West Cork - Foodie Heaven!

We are truly spoiled when it comes to food In West Cork and the superb quality of the local ingredients around us. Being right on the Atlantic Ocean, we are guaranteed the freshest of seafood in almost every pub, cafe and restaurant in the area. Our local food culture values seasonal produce, locally grown, reared or foraged, prepared simply but with imagination. Our favourite places to eat are the ones that let the quality of the ingredients be the star of the show.

Restaurants - Our top picks

• The Mountain House Steak & Seafood Bar, Ardfield – our local traditional pub is a few minutes from Dunowen House and a perfect spot for a weekend lunch or dinner. Seafood is a specialty of Chef Fred Desormeaux (023) 884 0625

• Pilgrims, Rosscarbery - amazing and imaginative food in a beautiful rustic village centre property. We recommend a visit to all our guests! www.pilgrims.ie (023) 883 1796

• The Chestnut, Ballydehob - Michelin starred and just a sublime West Cork food experience. With only 18 seats, you need to book well in advance but it is worth the wait. Chef Rob Krawczyk and his partner Elaine Fleming have turned this former country pub into one of Ireland’s leading restaurants. www.restaurantchestnutwestcork.ie

• The Whales Tail, Clonakilty Distillery - Bistro style food, focused on local ingredients. Located within the distillery, its a great place to combine a whiskey or gin tour with a very tasty lunch or dinner. www.thewhalestail.ie

• The Lifeboat Inn, Courtmacsherry - Sit in the waterfront garden on a summers day and you won’t find a better seafood platter or wine list! A bustling Gastropub, great for lunch and dinner 7 days a week. www.lifeboatinn.ie

• Monks Lane, Timoleague - great food and wonderful selection of wines and craft beers. Lovely outdoor space too. Tel (023) 884 6348 www.monkslane.ie

While many of the restaurants above are also pubs, we recommend a visit to these favourite locals in Clonakilty!

• DeBarra’s – an atmospheric traditional pub famed for its live music and large wall of memorabilia dedicated to Noel Redding. Noel played weekly session in DeBarra’s for many years. www.debarra.ie

• Shanleys - another great live music venue in Clonakilty, family pub of famed musician Bill Shanley

• Scannells - very good pub grub lunches, large beer garden and a great spot to watch the rugby! www.scannells.ie