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24 Hours in Wicklow Feature
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24 Hours in Wicklow – The Best Places to Eat, Drink and Sleep

One of Ireland’s most scenic locations, a visit to Wicklow will take you through 5,000 years of historic beauty. With the beautiful Wicklow Mountains and views of the Irish Sea from the coast, Wicklow really is at the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East.

With a number of fine dining restaurants, quality gastro pubs, fun nights out and luxurious hotel resorts and country houses on offer, Wicklow should definitely be on your must-visit list when touring the Emerald Isle.

So take a break from exploring Glendalough, or ‘the valley of the two lakes’ as it’s known, and start planning out your next taste of Wicklow.

BREAKFAST AND COFFEE

Firehouse Bakery

This award-winning café and bakery is located in the picturesque village of Delgany and is the ideal spot to kick off your day. Run by chef, baker and author Patrick Ryan, Firehouse Bakery offers simple, high-quality, freshly baked goods in their café. We can already get that mouth-watering scent of freshly baked, hand-crafted pastries.

Vital Health Café

For a healthy breakfast, coffee or lunch, visit Vital Health Café in Wicklow Town. Perfect for healthy food on the go, owner Renee De Freitas has been working in the health and food industry for many years and wanted to give people a quick and easy healthy option to match their busy lifestyles. Don’t forget to grab a coffee while you’re there, brewed by local McCabes Coffee Roasters.

Halpins Bridge Café & Bistro

Open seven days a week, Halpins Bridge Café is a popular place for all-day breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee and a catch-up. Named after sea captain Robert Charles Halpin, the café’s menu includes a tasty selection of gourmet sandwiches, pies and fish platters, along with sweeter dishes like classic waffles with maple syrup.

LUNCH

The Pigeon House

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, The Pigeon House is an award-winning restaurant located in the heart of Delgany Village in Wicklow. With a creative menu overseen by Executive Chef Brian Walsh, guests will enjoy quality local produce with a firm focus on serving distinctively impressive plates at a reasonable price.

The Happy Pear

Twins Dave and Steve started The Happy Pear back in 2004. At the time, it was a small vegetable shop, but the brand has continued to grow over the past 14 years. Now, The Happy Pear café is a type of pilgrimage for many visitors who walk along the cliff from Bray to Greystones, all on the hunt for some nutritious and delicious food, all of which is vegetarian and seriously hearty.

The Three Q’s

Open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, you’ll always find something to suit your palate at The Three Q’s. Whether you’re a morning or evening person, this Greystones restaurant owned by three Quinn brothers provides fresh, seasonal produce in a friendly atmosphere.

DINNER

The Strawberry Tree

The only certified organic restaurant in Ireland, The Strawberry Tree at Brooklodge & Macreddin Village is well worth a visit. Diners can experience an ever changing menu which bursts with the freshest flavours available, from wild foods grown on nearby farms, foraged by the restaurant’s chefs and passionately prepared to the highest of standards.

Campo De’ Fiori

Visit award-winning Campo De’Fiori to embark on a truly unforgettable culinary trip to Italy. Opened in 2004 by owners Laura Chiavini and Chef Marco Roccasalvo, the passionate team behind this restaurant ensure that every guest experiences authentic Italian food, with their own personal twist of course.

Cowfish

Located in the seaside town of Bray, Cowfish is a beautiful rooftop grill and garden overlooking the stunning Wicklow coastline. With a mixture of surf and turf, as well as a fire pit for the winter months, this dining experience is not one you want to miss, especially given its affordable prices and use of a Josper grill to create seductively smokey steaks.

Theatre Lane

The show must always go on at Theatre Lane in Greystones, a relaxing restaurant serving modern Irish food bursting with flavour under the guidance of Head Chef Daniel Taylor. Open for lunch and dinner, Theatre Lane also offers a weekend breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, continuing the show.

PUBS & BARS

The Wild Goose

Located in the seaside town of Bray, The Wild Goose offers more than an exceptionally good dinner. Named the “Best Newcomer in Wicklow” at the Leinster Restaurant Awards, The Wild Goose encourages visitors to relax and socialise with friends over dinner and drinks, while also enjoying the music and entertainment provided.

Byrne & Woods Bar & Restaurant

If you’re looking for the ultimate hidden gem, you’ll find it at Byrne & Woods Bar & Restaurant in Wicklow. This old world cottage has been taken into the 21st century and transformed into an award-winning restaurant and bar. As well as food, you can also treat yourself to some music and a mean pint of the black stuff here.

The Harbour Bar

The Harbour Bar sits directly opposite Bray harbour and is the perfect spot for a pint by the sea. Surrounded by charming sailboats, the bar was voted “The Best Bar in the World” by Lonely Planet in 2010 and continues to offer a casual and fun atmosphere, as well as great music.

HOTELS

Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa

The incredible Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa is located in the shadow of the Sugar Loaf mountains on 1000 acres in Wicklow. The 5-star resort is just one hour from Dublin but it’s grandeur and opulence transports you back to the past. With 194 rooms sprawled across seven floors, guests can experience an unforgettable spa break, a delicious culinary escape at Sika restaurant or even a golfing getaway.

Tinakilly Country House Hotel & Gardens

Experience one of the most luxurious 4-star hotels in Wicklow and take a step back in time at Tinakilly Country House. A popular destination for weddings, this “Victorian Mansion by the Sea” will delight and inspire you and is the perfect location for some much-needed rest, relaxation and escapism.

Rathsallagh Country House

If you’re seeking romance, look no further than the award-winning Rathsallagh Country House. Located on 530 acres of beautiful countryside, wile away the hours strolling through the parks and walled garden in this enchanting family-run venue.

FEATURE BY SARAH GLASCOTT

Sarah has always had a great love of travel, food and photography. Following her journalism degree at DCU, she developed a passion for travel writing while living in Spain.

Sarah loves exploring new places and sampling the local cuisine. Working with TheTaste.ie combines her love of food and travel.

A big people person, especially when it comes to hearing other people’s stories, Sarah loves interviewing chefs, food producers and more.

Sarah Glascott Sarah Glascott
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