2017 Award Winners SEAFOOD RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 2017

Jack's Coastguard Restaurant, Cromane, Co Kerry

Although we eat less fish at home than might be expected for an island nation, everybody – whether living in Ireland or just visiting - seems to love seafood when eating out, so it’s an increasingly vibrant sector of the restaurant business. Focusing on provenance is key to supporting the best fishermen and producers and ensuring the best consumer experience, something that BIM have been working on for some time through initiatives like the former Seafood Circle and now - jointly with Failte Ireland - the West Coast seafood trail, ‘Taste the Atlantic - a Seafood Journey’ which links a number of Wild Atlantic Way seafood restaurants and their suppliers in a visitor-friendly way.

There’s something especially pleasing about eating in a restaurant that overlooks the land- or seascape which is the source of the food on your plate - and that is certainly part of the appeal at this delightful spot on the Ring of Kerry, which has a beach at the bottom of the garden and lays claim to being the only place in the county where the McGillicuddy Reeks and the Brandon of mountain range can be viewed at the same time…

It’s also just a pebble’s throw from the harbour where the mussels that the area is famous for are landed. They star in a classic marinière style dish and - although the ubiquitous tiger prawn finds its way in, even here (in a speciality tempura dish) - a great range of fresh local seafood is offered according to seasonal and weather-related availability.

The cooking is excellent and everything is beautifully presented, with generous servings of lovely fresh local vegetables too. But, even aside from the delicious food and stunning location, the warm welcome and outstanding service would also draw you back here time and again as, under the watchful eye of the ever-present owners, a charming and well trained front of house team make every visit a memorable one.