4 Best Restaurants in Connemara and County Mayo, Ireland

Nestled down a narrow laneway just off Bridge Street, this charming and intimate restaurant harbors the finest of local produce, exquisitely crafted into one of the best menus in Mayo by owner-chef Frankie Mallon. Daily specials include anything from warm pork-cheek salad and black pudding served with apple and vanilla or pan-seared Clew Bay scallops. Shabby chic decor and a leafy courtyard make it one of the most romantic places in town. Mains priced from €25 to €28.

If the sight of a red double-decker bus parked outside a cottage in the desolately beautiful small island of Inisbofin comes as a surprise, then the delicious offerings at Austin and Kartika's gourmet outpost will floor you completely, in a good way. The bus has retired and functions as the couple's kitchen, dining area, and food counter, serving up pollock, crab, and mackerel sourced from local islander fishermen. Mutton and lamb come straight from the farm, along with root vegetables, while everything else is island grown.

Gaining a steady following from locals and visitors, Misunderstood Heron is serving some of the finest local produce from unlikely quarters---from the back of a food truck. It's usually parked in Killary Loop Trail---and offers guests far more than the standard truck fare like a humble kebab or burger. Instead, expect fresh salmon with pickles, sourdough roast chicken wrap with harissa mayo and red onion, or mussels and lamb to be served with a dollop of good value. And you get to drink in the view overlooking the staggeringly beautiful setting of Killary Fjord.

Follow the Misunderstood Heron on social media to keep track of location and hours.

This fourth-generation establishment sits in the heart of Roundstone overlooking the harbor. It attracts year-round guests with its fresh-from-the-boats lobster, mussels, prawns, and crab, or other local produce such as Connemara lamb, and homey, open-fire setting. Vegans can order seafood crops like dillisk rice, served with locally sourced vegetables from Galway's farmlands. Take a seat outside the pub on a fine day to enjoy the bay views and local flavors.