Again, although you're likely to be quite pleased with your fare at almost anyplace you eat, if you're looking for a special meal these would be the places that we would recommend highly.

In center town, you'd find all but The Tavern and The Sheebeen.  The Sheebeen is just past the Quay area; The Tavern is out toward Croagh Patrick, a drive of about eight miles.

All the restaurants I've featured here have high quality, wonderfully prepared, creative food on offer, but some have a particular focus.  If you want unbelievable chowder and out-of-this-world mussels, head to The Tavern.  If you're looking for excellent seafood and other clever dishes, go to Cronin's Sheebeen.  I had a Bean Stew there before we left and thought it to be a hearty, balanced, flavorful, most interesting main dish - one I'd gladly have again.  The new restaurant above Hoban's Pub - known as the Front Room - is an elegant setting most reminiscent of a gentlemen's club - lustrous wainscoting, thick rich carpeting, stylish wallpaper.  We had a peerless meal late in our last visit - starters, mains, and desserts with cappuccinos.  Not a false note in any of it.  Again, creative, fresh, and interesting.  My rump of lamb was outstanding, as was Candee's delicious plaice -  a white fish cousin to the flounder, I believe.  And, if you're lucky, you'll be seated by the front windows where you can see all the activity around The Octagon, Westport's town centre and the beating heart of the town.

An Port Mor would be consistently ranked as the top restaurant in the area.  We've eaten there a few times, but I must say that, for me, sometimes the creativity outpaces good sense, with style overwhelming substance.  But you're certain to have a memorable meal.  Sage and The Pantry & Corkscrew won't disappoint.  They'll have in spades all the best qualities of Irish cuisine of which I've spoken.  You're on holiday - treat yourself right!