There’s plenty of Achill Island restaurants worth nipping into.
Some are nice and casual and they make the perfect spot for a post-beach feed while others are a little more formal.
Now, a heads up – this isn’t an exhaustive guide to all of the Achill restaurants – it’s a guide to my favourite places to grab a bite!
The best Achill Island restaurants
There’s heaps of things to do on Achill, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of grabbing food from the first place you see.
However, there’s some mighty Achill Island restaurants in operation in 2024 – here are some to check out!
1. The Amethyst Bar
A short ramble from Keel Beach, the Amethyst Bar is one of the more popular Achill Island restaurants.
The new gastro bar and restaurant retains many of the features and stylings of the historic hotel, such as gorgeous hardwood beams and floors, stone fireplaces, and rustic brickwork.
The food is fantastic, with a varied menu offering everything from crispy fish and chips and succulent steaks to curry and pasta.
There’s also a diverse vegan menu as well as dishes for the little ones, so you can be sure everyone will be happy.
Working with numerous local producers and suppliers, the ingredients are fresh and regional.
2. Ted’s
With nautical decor, a cosy fireplace, excellent Guinness, and a superb outdoor area, Ted’s oozes charm and character.
It’s located at Cashel South, a short spin from the entrance point of Achill Island at Achill Sound.
The food is mostly pub grub done right, with a varied menu that offers all the classics, such as traditional soups and stews, fish and chips, and lamb shank in gravy.
They also offer mussels and specials from around the world. But they excel in the dessert department, with cream teas, a variety of homemade cakes, and pies.
Blasta at Ted’s: There was a brilliant food truck in the car park at Ted’s in recent years, but I can’t tell if it’s still running!
3. Beehive Crafts and Gifts
The Beehive Coffee Shop is in the middle of Keel. On-the-go for over 30 years, it’s one of the longest running Achill restaurants, and it’s a great spot for lunch.
On the menu, expect everything from salmon and salads to Irish stews and fish cakes.
There’s also a wide range of cakes, coffees, soups and sweet treats.
However, the best part of this place isn’t the food – it’s the views. On good days, the outdoor seating area offers magnificent views out towards Minaun Cliffs.
4. Achill Cliff House Hotel & Restaurant
Enjoying an enviable location in Keel, a stones throw from the beach, Achill Cliff House Hotel is another great place to eat on the island.
The restaurant is the heart of the business, and this becomes clear the moment you walk in and see the gorgeous fireplace and stonework.
They offer a 2 or 3-course menu that boasts a wide array of dishes.
Fresh, locally sourced ingredients drive the menu, with sumptuous seafood options, succulent steaks, and much more.
You’ll find vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan options too, so there’s something for everyone.
5. Mastersons Bar and Restaurant
Mastersons Bar and Anchor Restaurant serve up superb food and offer a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.
Plus, it boasts a fantastic location on the edge of Achill’s Golden Strand, a gorgeous sandy bay, and the start point of the Valley Loop Walk, making it ideal for beach-goers and walkers.
The seafood chowder here is hard to beat while their fish and chips remain a classic lunch for a day at the beach.
This is one of my favourite Achill restaurants for good reason.
FAQs about places to eat in Achill
We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘Where’s good for brunch?’ to ‘What’s a good dinner option?’.
In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.
What are some good casual places to eat in Achill?
Blásta at Ted’s and Beehive Crafts and Gifts are some of the more casual places to eat on the island.
What are the best Achill restaurants?
In our opinion, it’s hard to beat the Amethyst Bar and Mastersons Bar and Restaurant.
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent most of the last 10 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 30 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.