Carna Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Carna
Discover the best restaurant in Carna, Ireland including O'Dowds of Roundstone, Vaughans Restaurant, Carna Bay Hotel Restaurant, Glynsk House, Coyne's Bar & Bistro, Tigh Mheaic, Owenmore Restaurant, O'Dowds Cafe, The Shamrock Bar, The Bogbean Cafe
1. O'Dowds of Roundstone
Overall Ratings
4 based on 745 reviews
O'Dowds is a traditional Bar & Seafood Restaurant situated in the centre of Roundstone village overlooking the harbour. It has been run by the O'Dowd family for four generations since 1906. A bar has been operating on the premises since 1840 and it is widely regarded as the oldest pub in Connemara. It is now famous for its excellent fresh local seafood and it has one of the best pints of guinness in the locality. You can also taste some excellent irish craft beers like: The Galway Hooker, O'Hara's Irish Stout & O'Hara's light Ale.O'Dowds is open from 10am every day all year, serving breakfast until 12 noon, a bar menu is served from noon to 9.30pm every day. Fresh seafood include our own Home-made Seafood Chowder, Roundstone Crab Claws, Cashel Bay Mussels, Mannin Bay Oysters, Local Lobster and our very popular Fisherman's Platter, all accompanied with home-made brown scones. Chicken, Meat, Vegetarian, Soups S Sandwiches are also well catered for. Reservations in our restaurant are advisable during July & August & Bank Holiday weekends.O'Dowds has a special traditional pub atmosphere & friendly service which has remained unchanged for decades if not centuries. The bar is small & intimate with its traditional turf fire & beautiful views over Roundstone Harbour & The Twelve Bens.
Reviewed By Shane O - Franschhoek
Always stop here if in Roundstone, it may not look like much from the outside but it is great food. Genuine staff, that are friendly and good for some authentic Irish chat. All this combined helps make it a special place for both domestic tourists and international. Food is typically Irish and mostly all locally sourced. Can't go wrong with any of the fish dishes, as you eat and look out onto the Atlantic Ocean. It's an unbeatable location in round stone.
2. Vaughans Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 168 reviews
Reviewed By Aimival - Galway, Ireland
My husband and I recently celebrated our wedding anniversary as we married in Roundstone and ate in Vaughans restaurant. The food was absolutely beautiful. The crab claws are always a favourite of mine and they didn't disappoint. Thank you for the welcoming us and treating us so lovely. Always a night to remember when we dine in Vaughans restaurant.
3. Carna Bay Hotel Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By A TripAdvisor Member
Very Smelly room. No life in hotel Needs a good update in all departments...breakfast was not good..rashers were like they were cooked the day previous! over cooked! For high season there's nothing happening in the village. Will not be visiting there again. Girl at reception was pleasant.
4. Glynsk House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
Glynsk House is located in a truly idyllic location in the heart of the Gaeltacht amidst the wild splendour of Connemara and is centre to Connemara's landscape of flora and fauna, unspoilt Beaches and mountain ranges. Glynsk House overlooks Bertraughboy Bay, Cashel Hill and the Twelve Bens Mountains making it an ideal stop for photo opportunities. Discover the Glynsk House experience where you can combine the best of Irish Crafts and Fashion and indulge in the Local Seafood while enjoying the craic over a pint of Guinness! Glynsk House is owned and managed by the Cloherty Family. Glynsk House opened in May 2005. Seafood Bar & Restaurant Irish Crafts & Fashion Craft Shop open daily 10am - 6pm Bar / Bar food open daily
Reviewed By Jimlockard - Lyon, France
We had a nice lunch at Glynsk House - good Irish pub food and nice beers and ales on draft. Good service, a few wines available, very informal atmosphere. Friendly. There is an extensive gift shop as well.Hi James, Thank you very much for your review of Glynsk House. We are delighted that you enjoyed your lunch and hope that you will come back to visit us again in the future. Kind Regards, The Cloherty family
5. Coyne's Bar & Bistro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 66 reviews
Menus are in both English and Irish, which gives a nice sense of place, and everything is cooked to order - the Coynes aim to give a proper informal dining experience, accessibly priced and catering for all tastes. Cead Mile Failte!
Reviewed By Jimlockard - Lyon, France
We stopped in for lunch at Coyne's - and had a very nice experience. The friendly staff makes you feel welcome, you can eat indoors or out, the kitchen is very good at what they do, and there are daily specials.
We had fish dishes that were the daily specials. They were very helpful with my wife's dairy allergy (not the best thing to have when in Ireland). The view of the Atlantic is superb.
Highly recommend.
