Opened in spring 2025 in a lovely new building in the centre of Oranmore by friends and experienced industry professionals, Jason O'Neill and Ervin Vamoser and their partners, Fawn is the destination restaurant that the area has been waiting for - every Irish coastal town deserves a venue like this, but only a few are lucky enough to boast one. And, given the pandemic-related delay that set the owners' dreams back, Oranmore is especially lucky to have this bright new gem in its midst, to delight visitors and local diners alike.
With Supermac to its left, Fawn sits slap bang in the middle of the village and, with the wine bar and restaurant flanking the main entrance, it's an enticing spot.
Imagine a beautiful sunny evening, outdoor seating filled with the sound of chatter, clinks of glasses and the crack of lobster claws...
The welcome is immediate and warm from the small army of enthused and purposeful looking staff members who usher arriving diners to their tables.
The interior is thoughtfully simple, with a lot of wood and well designed lighting creating a warm modern ambience - and menus are both exciting and concise, the brevity confirming a confident and ingredient focused approach from the kitchen. 'Everything Made In-House, Local & Organic Where Possible' is the mantra and the names of celebrated local and Irish producers leap from the page. A choice of oysters to start, from Kelly's of Clarenbridge (rock oysters) and New Quay (Flaggy Shore Dainties), then meats from Pigs on the Green (pork), Gilligan's Farm (dry-aged beef, lamb) and poultry from The Friendly Farmer (chicken) and Thornhill or Skeaghanore for duck - wonderful flavoursome products brilliantly suited to cooking simply over the wood fired grill.
The accompanying wine list is extremely well curated, with the focus on Europe (including some lesser known regions), a great choice of Champagne and sparkling wines at very fair prices, and many options available by the glass....
From any menu - lunch, dinner, Sunday lunch - you might begin with a trio of Flaggy Shore Dainties of Kelly's rock oysters while making your choices, and could then opt to shares some small plates. A courgette flower stuffed with a curd like goat's cheese (Bluebell Falls perhaps?) and other provencal flavours; some Doonbeg Crab legs in a light cream based sauce, mopped up with the excellent House Foccacia - and perhaps a Gilligan's beef tartare served on a piece of the kitchen's brioche, which could turn out to be your dish of the outing. Plenty of competition from the mains - Big Plates and From the Fire - though, with lots of fish on offer for the evening specials which may included whole sole and plaice, but you will probably hear nothing after the suggestion of lobster, salad and chips, which can be shared...
Desserts like homemade ice cream (lemon curd, perhaps, or fresh blueberry in season) and burnt Basque cheesecake with roast peaches may be hard to resist, also the day's selection of Irish cheese with bread crackers, quince and nuts.
And how wonderful to know there is somewhere new to head for to enjoy a leisurely lunch - light options like open salad sandwich of Dooneg crab and smoked salmon, and a short menu of Small Plates and Big Plates to choose from, all well priced for the quality.
In a climate where restaurant closures are worryingly frequent, it is a joy to see the opening unfold of this very special new place in Oranmore. So support something special - do your duty and go and eat and order with abandon at Fawn this summer!
