Friends Bistro Westport

A Mediterranean restaurant with truly exceptional food, where every dish is full of fresh flavors, high-quality ingredients, and beautiful presentation. Every bite is a delight, but the real masterpiece is the dessert—creative, unexpected, and absolutely unforgettable. It is a place where every course feels like a journey, and the final sweet creation is pure magic for the palate. An unforgettable dining experience that I would highly recommend to anyone who appreciates outstanding cuisine.

One of the top dining experiences we've had while traveling in Ireland. Excellent service from a professional front of house team and class food from the kitchen. Impressive all round, especially being able to adjust the menu for gluten free. Can see why they've won awards. But still great value. So pleased we couldn't get in to the first place we went to.

Friends Bistro was one of the highlights of our trip to Westport and is an absolute must-visit if you’re looking for dinner in the area.

We managed to get a booking on the day for 7:30pm and were seated downstairs. The restaurant has a lovely intimate feel, and once it filled up it had such a warm, cosy atmosphere.

The service was exceptional from start to finish. George, who looked after us, was incredibly welcoming and genuinely passionate about the food and wine. He recommended a lovely French rosé and even told us about another rosé arriving the following week, saying to call ahead and he’d make sure to have it available for us. It’s those little personal touches that really make a difference.

Before our mains we were treated to a delicious complimentary amuse-bouche of toasted sourdough with sun-dried tomato butter and garlic olives, which was a lovely surprise.

The food itself was outstanding. The sea bass was cooked perfectly with a rich chorizo and vegetable accompaniment, sweet potato purée and roasted baby potatoes. The steak was excellent too, but I have to mention the mashed potato—it was genuinely some of the best I’ve ever had. Velvety, buttery and incredibly smooth; the kind of side dish you end up talking about long after the meal.

The portions were so generous that we only managed a main course each, but everything was beautifully presented and cooked with real care.

Friendly service, fantastic food, generous portions and a wonderful atmosphere. We’ll definitely be back next time we’re in Westport.