Home and Away

What was formerly known as The Old Couch Café has been reborn as Mara, retaining its predecessor's quirky vibe and bijou space. Chef-Owner Luis Martin has both passion and ambition in abundance, largely working alone in the kitchen and serving his dishes in the cosy, well-lit room to just six tables. His well-balanced cooking incorporates locally foraged produce alongside a few influences from his native Spain, such as ajo blanco or cod buñuelo; the cep tiramisu, meanwhile, has become something of a signature.

It's no wonder this place is so popular: it's in a beautiful rural location; the cooking offers great value for money; and the cheery owners run their restaurant with an infectious bonhomie. Situated inside an attractive house down a little country lane, there are surrounding gardens which provide vegetables for many of the dishes, while the chef's father fishes off Hook Head and provides much of the produce for the seafood-leaning menu – crab and lobster are a particular feature. Homely bedrooms come with hot water bottles and home-baked cookies.

Situated enviably close to the beach in a small seaside town on Ireland's south coast is a double-fronted Victorian residence looking out over an attractive garden, where its owners lovingly run this sweet bistro. The concise menu of classic, flavour-packed dishes understandably gives seafood prime billing; the fish and chips is one of the best versions of the dish you can find, with super-fresh fish that changes depending on the day's catch, served with perfectly crisped chips. The cellar wine list has some interesting vintages.