Doncha just love serendipity, even the word has a positive ring to it. We pass by Ballina about…read moretwice a year. It self-promotes itself as Ireland's salmon capital with a sign at the edge of town proclaiming so. Ballina means 'mouth of the ford' and it nestles in the Ox and Nephin Beg mountains. So we pick up some wild salmon at 80 euro a kilo. The town has had inhabitants for near 700 years. We've become used to calling into Dave's cafe for one of the best coffees anywhere around. So up the alleyway more than ready for great coffee and horror of horrors it was closed: it was 4:30pm maybe he closes mid afternoon, who knows but having built up to great coffee it was time to explore. I knew there was a Costa in town but I didn't really want to go there and found this place just across the road on a Main Street. The coffees were superb - a flat white and cappuccino - and both under €3. Serving staff were a friendly bunch and it was a cosy place away from the cold rain outside. Dave might have lost four coffee sales a year. Hope he can cope.

Went here with my girlfriend; what an amazing place it is!…read more The coffees are amazing, and when the focaccia's came we just realised these are the best. Ever. The orders came quick, although it was packed! This was a big plus point for them; excellent. We will definitely be coming back again! Do come too!

We arrived at the door to the restaurant twenty minutes early on a foggy Saturday morn, and the…read moreowner ushered us in the front door. Very pleasant man, Brendan Brown. Large menu, everyone liked their Irish breakfast. I had the porridge with strawberries and bananas and was very satisfied. Large bowl of porridge with plenty of fruit. The coffee was as American as could be, filtered coffee as our Irish friends seem to say. The wait staff was attentive but not too attentive. The prices were right. We noticed that the waffles were listed under deserts, just a heads up, if you like waffles for breakfast. This is a place I would come back for breakfast or lunch regularly if we live near. Open Monday to Saturday 9 am to 6 pm. Coffee to go (take away) also. Check Out the men's or lady's rooms for instructions of use, well worth the visit.

This is one of Ballina's best cafés. It is small and cosy, and is a favourite of everyone from…read moreteenagers to business persons. The café serves soup, sandwiches, hot drinks, desserts, meals and smoothies. The cakes here are amazing. Prices vary, but are not above average. The staff are friendly and welcoming. This is a brilliant place to come and have a chat with an old friend.

When we arrived in this town my coffee radar brought me to the wonderful Dave's deli. Although my…read morewife's radar was pre tuned to shops we agreed to coffee first. I hesitated turning off the car radio as the Eagles were singing Lying Eyes 'you're still the same old girl you used to be...' Dave's was shut as the note on the door advised that the beggar and Mrs Dave had beggared off on holidays - how inconsiderate. So I recalled there was a Costa nearby so off went. The Costa staff were so welcoming. The WIFI was excellent, the flat white and cappuccino coffees were great but the Portuguese Pastel de Nata tarts were seriously overpriced and seriously undercooked. The pie filling was top notch but the pastry, which is meant to be thin crispy almost filo, was doughy, chewy awful. So it's a star off for the horrible pastel and I was near tempted to take 2 stars off but the staff were charm personified; it's not at all acceptable to charge near four euro for such terribly poor quality. The Portuguese government should be allowed to sue for bringing this wonderful pastry into disrepute. Worth a visit if nearby, and Dave's is shut, but do avoid the poor de nata.

Stopped in for lunch and three of us had the beet and goat cheese salad. It was amazing. The staff…read morewas very friendly. Would definitely recommend this cute little cafe.

I was in County Mayo and read an article in today's Irish Times about this cafe. I'm so glad that I…read moretook the time to read the paper and then journey the few kilometres to the Secret Garden. It's located on the grounds of Enniscoe house and has, as you would expect, a garden in the back. However, calling this a "garden" is somewhat like calling Central Park a "park." sure, it technically is, but it's way bigger and better than you'd expect just by that name. And not only does the cafe front the gardens, it also offered a trail to the nearby lake. But I actually came there for the food. And... oh yes! The food was reasonably priced and just incredibly tasty. The baked goods especially so. Oh, and the mushroom soup had mushrooms picked directly from the chef's farm. Yum. The Secret Garden Cafe was some place I wish, wish, which was located close my home... Because if it was, I'd just reserve a permanent table.

