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Cootehall Bridge Riverside Restaurant

Cootehall is one of those places which can’t decide which county it is in but, whether it is in Roscommon or Leitrim, this waterside restaurant provides a very complete service and it’s the first port of call for many weekenders, as soon as they arrive in the area.

After many years under the stewardship of Manfred Khan, the restaurant changed hands in 2006 and the since then the style is more rustic French/Italian food with Irish influences, although new owner Eric Cahill and his kitchen team kept on some of the old favourites like French onion soup.

Menus based mainly on local and organic produce offer five starters, which usually include several salads (possibly including the house version of Chicken Caesar) and five main courses, which are strong on grills (char-grilled lamb cutlets, Chateaubriand steak) but also include imaginative vegetarian options, fish and daily specials, which are displayed on a blackboard, as are desserts, changed daily.

And Manfred often drops in, as a customer, just to make sure everything is being done right; and he must be well pleased - judging by the way their good food and value for money have been sending many a customer happy into the night, they’re doing a great deal of things absolutely right.

Seats 40; children welcome (high chair, childrens menu). L Sun only 12.30-5.30; D Thu-Sat 6-9.30. 3 course meal about €30-40. Dinner reservations recommended, especially at weekends. House wine €19.50. A phone call to check opening times is recommended, especially off-season. Closed Sun D, Mon, Tues, Wed and Nov & Jan. MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

Right of the bridge as you approach the village.