The Best Restaurants Along Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way

Galway – a vibrant and cosmopolitan city on the west coast – is known, amongst other things, for its oysters and the many festivals it hosts throughout the year. Chef JP McMahon is certainly a torchbearer when it comes to championing the produce of the area and his cooking perfectly showcases superb local ingredients from both land and sea. Best described as understated, his blend of traditional and modern techniques delivers harmonious flavours and great balance.

While you’re exploring Galway, a perfect spot to stop off for a drink and some small plates is this proudly run wine bar. Sommelier and owner Zsolt Lukács is an enthusiastic host, offering knowledgeable advice when choosing wines from his passionately curated list. In the kitchen, the chefs do a brilliant job producing clean, carefully constructed dishes with impressively well-balanced flavour combinations. Charcuterie and cheeses form a chunk of the menu too, ideal to graze on while sampling the wines.

It takes a brave soul to open a restaurant in a location as remote as this, but Robbie and Sophie McCauley have created a destination so charming, and with such brilliant cooking, that it was always destined to succeed. The County Clare coast is the setting for their 200-year-old cottage, which boasts rustic décor and a terrace round the side that's perfect for catching a glimpse of the terrific sunset. Robbie's cooking is seasonal through and through, so expect plenty of game in the winter and an abundance of locally landed seafood in the summer; their own garden also provides some of the produce. These ingredients are fashioned into intelligent, understated dishes that show finely judged balance throughout.

Tapas might not be the first thing you associate with Dingle, a loveable seaside town in County Kerry known for its brightly coloured buildings – but Solas has proven that, in the right hands, they can be a match made in heaven. The cooking is firmly rooted in Irish produce, with the Spanish slant coming from Chef-Owner Nicky Foley’s travels in Spain. He’s a charismatic character, adding to the homely charm of the restaurant, which has an appropriate rustic simplicity to its décor. The extensive menu fuses tapas staples with the occasional Japanese influence.

The charming coastal village of Ballydehob in West Cork has attracted a wealth of creative types over the years, from artists and writers to musicians and performers. On any visit, be sure to find time to take the road down to Mizen Head – the most southerly point of Ireland – and its famous lighthouse. Born and raised in the area, Rob Krawczyk spent time travelling before returning home to transform a somewhat down-at-heel village pub into Chestnut, an intimate restaurant with a smart yet unfussy look. Here, Rob blends techniques from his Polish heritage – curing, smoking and pickling – with ingredients from some of the most notable artisan producers in Ireland. Capturing the true flavours of the produce, his dishes are perfectly balanced, with well-judged textural contrasts and an appealing natural purity.

At the southern end of Ireland is Baltimore, which is centred around a busy harbour, overlooking the Irish Sea; during the summer months, you can watch the ferries leaving daily for the nearby islands of Sherkin and Cape Clear. Turkish-born Ahmet Dede might have chosen to make this corner of west Ireland his home, but he also keeps his heritage alive in the kitchen, and his personality shines through in every dish; his unique version of modern Turkish cooking shows refinement, detail and balance – particularly when it comes to spicing. The sheer joy from those dining here is more than evident; the room is always filled with smiling faces and a contented buzz, which is helped along by co-owner Maria, who leads the service.

If you can’t get enough of Ahmet Dede’s distinctive blend of Turkish flavours and Irish ingredients, his second restaurant in Baltimore is just the ticket. Here, the flagship’s tasting menu format is replaced with a relaxed sharing plates approach that allows you to sample a range of dishes from the chef’s homeland, be they lahmacun or içli köfte. The whole place has a comforting, heartwarming feel, with the enthusiastic and friendly team ensuring you feel at ease. Between this, Dede and Chestnut, West Cork will be one of the gastronomic highpoints of your visit.

Kinsale – either the start or end of the Wild Atlantic Way, depending on which way you choose to travel – is a vibrant town centred around a harbour filled with yachts and fishing boats, and Bastion sits comfortably amongst the brightly painted shops and restaurants on the narrow main street. Paul McDonald and his wife, Helen, have worked tirelessly over the years, forging ahead to create the restaurant you see before you today. While Paul is Scottish by birth, his cooking looks firmly to Ireland for its influences and inspiration. Locally caught seafood is a particular highlight from the confident kitchen team, who deliver complexity and depth in both flavour and texture.

Another fabulous dining option in Kinsale is this cosy little operation with a charmingly eclectic feel. The minute you arrive, you’re greeted like an old friend, and this inviting warmth will continue throughout your visit. The cooking comes in the form of Mediterranean sharing plates, where strong flavours abound and a Spanish influence is particularly prevalent. The team here earnestly want you to have a good time and their infectious enthusiasm will ensure you leave with a smile on your face.