Ireland has so many great dining options that sometimes deciding where to eat can be a challenge. Why not set out for a meal you’re sure to remember? We’ve found five of the most quirky and unique restaurants to really leave an impression on the travelling foodie.
The Boat Bar and Restaurant, Dublin
The historical ship MV Cill Airne invites visitors for a meal on the waters of North Wall Quay, Dublin. The Boat Bar and Restaurant is the River Liffey’s floating eatery and pub, offering views of the city’s waterfront as well as fantastic food and drink.
The Boat’s Quay 16 Restaurant is a great spot to enjoy a bite to eat, with a terrific a la carte menu offering all your favourite pub food classics. If you’re in the mood for a pint in more of a casual setting, the Boat Bar and Bistro has you covered, serving food and drink in its floating tavern.
The Blind Pig, Dublin
The Blind Pig encapsulates everything you’d expect from a 1920’s style speakeasy. Named after the police officers who turned a blind eye to the liquor rooms of the 1920s prohibition era, the underground restaurant and cocktail bar is the perfect little hideaway in Dublin City Centre.
The restaurant serves everything from spaghetti and meatballs to fresh lobster and prime strip-loin steak, branding itself as a ‘casual fine dining’ spot. Drop in and catch some fantastic live music, and grab something special from the varied drinks menu. Whatever the occasion, The Blind Pig promises a great evening for all.
The Church Restaurant, Cork
The Church Restaurant in Skibbereen is a converted Methodist Church, which held weekly church services from 1833 to 2003. After being restored and converted, it became the restaurant it is today in 2005, still holding all of the fabulous characteristics of the original church.
Enjoy a delicious meal from the restaurant’s extensive menu, while you admire the spectacular colours of the stained glass windows. From fresh salads to burgers and a special Sunday lunch, there’s bound to be something to satisfy your cravings.
Pullman Restaurant, Galway
Grab your tickets and climb aboard Glenlo Abbey’s Pullman Restaurant for a remarkably rare dining experience. The restaurant comprises two carriages from the original Orient Express, and offers fabulous views of the Glenlo Estate and Lough Corrib.
With an incredibly eventful history, the train carriages have many stories to tell, dating all the way back to 1927. The most famous of the two carriages, named Leona, carried a number of iconic personalities during her prime, including Charlie Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy. Now, in her retirement, she welcomes you aboard for an undeniably unique and luxurious meal.
Freight, Belfast
Head up north to this quirky little Belfast restaurant. Freight is small, but has everything you need for the perfect brunch, all packed into a fully furnished shipping container. Keeping it simple, the restaurant has made a name for itself as one of Belfast’s more innovative dining spaces.
Open six days a week for brunch and serving dinner from Thursday to Sunday, the restaurant has plenty to offer. With an impressively varied vegan menu –and of course a number of craft beers and cocktails available– it’s a great spot for bringing friends and family together.
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