City dining guide

Best restaurants in Ballingarry

6 guide-listed restaurants — Michelin, Bib Gourmand, Black Pearl, Must-Eat List, World's 50 Best and more. Reference quality signals; never ranked by commission, no in-app checkout.

Michelin-starred 2

The Bishop's Buttery

★ Michelin€€€€Modern Cuisine

A vaulted ceiling and flagstone floors combine with sumptuous, colourful furnishings at this striking restaurant packed with both character and luxury. It helps, of course, that it’s located in the cellars of Cashel Palace, a magnificent Palladian manor house which was once home to the Archbishops of Cashel. The various sitting rooms are ideal for a pre-dinner drink, but it's hard to look past a pint of the black stuff in the intimate Guinness Bar. The cooking puts local suppliers to the fore, extracting superb natural flavours from the likes of beef fillet from the town butcher.

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The Oak Room

★ Michelin€€€€Modern Cuisine

This restaurant inside the impressive Adare Manor hotel has all the grandeur you would expect, with wood-panelled walls, lavish chandeliers and a glass-enclosed terrace with views over the 850-acre grounds. It's a fittingly formal experience, with a tasting menu at its heart that shows off the best quality produce around, along with some decadent touches – the result is dishes like glistening turbot cooked on the bone in a punchy mussel and saffron sauce, finished with a scoop of caviar. The wine list is a labour of love and offers a superb range by the glass.

TripAdvisor review sample · 4.8/5 · 100 reviews

The Oak Room in Adare offers modern cuisine, earning an average rating of 4.7/5 from 80 reviews. Food quality is the standout feature, praised by 61 guests for its excellence, creativity, and presentation, though 6 found it merely average. Service is highly regarded (61 positive mentions) for being professional, attentive, and accommodating to dietary preferences. The atmosphere is described as peaceful, refined, and elegantly hospitable. However, 18 guests noted issues with meal pacing, and 19 questioned the value for money, citing high costs relative to portion sizes or expectations. While most experiences were memorable, some diners felt the pricing did not align with the overall satisfaction. It remains a top-tier destination for fine dining enthusiasts, provided one is mindful of potential pacing delays and cost considerations.

Ideal for diners seeking refined modern cuisine and an elegant atmosphere, but manage expectations regarding pacing and value.

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Bib Gourmand 1

Farmgate Lismore

Bib Gourmand€€Traditional Cuisine

In the centre of a lovely County Waterford town, this nicely converted former pub stands in the shadow of the mighty Lismore Castle. The sensibly priced menu comes with a prevailing ethos of fuss-free cooking and prime, locally sourced produce; look out for dishes with a certain comfort-food quality, such as liver and bacon, deep-fried calamari, or braised lamb shank. The knowledgeable service comes with such engaging charm that, combined with the terrific dishes, you’ll wish you could come here every week.

TripAdvisor review sample · 4.6/5 · 58 reviews

Farmgate Lismore specializes in traditional cuisine using locally sourced ingredients, earning praise for dishes like fish stew, duck, and seafood. Guests generally appreciate the warm service and comfortable, relaxed atmosphere. However, some reviews highlight inconsistencies, including slow pacing, dry or bland dishes, and small portions. Concerns were also raised regarding limited children's menu options and disputes over gift voucher acceptance. While the overall rating is high, occasional negative feedback suggests potential variability in food quality and value perception.

Ideal for diners seeking local flavors and a relaxed setting; reservations and policy checks are recommended.

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Other guide picks 3

Chez Hans

€€€Classic Cuisine

Having first opened in 1968, there’s an impressive longevity to this restaurant situated in the shadow of the famous Rock of Cashel. Housed inside an imposing 19th-century Synod Hall, it’s a family-owned place run with genuine Irish hospitality by the friendly team, many of whom have been here for years. The menu is a roll-call of classical cooking and renowned Irish ingredients, such as sole meunière with Portmagee lobster; for dessert, you can’t beat old-school treats like the tapioca and vanilla pudding.

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East Room Restaurant

€€€Traditional Cuisine

Start with an aperitif in the drawing room of this whitewashed Palladian-style house, which sits within grounds of The University of Limerick. There's an old-fashioned feel to the place, with the grand dining room boasting ornate plasterwork, Corinthian pillars and an impressive art collection. Beautifully presented dishes have a sophisticated feel, courtesy of quality produce and a deft touch.

TripAdvisor review sample · 4.8/5 · 80 reviews

Located at Gilloge Bridge, East Room Restaurant offers traditional cuisine in an elegant setting. Reviews highlight high food quality, with dishes like mushroom agnolotti and seafood receiving praise for their presentation and taste. Service is generally described as attentive and professional, accommodating dietary needs well. The atmosphere is classic and refined. However, some negative feedback mentions inconsistent meal pacing, small portion sizes, and occasional issues with food texture, such as chewy steak tartare. Value is mixed, with some guests noting poor wine selection and insufficient pours, suggesting it may not suit those seeking budget-friendly options.

Suitable for diners seeking a traditional, refined culinary experience with an emphasis on ambiance and food quality.

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1826 Adare

€€Modern Cuisine

This pretty little cottage feels right at home in Adare, a picture-postcard village with brightly painted shops and rows of thatched roofs. Inside, there's a cosy, characterful feel to the place, which is run with warmth and confidence by an experienced couple. The interesting, attractively presented dishes proudly spotlight fine Irish produce like Dooncastle oysters and the famous Skeaghanore duck from West Cork; the black sole served on the bone is a real crowd-pleaser. On Sundays, a 'late lunch' menu offers good value for money.

TripAdvisor review sample · 4.2/5 · 80 reviews

Located on the edge of Adare Manor, 1826 Adare occupies a former thatched-roof cottage, offering a calm and unique atmosphere. Reviews frequently praise the high-quality modern cuisine, highlighting dishes like slow-braised beef and succulent chicken, alongside attentive service. However, negative feedback notes inconsistencies, such as over-salted cod or fatty short ribs, and limited accommodation for vegetarians or food intolerances. Value is mixed; while some find it reasonable, others cite extra charges for bread, butter, and still water, along with mains lacking vegetables, leading to perceptions of poor value.

Suitable for diners seeking refined modern cuisine and a historic setting, though vegetarians and budget-conscious guests should proceed with caution.

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