The best restaurants in Donegal

19/05/2026: Great choice a local told us to go here. Staff very friendly and the food specks for its self. Highly recommend.

13/05/2026: Great dinner. Many choices on the menu. Very friendly.

03/02/2026: Ah lads… Hold up there. I know that we are blessed to live in a country where fresh produce is abundant, and good chefs are numerous… BUT… when you’re lucky enough to eat somewhere that has both of these things, the result is the culinary holy grail. Quay West in Donegal Town is most definitely one of these places… A beautifully diverse menu that showcases the best of Irish beef (Brazilian, Brashmillion…) delicate Italian pasta dishes, and even ventures into a wonderfully fragrant Indonesian curry. Being as close as they are to Killybegs, I couldn’t pass the freshness of the Kinnegar battered Haddock, with fresh tartar sauce and pea purée… Christ. That’s all. The fish must have hopped out of the water of his own accord, and got a taxi from the pier in Killybegs straight in to the Quay West kitchen, and begged to be battered… and being in Donegal, what better battering than a Kinnegar batter?!?! It was utter perfection, complimented by a perfectly tart tartar, and smooth pea which was definitely in several of the 40 shades of green. Also at our table were dishes of Chicken Parmigiana, curry, and the most incredible zesty crab and courgette linguine… I’m not sure what magic was worked to make this sooooo light, but Angels definitely wept. The delicate lightness of the lobster cream was unreal… if this was the base for a chowder or bisque, it would be unbeatable. If you happen to be lucky enough to be in Donegal at dinner time, do NOT pass this place by. The staff are friendly without being too overly attentive, and the view is nearly as perfect as the food. THIS Quay West, is much better than the other Key West, and doesn’t take as long to get to. 13/10 for fresh fishiness. Will dine again. Nomnomnom…

02/02/2026: Really great restaurant in Donegal Town. We were looked after from the moment we walked in the door and right throughout the evening. The menu was wide and varied with plenty of choice for everyone. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable and despite being busy, everything was under control and there was no long wait for our food. Hadn't eaten there before but will definitely be back. Really nice atmosphere. Thanks to Jo and team for a lovely evening.

26/10/2025: We had an absolutely fantastic lunch at Simple Simon in Donegal Town! I ordered the vegetarian rosti, and it was outstanding — perfectly crunchy on the outside with layers of creamy avocado, topped with fresh arugula and tangy pickled red cabbage. The sides of roasted beets, feta cubes, and pumpkin seeds added the perfect balance of flavor and texture. My husband went for the BLT, which was packed with flavor — beautifully toasted bread filled with crisp bacon, a perfectly cooked egg, and fresh salad greens. Everything tasted so fresh and thoughtfully prepared. They also have a great selection of coffees, which made the meal even better. Cozy atmosphere, friendly staff, and beautifully presented dishes — can’t recommend this spot highly enough!

25/09/2025: Lovely friendly service, great coffee and delicious food. We both had the Rosti Stack €16. Good choice 😋

24/05/2026: We didnt eat here but had our best night out in Ireland here! Fantastic memories!

22/05/2026: Nice pub with live music and dancing on the evening we were there.

15/05/2026: Didn't eat here but had coffees. Asked about disabled toilet and was told it was up the stairs. No disabled toilet just a cubicle with nothing to hold onto. Only in Ireland could you get away with this

13/05/2026: We purposely visited this wee cafe/restaurant after reading other reviews , with the some purpose of getting a cooked breakfast . We were not disappointed. The welcome was warm, the service was friendly and the ' Donegal breakfast ' was wonderful. The place is small but very popular and we got there around 10a.m. but soon after we arrived the place was near in at full capacity. The menu extended way beyond a cooked breakfast so will cater for most tastes. Definitely recommend a visit if in the vicinity 😊

19/05/2026: Food is clearly home made. Very tasty lunches. Lovely vegetable soup, real vegetable pieces and not too creamy or thick. The quiche was excellent.

16/05/2026: The best Hot Coffee in Ireland. The food was delicious and the staff very friendly and efficient. Julie and Greg from Australia.

30/04/2026: Restaurant/bar only open until 5 pm, clearly too expensive for the location and service.

