Riverbank House Bed and Breakfast Innishannon

There's just something so loveable about this laid-back little restaurant in the centre of a colourful coastal town. That's largely down to the friendly and genuine service team, along with a wonderful buzz inside the small dining room that holds just 15 seats – the heated terrace is also a great place to sit. The concise, daily changing menu offers a range of Mediterranean-inspired sharing plates such as cod with confit red pepper; top local produce is an underlying theme, as are punchy flavours and a welcome simplicity. An all-natural wine list completes the picture.

Take your seat in this understated, rustic-chic dining room and watch the team at work through the large kitchen windows. The chef is from Chennai and it is the southern-Indian region of Tamil Nadu which most influences the cooking, resulting in dishes that make abundant use of chilli, coconut and sweeter elements such as tamarind and date – all underpinned by the abundant West Cork larder. Service is professional and engaging, with the chefs bringing dishes to the table themselves to make for a more personal experience.

Don’t be fooled by the unassuming, mirror-glazed façade; once you enter this popular Japanese bistro, you’ll be greeted by the almighty buzz of many contented diners. A relaxed, lively reimagining of the former Ichigo Ichie, the emphasis here is on fairly priced, unfussy dishes that use quality produce. You mustn’t leave without trying the matcha panna cotta with lychee ice cream, or sampling one of their carefully sourced natural wines. The friendly, well-orchestrated service team enhance the experience.