‘It really helped us get through the Covid blues’ – Ireland’s 10 best outdoor dining experiences

The Treehouse is the winner of ‘Ireland’s Best Outdoor Dining’ in our Reader Travel Awards for 2022.

The Fitzgerald family's efforts are a pure product of Covid creativity, our judges added, transforming an unused side area of their four-star into what feels like a thriving little village — with a covered bar, food shacks and “snug little cabins” pumping out Hereford burgers, breakfast bowls, coffee, pints and ice cream.

“Good food in good fresh air,” you said — exactly as you’d want al-fresco drinking and dining to be.

Readers noted how “kid-friendly” the space was, praised its innovation, and noted “great ambiance” and a combination of safe spacing with “feel and buzz”.

“It allowed the whole community a safe outlet when everywhere was closed,” you told us.

Our judges saw a local business responding to a gruelling rollercoaster of restrictions with hard work and inspiration.

The Treehouse gives people what they want, while paying genuine attention to Irish ingredients, coeliac and vegan diners, and value for money (even the fanciest burger costs just €8).

“They feed me like it’s my last meal,” you said. There are trails and gardens to explore too.

“Every time I visited this hotel, there were more and more improvements to the outdoor area,” a reader said.

The pandemic has seen a quantum leap in outdoor dining in Ireland — a new wave of terraces, on-street areas, gardens and more. Weather will always be a challenge, but it feels like eating and drinking outside will remain a tasty part of our future hospitality landscape, and here’s one example of how to make it stick.

“The Treehouse is an amazing addition to the hotel; perfect and cosy, even on a winter’s evening,” you said.

“It’s a fabulous, warm, different experience and really helped us get through the Covid blues.” woodlands-hotel.ie

Ireland’s Top 10 outdoor dining exeperiences

1. The Treehouse, Adare, Co Limerick
2. Mikey Ryan’s, Cashel, Co Tipperary
3. Mount Falcon, Ballina, Co Mayo
4. Misunderstood Heron, Leenaun, Co Galway
5. Good Day Deli, Cork
6. Savoury Fare, Fernhill Garden Centre, Co Westmeath
7. The Gap Kitchen, Glencullen Adventure Park, Co Dublin
8. The Yellow Pepper, Letterkenny, Co Donegal
9. The Armada Hotel, Spanish Point, Co Clare
10. The Anglers, Carrigrohane, Co Cork

NB: Visit our Reader Travel Awards 2022 hub page to read the full list of winners – from Ireland’s best hotel and beach to its sexiest bedroom.