It’s summer and, in Ireland, that should mean great seafood. We’ve picked 14 spots around the country where you’ll find your fishy fix, from takeaways to lobster bars.
Local caterer, author and TV chef Eunice Power is the powerhouse behind AndChips, an elegant, upmarket takeaway by the harbour. Choose from ling, haddock or cod for classic fish and chips, or try a fish spice box for something different. The chips are excellent, with chicken and beef options also available. Grab a glass of wine to go, and enjoy sitting outside in the fresh air. JC
The cream wainscoting and cheerful red-and-white checked oilcloths in the diningroom here are pitch perfect for a seaside restaurant. But you’d expect nothing less from Jumoke Akintola and Peter Hogan, who manage to hit the right note every time. The lunch menu is pared-back seafood, most of which is caught by the Copper Coast trawler Kate D. Expect baked spider crab, Woodstown Bay oysters and Kilmore Quay red mullet cooked over the new charcoal grill and, of course, fish and chips. JC
Get a wooden bench on the hill overlooking Sheephaven Bay and enjoy some of the most creative and fun seafood on the island. Tony Davidson and Lina Reppert have created pure magic in this small spot, serving up dishes such Baja fish tacos, mussels and chips, and inspired specials such as spiced crab cakes and spiced butter prawns on toasted sourdough. JC
Tables at Goldie are among the most sought-after in Cork, thanks to Aishling Moore’s noteworthy cooking dedicated to sustainable Irish seafood. The menu shifts with the catch: expect that day’s pan-fried fish, always wonderful Irish oysters and cult snacks such as mackerel skin and Taiwanese fried fish nuggets. Sit at the bar to watch the action or bring some pals to properly work through a joyous menu. AD
Locally caught lobster arrives by bike at this Howth seafood institution, where Dec MacManus is the second generation to welcome locals and visitors to feast on Dublin Bay prawns, crab claws and seasonal seafood with serious provenance. Summer seats outside are snapped up fast for harbourside views. AD
Housed in a 300-year-old former post office, Linnane’s is part of the fabric of the stony Burren. Owners Conor Graham and Mark Commins own both Linnane’s and the adjacent Flaggy Shore Oysters, so it’s no surprise that oysters feature strongly on the menu here. Start with a half dozen of the delicate, sweet dainties before moving on to a classic seafood dish or hearty steak. The tables outdoors offer sweeping views over Galway Bay and Aughinish Island. JC
The number of outdoor tables at Tom Mullan and Eva Caulwell’s wonderful fish restaurant has increased over the years and they can now accommodate up to 30. The menu is determined by what fresh seafood is landed, but you’ll always find stalwarts such as seafood chowder with Killary mussels, smoked haddock and hake; Cleggan crab roll; lobster roll; and fish with hand-cut chips. CH
Now in the hands of the seventh generation of the Moran family, this distinctive thatched cottage is a showcase of Irish seafood, ranging from wild garlic crab claws and smoked salmon platters to an indulgent half New Quay lobster. Pride of place on the menu goes to local producer Kelly’s Oysters, which grows and harvests native and gigas oysters on the nearby Clarinbridge oyster bed. JC
To find Ireland’s most southerly pint, you need to head out past Ballydehob and Schull to find O’Sullivan’s bar in Crookhaven. Having recently re...