Killyfole lakeside lodges

There's a wonderfully rustic feel to this relaxed restaurant where the buzz of contented diners bounces off the exposed brick walls and fills the room, right up to the vaulted ceiling. The cooking is unpretentious and accessible, with the chef excelling in taking less glamorous cuts and adding the right accompaniments to produce original dishes that are packed with flavour – like slow-cooked pork cheeks with smoked black pudding, creamed parsnip and apple ketchup. The friendly, infectiously joyful service really adds to the experience.

It may be found in quite a remote area near the Irish border, but MacNean House is a destination in its own right. Run by celebrity chef Neven Maguire, it houses a cookery school, bedrooms and this perennially busy restaurant. There’s a plushness to the dining room and a degree of formality in the service that make it a popular choice for celebrating a special occasion, while the generous tasting menu offers attractive, detailed cooking. The finest Irish ingredients are used and there’s no shortage of flavour across the dishes.