6. Tigh Mheaic
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
Tigh Mheaic is a lively eclectic pub situated in Carna - a stunning coastal fishing village in the heart of the Conamara Gaeltacht. You are likely to find all sorts of characters local and visitor hanging around Tigh Mheaic having a pint or a bite and enjoying the often lively banter! Live music at weekends. Good Pub Food and a hearty welcome :) Tigh Mheaic is owned and run by brother and sister Fergus O Cualain and Cliona Ni Chualain.. Beautiful Beaches, Islands and fabulous coastal scenery.. Stunning variety of walks on bog roads, hills and Mountains.. Golf within 30min drive.. An active area for the traditional sailboats - Galway Hookers - many of these traditional boats were built and are sailed around the beautiful bays in Carna area to this day. Many sailors young and old enjoy racing these boats every weekend between May & Sept around Conamara. Ask for info at Tigh Mheaic if you are interested in taking a trip or want any info on these amazing boats. Many of these famous boats, their builders and sailors are based in the Carna area. You're sure to find some of them Tigh Mheaic! Carna is in the heart of the Conamara Gaeltacht where the Irish language remains the main language of the area. Ma ta suim agat an Ghaeilge a chloisteail no i a fhoghlaim, tar go Carna! Beidh cead mile failte romhat Tigh Mheaic :)
Reviewed By Walter V - Milan, Italy
We tried Tigh Mheaic for lunch during a break of our drive tour in Ireland. We found it along the street. The place is lovely and staff really polite. We ordered fish and chips and chiken. Portions are very satisfied. We loved the foods. If you are in the sorroundings have no doubt to spent you lunch here. Very good place and foods.
7. Owenmore Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 81 reviews
Reviewed By Lilimb310 - Manhattan Beach, California
What a pleasant surprise! We stopped for dinner at Ballynahinch on our way to stay near Connemara. We arrived early, so we decided to go for a walk. The front desk provided us with a map detailing several different walking trails. This hotel is located in a beautiful area, and we enjoyed a fantastic 45 minute walk before returning for our dinner reservation. To be honest, I had no expectations about dinner. I just wanted to stop there to break up our trip and because it looked like a beautiful setting. We ordered from the multi-course prefixe menu and were very impressed with both the food and the service. The only aspect of dinner that was less than exceptional was a little grit in the scallops. Everything else, including the wine and view = perfection. (Better than fine dining at Dromoland or Ashford Castles, without the pretentious jacket requirement). This is a hidden gem. Next time, we will stay overnight and the boys can enjoy some fly fishing!
8. O'Dowds Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 84 reviews
O'Dowds Coffee shop is located next door to O'Dowds Seafood Bar & Restaurant and is open from 9am to 6pm, March to October. The coffee shop has an upstairs & downstairs with large windows overlooking Roundstone harbour and the Twelve Bens. Serving a selection of Java Republic Teas & coffees, the coffee shop also serves breakfasts, pastries, desserts, Soup, Chowder & Sandwiches. All items are available for take-away. During July and August we serve an evening a la carte menu with full wine list and Irish craft and draught beers available.Free Wifi.
Reviewed By DanaColdlakeAlberta - Cold Lake, Alberta
Stopped in for a snack after driving on some winding narrow roads and walking about a quaint little town. A shared seafood platter and Galway Hooker ale hit the spot!! The almond kiwi tart was also very delicious. Great atmosphere. Super friendly patrons and wait staff.
9. The Shamrock Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 181 reviews
The Shamrock Bar is located on the Wild Atlantic Way in the village of Roundstone, Connemara. We invite you to drop in whenever in the area for a drink or a bite to eat and some Friendly Chat in front of the Open Peat Fire. As well as providing some of the freshest locally sourced foods from both the surf and turf we have an Extensive Wine, Irish Whiskey and Local Irish Craft Beer Menu to compliment our dishes. Regular Live Music is a must with us here and Local Information/ FREE Wifi make it a pleasant stop while either staying or Passing through Roundstone. Feel free to drop us an email or Phone call with any questions you may have & we'll be happy to assist you...
Reviewed By preglad - New York
It's rare, when visiting any area with solid options for us to investigate, when not cooking in, to return to the same establishment twice. Unforeseen circumstances required an immediate change in plans for the next morning so we wanted our last Connemara meal on this trip to be reliably satisfying. Based on our early stop two days before, we returned for another visit, wherein below we'll focus on that more complete second engagement.
A word about the service: The three young folk on duty were charming, energetic and fun to be around. One was a distant cousin to our week's charming proprietress and provided exacting directions for engaging a challenging isolated terrain culminating in the otherwise perfect seaside classic white cottage we'd rented. The Shamrock Bar's manager/chef (owner?) proved extremely helpful relative to local options and a fine cook as well . Our shared appetizer was as good a fresh mussels pot with butter and fresh herbs as could be wished, well partnered with absorptive fresh bread.
It's difficult for us to imagine that one visitor's impression of the staff was so contrary to our own experience. Not being in a position to judge, I'll simply say that sometimes chemistry diners may bestow can significantly factor for all in the overall success of the experience.
But I dally. He prepared and presented a Sri Lanka lamb curry both extremely tender and explosively tasty. I know that Science and Chemistry say milk is better suited for accompanying such an entree, but no way for me. I found the aromatic and brilliant dish thoroughly complementary to a pint of Guinness. Relative to the entire menu, for those otherwise inclined such as my wife, this regionally exotic option is likewise atypical of the Shamrock's more standard menu fare.
My wife accordingly selected a flavorful and generous beef sir fry blended beautifully with vermicelli and sautéed veggies, accompanied by a glass of Sprite. Inclusive of tip our generously portioned meal's fare resulted in a reasonably priced value at E50.
So well situated in a wonder filled County Galway, tick off a solid recommendation for Roundstone's Shamrock Bar!
10. The Bogbean Cafe
Overall Ratings
5 based on 87 reviews
Reviewed By The_road5 - Dublin
Had a relaxing stop here for a coffee and delicious scone with jam and cream. Good service, lovely food and coffee.
