Best Places to Eat in Killybegs – Cafés, Restaurants, Seafood & Takeaways
If you’re looking for places to eat in Killybegs, you’ll find plenty of choice throughout the town. From traditional fish and chips and fresh Atlantic seafood to breakfast cafés, homemade baking, Indian cuisine, Chinese food, pizza and street food, there is something for almost every taste.
Killybegs sits along the Wild Atlantic Way and is Ireland’s largest fishing port, so it is no surprise that fresh fish and seafood feature strongly throughout the town. Whether you are looking for breakfast before a day of exploring, a coffee and cake in the afternoon, a quick lunch or somewhere to enjoy dinner, Killybegs has plenty of options.
Mrs B’s Coffee House
Mrs B’s Coffee House is a popular daytime stop in Killybegs, particularly for breakfast, lunch, coffee and something homemade. The café is known for its freshly baked goods, including fruit scones, as well as breakfast and lunch dishes.
It is the kind of place where you can settle in with a coffee and something sweet or choose something more substantial. Breakfast options include dishes such as pancakes and an açai bowl, while lunch choices include soup, freshly prepared sandwiches, salads and pasta dishes. Homemade baking is a particular attraction, making Mrs B’s a good choice for visitors looking for a relaxed café experience.
Ahoy Café
Ahoy Café is located on Shore Road, with views across the water, making it a popular spot for a casual meal or coffee. The menu has a good mix of breakfast, lunch and café favourites, with options to suit both a quick stop and a more leisurely meal.
For breakfast, you can expect choices such as breakfast rolls, while the lunch menu includes hearty options such as seafood chowder. If you’re stopping by for something lighter, Ahoy Café also offers freshly prepared sandwiches and other café favourites.
The café is also known for its homemade baking, including treats such as blueberry scones, making it a nice choice for an afternoon coffee and something sweet. With its welcoming feel and waterside location, Ahoy Café is a good place to enjoy a relaxed bite while taking in the views.
Melly’s Café
Melly’s Café has been a Killybegs institution since 1956 and is particularly well known for its traditional fish and chips. The family-run café has built its reputation around fresh, locally sourced fish and straightforward, satisfying food.
Alongside their famous fish and chips, Melly’s also offers chicken boxes, burgers and wraps, with their Spice Box being another popular choice. It combines spicy chicken with chips and makes a filling option for those looking for something different from the traditional fish and chips.
The atmosphere is informal and welcoming, making Melly’s a great choice for families, visitors and locals looking for a casual meal or takeaway.
Killybegs Seafood Shack
For visitors who want to experience Killybegs’ fishing heritage through its food, the Killybegs Seafood Shack is a natural choice.
The menu focuses on freshly cooked seafood, with fish and chips, cod goujons and chips, scampi, and calamari among the options. There are also homemade coleslaw and different dips to accompany the meals.
The Seafood Shack is particularly suited to a casual lunch or takeaway. Located on Main Street, it is a convenient place to pick up freshly cooked seafood while visiting Killybegs. The business is also known for its award-winning seafood chowder.
Andersons Boathouse Restaurant
Andersons Boathouse Restaurant offers a more traditional sit-down dining experience, with a strong emphasis on seafood and locally sourced ingredients.
The restaurant is known for its award-winning seafood chowder, while its menu regularly features fresh seafood and seasonal dishes. Lobster is also offered on selected occasions, giving visitors the chance to enjoy locally sourced seafood in a relaxed restaurant setting.
The restaurant has a charming atmosphere and a cobbled courtyard, with its location in the centre of Killybegs making it convenient for visitors exploring Main Street. It is a good choice for a leisurely lunch or evening meal rather than a quick takeaway.
The Waterfront Restaurant at the Tara Hotel
The Waterfront Restaurant at the Tara Hotel offers a wide choice of traditional and contemporary dishes, with a strong focus on local seafood alongside Donegal meats and other locally sourced ingredients. The current menu includes options for both lunch and dinner, making it suitable for a lighter daytime meal or a more substantial evening meal.
Seafood choices include Tara’s Seafood Chowder, made with cod, coley, salmon and haddock, Tara’s Signature Fish Tacos, Crispy Squid, Killybegs Fish Pie, and Fish & Chips with Killybegs haddock. The dinner menu also includes Monk and Prawn Gratin, while the lunch menu offers Donegal Smoked Salmon & Scrambled Eggs.
There are plenty of non-seafood options too, including Tara’s Signature Burger, Hot Honey Fried Chicken Burger, Tara Beef & Guinness Stew, Turkey & Glenties Ham, Chicken, Chorizo & ’Nduja Rigatoni and Tara Butter Masala, which is available with vegetable, chicken or prawn.
The Bay View Hotel
The Bay View Hotel offers several dining options, making it suitable for everything from breakfast and lunch to an evening meal.
Breakfast choices include a full Irish breakfast with sausages, rashers, black and white pudding, fried egg, mushrooms and grilled tomato, along with breakfast baps, poached eggs, French toast, pancakes, scrambled eggs, smoked salmon pancakes and porridge.
