Please mention ireland-guide.com when enquiring.

Franco's Restaurant

If what you want is buzz and relaxed bustle, this is the place for you - there is no other restaurant in town that can even begin to match the ambience. You get a fair hint of this on arrival, as the exterior facing the Queen Elizabeth Road is always attractively maintained, with a pleasing mix of red brick and glass, and an eye-catching display of plants and creepers - and all expertly lit after dark too.

Informal meals, including pizzas, pastas and barbecues, are the order of the day - and it's all done with great style, using quality ingredients. The range is impressive and really does offer something to everyone, with a long pizza menu (14 choices) pasta dishes (5 choices), a wide-ranging selection of other popular dishes - and a Special Menu listing more sophisticated items including (organic Glenarm) salmon wrapped in Parma ham, black sole, chargrilled rack of lamb and dry aged beef. Seafood from Donegal and Sligo is a speciality (fresh grilled Mullaghmore lobster is reasonably priced at around £18.95), also new age pizzas with Mediterranean style toppings like goat's cheese, smoked chicken, spinach & pesto. No side vegetables, except potato dishes, alas, but vegetarians have plenty to choose from in every section of the menu.

Smart staff, efficient service and fairly reasonable prices keep this place busy, all the time. Popular wine list too (mainly under about £15), but it's a pity to hear staff referring to wines by number.

Seats 140 (private room, 60). Toilets wheelchair accessible. Children welcome. Open Mon-Sat, 12-11 (Sun to 10.30 pm); open from 5pm Mon/Tue in Sept/Oct. A la carte. Houses wines from about £10. Closed 25 Dec Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Switch.