Great Gastro Pubs in Westport

If you want to ditch the white tablecloths for a more relaxed evening of pub vibes with great food, we've got you covered.

The gastro pub scene in Westport has taken off massively in recent years, with some of our nearest and dearest watering holes serving up the best pints of Guinness in the county along with the best grub too. You won't go wrong with some of our favourites below.

Before its current incarnation as a bar, this beautifully restored building housed a traditional cobbler’s shop for 50 years. Now a lively gastro pub in the heart of Westport, it serves a small but perfectly formed menu of finely cooked dishes. Offerings include Killary Fjord mussels, Guinness beef pie and pan-fried Kelly’s black pudding with buttered cabbage and champ. On a sunny day grab a seat outside on the Octogan and watch the world go by, bliss! For more see Cobblers Bar.

The new Gastro Bar on the block Coveys is defiantly worth a visit while in town. The menu has all the favourites along with some very nice vegan options. We advise booking well in advance as it books out during weekends.

If you're here climbing Croagh Patrick you are definitely going to want to book yourself a table at The Tavern in Murrisk as your final stop. This bright pink little gem is located just a stone's throw from the mountains' starting point and has as many food awards displayed at its front door as it has hot meals on its menu. You'll see why when you're served up the best of local produce by owners Myles & Ruth O'Brien. Give yourself plenty of time here and book ahead, you're going to love this homely bar with incredible food along with nooks, crannies, snugs and turf fires to warm your legs after the long hike.

The name of this pub – An File (Irish for ‘The Poet’) – is a nod to Mayo’s famed blind poet, Antoine Rafteirí. Head Chef Mickey Hunter’s wide-ranging menu uses local produce to create high-quality bar food, served daily from noon to 8 pm. If you’re looking for an all-day breakfast, look no further – and if you like a burger, you’ll find a tempting choice, each served in a beer-glazed sourdough bun. Mmmmm.

Cronin’s Sheebeen (or ‘The Sheebeen’ as everyone calls it) was recently named the Best Gastro Pub in Connacht award at the 2018 Restaurant Association of Ireland (RAI) awards. Recommended in both the Michelin and the Lonely Planet guides, this pub sits just outside the town, at Rosbeg, and boasts stunning views of Clew Bay. Owned by affable couple Colm and Dolores Cronin, The Sheebeen offers a traditional interior, roaring fires and scrumptious food – a lovely blend of traditional and contemporary dishes. Try their delicious gingerbread duck or their cheeky mojito-marinated chicken salad.

This delightful nautical-themed gastropub and bistro restaurant can be found on the quayside in Westport, offering breathtaking views of Croagh Patrick and the bay from under a heated stretch tent. Their fabulous beer garden also has enclosed children’s play area. The tempting menu includes homemade boxty, Clew Bay oysters, Achill Island crab claws and beer-battered haddock. For more see The Towers.

A firm favourite with locals, and renowned for its generous portions, The Helm at Westport Quay serves up traditional dinners and bar food in a relaxed and warm atmosphere. Fish is delivered daily – caught locally from fishermen who bring their boats as far south as Rossaveal, County Galway, to Ballina in Mayo’s far north. The wide-ranging menu offers everything from salmon Florentine to roast rack of lamb. You won’t leave hungry.