As temperatures plunge, we are craving roaring fires, twinkling lights and warming bowls of seafood chowder. Made from the finest, freshest Louth seafood, of course! Here are our favourite winter warmers - the cosiest restaurants offering some of the tastiest local seafood along the sea louth trail.
The Riverbank, Killanny
· A cosy, traditional pub in the heart of medieval Carlingford serving hearty Carlingford seafood chowder, the Carlingford Arms is the perfect winter dining venue. Why not work up an appetite with a trip on the Carlingford Lough Greenway, one of our scenic viewpoints.
· The Clermont Bistro in Blackrock is the perfect location to linger and soak up the atmosphere. Bonus points for the twinkly lights giving us all the festive feels!
· The Glyde Inn, Annagassan combines old-school pub ambience with a modern dining room. Nab a table by the fire, if you can, and enjoy an ever-changing menu of seasonal seafood specials.
· With 24 seats, Dundalk’s Square Restaurant is cosy and intimate, but it’s the cooking of award-winning chef, Conor Halpenny that is the real draw here. Book early to secure your table in the run-up to Christmas. Stroll around the town before or after you dine and admire the fabulous Christmas lights.
· It’s hard to beat a charming country pub, complete with open fire and top-notch local seafood, and the beautiful, secluded Riverbank in Killanny ticks all three boxes.
· The Windsor in Dundalk is a proper pub, with wood paneling and exposed beams, as appealing during the day as is it in the evening. We love their modern menu, including Annagassan crab claws & prawns and, a Symphony of Seafood cooked in a light white wine sauce served in a puff pastry parcel.
· With the air of a stately home, the wood-paneled dining room at the Scholar’s Townhouse in Drogheda is comfortable yet perfect for celebrating a special occasion. The 2AA Rosette-awarded restaurant is open seven days a week, with a mouth-watering menu featuring a choice of fresh local seafood dishes.
· The warm, snug bar and comfortable restaurant at Callans Bar & Restaurant has a relaxed, homely feel. A breaded golden scampi burger is a menu highlight, and their tapas includes chilli and garlic prawns.
· The award-winning Valley Inn in Mullary has a welcoming atmosphere, not to mention a great choice of local seafood dishes on the menu, including a seasonal seafood salad, beer battered cod and a Boston prawn salad. Clogherhead prawns accompany the popular ‘surf and turf’.
· It doesn’t come much cosier than a pirate ship, and the nautical-themed décor at The Smugglers Rest transports you to a bygone era. We would certainly walk the plank for a taste of their famous scampi tacos and the Captain’s fish and chips!
See an up-to-date list of restaurants participating in the sea louh trail here. To complete your sea louth passport, simply collect 10 of the 14 unique scenic viewpoint stamps, and when dining out, be sure to choose a local seafood dish and keep a copy of your receipt; two receipts count as the necessary restaurant stamps. Once complete, bring your passport in to the tourist office in Carlingford, Dundalk or Drogheda, and you will receive your exclusive sea louth memento. Happy exploring – and eating!
Keywords: sea louth, scenic seafood trail, Louth restaurants, Louth seafood restaurants, best seafood restaurants, Irish seafood, restaurants near me
Comments