Formerly known as Pier 26, this well established seafood restaurant, the adjacent pub, and its B&B rooms changed hands in late 2017 and, now owned by businessman Pearse Flynn (a Ballycotton native) and rebranded Cush, it's all run as a unit - and sister to the impressive Sea Church nearby.
It's all been refurbished, but with a light touch. The friendly 'maritime bar' remains pleasingly traditional - there's usually a welcoming stove burning and they do music once a week as well - and, while there's a wide ranging drinks list including a cocktail menu, it's a nice spot to drop into during the day too, for a tea or coffee after viisting the harbour or doing the cliff walk.
The restaurant takes up a couple of rooms and it's a very pleasant venue, with sea views on two sides which adds to the experience in fine weather.
Seafood is of course the speciality that every visitor to Ballycotton expects and, although the offering is season and weather dependent (the selection will inevitably be more restricted if Ballycotton is storm bound), fish lovers are unlikely to be disappointed.
In season there will be a good selection of very fresh shellfish - shrimps, prawns, scallops, lobster and crab - on the menu, as well as freshly caught hake and other fish off the boats based in the harbour below.
However Euro-Toques chef Dan Guerin has a culinary ace up his sleeve, as he aims equally to let his modern Irish cooking showcase 'the harvest of our local farms' - and this may be part of the reason for their success as, despite Ballycotton's reputation for being very seasonal, it is now becoming a popular all year destination.
As to the food, it is a delight. There is a strong emphasis on specials (on all courses) and the supplier list welcomes the diner into their local world of food.
Simply and carefully cooked to bring out the best in these carefully sourced ingredients, every dish is appealingly presented without undue fuss, served with efficiency and charm - and tastes wonderful.
No wonder this pleasing restaurant is so successful, it is well worth the journey - and the rooms are lovely too, so an overnight break here would be very pleasant.
And you can stay here too, in one of the six stylish, well-equipped and reasonably priced double bedrooms; a full breakfast is served in the restaurant and, at weekends, it's a popular brunch venue. Quite the little gem.
