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Annie's Restaurant

Anne and the late Dano Barry opened this legendary restaurant in 1983 - and, for many, a visit to West Cork is unthinkable without a meal here. Extending into the building next door a while ago allowed an upgrade of the whole restaurant so all facilities, including disabled toilets, are on the ground floor - but it’s still the same Annie’s, just a bit bigger.

Annie is a great host, welcoming everybody personally, handing out menus - and then sending guests over to Levis’ famous old pub across the road for an aperitif.

Then she comes over, takes orders and returns to collect people when their meals are ready - there has never been room for waiting around until tables are ready, so this famous arrangement works extremely well.

As to the food at Annie’s, there’s great emphasis on local ingredients and everything is freshly made on the day: wild smoked salmon comes from Sally Barnes nearby at Castletownshend; fresh fish is delivered every night; meat comes from the local butcher; their famous roast boned duck is from nearby Skeaghanore Farm; their west Cork farmhouse cheeses include one of Ireland’s most renowned cheeses, Gubbeen (made by Annie’s sister-in-law, Giana Ferguson), smoked foods come from the Gubbeen Smokehouse, and all the breads, ice creams and desserts for the restaurant are made on the premises.

Cooking was formerly in the hands of Dano, or Annie herself, but a new team is now in place - still overseen by Annie, but with local man Jason Smith (previously of The Rectory in Glandore and with experience in many top restaurants) as head chef; with another local man with experience in fine kitchens, Seamus Minihane, as second chef.

This is a strong team - and regular customers will be pleased to find that they understand the value of simplicity and wholesome flavours.

As always, prices are very fair - the 4-course dinner menu is priced by choice of main courses and there’s a carefully chosen wine list, with plenty of bottles under €30; annual tasting sessions decide on the six wines selected as House Wines for the year - interesting choices, and great value too.

Annies : Seats 45; not suitable for children after 9 pm; toilets wheelchair accessible; air conditioning. D Tue-Sat (open Mon Jul-Aug) 6.30-10pm, Set 2/3 course D €38.50/45, á la carte also offered; house wines €22. SC Discretionary. Closed Sun, Mon (open Mon Jul-Aug) & 31 Oct - 1 Dec. MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

Street-side, midway through village.