The best bar food from Dublin and Cork to Clare, Galway and Belfast …
Fitz’s Pub, Doolin, Co Clare
It would be accurate to say that J. Kenji López-Alt knows a thing or two about food, and when he visited Ireland earlier this year, fans (well, me) were glued to his food tour around Clare. Fitz’s Bar at Hotel Doolin made quite the impression, with Kenji lauding its “30 Mile Menu” which promises that everything on the menu is reared, caught, grown or produced within a 30-mile radius of the restaurant. Talk about walking the walk. Give me all the tapas, which include Flaggy Shore oysters, Moher crab, and Nolan’s new potatoes with butter and parsley. The main courses feature dishes like Aran monkfish on the bone, Lunasa nduja vin blanc, Kilshanny lamb chops and Burren sirloin steak with green peppercorn sauce. @hotel.doolin
SEE MORE: Chef And Author J. Kenji Lopez-Alt’s Gastro Pub Tour Of The West
Tucked away down Bridge Street is where bold Latin flavours meet Irish attitude, creating an electric atmosphere. This South American-inspired cocktail bar buzzes with dimly lit energy and vintage accents. The food is punchy, with flavours that awaken your tastebuds and promise a fun time. It’s food meant for sharing, featuring dishes such as chicharon con patata (pork belly with grated potatoes), tacos, tostadas, empanadas and bocados. The cocktails are taken seriously here (don’t skip the house daiquiri), and the rum list reads like a local bar in Havana. It’s brimming with heat – the kind of place that doesn’t just serve food, it offers a a full-blown experience. @paladarcork
SEE MORE: 5 Restaurants Around Ireland To Visit On Your Day Off
O’Dowd’s Seafood Bar, Roundstone, Co Galway
Nestled in the colourful harbour village of Roundstone, O’Dowd’s has been charming visitors with its no-fuss, all-flavour seafood for years. It’s a low-key spot where you can lose track of time over a bowl of velvety chowder while enjoying the views over the water. The seafood is as local as it gets – crab claws, mussels and wild Atlantic fish straight from the boat. Inside, expect a cosy pub atmosphere with plenty of character, worn wood and the aroma of something delicious wafting from the kitchen. Outside, the small outdoor seating area is a sun trap when the weather cooperates. It’s unfussy and unforgettable … you want to keep to yourself, but never quite manage to. @odowdsseafood
The Rooftop at Anantara The Marker Hotel, Dublin
The Rooftop at Anantara The Marker is back after a stylish makeover that a girl could only dream of. Towering above Grand Canal Square with a bird’s eye view of the capital’s skyline, this swanky, sky-high spot has relaunched with a fresh new look for summer and an offering that’s as polished as a Hollywood ‘It’ crowd. The menu offers a selection of Asian tasting plates, including moreish nibbles such as handpicked sesame crab toast, seared Irish wagyu beef with wasabi, pickled ginger and black sesame. For dessert, try a peach, chocolate or strawberry soft serve or choose a Khanom Chan – a grown-up cocktail version of a Thai dessert with sponge cake, macerated Toki whiskey, sake and pandan. @anantarathemarkerdublin
Ox Cave, Belfast
Ox Cave is the cool, brooding sibling to the Michelin-starred Ox next door – all the fun and finesse, none of the formality. Overlooking the River Lagan, it’s a low-lit haven of beautifully executed dishes, natural wines and local beers. The interiors are chic and understated, featuring candlelit tables, moody tones and an ever-changing menu. Small plates, charcuterie, cheese: what more could you ask for, especially when paired with low-intervention wines, a smart selection of craft beers for those inclined towards hops and, of course, cocktails. Intimate, elegant and full of quiet confidence, this is where Belfast’s food lovers go to sip, snack and linger longer than they intended. @ox_cave
SEE MORE: A Food Obsessive’s Culinary Wishlist Around Ireland