9 Of The Best Restaurants in Waterford

There are some excellent restaurants in Waterford, many of which have survived a very tough 5-or-so-years.

Dining in Waterford City, Ireland’s oldest, is a real treat if you know where to go. From fine dining to casual, tasty eats, there’s a bit of something to tickle every tastebud, here.

From fancy feeds at the incredible Everett’s to finely prepped plates from Mara, theres an endless number of great places to eat in Waterford.

The best restaurants in Waterford

The first section of our guide to the best restaurants in Waterford tackles our favourite places to eat in Waterford.

These are pubs and restaurants that we (one of the Irish Road Trip team) have munched away in at some point over the years.

1. McLeary’s Restaurant   

McLeary’s Restaurant offers quality dining in a sleek casual setting with gleaming wood floors and unfussy table settings.

Located on Parade Quay, it has mighty views of the river to enhance the experience. Opt for the alfresco experience on the terrace if the weather’s good.

The a la carte menu has a host of tasty seafood starters followed by tempting steak, seafood, duck and curry choices.

The Seafood Pie oozes with cream sauce beneath layers of salmon, cod and smoked haddock. The Sirloin Steak comes with chips and pepper sauce – add a tempura shrimp for the ultimate surf and turf!

2. Momo Restaurant

The award-winning Momo Restaurant in Waterford is a top choice for fresh ingredients and healthy cuisine.

One of the best restaurants in Ireland, according to the revered McKennas’ Guide it turns humble foods into sensational meals.

Try the Dungarvan Ale Brined Chicken Supreme with Sausage Stuffing and the mouthwatering Catalan fish stew.

For afternoon eats, the Lunch Menu includes pasta, fish and chips and a tasty Lunch-in-a-Hurry option including homemade soup, a gourmet sandwich and salad bar.

Related read: Check out our guide to the best pubs in Waterford (old-school pubs that have stood the test of time) 

3. Emiliano’s

Opened in 2000, Emiliano’s has carved a niche for itself as a traditional Italian Restaurant that serves honest dishes created with passion and flair by a team of experienced chefs.

Located on High Street, it has a homely family-friendly ambience.

For starters, savor the Antipasto Della Casa, Gamberi alla Diavola with spicy prawns, or crispy Arancini.

For mains, discover the rich flavors of Tagliatelle Montecristo with creamy mushroom sauce, Tagliolini Ai Frutti di Mare with fresh seafood, and the comforting Cannelloni Riccotta.

4. Mara (previously the Old Couch Café)

Nestled in the heart of Waterford, Mara offers a cozy, intimate dining atmosphere, with warm lighting, rustic decor, and a blend of modern and natural elements.

The ambiance is sophisticated yet welcoming, providing a perfect backdrop for the exquisite culinary journey crafted by chef-owner Luis Martin.

With a history rooted in Michelin-starred kitchens and five-star Irish hotels, Luis brings a wealth of experience and a passion for sustainable, waste-conscious cooking.

Enjoy elegant starters like prawns and ajoblanco or rabbit and carrot escabeche, followed by mains such as monkfish and peas a la française or a 6oz beef steak with chimichurri.

5. Peppers Restaurant

Situated in the heart of Waterford City on Merchants Quay, Peppers Restaurant is one of the more popular Waterford restaurants.

Peppers boasts a selection of signature main dishes that elevate traditional Indian flavors with contemporary twists.

The Sikhandari Raan is a standout, featuring a shank of lamb marinated with Kashmiri chili, coriander, and yogurt, smoked and slow-roasted overnight, served with creamy red lentils.

For seafood lovers, the Papeeta Jhol offers pan-fried line-caught cod in lime butter, resting in a Bengali-inspired broth with green papaya, a creation celebrated on Gordon Ramsay’s F Word.

6. Bodega

Bodega Restaurant and Wine Bar is an attractive joint on John Street serving casual cuisine from brunch to dinner.

With its vibrant, eclectic interior filled with bold colors and artistic touches, Bodega offers a warm and inviting atmosphere.

For appetizers, the Bluebell Falls Goats Cheese Salad combines beetroot, pecan crumb, and honey-dijon dressing, while the Gambas al Pil Pil brings a taste of the sea with prawns in a chili, garlic, and wine sauce.

Main courses shine with dishes like the Wild Mushroom Risotto infused with truffle oil, and the Orecchiette Pasta featuring Italian fennel and pork sausage, creamy burrata, and a rich tomato-basil sauce.

Seafood lovers will appreciate the Pan-Fried Cod served in a light curry velouté with mussels and samphire. For a hearty option, try the 8oz O’Flynn’s Fillet Steak.

If you’re looking for places to eat in Waterford this weekend, you can’t go wrong here.

7. La Fontana

La Fontana is an authentic rustic restaurant with a great Italian menu in the heart of the Viking Triangle on The Quay. Pick your favourite pizza or choose a generous antipasti dish to share.

Tempura Prawns with spicy batter, mussels in white wine and Caprese Insalata are a nice change from the more traditional platter of cured meats, cheese and grilled veggies.

For the main course, indulge in Ravioli de Carne Tagliatelle or perhaps their Spaghetti Marinara filled with local mussels, monkfish, pawns and squid in a cherry tomato sauce.

If you’re after a delicious Italian meal, there are few restaurants in Waterford that can go head-to-head with La Fontana. 

8. Everett’s Restaurant

Everett’s Restaurant promises exceptional dining in the heart of the city.

It’s off to a good start with gorgeous historic surroundings within the 15th century John Collyn House on Waterford High Street.

However, this high-end restaurant is thoroughly modern when it comes to the menu. It was recently awarded a MICHELIN Guide Bib Gourmand for 2024.

If you’re looking for Waterford restaurants to mark a special occasion, look no further than Everett’s.

9. Sabai Thai And Vietnamese Restaurant

Located in the elegant Georgian building of Derrynane House, Sabai offers a serene dining experience, blending historic charm with contemporary style.

The restaurant provides a relaxed setting for guests to enjoy authentic Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, complemented by a full bar and a selection of cocktails.

Begin your meal with the crisp and flavorful Kao Poad Thod sweetcorn fritters or the richly seasoned Vietnamese Fried Spring Rolls filled with pork, chicken, and mushrooms.

For mains, the Massaman Curry offers a fragrant blend of star anise, cinnamon, and cardamom with a choice of lamb or other meats.

What great Waterford restaurants have we missed?

I’ve no doubt that we’ve unintentionally left out some other great restaurants in Waterford from the guide above.

If you have any favourite Waterford restaurants that you’d like to recommend, drop a comment into the comments section below.