The best restaurantsof irish in Laois

20/08/2026: I came by chance to this pub / restaurant and honestly, the food was worth every penny. The meat is exquisite, as well as the side (home made crispy onions, mushrooms and potato chips). If you wanna have a good piece of beef, you are at the right place.

17/08/2026: We arrived genuinely excited. Beautiful thatched roof, gorgeous from the outside and given the overwhelmingly positive reviews, we were really looking forward to lunch. We walked in to a “Please wait to be seated” sign, behind which were about five members of staff chatting (including two in white shirts, who I can only assume were supervisors or managers). Not one hello, welcome or acknowledgement. Eventually a woman with her back to us grabbed two menus and said she’d seat us. Strange start, but grand. It was Bank Holiday Monday and having worked in hospitality for 10+ years, I completely understand everyone was probably exhausted after a busy weekend. Except… it wasn’t particularly busy. Plenty of empty tables, plenty of staff and nobody appeared under any pressure. The atmosphere wasn't stressed or overwhelmed. It was just strangely indifferent. At one point another customer came in and didn’t walk directly to the “Please wait to be seated” sign. One of the staff in a white shirt joked to the others “I’ll be getting my steps in. Hope they don’t think I’m walking over to them.” That probably sums up how uncomfortable the whole experience felt better than anything else. Then the bruschetta arrived. I genuinely couldn't believe how miserable it looked. I asked my partner whether I should send it back (ordinarily, I absolutely would have). But we'd already been made to feel so uncomfortable and so much like we were inconveniencing the staff simply by being there that neither of us wanted to create another interaction with them. So, in the very Irish tradition of avoiding a scene at all costs, we paid for it instead. And that's probably the most disappointing part. Clearly decent food can leave this kitchen and, with thousands of predominantly positive reviews, obviously plenty of people have had a completely different experience. Ours just wasn't one of them. When a restaurant takes pride in its food and its customers, you feel it. Staff check in, they ask how everything is. And if something poor does leave the kitchen (because bad days happen and mistakes happen) the floor staff are usually the ones who catch it or at least give you the opportunity to say something. Nobody checked how our food was. Nobody asked if we needed anything. The problem wasn't just a bad plate of food, the photo can speak for itself on that one. It was the complete lack of care around it. There seemed to be no standard of hospitality being set on the floor at all and the attitude towards customers felt, at times, genuinely disrespectful. Bad food can leave a kitchen. That's an off day. Making customers feel like they'd rather pay for it than say anything is a hospitality problem. This place missed the mark completely for us and I won't be returning. Beautiful building. Unfortunately, on our visit, the hospitality stopped at the front door.

14/08/2026: The best food I've ever had. Juicy meat. Crispy fries. They met my culinary expectations. Love that place

14/08/2026: Good quality food and service. I got the steak sandwich on one visit which had very little meat in it but still was tasty. Chicken and chorizo pie a separate evening was very good quality.

04/08/2026: Visited yesterday evening for a dinner while passing through. Very friendly staff working well when busy, unfortunately food was not up to scratch. Had turkey and ham , was very bland. Veg was very soft and bland too almost like a bag of frozen mixed veg...Everybody likes their food to be hot but the food was ridiculously hot must have been blasted in an oven ,plate would scald you. Got a baby bowl for my daughter and she could not even begin to eat it for good 10 mins or it would have burnt the mouth off her. Ordered goujons & chips from kids menu for my son and asked for couple of extra goujons if possible instead of chips for him, hes autistic and will only eat the chicken. After a long wait, 5 to 6 of the smallest over-cooked goujons came out for him , and I was charged 13e for them which I taught was a bit expensive. As I said staff friendly, relaxing atmosphere cant fault them but we were disappointed with the quality of the food especially for the price point.

24/07/2026: Very friendly and efficient service

27/07/2026: This was the worst food we had on our whole vacation. Service was horrible.

25/07/2026: The food is so processed! Too much salt, no taste at all, it tastes like canned food... For the price, it's ridiculous!

09/06/2026: Absolutely fantastic service every time I visit. The staff are friendly, welcoming, and always make you feel valued as a customer. What really stands out is how they remember your order, even when the place is busy and full of people. It adds a personal touch that is rare to find these days. The service is always quick and efficient, and the team works incredibly hard to keep everything running smoothly during busy periods. The atmosphere is great, and you can tell the staff genuinely care about providing an excellent experience. Highly recommended to anyone looking for great service and a place that truly values its customers.

02/06/2026: Friendliest bar man ever, legend!!

11/04/2026: I truly cannot say enough incredible things about our stays at the Ashbrook Arms. From the moment you arrive, it feels less like checking into a hotel and more like coming home to a place that wraps you in warmth, charm, and genuine hospitality. Each visit somehow manages to exceed the last; something that feels almost impossible, yet they do it effortlessly. The accommodations are beautifully kept, cozy, and inviting, striking that perfect balance between comfort and elegance. It’s the kind of place you find yourself already missing before you’ve even left. The food is nothing short of exceptional; thoughtfully prepared, delicious, and clearly made with care. And breakfast… absolutely magical. Served in the most quaint sunroom, you’re treated to peaceful views of the lush grounds with the gentle river flowing by. It’s the kind of setting that makes you want to linger just a little longer, soaking in every moment. What truly sets Ashbrook apart, though, is the feeling. You are not just a guest, you are genuinely cared for. They go above and beyond to make you feel so very welcomed, remembered, and appreciated in a way that is rare and so deeply special. Without question, this has become our “home” whenever we visit Durrow, and we wouldn’t dream of staying anywhere else. A truly unforgettable experience every single time.

10/04/2026: Excellent service. Extremely friendly staff. Owner is lovely. Rooms clean and spacious. Breakfast was very good.