8 Of The Best Restaurants In Dundalk

In search of the best restaurants in Dundalk? Our Dundalk restaurants guide will make your belly happy!

Sitting at the mouth of the Castletown River, and at the beginning of the Cooley Peninsula, the live town of Dundalk has a lot to be proud of; history and heritage, music and myth, and of course, excellent cuisine.

From comfort food at Ma Brady’s to dinner with friends at Windsor Bar, there’s something to tickle most tastebuds here.

In the guide below, you’ll discover the best Dundalk restaurants on offer, with a little bit of something to suit most fancies.

The best restaurants in Dundalk

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

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

1. The Spotted Dog

No matter what brings you to Dundalk, The Spotted Dog is there for you day and night; pull up a seat in the courtyard-style dining area, or inside if you’re lucky, and take a load off.

The Spotted Dog is fresh and vibrant, with city-chic styling of industrial lighting and well-loved wooden tables and chairs. Grab a menu, and try not to drool, everything is as good as it sounds.

From the Great Northern Larder Breakfast to the Croque Madame, soup of the day never sounded so good before, and be warned; it’s very hard to go past the chocolate and hazelnut brownie.

2. Windsor Bar and Restaurant

Cosy and comfy with a traditional vibe to it, the Windsor Bar and Restaurant is a reminder of what true hospitality should look and feel like. Inside an old Victorian redbrick building, the decor is light and airy, with hints of old-world charm.

Order drinks from the bar, then find yourself a table to settle on into, you’re going to be here for a while, so there’s no need to rush.

Admire the wooden panelling as you nibble on some chicken liver pate, or the crab claws with prawns, and when you’re ready, get stuck into the lamb and mash.

The a la carte menu is packed with everything from marinated salads and risottos to crispy chilli chicken, gammon steak, Mexican 3 bean stew and much more.

Looking for places to visit around Louth? Nip into our guides to the best walks in Louth, the best beaches in Louth and the top things to do in Louth

3. Sitar Indian Restaurant

Fancy heating things up a bit for a dinner out, or maybe just a hint of warming spices? The good news is that Sitar is the perfect spot if you’re seeking some Indian delights; all the classics plus a few you may not have tried before.

Relax and unwind in the traditional Indian decor of carved doorways and suspended cloth bunting. Feel free to float away on the delicious aromas as they fill the air while you wait, but do try the mild and aromatic Wicklow Lamb Pasanda, or the Prawns Phall to really clear your sinus.

Of course, if you need to cool things down, don’t forget the lassi! If you’re looking for Dundalk restaurants for a Saturday night out, Sitar is an excellent option.

4. Atami Japanese Cuisine

Dimly lit and seductive, the atmosphere at Atami Japanese Cuisine is one of intimacy and familiarity with its low lighting, small tables, and careful use of seating.

It’s the kind of restaurant you go to with your closest friends or someone you want to get to know better. Well, that and it likes to showcase the food, and when you see your plates you’ll understand why.

Choose the rainbow sushi if you fancy experiencing sushi as it should be or opt for the very tasty Teppan, either beef or chicken, and watch as the Teppan masters do their thing.

5. Gourmet Palace Dundalk

Out of this world, or just out of Dundalk, this restaurant is the stuff of gourmet dreams. With a hint of mystery and international spy, the vibe of this restaurant is part Oriental-explosion and part sophisticated-gourmand with its carved statues and thematic ornamental decorations.

The crisp white linens, crystalline water glasses, and fine dining atmosphere are spellbinding. But try not to be too distracted by the opulent setting as you browse the menu, and focus instead on the immaculate presentation of dishes like Crispy Aromatic Duck, house-made Thai spring rolls and fish cakes, or Yungchow fried rice.

Related read: Check out our guide to the best hotels in Dundalk (with a mix of fancy and pocket-friendly stays)

6. Greenmount

Sophisticated elegance with comfortable familiarity, this small bistro-style restaurant offers its patrons a chic European experience with a menu that warms the heart.

Open from brunch through to an early dinner, it’s the perfect stop for that post-movie meal, or to charge yourself up before tackling the many things to do in Dundalk.

Circular grey velvet booth seats with crisp white linens, sparkling chandeliers with polished and bevelled mirrors, Greenmount may not be what you were expecting, but the menu will not just nourish your body, but also your soul.

Come for the quiet, stay for the Full Irish, or perhaps the steak and onion rings if you’re feeling more than peckish. This is another of the more popular Dundalk restaurants for good reason.

7. Ma Brady’s

Although it’s more of a cafe, I’d argue that Ma Brady’s could go toe-to-toe with some of the best restaurants in Dundalk, especially if you’re after some comfort food!

You’ll find it on Church Street where it’s popular with locals and visiting tourists alike. Although it has a no-fuss interior, it excels thanks to top-notch service and beautifully prepped food.

Menu wise, there’s everything from full Irish breakfasts and American-style pancakes to chicken burgers, curries and caesar salads.

8. The Jockeys

Conveniently located within walking distance of the Dundalk Station, The Jockeys is an old school Irish pub that’s known for dishing up a tasty bit of grub, too.

You won’t find fancy plates here – this is the place for proper pub-grub – hearty and wholesome.. Take a seat at the leather-backed lounge, or the polished wood bar, and order the sharing platter if you’re with friends, or tackle a mains if you’re feeling hungry.

The portions here are generous and it’s a good spot to watch a match with friends.

What Dundalk restaurants have we missed?

I’ve no doubt that we’ve unintentionally left out some brilliant places to eat in Dundalk from the guide above.

If you have a place that you’d like to recommend, let me know in the comments below and I’ll check it out!