad Lambert Barroso, who runs the front of house. Jose and Sinéad’s son, Evan, is now also involved in the family business, along with their long-serving team, who have amassed more than 45 years’ service between them, making Sol Rio an ideal venue for any family to visit.

Sol Rio is also famous for its pastéis de nata (Portuguese custard tarts), which are widely regarded as the best in Ireland. Located at the very heart of Westport, opposite the famous Matt Molloy’s pub, the restaurant places an emphasis on catering for a wide variety of dietary requirements (vegan, coeliac, etc) in a friendly environment, and is proud of its award-winning menu for young diners.

Cush restaurant, with its textured fabrics and warm colours, creates a comfortable space that encourages visitors to relax and enjoy themselves – setting it up very nicely indeed for a great family meal out. While the informal dining ambience makes dinner at Cush relaxed and easy, the kitchen staff take food and ingredients seriously. These guys believe that great ingredients are crucial. They take a simple approach to food, allowing the ingredients to be true to themselves. Not one to miss.

One of Galway’s most enduring restaurants, housed in one of the city’s most iconic restaurant spaces, Ard Bia has always placed as much emphasis on community experiences and aesthetic stimulation as on serving great food in a fun environment. Covering breakfast, lunch and dinner means you can take dad anytime that suits you all. From the dinner menu, we love the Pan-roasted monkfish, butternut squash, fondant potato and chorizo butter, while from the breakfast options the Pigs on the Green sausages with poached eggs, romesco, sourdough and roast garlic aioli is absolutely banging.

The 15/16 Princes Street/Marlboro Street premises has been trading as a bar since 1824, which positions Clancys as one of Cork’s oldest pubs. Since reopening after its complete renovation in 2019, Clancys has gained a reputation as one of Cork’s best entertainment venues, offering high quality drinks made by talented mixologists, casual dining ranging from breakfast to dinner, and some of the best live music acts which Cork has to offer. The historical significance of the pub is maintained in the décor, which displays Irish sporting memorabilia and All-Ireland medals collected throughout the decades. We’re sure the old man will love having a few drinks here.

The Bay Tree Restaurant, centred in Carlingford, caters for all occasions, large and small, and is perfect when it comes to intimate family gatherings. Using all Irish produce whenever possible, the Bay Tree Restaurant has built up a deserving reputation amongst locals and holiday-makers alike. Since it opened, it has become one of the most talked about, exciting restaurants in the Louth area and has been featured in the UK & Ireland Michelin Guide 2013 – 2020.