Whether you're popping in for a freshly baked scone or a bite of lunch while exploring the wonderfully unspoilt Sheep's Head peninsula, or coming for a 'proper dinner', you'll be glad you found this surprising restaurant in the charming village of Kilcrohane.
What's unexpected about it in this away-from-it-all location is the modern style and polish of the former creamery building, and also the range and quality of the food that's been offered here each summer since 2014, when this imaginative project was first opened by the O’Donovan family. Eleanor O’Donovan, formerly head chef at the lovely Seaview House Hotel at Ballylickey (always known for its good food), is the chef and her sister-in-law, Mary Ann O'Donovan, the restaurant manager. Between them, the two women run a very pleasant and customer-focused operation.
The restaurat area is smartly set up with banquettes lining the walls, modern darkwood dining chairs with fretwork backs, interesting artwork and glass doors leading out onto a riverside seating area. It's an attractive room and very well suited to more formal service for Sunday lunch and dinner in the evening, while a corridor links the restaurant to the more casual café area in the former Sheep’s Head Producers’ Market and Shop, which unfortunately closed during the pandemic.
As far possible all meat, fish, vegetables and cheeses are locally sourced and, while the drinks list includes well priced wines (from around €22), local beers and cider are also offered.
While every dish from lunchtime salads to evening main courses is given equal care, baking and desserts are a particular strength. Everything is made daily in-house and special diets are enthusiastically catered for, with gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options available.
Local diners quite rightly consider themselves very lucky to have a restaurant like this in such a small village, and there is more - an improved bus service means that Bantry it's possible to take a bus up to Kilcrohane, enjoy a meal at The Old Creamery and return in comfort without any driving. Needless to say, it has become a very popular outing for Sunday lunch...
