The best restaurants in Portlaoise

04/10/2026: Amazing breakfast and such friendly staff

27/09/2026: Exceptional Brunch place with fresh baked pastries 🍰 + Croissant 🥐 and Coffee was Top Notch. Carrot Cake was best One.

03/10/2026: Husband enjoyed his double cheeseburger

10/09/2026: Probably the best veggie burger I’ve had in Ireland. Absolutely love it!

17/10/2026: Grand for a bite, nothing special

13/10/2026: A very nice place with the atmosphere of an Irish pub, we were served by a very nice young lady who served us quickly and efficiently, advised us to choose local beer once delicious dishes. We ordered steaks that were delicious. If I have the opportunity I will come back here

13/09/2026: Fabulous food, fantastic service, all staff especially Lily were exceptionally attentive. Would highly recommend

09/09/2026: It breaks my heart to write this review and I really hope you don’t think I mean ill of it but I’m just so disappointed lately in the food. I had the sirloin streak it’s so tiny , it would be lovely if I had vegetables with it like carrots etc but unfortunately doesn’t come with it, only mash. My husband had the beef he said it was lovely but small portion again. I understand you pay for quality which I don’t mind but the sizes are very small . The dessert the rocky road, it was unfortunately rotten, it wasn’t heated up which I’m 100% sure it was the last time . I couldn’t even eat it because it had a coal taste to the muffin/rocky road but the ice cream was lovely. The staff I can’t fault ye are amazing. So accommodating and friendly but unfortunately the food side is a bit of a let down recently . Especially spending over 120 euro.. Sorry guys 😞

03/10/2026: Service was top notch, friendly and efficient. Time given to look at the menu and timely delivery of order to follow. The restaurant was clean. We were there in the early afternoon so it was quiet but it was a very pleasant experience

03/10/2026: Very friendly staff and lovely food and atmosphere

17/10/2026: Well looked after pub, tastefully Irish, but not in your face. As for the Guinness, it’s up there with the best of them.

08/10/2026: Ger here from Co Clare. Stopped in for a couple of pints this evening. Great pint fantastic service from the bar man. Great atmosphere . Will call again when passing

22/08/2026: Came in with a friend got a last-minute table, but the food was exceptional and so was the service.

21/08/2026: Food: Prosciutto honey Gorgonzola on bread was good but it needed more honey. Creamy prawn pasta was lovely. Nduja pizza was also very nice but it was definitely undercooked, very little browning on the crust. The sticky toffee pudding was very good. The tiramisu was the biggest disappointment. It was not at all cold, very liquidy, and the lady fingers were not soaked all the way through. It was as if it had been made and refrigerated when we were still on our starters. Quite disappointing. Service: Everything came out in good time and our orders were promptly taken but the waitress was quite cold. We did not get a very warm welcome and they forgot our dip. Also, when we asked to pay we didn’t receive a bill to check over, we were just presented with the card machine. We also were not greeted when we came nor did we receive a goodbye, I think this is very basic stuff that a server should do. Atmosphere: It was decent but nothing special. Nice flowers and heater and blankets which was good as we sat outside. Overall it wasn’t their finest day. I’ve been here before and it’s been better than this. I will come back again but I will definitely be hoping for better service and better attention paid to the quality of the experience.

02/09/2026: Really enjoyed breakfast at Brew Cafe in Portlaoise. We arrived around 10am and it was already busy, which is always a good sign. The salmon and cream cheese open bagel was absolutely delicious, with a generous portion that was really filling. The coffee was good too, and overall the food was plentiful and well presented. Definitely a place I’d happily visit again.

18/08/2026: 5/5 Stars – Incredible coffee, delicious food, and outstanding service! If you’re in Portlaoise, Brew Cafe is an absolute must-visit. The coffee is exceptionally tasty, expertly prepared, and presented beautifully every single time. The food is just as impressive—everything is fresh, appetizing, and served in very generous portions at very reasonable prices. What truly sets this spot apart, though, is the amazing team. The staff are incredibly friendly, polite, and attentive. We had a lovely chat, and the level of service was top-tier. We highly recommend Brew Cafe to anyone looking for great food, incredible coffee, and a welcoming atmosphere!

05/10/2026: Great quality food and great service 🙌

20/08/2026: Exceptional selection of Wines, Cheeses, treats and snacks. They do gift hampers and take away coffee. This was my first trip and it wont be my last.

12/09/2026: Gorgeous coffee and cakes. Fast efficient service with a smile. I dont think I've ever walked in and its been empty so that says alot. Nice few seats outside for a sunny coffee and chats.

06/08/2026: Dog friendly - we were able to sit inside with our dog

13/07/2026: Their braised beef hash is wonderful would highly recommend and their pastries/cakes always hit the spot.

03/06/2026: I was passing through Portlaoise at the weekend and wanted a quick bite to eat. I stopped at the Parkside Shopping Centre due to handy parking outside and went into Kelly Lou's. I chose a sausage roll and coleslaw and while it's something I like I seldom order it as they can be a bit hit and miss. However, on this occasion it was full of sausage meat with lovely flaky pastry and absolutely delicious. Just what a good sausage roll should be. It came with coleslaw, some salad and crisps and I enjoyed it immensely. I then had a lovely lemon cupcake and an equally lovely latte (in a tall glass the way a latte should be served but seldom are). All in all a delicious lunch and based on my experience I would definitely go there again if I was in Portlaoise.

18/09/2026: Bar stool type of chairs. Not much seating available, probably up to 8 people could sit comfortably. Very fast and friendly service. Lots and lots of yummy options to choose from.

12/09/2026: Just stopped for a cappuccino this time! Nicest one in a while… and hot!

26/08/2026: Nice little place with great coffee and pastries, but why ask for tip from customer for a takeaway ? I know it is up to the customer to tap the no tip button, but it puts them in an uncomfortable spot when the cashier is waiting for payment to complete. Most people would tip out of awkwardness and wouldn't want to return because they felt so.

11/08/2026: Good coffee and a snack for a break in down town of Portlaoise. The place is nice and if the weather is good, staying outside is great to feel city's vibe.

29/07/2026: Great pub, great pint, great staff. Especially Sarah, runs the place smoothly. Highly recommend.

14/07/2026: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Brilliant traditional Irish pub with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The staff are absolutely amazing—friendly, attentive, and accommodating every step of the way, making sure everyone has a great experience. The pints are always top quality, and it's a fantastic place to relax with friends or enjoy some live music. The pub has plenty of character and makes both locals and visitors feel at home. Highly recommended if you're looking for an authentic Irish pub experience!

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!!