9 Best Restaurants In Donegal Town For A Fine Feed Tonight

If you’re in search of the best restaurants in Donegal Town, you’ve landed in the right place.

So, there’s heaps of things to do in Donegal Town, but you don’t want to head off exploring (or into one of the town’s pubs!) on an empty tummy!

Luckily, there’s a good mix of places to eat around the town, from restaurants with views of the river to cheap-and-cheerful diners.

Below, you’ll find Donegal Town restaurants that have racked up rave reviews online, with a bit of something to tickle most tastebuds. 

What we think are the best restaurants in Donegal Town

The first section of our guide looks at what we think are the best restaurants in Donegal Town – these are places that one or more of our team have visited.

Below, you’ll find everything from Quay West to The Harbour Restaurant along with some often overlooked Donegal Town restaurants.

1. Olde Castle Bar & Red Hugh’s Restaurant

First up is one of the most popular restaurants in Donegal Town (it’s also home to one of our favourite pubs!) – the Olde Castle Bar & Red Hugh’s Restaurant.

Located near Donegal Castle and right next a picturesque 9th century Church, Olde Castle Bar & Red Hugh’s Restaurant is a traditional Irish bar and restaurant that offers the freshest locally sourced seafood and steaks.

Owned by the O’Toole family, the restaurant exclusively uses locally sourced ingredients and produce including everything from beef, lamb, and pork to seafood. 

An extensive wine and whiskey list can be found on the menu. It is worth mentioning that the restaurant is a member of the B.I.M Good Seafood Circle which is a group of restaurants and outlets known for the highest quality of seafood.

2. The Harbour Restaurant & Bar

If you’re in search of restaurants in Donegal Town where you can kick back with a few post-adventure drinks after, try the Harbour Restaurant.

Located in the heart of Donegal Town, The Harbour Restaurant & Bar is a casual spot that specialises in home-cooked food created from the highest quality local ingredients.

You can choose from the restaurant’s seasonal daily specials or order something from their full a la carte menu that includes everything from pizza options to seafood and steak. There’s also a children’s menu available.

3. Quay West Restaurant

If you fancy to enjoying magnificent views of Donegal Bay and Bell’s Isle while you eat, stop by Quay West for lunch or dinner.

With its chic interior, this award-winning dining establishment is well-known for delivering flavoursome and reasonably priced food.

The menu is extensive and features local delicacies like Donegal mountain lamb, chargrilled Aubrac beef, and fresh Killybegs Seafood.

If you’re looking for restaurants in Donegal Town to mark a special occasion, the combo of the views and the food make Quay West a great shout.

4. Market House Restaurant

The Market House restaurant in Donegal Town has an extensive menu with everything from fresh seafood that’s straight off the boat in Killybegs to locally sourced lamb and pork.

Try the signature Steak on the Stone that consists of a 100% Irish 8 oz Prime Fillet Steak or order one of the mouthwatering gourmet salads.

Aside from the excellent cuisine, the restaurant offers magnificent views of Diamond’s Iconic Monument and has a spacious interior with a mix of traditional and modern décor. 

5. Chandpur Indian Restaurant

If you’re in search of restaurants in Donegal Town that fire up some mighty Indian cuisine, look no further than multi-award-winning Indian and Bangladeshi restaurant Chandpur.

Run by husband and wife, Rana and Susan, this large restaurant is a place where guests can enjoy a variety of classic Indian dishes, as well as many special foods.

The signature dish is the Indian Railway Curry. Head chef Rana was born in Chandpur, Bangladesh where he was taught to prepare tasty food by his mother.

After moving to Ireland, he decided to open up his own restaurant together with his wife Susan, who is originally from Scotland. The restaurant offers early bird menus and caters for both vegetarians and vegans.

More popular restaurants Donegal Town has to offer

Now that we have our favourite Donegal Town restaurants out of the way, it’s time to see what other culinary delights are on offer.

Below, you’ll find everything from La Bella Donna and Furey’s Diner to some casual places to eat in Donegal Town that pack a punch.

1. Blueberry Tea Room and Restaurant

If you’re in search of great-value restaurants in Donegal Town that dish up a tasty feed, our next spot will be right up your street.

Thanks to its central location just off the Diamond, Blueberry Tea Room and Restaurant attracts large crowds of visitors.

This moderately priced dining establishment boasts a lovely interior with small-paned windows. On their menu, guests will find a wide range of tasty homemade traditional Irish foods.

The home-made desserts including sticky cakes and jams are known to be extremely delicious at this tearoom and restaurant. 

2. Blas at the Gateway Lodge

Located within the Gateway Lodge just outside the centre of Donegal Town, Blas is a family-run restaurant and café that offers homemade cooked food.

The ingredients are sourced locally, there is brunch on Sundays, and the café has been awarded as Best In Ireland at the Good Food Awards back in 2017.

If you arrive in for breakfast, give the Belgian waffles a bash! Blas is situated inside a 19th-century Drumcliffe house and features a lovely décor with many original features.  

3. Furey’s Diner

Furey’s Diner will suit anyone on the lookout for no-frills Donegal Town restaurants that offer hearty meals at a reasonable price.

Run by mother and daughter Mary and Sarah Furey, the restaurant can be found alongside the Grand Canal and boasts a charming décor.

They also have a nice selection of homemade burgers and pizza. If you are searching for a casual restaurant with a laid-back vibe, fast service, and an extensive food menu, you’ll definitely want to stop by Furey’s Diner.

4. La Bella Donna

Craving some authentic Italian cuisine? Head out to La Bella Donna Restaurant on Bridge Street. Run by Nabil and Anne, this recently refurbished Italian restaurant boasts a lovely atmosphere and décor with a price range that won’t break the bank.

What’s on the menu? La Bella Donna Restaurant offers an excellent selection of fish and steak, pizza, pasta, and chicken.

Make sure to save some space for the fresh ground coffee and some fine Italian desserts. Dishes are cooked to order and the restaurant uses fresh local produce.

What places to eat in Donegal Town have we missed?

I’ve no doubt that we’ve unintentionally left out some brilliant places for food in Donegal Town from the guide above. If you have a place that you’d like to recommend, let me know in the comments below.

Or, if you’re looking for a place to stay in Donegal Town for a night or two, drop into our Donegal Town Hotels or our Donegal Town B&Bs guides – there’s something for every budget.

Donegal Town restaurants FAQs

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘Where’s nice and casual?’ to ‘Where’s good for a fancy meal?’.

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.