By Geraldine Carton
28th Oct 2019
28th Oct 2019
We take a look at the best places to eat and drink in the ever popular seaside town of Howth.
Howth is one of Dublin’s most beloved seaside towns amongst Dublin locals and visitors alike. With an impressive array of award-winning restaurants that come in both casual and fine dining form, this is one place that’ll have you spoilt for choice at every hour of the day.
And what if you’ve already eaten, and it’s only a drink that you’re after? Well, Howth has you covered on that front too. The bars here are full of character and Irish charm, with live music on every weekend attracting droves of vibrant crowds to the harbour.
So let it be known that whether you’re just looking for a refreshing blast of the fresh sea air, a hearty feast of seafood delights, or some evening drinks with friends, Howth is sure to keep you happy.
Lunch
Image via Tripadvisor
Octopussy is a fun, trendy seafood tapas restaurant that boasts award-winning chefs, fresh seafood, and a lively atmosphere seven days a week. The fish is actually bought from the family-run fish shop next door, who catch their daily supply right on the pier, so you may very well see your meal being caught on the harbour as you sit outside on their picnic-style benches and order your first drink!
A teeny little Italian eatery filled with buckets of charm and delicious aromas, Il Panorama is a gorgeous spot to stop off for Australian and Italian delicacies, including charcuterie boards; top quality wines; indulgent sweet treats and robust espressos. Locals love to come here first thing for their morning brew, but the cheerful Australian charm of the staff combined with the divine food and drinks keep a steady stream of hungry visitors coming in all day and night.
The Dog House offers a memorable place to enjoy a post walk lunch with friends, what with its outdoor “living room” style seating area, complete with fireplace, eclectic furniture, fairy lights and even an actual bed thrown into the mix! Their sizzling pizzas are particularly noteworthy, and accompanied by desserts and their wide range of drinks, you could easily spend the whole afternoon and evening here, getting lost in the magical ambience that surrounds you.
Dinner
Image via tripadvisor
Aqua is a gorgeous, award-winning seafood restaurant to come for a special occasion with family. Serving the Howth community for over fifteen years, Aqua is particularly known for the incredible views that it affords diners, what with it being located on the Howth pier. In fact, if you get the right table you’d be forgiven for thinking you had walked onto a cruise ship by accident, such is the proximity to the water! Although a seafood restaurant, the flame grilled steak is also particularly noteworthy.
Another of the more high-end restaurants in Howth, The King Sitric has been around for forty years, with owners Aidan and Joan MacManus earning a reputation for top quality service, food and wine that is truly second to none. While upstairs is reserved for fine dining, if you fancy something a bit more casual then grab a bench downstairs and get amongst the craic that there is to be had in that lively outside area.
Situated on the West Pier in Howth, The Brass Monkey serves modern European cuisine in a lively, warm and welcoming setting. Their cold water oysters are delivered daily and freshly shucked to order, but it’s the chunky seafood chowder that everyone really raves about. Chunky and hearty, filled with a generous amount of delicately-cooked fish, it’s not surprising that people proclaim The Brass Monkey seafood chowder to be the best in Ireland!
Treats
Image via Tripadvisor
Sunday afternoons were meant for long leisurely walks followed by pots of tea and cream-topped scones – am I right? You’ll be hard pushed to find a sweeter-looking location to satisfy your every afternoon tea need, but that being said, the brunch offering of french toast and pancakes is equally delightful. A lovely place to bring your granny or mum.
Behold the 2018 winners of 98fm’s Best Coffee in Dublin award! It goes without saying that The Grind Coffee House has turned brewing coffee into a work of art, but in addition to their cups of liquid gold, you’ll find these guys have a pretty delicious assortment of sweet treats and brunch options to match. The protein pancakes have garnered them additional acclaim, providing the ultimate fuel fix before customers take on the mighty cliff walk.
Drink
Image via abbeytavern.ie
A real Dublin pub in its finest sense, The Abbey Tavern’s stonework building dates back to the 16th century and the team there have been providing punters with delicious food washed down with a well-poured pint (or a glass of top quality whiskey – of which there are many) since 1963. Adding to the local ambience of the place, you can catch a “live Irish show”, which has been said to be the best and longest running one in Ireland. Visitors be warned: the place gets pretty busy on the weekends so it’s worth booking in advance!
The Bloody Stream
If it’s a lively, buzzy venue with great food deals you’re looking for, then The Bloody Stream is the place for you. Located just below the Howth DART station, the interiors are full of character, with an open turf-burning fireplace, old-school signage and creaky, wooden ceilings alongside classic stonework walls. And while the inside is perfect for a cold winter’s evening, the beer garden is the perfect summer spot to enjoy a cool, crisp drink alongside live music with friends.
Main photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
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