If you know whats good for you, you'll get yourself down to The Sweet Beat on Bridge Street! They…read moreoffer breakfast, lunch and smoothies/coffees to go. Fresh and healthy superfood salads, juices, dairy free sweet treats, daily hot specials, 3fe coffee and teas - all offered with dairy free milk options. I had the superfood salad of massaged kale, chickpeas, and spiced cous cous (with cranberries, pomegranate and pesto) for lunch. For €7.50 it filled me up for the day and is far more exciting then the dull packaged leaves and uninspiring dash of olive oil salads you get in other establishments. These salads ARE the dish, not just a bit of green on the side - they demand your attention and don't disappoint on taste! Less than a 5 minute stroll from O'Connell St, in the summer it'd be lovely to get a salad to go at lunch time and eat it along the riverside. I imagine the menu will expand as the business does, as chef-cum-proprietor Carolanne is Ballymaloe trained and well travelled! They maintain an active social media presence @sweetbeatsligo and already have a loyal following of customers - including me! Watch this space, as it expands into something brilliant, its thrilling to see young businesses like this bringing the heart back into Sligo town.

A must when visiting the area. Super food. Tasty, fresh and good for the soul. Good selection of…read moresalads, soup of the day and larger "dailies" as an option e.g. Best bourguignon and patatas bravas!! also a variety of milk options for your coffee choice!!

We had a nice lunch sitting in the back looking out the window. Stopped in because I'm a Walsh.read more

Went to Walsh's while visiting Connemara/Clifden area. We traveled for two weeks and I think this…read morewas the BEST breakfast we had the entire time. Good atmosphere and the staff was very nice. 5/5 - quiche with goat cheese, spinach & potato. It paired perfectly with the salad which was a mix of leafy greens, chickpea salad, and pickled beets. All amazing but the beets were the best I've ever had. Flat white was good too! 5/5 - pancakes, streaky bacon, & maple syrup. My husband ordered this, it was really good. 6/5 - lemon blueberry muffin & plain croissant. We got this take away for a snack later. I'm sad I didn't try to there because it was amazing and I would have ordered more. They really know what they are doing with the pastries.

Nice, basic selection of savory and sweet crepes, ice cream, smoothies, etc. The atmosphere is…read morecasual, good for kids. The music was a bit loud for my taste.

What a find, a real tasty treat place right in the town centre. The waitress was very friendly. The…read moretables and chairs are canteen style and comfy. We had a bacon based, and very tasty home made soup each. Our soup was accompanied by a bacon, cream cheese Ballymaloe relish in a lush panini (me) and my wife had a huge savoury crepe with chicken & bacon. These were great portions and full of flavour and each came served up with some tortilla chips, salad and a mayo dip on the side. Then we had a single espresso and large skinny cappuccino. The toilets were spotlessly clean and local papers were available to read. The bill came to 18 euro for the two of us. I was tempted by the Maud's ice creams but in the end I didn't buy. It was a wet, windy, cold day outside and we were toasty warm having just arrived from Achill island. One real irritation here no wifi. I expect if it had it would see greater numbers in the door.

With no prior experience eating at a Supermacs, and the suggestion of my very silly grandad (who…read moreprefers it to McDonalds-- so we knew the caliber of food we were getting into), we decided to stop by and grab a bite to eat. My beau ordered himself the classic Supermac, and I got a cheeseburger with fries and a drink to share + a side of the curry sauce, because why not. First of all, it took a whopping 15-20 minutes to get our food, and when we did unwrap it... it was mostly awful. My burger tasted like it'd been nuked in the microwave, the lettuce was soggy and the meat was kinda dried out. The saving grace of the entire meal had to be the curry sauce, which gave the large cut-soggy fries flavor it so desperately needed. That said, and I'm sorry grandad, I prefer McDonalds. But I'd still give another SuperMac's location a try.

Susie's Bistro is a new place in town, and my my, it's a lovely place to dine!…read more They started to do breakfast now too. We tasted their stack of pancakes with maple and added bacon and sausage with it: truly delicious! Their dinner menu starts at 12, and they offer a nice selection of sandwiches, and specials. We've been having lunch here a few times, and every time it's nice! Go and try it out for yourself!

Susie's what a breath of fresh air , nice decor very comfortable seems like your at home eating …read more Coconut Cod was tender and flaky the lamb was by far one of the best I have tasted and the chicken with stir fry veggies had a great balance of flavor . The staff is helpful and inviting. I would recommend anyone in the area to come in for a bite your really going to be surprised .