The best restaurants in Laois

12/12/2025: Spotless clean fresh relaxing interior facade is tired looking but don't let that put you off.. Lovely friendly staff Good value for a tasty breakfast Will be back 👍

13/08/2025: I called into Phelans restaurant in Mountrath on Tuesday 12th August on my way back to Armagh and was greeted by a smiling young girl who made me very welcome, I ordered a cappuccino which I have to say was probably the nicest one I've ever tasted, I had a ceasar salad which was also top class, when I went to pay a second smiling young girl was nearby, it is a rarity to get staff as pleasant as I met yesterday, top marks all round for your restaurant, I will certainly call again when passing through, Peadar mc Gahan, Armagh

10/08/2025: We got food from phelans to delivery for my Mam birthday meal yesterday the food was so warm and they were so helpful if we need anything and especially they helped us serving out all the desserts

06/10/2025: €11 for a slice of dry carrot cake and a coconut latte that tasted nothing like coconut at all. A cup of warm water is what it tastes like. definitely gone down hill with coffees

05/10/2025: Used to be good spot but it is getting worse every week. On Sunday having coffee in single use cup for dining in is very bad. Also Autumn time and no flagship drink, I'd say it won't last long. One of the most expensive spot btw. Very disappointing.

31/08/2025: Serious quality, addictive food. Delivery time has always been satisfactory

06/08/2025: Really good food and generous portions!

06/12/2025: So Im out having a Xmas drink first time in along time and Ive just moved the town and please be advised I was told this pub was somewhere to go to enjoy and relax but they bar man was horrible and insulting and rude i didn't even bother to order a drink for someone to judge someone is a horrible person and place and he said he didn't know me well I didn't know your pub and I will never know it for they horrible disgusting judgemental way they barman was so that was my experience 2seconds

14/07/2025: Lovely pint of Guinness, great service and friendly owners

12/12/2025: Very very rude staff. I politely followed up for my tuna panini as I only had an hour of lunch and was told "we're very busy" another woman that took our order was screaming at me when i just wanted to order. Wouldn't recommend this restaurant!

15/11/2025: The establishment has a lot of work to do on their food . The breakfast was erm to put it politely, very low quality. The sausage was definitely frozen and deep fried as for the rasher I have no word s, scrambled eggs microwaved and as for the coffee flavoured warm water is the best way to put it . I know this is a cafe and not fine restaurant but one would think with such a large foot fall at your front door ...there would be some effort to put in some effort . I would not recommend a breakfast here or a coffee .

18/11/2025: Kip of a pub so many great pubs in mountrath don't know why people go in here the only people in their are dirty aul lads. Ya go out to smoking area at the back the smell of urine would turn ya off your fag. The people who work in their can't pull a pint to save their lives. Their is better pubs with better pints and facilities to spend your money in

13/08/2025: Great pub,perfect pints,good atmosphere, lovely staff & some very good music to be found here.

03/09/2025: Great atmosphere and amazing staff

13/08/2025: Sally's is a great place at the weekend thanks to the staff great beer and great music

12/10/2025: I like the place,went for swimming but the water was cold

04/10/2025: I have been using Leisure centre for about 3 years, it is notoriously the worst gym in Portlaoise on account of the small space lacking some serious equipment and horrible changing room facilities. I still enjoyed it as the price correlated to the quality/size and was usually quite and had a lovely crowd. When renewing my membership after the remodel the price had sky rocketed only being a few euros cheaper then Midlands which has much better classes, changing rooms, spa discounts, etc. There is an obvious issue with maintaining staff especially in the last few months. Most of the staff inside the gym are lovely but the front desk staff always seem to have a horrible attitude and seem frustrated with the most basic questions. What has driven me to the point of a negative review is there has been a huge influx of children/very young teenagers using the gym. Younger people being there would not be an issue if they werent so disruptive, they are wrestling each other, half of them wearing school uniforms (jeans) leaving phones and other belongings over all the equipment that they’re not using so it cannot be used by other members. If say your using a bench in the dumbbell section theres 5 kids crowding around one on another and they are accidentally sitting on top of you and bumping into you with weights in hand making it impossible to work out. Not to mention the fact they’re constantly hitting, pushing, and pulling at each other around other people who are paying a high price to just clear their head after a long work day. The gym is much too expensive for what it is and to pay that much to not be able to workout because they have no regard for anyone else and staff instead of asking them to mellow down a little are fistbumping them, taking selfies with them and actively encouraging the behaviour. My partner asked the other day who was in charge and the woman who identified herself as so, I asked her this Thursday what time does the gym close at on Saturdays and she said half 5 yet this Saturday was kicked out at 5 because “they’re closed.” They keep repainting the place but no effort to maintain the changing rooms or maintain any sort of gym environment. If I had paid for the month I would simply change gyms but I paid for the year in May and have noticed such a drastic steady decline since then. Extremely disappointing.

