Places to eat in County Donegal

While in Downings, I ate all of my meals at An Teach Bán with the others at the workshop. Therefore, I didn't have a reason to eat at any of the local restaurants. The one exception was the Bayside Chippy -- where a few of us bought some chips on the way back from the Harbour Bar on Saturday night. I had some curry chips which were pretty good after a few pints of Guinness.

Favorite Dish: Curry Chips

1 more image

We spent the night in Teelin and were looking for a place to have dinner around Carrick. The only restaurant, but a very good one we were told, was a few km out of the village, in the hills, in a school which had been converted to a restaurant. We drove in total darkness up the winding roads, thought we were lost, eventually found the place but it was closed (for no clear reason). We had to contend with a Chinese take-away in Carrick.

The next day, Sunday, we were hiking around Glencolmcille, got quite hungry and looked for a place to eat. The only restaurant, but a very good one we were told, was a few km out of the village, in the next "wee village" the hills, in a former schoolhouse. (Sounds familiar?..).
We got to the "wee village" of Meenaneary, and this time the restaurant was open, the aromas were inviting, the young waitress was smiling, and local families were dining and drinking a glass of milk (!) with their dinners.

We had fish, deliciously tasty, with very generous portions of everything. The atmosphere was quiet yet happy and cheerful, typical Sunday afternoon in the country.
We greatly enjoyed our meal in Bialainn Na Sean Scoile.
If you are around Carrick or Glencolmcille don't miss it! Just call to make sure they didn't decide to close for the day.

Despite the dwindling of fishing fleets in Dongal, there is still a great spread of seafood restaurants in the county. Askind a local in pub would seem to be just about the best method, but failing that the www.Bim.ie website lists a couple of restaurants in its 'seafood circle' area as one's that is is especially impressed with...

Castle Murray House Hotel, Dunkineely

Kealys Seafood Bar, Greencastle

A nice treat to find after so much "fish-n-chips" and "mutton stew".

A more modern trendy type place to eat, with the gourmet touch. But it is still hard to find a "real salad" in Ireland. It must be from the lack of produce.
Seafood is always great. And envirement warm and cozy. International flare.

Favorite Dish: Seafood.

We went to Derry (just over the border from County Donegal, in Northern Ireland) in search of somewhere easy and relaxed to have dinner, and came across a branch of the chain called Lloyds No 1 Bar.

It was a large, not too noisy/smokey bar which did quite a large selection of food at very reasonable prices.

Favorite Dish: We all had the special of the day, which was Steak Frites (steak, chips and garlic butter sauce) - at the bargain price of ý4.99!

Oh, and of course a glass of red to wash it down!

: )