22/08/2025: It’s rare to find balance today. Too often we find ourselves being pulled violently toward an extreme as opposed to being pleasantly placed in the middle, floating in that magical place that is the best of all worlds.
McMunn’s has found that balance. The staff are welcoming without being patronizing. The rooms are straightforward yet comfortable. And the food… the food is simply the best meal thus far in Ireland and one I will remember for a long time. You can hunt for a meal like this for years and never find it. This is exactly what you’re looking for.
The oysters were the best I’ve had. This was an excellent introduction to the meal as oysters are an indication of the quality of ingredients to come. Oysters have no where to hide and we could have eaten another 20 of them. They are that good.
We followed the oysters with an order of muscles. Muscles are great across Ireland, we have them with most meals and haven’t been let down yet. But the broth at McMunn’s… A simple yet heavenly decadent solution of cream, white wine, clouds, hopes, dreams, garlic, that feeling you get when you know you’ve fallen in love, shallots and a sprinkle of parsley wash away any troubles you could possibly have. I would say I could bathe in it if it wouldn’t be a crime to waste even a drop. Simple ingredients executed at a level far above what is commonly found in fine dining. True balance.
We asked our server what she recommended for mains. She mentioned she was not a huge seafood fan and therefore couldn’t speak for that side of the menu (understandable) and promptly let us know the lamb was her favourite. While we may disagree with her distaste for seafood, her recommendation of the lamb is something we will forever be grateful for. We ordered some scallops which were a special of the day as well.
Where am I. Who am I. What is life. What was the point of anything before this. The scallops were cooked to absolute perfection. Scallops cooked this well are not impossible to find, but they are generally not found in a cozy small town pub/restaurant as a daily special. I won’t go in to too much detail as they are not on the main menu and are presumably only available when they are able to be procured but they are amazing. The delicious sauce they were served in acted as a wonderful addition to (but in no way distracted from) the perfection of those scallops.
At this point we are both furious how much money we’ve spent in our lives chasing food this good. No pretentious ingredients, no ridiculous plating, no 5 minute explanation about the chef’s inspiration behind his current “expression”. Just a polite, knowing, “enjoy,” as a plate of mind altering lamb is placed in front of you.
Unassuming, yet perfectly plated. Mysterious, yet you somehow always knew it existed somewhere. The flavours are complex and robust, but combine into one simple expression, “Wow”. We said it in unison with the same stupid expression on our faces. The expression was a combination of ecstasy as the lamb and its perfectly paired accoutrements flowed through our stunned pallets, and rage that it had taken us this long to find something this good anywhere. Not just in Ireland, anywhere.
We are staying here overnight and are being served breakfast in the morning before continuing on for the remainder of our holiday. We’re already considering cancelling a night or two elsewhere to come back and try the rest of the menu… or order the lamb 4 more times.
If you are lucky enough to have the chance to do so; come here, have the best meal you’ll have in a long time, have a couple pints and stay at McMunn’s. You will be blown away.
16/08/2025: Fabulous waitress called Aoibheann! Gave us great attention and service. Food was fabulous.
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