Breaking up the journey on a long drive from one corner of the country to the other? Maybe the "hanger" hits after an hour behind the wheel in heavy traffic? For any excuse or occasion, here are some suggestions of top spots set right off Ireland’s motorways to grab a brilliant lunchtime bite.
M1 (Dublin-Belfast)
Strandfield, Dundalk [A91 X248]
Exactly half way between Dublin and Belfast, Strandfield is an expansive café, provisions store and florist (plus a spot to pick up antiques and vintage labels, to boot) set in former farm buildings on a family estate in Ballymascanlon.
Located at junction 18, just shy of the border and in the shadow of the Cooley Mountains, the cafe serves morning ’til evening (8am - 6pm) seven days a week, so it’s always primed for visitors, whether you want a hearty veggie breakfast, healthy lunch, tea and cake or one of their signature wood-fired pizzas.
M2/N2 (Dublin-Derry)
Neighbourhood, Monaghan [H18 YN56]
On Glaslough Street in Monaghan Town, Neighbourhood has been offering fusion-influenced cuisine in stylish townhouse surrounds for almost a decade.
Open from 10am six days a week, find everything from a full Irish, French toast and eggs Florentine in the morning to a veggie chilli, steak sandwich or loaded baked potato at lunch. An expansive Sunday lunch menu is also served from 12pm weekly while dinner service runs on Friday and Saturday evenings.
M3/N3 (Dublin-Donegal)
Chapter, Cavan [H12 AK26]
Self-described as a "one stop destination", Chapter specialises in colourful plates from breakfast and brunch plates and bagels, wraps and sandwiches throughout lunchtime with an expansive menu that truly offers something for everyone. Don’t miss the wide selection of cakes and bakes, either.
Located in the Cavan Retail Park on the Dublin Road and serving from 8:30am to 6pm most days, the space also doubles up as a gift shop with a thoughtful selection and also hosts regular events to draw the community in.
M4/N4 (Dublin-Sligo)
My Kitchen by Sham Hanifa, Carrick-on-Shannon [N41 F2W2]
A delicious seasonal starter you can now enjoy at The Cottage: slow-cooked spiced Gorvagh goat, flatbread, garden cabbage slaw, mint and garlic aïoli. 😋 pic.twitter.com/Oh5GVllbYZ
— The Cottage Restaurant (@CottageLeitrim) October 31, 2019
Much closer to Sligo than it is Dublin, if you’re making the trip from the big smoke it’s worth waiting until more-than-halfway to try this unique retail park restaurant which belies its setting. Chef Sham Hanifa (also of The Cottage in nearby Jamestown, and author of Agak-Agak from the award-winning Blasta Books stable) serves a casual cafe-style menu of modern classics, dappled with global flavours, plus an enticing counter full of cakes and pastries with great coffee.
The softened, modern industrial surrounds demonstrate just what you can do to style a sparse and difficult space to make it an enticing and popular destination. Don’t miss the Malaysian beef curry, Gado-Gado chicken salad or veggie Thali, plus stock your pantry with some of Sham’s hand-picked staples too in the shop section.
M6 (Dublin-Galway)
The Left Bank Bistro, Athlone [N37 AX05]
Serving lunch Tuesday - Saturday from midday ’til a whopping 5pm, there’s ample excuse to nip in to Athlone for lunch, however late, at The Left Bank Bistro. A crowd-pleasing and varied menu offers sturdy bistro classics plus open sandwiches on focaccia with a wide range of sweet treats for after.
Not only a popular restaurant, you can take a taste home with The Left Bank’s own range of dressing, dips, oils, pestos, chutnies and other pantry and fridge staples available from their deli. There’s a great selection on the kids menu and the main menu switches over for dinner from 5pm.
M7 (Dublin—Limerick)
Bramley, Abbeyleix [R32 D8C0]
Sam Moody is head chef-owner of this relatively new neighbourhood restaurant in the town of Abbeyleix, alongside his wife Emily. Formerly Executive Chef of the five-star Ballyfin Demsense, expect similar five-star flavours without the stuffiness or excessive faff at this fine-casual dining spot. Think Waldorf salad, Portarlington mushrooms on sourdough with egg yolk and a Caesar twist on chicken schnitzel with a side order of salad and fries.
Though it only serves lunch Thursday to Saturday between 12pm and 2:30pm it’s more than worth planning a pit-stop into your route. Also open for dinner, Wednesday-Sunday from 6pm.
M8 (Dublin-Cork)
Mikey Ryan’s, Cashel [E25 NY58]
About half way between Cork and Dublin find gloriously elevated gastropub Mikey Ryan’s on Cashel’s main street, in the shadow of the iconic Rock of Cashel. Part of the luxurious Cashel Palace group, this cherished pub and grocer was lovingly brought back to life in 2017 and now Mikey Ryan’s is all contemporarily styled, with nods to its racing pedigree.
In the spring and summer the destination terrace - set within the old stone walls - comes into its own while the 'Glass Well’, a glass-lined, louvered pergola, offers prime private dining space for up to 12 if you're looking for somewhere to pre-book a group for en route to a special occasion, wedding or celebration. With an all-day offering, Mikey Ryan’s opens until 11:30pm daily.
M9 (Dublin-Waterford)
Green Barn, Athy [R14 AE67]
Set in the stunning surrounds of Burtown House & Gardens, a three minute drive off the M9, much of The Green Barn’s own produce from its walled kitchen garden and polytunnels appoints its menu. Dishes are seasonal, unpretentious and wholesome yet elegantly plated, while vegetables, herbs and fruit, naturally, take centre stage in a space that’s lofty, rustic, chic and verdant.
You can’t miss the incredible selection of art and curios either. Dinner service takes place Fridays and Saturdays until 9pm.
M11/N11 (Dublin-Wexford)
The Duck at Marlfield House, Gorey [Y25 DK23]
For something a bit special along the route running parallel to the Irish Sea between Dublin and Wexford nip into the fine surrounds of Marlfield House, a historic country house hotel outside Gorey, seconds of a detour off the M11.
At The Duck Terrace, the bistro set in a renovated coach house, lunch is served 12-3pm and guests will find seasonal starters running from fish, meat and vegan dishes to soups, mezze plates and salads while mains run the gamut from fresh ravioli and Kilmore Quay fish to confit duck leg and chargrilled 10oz beef burger with skinny fries. There’s also a selection of warm, filled flatbread dishes to choose from if you fancy. Dinner follows from 5pm.
Atlantic Corridor (M17/N17-M18/N18-M20/N20)
Moran’s Oyster Cottage, Kilcolgan [H91 Y5RC]
An ever-popular seafood institution and bustling bar, in what was originally a lowly cottage in Kilcolgan, Moran’s is now run by the talented seventh generation, located ten minutes’ drive off the M18. As the name suggests the oysters are legendary at this weir-side gastropub, ditto the chowder (still using the original recipe), and savour big pots of steamed mussels, garlicky crab claws or a half lobster with accompaniments and you can always find perfect, freshly-fried fish and chips.
Save room for the generously-sized desserts, all comfort classics, and the signature Irish coffee (if you're not the one driving, of course).
