2 Best Restaurants in The Southeast, Ireland

A warm glow emanates from this Georgian town-house restaurant, where owner-chef Antonio Cavaliere is intensely involved in preparing such luscious Italian dishes as rigatoni all' arrabbiata (tubes of homemade egg pasta in a fresh tomato sauce with chili and garlic). Other specialties, such as medallions of fresh Kilmore Quay monkfish with roasted cherry tomatoes, garlic, white wine, and a touch of fresh chili, go particularly well with Antonio's garlic roasted potatoes—highly recommended as a side dish. A splendid all-Italian wine list complements the menu, and there's a host of delicious homemade desserts. This is one of the best Italian options in town. The restaurant accommodates overnight guests in the town house above.

Set in a magnificent and grand Palladian-style bank in the center of Dungarvan, the Old Bank restaurant is the place to withdraw some delicious food and cocktails. The Italian bistro menu has plenty of local twists. Open with Harty's oysters on ice with beetroot, cacao nib, and shallot dressing. For a main try the rare tuna in sesame, with tataki of red onion and garlic crisps. The real treat is an after-dinner original Abbeyside Martini in the stylish cocktail bar.