The best restaurants 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.

25/07/2026: Very good quality food that has a huge variety of different tastes. We've met with really nice and talkative staff and overall the service is very good. Saved this place on a map and looking forward to come here whenever we can

25/07/2026: Fantastic professional service, delicious dishes. It was really good 😋😋😋

21/08/2026: This is my new favourite place in Portlaoise. The food is so tasty and fresh. Flavour combos are fabulous, staff are super and the food quality is consistent, in both the restaurant itself and delivery. I highly recommend this - there's something to suit everyone; from smashed beef burgers to chicken to vegetarian. The quality food leaves you feeling happily full - it's a proper, freshly prepared meal, not fast food. The restaurant itself has been refurbished and the stairs is now wide with relatively shallow steps and a sturdy handrail so it's far more accessible now than what it was with previous businesses.

11/08/2026: Great tasting food, good friendly service. Takeout food is just as good.

16/07/2026: Great pub very historic. Great staff. Could do with some music 🎶

19/06/2026: Morrissey’s Pub, Abbeyleix, is a true generational institution and one of those rare places that feels like stepping back in time. The old pub-and-shop layout has been beautifully preserved, giving the premises the atmosphere of a living museum. The character and history of the building are fascinating, yet it remains warm and welcoming. The staff are attentive and friendly throughout. A special mention to Adam, the manager, who is a wonderful ambassador for Abbeyleix—chatty, informative, and passionate about the town and everything it has to offer. A visit to Morrissey’s is not just a pint or a coffee; it’s an experience and a genuine glimpse into Ireland’s past.

28/07/2026: Lovely tasty sausage roll, followed by orange and almond croissant. The flavour combination of the croissant works very well, definitely one of the best pastries I’ve ever had, and well worth a try. Will be in again when I’m in the area.

23/07/2026: Beautiful cafe with dine in and takeaway options, absolutely superb sausage roll with tomato relish and well priced!

12/07/2026: Had a beautiful meal in kellys last night staff were amazing very welcoming and attentive..especially lily who went out of her way for us .we really enjoyed our meal and would recommend kellys to everyone the food was delicious see you again soon ....

28/06/2026: Rib eye on the stone, beautiful place and lovely atmosphere, only slight feedback is to put less black pepper on the steak but I guess that is preference, had calamari to start, very nicely done and cooked and the steak was beautiful had cheesecake to finish it was great!

25/07/2026: ⁶green end chip...not recommended to improve your wellbeing!

04/07/2026: The food was delayed and the pizza was raw. Wouldn’t recommend.

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.

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

04/08/2026: Love stradbally fayre, staff are amazing, always friendly and polite especially Teresa and Ann, always make time for a chat and acknowledge their customers, they are massive assets to the business extremely hard workers top marks to all the staff. Food is super hearty, dishes always so fresh, portions are v decent. Spotlessly clean and the cafe us always well presented as are the staff,. The standards are exceptional. Beautiful little cafe with a lovely community vibe, a little gem in Stradbally town centre ideal stop off for a 🥥 coconut latte my fav, breakfast, lunch and dinners. Super menu👏👏 Thanks and we'll done Stradbally Fayre

28/07/2026: Lovely food and friendly staff always feel welcome

01/07/2026: Great, lively, classic Irish pub!! We had a cousin reunion here when visiting from the States. Jack and Billy were wonderful accommodating our reservation requests. They even helped coordinate food being brought in for us. We really enjoyed our evening here and will definitely visit again when back in Ireland!

30/06/2026: I had my 21st birthday here this week, and the team at Rams was absolutely amazing! They truly made the night so special for us it was truly a night we will never forget. The venue itself is perfect – spacious and family-friendly. I would definitely recommend this venue to everyone!

03/08/2026: The Guest Services Manager, John, was super dismissive and unhelpful after I asked about getting any room that wasn’t staring at a brick wall for my 17 day stay with them. Every other staff member I encountered was amazing but I hope that guy improves because he’s letting them all down

23/07/2026: Did the Bridgeton style afternoon tea here. It was fab specially with the live piano music playing in the background. The pianist was really good. The only thing is, all senses were engaged except for maybe the sense of smell, maybe some sort of diffuser or something to add to the ambiance not that it smells bad or anything🙂. This is just my opinion.

06/07/2026: Extremelly slow. Food was very average. Staff nice.

09/06/2026: Ordered food online and got send a half eaten burger with my meal. Immediately asked for a refund and threw it into the bin, wasn't able to contact them by phone because none of their listed numbers work

15/08/2026: I never eat my life so amazing salads.So fresh and everything warm bacon and chicken.The chicken was so juicy and bacon great 👍 Well done guys.Ypu did deliver the best.Amazing and healthy more important and with options.I hope one day there will be stake sandwich option also.

12/08/2026: Cute cafe / restaurant. Such a pretty place. Fab menu 😋

18/07/2026: Great sitting in the alley under the flowers....on a Saturday evening in 21deg heat

18/07/2026: Expensive cesears Salad (12:50) which was not worth 4 €

29/07/2026: Fantastic new music venue & beer garden newly opened. R

26/07/2026: Always a great spot. Food mid week A fab beer garden and the music is brilliant