8 Westport Restaurants That Are Always 10/10

I visit Westport 3 or 4 times a year. As a result, there are several restaurants in Westport I keep going back to, as I know they’ll be 10/10 every time.

Places like An Port Mór, The Towers, Sage and JJs that, regardless of how many times I visit, the food never disappoints.

Below, you’ll find what I think are the best restaurants in Westport Town, based on many visits over the years – cheers!

The best restaurants in Westport

When it comes to Westport restaurants are aplenty, but not all are equal. As is the case with every busy tourist town, there’s the good, the bad and the ugly.

However, over the last 2 years in particular (with the exception of the closure of Cian’s!), the standard of Westport’s food offering has increased tenfold. Here are my favourite spots!

1. An Port Mór

Tucked away off busy Bridge Street at Brewery Place (look out for the little lane way by Moran’s Pub) is the hugely popular An Port Mór.

Award-winning chef Frankie Mallon is at the helm, having earned his stripes in the likes of Switzerland’s Bahnhof Buffet and Cap Vernet in Paris.

Food-wise, a struggle awaits – the seafood here (like the Clew Bay scallops!) is exceptional while the meat (Kelly’s Black Angus striploin!) is locally sourced and cooked to perfection.

An Port Mór tops this guide to the best restaurants in Westport for good reason. A visit here never fails to make the belly happy!

The 3-course set menu is good value: It’s €39 at the time of typing with everything from ham hock terrine and slow braised duck to grilled hake on offer.

2. Sage Restaurant

Sage Restaurant can be found on High Street, a little way up the hill to the left of the Octagon.

The brainchild of Shteryo Yurukov, it’s here that you’ll find dishes that look as exquisite as they taste.

There’s an à la carte and a well-priced early bird on offer at Sage, each of which can be perfectly paired with a tipple from a finely curated wine list.

Food wise, expect contemporary Irish Cuisine at its very best, with the seafood linguine and the 6-hour slow cooked beef cheek 2 menu highlights.

If you’re looking for places to eat in Westport to mark a special occasion, look no further.

3. Sol Rio Restaurant

Located along bustling Bridge St. a stone’s throw from one of the best pubs in Westport (Moran’s!) is Sol Rio Restaurant.

Here you’ll be treated to a family-friendly atmosphere and food that’s been crafted to perfection with a Portugese flair.

One of the menu highlights is the Pollo Parmigiano – Parmigiano crusted chicken accompanied by tasty Provencal sauce.

Another of my go-tos is the Monkfish Risotto, which comes with prawns, mixed peppers and Arborio rice.

Sol Rio has been steadily building it’s reputation as one of the best restaurants in Westport since first launching in 1997. A feed from here is hard to beat!

4. The Helm

Located down at the Quay (7-minute drive from town), The Helm is another of my long-standing favourites.

Step inside and you’ll find a cozy, nautical-themed interior along with a neighbouring bar where live music takes place.

Food wise, this is one of the best restaurants in Westport for fish (in my opinion), 

For starters, you’ll have your work cut out for you deciding between the seafood chowder and the duck spring rolls.

For mains, I find it hard to stray from the Poached Medallions of Monkfish and the Surf N Turf.

Need a place to stay? See our Westport hotels or our Westport B&Bs guide for great accommodation!

5. JJ O’Malleys

You’ll find JJ O’Malleys at the top of Bridge St., near the clock (you can’t miss it!) where it’s home to both a bar and a restaurant.

This is one of the more unique places to eat in Westport, mainly thanks to the olde-world interior that’ll make you feel like you’re in a pub up the mountains rather than just off a busy street.

The starters here aren’t what you’d expect from a pub restaurant, with everything from pork liver pate to black pudding croquettes on-the-go.

There’s plenty on offer for mains, from a plethora of stir-fry options and plenty of pasta and chicken dishes to seafood and steak

6. La Bella Vita

La Bella Vita is another one located just past the clock, slightly up hilly High Street.

It’s here that you’ll find some of the finest Italian food Westport has to offer in a bistro-style setting.

Visitors can expect a warm greeting, top-notch service, an excellent wine list and plenty of delicious dishes.

Some of the menu highlights include the hearty gnocchi 4 cheese and the simple yet delicious polpettine (tomato sauce and meatballs!)

This place is pokey: And popular! So call 098 29771 to make a reservation before hand

7. The Towers Bar & Restaurant

When the weather’s fine, there are few Westport restaurants that can offer a setting like The Towers Bar & Restaurant.

Located a 7-minute drive from the town centre on the Quay, the Towers overlooks the water and out beyond to Croagh Patrick.

As you’d expect from a restaurant located so close to the sea, the menu here is laden with mussels, calamari, oysters, fish and chips and more.

However, there’s also salads, soups, chicken wings, burgers, chicken supreme and plenty more, depending on what tickles your fancy

Booking is strongly recommended: This is one of the more popular places to eat in Westport, so book in advance!

8. Friends Bistro

The last of our Westport restaurants is Bridge Street’s Friends Bistro – a place where Irish dishes are served up with an international twist!

This is another bistro-style-spot with a cosy interior and the type of service that, personally, I’m not used to getting in busy tourist town restaurants.

During recent visits, I’ve always gone for whatever’s on the lunch or dinner specials menu, as neither has let me down.

On previous visits, I’ve had the steak sandwich, the beef and Guinness stew and the spinach ravioli, and each was fantastic.

Discover Westport beyond the food

Now you know which Westport restaurants to head to, it’s time to work up an appetite!

Here are some great things to do nearby:

• Walks: The Croagh Patrick hike and the Tourmakeady Waterfall Walk
• Drives: The Atlantic Drive and the Doolough Valley Drive
• Attractions: Achill Island, Aasleagh Falls, Kylemore Abbey and the Westport Greenway