There are some great restaurants in Rosscarbery for a feed after a day by the sea.
There are heaps of things to do in Rosscarbery, and it just so happens that kicking-back with a fine meal is up there with the best of them.
Thanks to its seaside location, Rosscarbery is home to some mighty seafood restaurants, with many eateries in the town offering up some of the best fishy dishes in the land.
Our favourite Restaurants in Rosscarbery
Rosscarbery has some outstanding places to dine and many restaurants have magnificent waterfront views and outdoor terraces.
The first section of this guide tackles our favourite Rosscarbery restaurants, from the brilliant Market House Restaurant to some often-missed spots.
1. Market House Restaurant
Nestled in the heart of Rosscarbery, Market House is a popular spot among locals and visitors alike.
The interior is a blend of rustic stone walls and vibrant teal accents, creating a cosy, welcoming atmosphere.
Menu highlights include the rich black truffle risotto with mushroom sauce and the slow-cooked Hereford beef in a decadent porcini mushroom sauce.
Don’t leave without trying the decadent chocolate fondant with sherry foam for dessert.
2. Jacks at Pilgrims Rest
Tucked away on South Sq. in Rosscarbery, Jacks at Pilgrims Rest offers a cosy, inviting atmosphere inside a historic building dating back to 1870.
The interior blends rustic charm with a modern touch, featuring wooden tables, comfy seating, and leafy plants.
The menu shines with local flavours, including the slow-cooked pork belly served with port jus and Rosscarbery black pudding croquette.
For something lighter, try the warm beets with Macroom Burrata and basil oil. End your meal with the salted caramel cheesecake, a perfect blend of sweet and tangy.
3. The Kingfisher Bistro
Situated by the waterfront, The Kingfisher Bistro offers a relaxed dining experience with mighty sea views.
The interior is bright and airy, featuring elegant décor with large windows that let in plenty of natural light, complemented by the outdoor seating area perfect for sunny days.
The standout dishes include the Glenmar Octopus Grilled Leg, poached in red wine and grilled to perfection, and the decadent Allshire Flambé Steak, served with brandy pepper sauce and garnished with Hawaiian black salt crystals.
For dessert, the pear and almond flan is a must-try.
4. O’Callaghan Walshes
Located on the main square is one of the more popular seafood restaurants in Rosscarbery. I’m talking, of course, about O’Callaghan Walshes.
Inside you will find exposed stone walls and old fishing nets along with some finely selected mismatched furniture.
The seafood served here is locally caught and sourced from West Cork.
The West Cork seafood platter is a must as well as the famous scampi and monkfish in garlic butter.
Related read: Check out our guide to the best places to stay and hotels in Rosscarbery (something to suit most budgets)
5. Nolans
I’d argue that Nolan’s is up there with some of the best pubs in Cork.
Throw in the fact that the food served here is knock-you-on-your-ar*e-good and you’ve a solid night ahead!
Nolan’s is also one of the most colourful public houses in the county (keep an eye out for a splash of yellow and red – you can’t miss it!).
Food wise, you can’t go wrong with the prawns or the smoked salmon followed by a pint or two of the black stuff. There’s also an extensive pub-grub menu is you fancy giving the fish a miss!
6. Rosscarbery Traditional Fish and Chips
When you think of chippers in Ireland, you often tend to think of low-quality, greasy food that you’d only eat after a flurry of pints.
However, that’s not always the case. Many towns in Cork boast chippers that pride themselves on the quality of their ingredients and the end product.
The brilliant Rosscarbery Traditional Fish and Chips is one of these A+ chip shops. Everything is locally sourced, the fish is freshly caught and the beef used is 100% Irish.
If you’re a fan of seafood, there’s everything from cod and haddock to hake, scampi and more. There’s also all of the usual bits and bobs, like burgers, chips and lots more tasty stuff.
7. The Max Bites
Sometimes you want a bit of familiarity when it comes to food and The Max Bites has got all the home comfort classics you could ever ask for.
Price wise, it’s nice and affordable and taste wise, it packs a punch.
If you’re searching for handy places to eat in Rosscarbery where you can grab something tasty and head off on your merry way, this is a great shout.
What great Rosscarbery restaurants have we missed?
I’ve no doubt that we’ve unintentionally left out some other great restaurants in Rosscarbery from the guide above.
If you have a favourite Rosscarbery restaurants that you’d like to recommend, drop a comment into the comments section below.
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.