The Riverside Bistro in

The Riverside Bistro, within walking distance of Doolin accommodations, provided the perfect dining experience for a rainy night. Owner Alex, who’s served up seafood and other nutritious local food for 13 years, warmly greeted us and made room for our rain gear. I went with a hearty crock of vegetable soup, accompanied by toasted buttery soda bread and a goat cheese salad with mixed greens and grated carrots. My partner opted for a delicious seafood pasta, brimming with mussels, salmon, and shrimp. We found a nice Shiraz on the wine list and let the experience take us back to the cliffs we’ve walked on and today’s crashing waves. Though the dessert list was memorable, with cheesecake and berry pie and other sweets, we didn’t have room but will return again!!!!

Well presented restaurant, friendly staff ( family run) nice seafood, great ribs and a very nice wine list, all at affordable prices , coupled with friendly and efficient service.

Thoughtful vegetarian options seem rare in this part of town, but Riverside Bistro Doolin delivered. The Vegetarian Val Au Vent—a flaky, buttery pastry with a creamy mushroom filling—was thoughtfully made for those who aren’t after a plant-based meat imitation. The staff were kind and offered spot-on recommendations.

Riverside Bistro Doolin – Good Food, Minor Flaws in the Details ⭐ Overall Impression: Overall, I was satisfied – the food tasted good, the ambiance pleasant. A few minor details in the service and execution could be improved. Hence, 4 out of 5 stars. ⸻ 🍽 Food • The starter tasted good and was a decent size. • My main course, a burger with fries, was also good, but it lacked some seasoning (e.g., pepper), and the sauce was very sparing, which made the burger seem a bit dry. • The fries were served without ketchup or mayo, which was a shame – especially since no one asked if everything was okay after serving. • After the starter, no new fork was offered, so I was initially without cutlery for the main course. ⸻ 🧑‍🍳 Service & Atmosphere • The service was friendly, but very reserved – no one actively asked how we were, either during the main course or during clearing. • The ambience is quiet and well-maintained, albeit rather simple. The background music was pleasant and at a good volume – it fit the atmosphere well without being intrusive. After the main course was finished, the waiter didn't come back and asked if we wanted anything else, which was really very weak since we had ordered something else. Unfortunately, the candles at our table weren't lit, but those at empty tables were, which is a clear lack of attention. ⸻ 💰 Value for Money • The price is a bit high for a bistro, which would be acceptable with more attentive service. • The taste was convincing overall, but there's still room for improvement in the details. ⸻ 💬 Conclusion A solid bistro with good food. The food is good, the ambiance is perfect – but a little more attentive service would round out the experience. 4 stars – recommended, although there is room for improvement.

Our food was really outstanding. The lamb was super tender, the local salmon was very tasty. Nice, easygoing service.

Nice, small restaurant with a great atmosphere, very friendly service and good, freshly cooked food.

excellent setting, atmosphere and food

We decided on this restaurant after a rainy day in Ireland—an absolute insider tip. The service was extremely friendly and offered excellent recommendations. The atmosphere was quiet and relaxing with a fireplace—just what we needed after such a day. We ordered fish and chicken, salad, and cheesecake and tiramisu for dessert—everything tasted fantastic. We would go back in a heartbeat. The best and most affordable dinner of our entire trip to Ireland 🥰

We had dinner here twice during our stay in Doolin! Not only was the freshly prepared food simply delicious, but the cozy atmosphere (it was raining outside, but we sat inside in front of the open fireplace), as well as the warm personality of Diana, probably the friendliest and most pleasant waitress in Doolin, guaranteed guests a pleasant stay!

Great place, good food for a nice price