Top 7 Restaurants For Staycations In Ireland On A Budget

Top 7 Restaurants for Staycations in Ireland on a budget  

Are you planning a staycation in Ireland? Looking for restaurants on a budget for your staycation in Ireland? Look no further. Check out my top finds in Ireland for food on a budget, with a real mix of menus using locally sourced ingredient which is a real added bonus. These spots will not disappoint and not once was quality compromised for price, happy eating! #shoplocal #supportlocal 

If you haven’t yet been to Galway City, I would definitely put it on my list of places to go when on Staycation in Ireland. Zappi’s Italian restaurant is located in the heart of Galway City and is perfect if you are looking for tasty food from a budget restaurant in Ireland. Using all Irish ingredients with an authentic Italian twist, you really can’t go wrong here. From the moment you step in, the staff are friendly and authentic with a massive menu containing Photo Credit: @zappisgalway Instagram    pizzas, pastas and salads with options for vegetarians, pescatarians and those who enjoy a kick of spice to their food, there really is something for everyone. Pizza and pasta dishes generally range from €12.50- €14, you really cannot go wrong with such generous portions. 

If you find yourself with a little extra room for dessert, definitely pop out to Baby Ground & Co Café, and treat yourself to a sweet treat with a coffee. If you’re a chocaholic like myself, I would definitely go for the triple chocolate kinder brownies baked by the amazing @the_hungryhooker. He even has a recipe up on his Instagram (see below) which has been tried and tested in my house and is a definite firm favourite! 

Photo Credit: @the_hungryhooker Instagram

Located right on the pier on the River Shannon in Athlone, Co Westmeath, it is a real treat for your staycation in Ireland.  This Mediterranean/ European restaurant is 

perfect if you’re looking for something different for your dinner, while also on a budget. Their menu has a wide range of dishes to cater for everyone, with vegetarian and gluten free options available. Some options include Moussaka, kebabs and a full roast on weekends, all coming it at about €12- €15. (Quick tip: if you like wings, you can get Spicy Buffalo Chicken Wings and chips for only €9.50- Bargain!) 

Photo Credit: @bacchus_restaurant_athlone Instagram

If you’re out for the night and looking for some cheap pints, Murphy’s Law is the pub for you! Only a 4-minute walk from the restaurant, they have pints of Tennents, Fosters and Carling for only €2.50 - you really can’t go wrong. This is also a perfect spot if you’re looking for some decent pub grub, having won Best Bar Food of the Year Award in 2019. 

Photo Credit: @murphyslawathlone Instagram

3. The Reg, Waterford City 

 At first glance, the menu for this bar & restaurant is   quite pricey. However, the food is absolutely divine on   the casual menu. The views from this restaurant are   absolutely beautiful and if you are lucky enough to get   a seat on the popular terrace, your breath will truly be   taken away. If you are on a tighter budget, I would   highly recommend the party platter of nibbles for only   €10- a steal if you ask me! The atmosphere in this bar Photo Credit: @theregwaterford Instagram                             is really electric with live music and entertainment, craft beers, cocktails as well as screens fitted showing sports, it will be hard to leave! 

If it’s a cheap and cheerful soup & sambo combo that you are looking for, I would highly recommend Gallweys Chocolate Café. Reasonably priced with a huge menu, you will definitely find something to your taste. Added bonus- you get a free chocolate with your coffee (always a winner for me)! 

 For all you BBQ lovers, this is the place for you! With   delicious brunch options and sandwiches galore, this   spot is a real winner for me. You will definitely leave here   with a full belly, because for only €12.95 or €13.95, you   get a meat dish with two sides- what a steal! What really   sold this place for me though was if you are lucky enough   to dine here on a Wednesday, you can get a sharing   platter and a pitcher of beer for only €35 or swap the beer Photo Credit: @whiterabbitbarbq Instagram                for a pitcher of cocktails for €40. 

If you manage to have any room left for dessert after that, take a trip to Café Depeche for their beautiful bakes, quirky coffee art and unique hot chocolate flavours. And even better, the cakes and treats are at a steal typically ranging from about €2- €5! 

Photo credit: TripAdvisor                                     Photo credit: @cafedepeche Instagram

5. Tin Tai, Letterkenny, Donegal : 

Everyone loves a good Chinese meal from time to time, and this is definitely a solid Chinese restaurant suitable for everyone. This is an ideal budget restaurant for your staycation in Ireland. With a full menu for either dining in, or a takeaway if you fancy it, it really has it all. Prices of almost all curries and dishes are €8 or under, with standard sides for under €3, it is the perfect budget meal without compromising on quality. This restaurant is definitely one you wouldn’t leave with an empty belly, or an empty wallet for that matter. 

 If you’re in the mood for something sweet afterwards, only 3 minutes down the road, you will find Joe Jackson’s Ice Cream Letterkenny, where you can get crepes, ice creams, ice cream cake and much more- definitely worth a visit and doesn’t break the bank!

Photo Credit: @joejacksonslk Instagram

6. Bunsen, Dublin 

 This chain has locations all across the country, however if you decide to take a trip to the capital, you won’t struggle to find an outlet, with three on the south side of the city. If you have not yet tried these burgers, you are missing out. It’s all they do, but wow  do they do it well. Arguably the best burgers I’ve ever had in my life. As a native of the capital, this is always a spot I return to, as you get top notch food for an absolute steal-perfect for students or anyone looking for good food on a budget! The milkshakes are also an absolute treat, if you manage to fit anything after the massive portions you get! I personally would recommend the shoestring fries as they really are next level, but the sweet potato fries are also beautiful if you are into them.  

Photo credits (2): @bunsenburgers Instagram

7. Knox, Sligo 

When exploring the Wild Atlantic Way, it is so important to complete the experience with the best food, without breaking the bank! Knox is the perfect solution. A tapas bar right in the centre of Sligo Town using all fresh, seasonal and local Irish produce, what more could you want? The menu is filled with classic Tapas dishes as well as a twist on some of the classics there is something for all ages, on all budgets. The presentation of each of their dishes is second to none, I often find myself scrolling aimlessly through their Instagram wishing I could be back in Sligo tasting another of their delicious dishes. I would definitely check out their Instagram for some real food envy @knoxsligo. 

Photo Credit: @knoxsligo Instagram

 Those are my top 7 finds for food on a budget when on a staycation in Ireland. Try them out and let me know how you find them by leaving a comment below or tagging us on Instagram (@StaycationsInIreland) or Facebook! I would love to hear your thoughts or any other gems you find on your travels around Ireland too.

If you have any specific places you’d like to hear about the best staycation restaurants in Ireland, comment on this blog post or pop us a message on social media and I will definitely look into getting one up ASAP! 

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