04/01/2026: Had this reservation booked for my birthday and I was left completely disappointed. Food took an hour to come out after starters had been served. Staff were a little bit lost, there was multiple people serving our table, even offering us a desert menu when dinner had not been served yet. My partners burger came out soggy and just fell apart while eating. The salmon meal was mediocre with the potatoes being served lukewarm. A lot of the furnishings in the restaurant were also stained and just not looking pleasant. Overall not worth the prices charged here.

15/12/2025: Vanessa our waiter was cordial polite extremely professional and a wonderful experience to our evening meal. A true assit to your corporate culture of excellence.

14/09/2025: This was shaping up to be a great spot, but for some reason they got rid of the manager. It has been downhill since, he was the life blood of the place, great energy! Pity it's a nice spot, it was worth stopping in Monuntrath for, but not anymore.

06/05/2025: Fantastic food. Great value and really really tasty. Excellent service , loads of space and v clean. Will definitely be back 👍

09/10/2025: Great place in midland for foreign language movies. Not at all crowded. Decent movie experience

15/09/2025: I just visited Odeon Portlaoise today and when we arrived the lift happened to be out of order. The staff went absolutely above and beyond to help us get to where we needed to go and they were most apologetic. We really appreciated it. I haven't experienced service this good in years it was wonderful to experience.

18/12/2025: 2nd time getting food and the 1st early this week was great. However the 2nd time tonight terrible the food wasn’t hot fish was soggy the kebab look warm.

01/09/2025: Very good food,big choice and always fresh! Super service and relaxing atmosphere with friendly stuff.

07/01/2026: We visit this place often. We really enjoy the food variety and very tasty 😋

05/01/2026: I dropped by Lana in Portlaoise not long ago and, honestly, I walked away pretty impressed. The place serves up a whole range of Asian street food, big flavors, fresh ingredients, the works. I went for the Lana Special and egg fried rice, and both really hit the spot. The flavors popped, and everything tasted fresh and lively. Service is solid, too. Staff are friendly, don’t hover, and my food landed on the table fast. No waiting around, no stress, just a laid back meal that actually felt relaxing. The vibe inside is modern and casual, so you can sit in or grab takeaway without it feeling stiff or formal. Oh, and the free ice cream at the end? Always a win. What really stuck with me, though, was the atmosphere. Lana doesn’t just serve food; it feels like you’re stepping into a slice of Southeast Asia, right there in the middle of Ireland, with a blend of Christmas decor. From the second you walk in, the bold colors and lively decor pull you in. The place buzzes with chatter, and the smell of spices and herbs floats through the air. You’re not just eating; you’re kind of getting a quick trip to Asia without leaving town. It’s casual but never boring, thanks to the energy from other diners and the warm, easygoing staff. It never felt rushed or too polished just comfortable, whether you’re out for a fun dinner or grabbing a quiet meal with friends or family. Lana isn’t just about filling up it’s about the whole mood—big flavors, bright space, and a touch of something different. If you’re after tasty, well-priced Asian food in Portlaoise, especially for a chill dinner or takeaway, Lana’s a solid bet. I’d go back, but if you want things extra smooth, maybe swing by outside the usual rush hours.

02/11/2025: worse food i have ever been given by anyone i actually didnt eat it 😞but still paid she noticed but didnt ask was all ok of course but she knew ,avoided me so hubby ran to the bar and paid as i still waited to be asked why food was been left behind 🤦‍♀️ the glasses were filty all ready on the table its actually surprising there sill open as the table glasses forks wtc were dirty id hate to see the kitchen very unsatisfied

13/09/2025: Absolute disgraceful rude and so unprofessional. My God daughter + her Husband reserved and paid for an area for 60 people with x2 local singers for their day 2 celebrations yesterday 12/09/25 . The grooms family arrived first only to be asked to move from the area, a DJ was playing until 9pm ! (He was good, but not what had been arranged) food was cold and had to be sent back. When the bride arrived and asked about the reservation she was very rudely told " if you don't like it you can leave" ! I am not sure how a place can run a successful business while treating people like this. The Bride and Groom were so upset for their guests and the lovely evening they had planned for everyone. We all left and were very kindly accommodated by the staff in the Heritage who sat us all together and provided food for everyone at such short notice.