For lunch or dinner, seafood features strongly. Options include Atlantic seafood chowder, crab claws with garlic and white wine, scampi bites, tiger prawns and fish and chips, while meat choices include burgers and dry-aged sirloin steak.
The Fleet Inn
The Fleet Inn on Bridge Street combines a restaurant and traditional pub atmosphere, making it a popular option for an evening out in Killybegs.
The kitchen focuses on locally sourced ingredients, with fresh seafood, Irish dishes, handmade beef burgers and homemade desserts among the food offering. The pub also has a good selection of beers, cocktails and other drinks to accompany a meal.
India Today Bar & Grill
India Today Bar & Grill offers something completely different from the seafood and traditional Irish food found elsewhere in Killybegs.
The menu includes a wide range of Indian dishes, including chicken biryani, chicken bhuna, chicken balti, chicken korma, chicken tikka masala and butter chicken. There are also tandoori dishes, including tandoori chicken, chicken tikka and tandoori jumbo prawns.
For something to share, the grilled platter includes lamb sheek kebab, chicken tikka and jumbo prawns, while seafood options include prawn and monkfish jalfrezi. Vegetarian choices include vegetable bhuna, saag aloo, vegetable korma, vegetable balti and vegetable jalfrezi.
Marina Café
Located beside the marina on Shore Road, Marina Café is another popular choice for visitors looking for fresh fish and casual dining.
Fish is a particular feature here, with the café known locally for dishes such as its trio of fish and chips. The menu also provides the opportunity to enjoy other café-style meals and locally sourced ingredients.
The setting beside the marina gives the café a distinctly coastal atmosphere. It is a good place to stop for lunch while watching the activity around Killybegs Harbour and the fishing port.
Asian Kitchen
Asian Kitchen on Main Street provides another alternative for visitors looking beyond traditional Irish and seafood dishes.
The restaurant specialises in Chinese cuisine and offers both restaurant dining and takeaway. Menu favourites include spring rolls, prawn toast, chicken satay and combination platters, alongside dishes such as sweet and sour chicken, vegetables in black bean sauce and Singapore noodles.
The atmosphere is casual and suitable for both a relaxed evening meal and a takeaway. With its Chinese menu, Asian Kitchen gives visitors another option when travelling with a group where everyone may be looking for something different.
Pizza Max
Pizza Max on Upper Main Street is a straightforward choice for visitors looking for pizza or a quick takeaway meal.
The menu includes freshly made pizzas, with familiar choices such as Margherita, alongside sides and other takeaway favourites. Burgers are also available, making it an easy option for families and groups with different tastes.
Food Vibes Street Food
Food Vibes brings a street-food style of dining to Killybegs, with generous portions and hearty food designed for a casual meal.
The menu includes juicy burgers, loaded fries and fresh wraps, making it a good choice when you are looking for something filling without sitting down for a formal restaurant meal.
Located on Shore Road, Food Vibes has a relaxed and informal feel and is particularly suited to families, groups and visitors looking for a quick lunch or evening takeaway.
Remedy & Brew
Remedy & Brew provides a different kind of food experience in the centre of Killybegs, combining a health food store with a coffee bar.
It is a good place to stop for coffee and lighter refreshments during the day, particularly if you are looking for an alternative to a traditional café. The relaxed, modern setting makes it suitable for a morning coffee, a quick bite or an afternoon break while exploring Main Street.
The Loft Café
The Loft Café on Donegal Road offers a varied menu with plenty of choice throughout the day, making it a good option whether you’re looking for a hearty breakfast or a relaxed lunch.
For breakfast, visitors can enjoy a traditional Irish breakfast, along with other breakfast options and freshly prepared drinks. It’s a good place to start the morning with a filling meal before heading out for the day.
For lunch, there is plenty of variety, including burgers, quiche, pasta dishes, curry and a soup of the day. The café also has different daily specials, so there is often something new to choose from depending on the day you visit. For something lighter or to finish your meal, there is also a selection of cakes and baked treats, along with tea and coffee.
The Loft Café has a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, making it suitable for a leisurely breakfast, a casual lunch or an afternoon coffee and something sweet.
An Capall Mara
An Capall Mara is a coffee pod on Shore Road, overlooking Killybegs Harbour, offering freshly prepared drinks in a relaxed coastal setting.
The menu includes coffee, teas and a selection of hot and cold drinks, making it a handy option for a morning coffee, a takeaway drink or a refreshing break during the day. Its coffee-pod setup means you can quickly pick up your drink and continue on with your day.
It is also conveniently located for visitors staying nearby or heading out on one of the local boat tours or fishing trips, making it an easy stop for a drink before or after a trip on the water.
Whether you’re interested in sightseeing, wildlife, photography, or sea angling, the boat tours and fishing trips available around Killybegs offer one of the best ways to experience the Donegal coastline. From relaxing harbour cruises to unforgettable Atlantic adventures, exploring the sea is an essential part of any visit to Killybegs.