03/04/2026: We will be back fabulous location 😀

02/08/2025: Amazing treats! Loved every single one of them! Can’t recommend highly enough! Outstanding service from staff

02/07/2025: We had breakfast here. In addition to the super delicious and fresh baked goods, they also offered bagels and pancakes. The Americano and hot chocolate were great, but the pastries were truly delicious and fresh! It's a shame we're moving on today.

26/04/2026: Food was not great - the chips were basically raw and the meat was chewy. Really nice staff and nicely set up.

26/04/2026: We had a very pleasant experience. Although we arrived without a booking as a group of nine and requested to sit outside because we had our dog with us, the staff were extremely accommodating. They kindly arranged outdoor seating for us without any issue, which we really appreciated.

02/02/2026: Papa Johns has NEVER disappointed me. It is my favourite brand of pizza. I am willing to drive an hour currently, just to treat myself to Papa Johns. I love it! I told my partner that my ideal wedding would feature Papa Johns as the main menu, lol

23/10/2025: The place is very well located. We really liked the overall decor internally. It was bright and sunny while we were there, so we really liked hanging out. We ordered burger, wrap, and a salad. The salad was really delicious and very very healthy. I want to highly recommend it to anyone visiting here (especially if you are vegetarian). The wrap was also good !! The burger was okayish - it was too sweet because of the relish. Maybe it’s a personal preference thing !! The staff were nice and friendly, however, another small feedback is regarding providing drinking water to the guests :) Not deducting any star for these small things 😅 Because we enjoyed being there. Thanks You - will visit again 🙌🙏

14/10/2025: Great little coffee shop. We came in just before closing and they still took our order. The hot chocolates were delicious and not too sweet. The lemon cake was very tasty as well. We spoke to 3 different staff and they were all very friendly.

22/04/2026: Great local food, good service.

25/11/2025: Ate dinner here while we were staying at the hotel and we had a fab meal. All of the food was tasty and we would recommend the Prawn and Salmon Starter, Sausages and Mash and Seafood Linguini. Also it was great to try a few cocktails from the menu which was quite extensive and reasonably priced drinks. It was a family member's birthday the night we ate here and the team all got involved in bringing out the cake and singing happy birthday which was a lovely touch and really appreciated.

12/02/2026: Great restaurant with excellent food and service. Couldn't be more complementary about the staff here. They were so attentive and friendly. The food was of a high standard, with the goats cheese and scallops starters being a particular highlight for us. Whilst it is an expensive menu, it absolutely delivers.

06/01/2026: I recently attended a corporate event at Lough Eske, and it turned out to be a genuinely memorable day in a setting that feels both luxurious and warmly Irish 🌿✨. From the moment we arrived, the staff were welcoming and the venue had that calm, polished atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re in good hands. We were served a set menu, and the selection was surprisingly impressive for a large group. For starters, we had a choice between a classic vol-au-vent — buttery, flaky, and filled with a rich, savoury mix — or a cream of vegetable soup that was smooth, comforting, and perfect for the season. You could tell the kitchen puts real care into even the simplest dishes. For the mains, the options catered to every taste: Roast Hereford sirloin of Irish beef, tender and full of flavour Traditional turkey and ham, beautifully carved and festive Baked fillet of Atlantic salmon, cooked just right with a lovely freshness Although the service took a little longer than expected ⏳, especially between courses, it honestly felt worth the wait once the food arrived. Everything tasted freshly prepared rather than rushed, which I appreciated — quality over speed any day. Dessert was the highlight for many of us: the Best Ever Castle Festive Plate. It lived up to its name 🎄🍮 — a generous, indulgent selection that felt like a celebration on a plate. The perfect sweet ending. Outside, the car park was spacious, easy to navigate, and well laid out, with plenty of room even during a busy event. I also noticed the wheelchair-accessible spaces and pathways, which is always reassuring to see — accessibility done properly makes a big difference 🚗♿. Overall, Lough Eske delivered a polished, enjoyable experience with great food, a beautiful setting, and thoughtful facilities. Despite the slightly slower service, the quality made it worthwhile. I’d happily return for another event or even a relaxing meal — it’s the kind of place that leaves a lasting impression 🌟.

06/05/2026: Great food and a great atmosphere!

06/05/2026: We had a lovely lunch sitting outside enjoying the nice weather. The staff was friendly and the food was good. No reason not to come here.