Wild Honey Inn

We stayed at Wild Honey Inn as part of a tour arranged by our bicycle club. We really enjoyed our stay. Our room was excellent, a large, clean, beautifully decorated space with a big modern bathroom, and double glass doors opening onto a beautiful courtyard garden patio of our own. (Ask for room 16.) We ate at the restaurant our first night and thought it was excellent. The food was on the gourmet side, with some unusual ingredients and flavors that everyone in our group enjoyed. We all thought this restaurant was something extraordinary and deserved a Michelin rating. Unfortunately for us, our second night in the hotel was the restaurant’s weekly night off, so we didn’t get a chance to eat there a second time. Overall, we would recommend Wild Honey Inn as both a terrific place to stay, and a restaurant worth the trip.

Loved this charming gastropub. We were lucky to get in on a bank holiday night. It was just the two of us and before. We were wanting a light supper and saw online that they have a nice starters menu and the dishes were very inventive. I chose the crab claws with cream and chilis and a side salad. Rob got the porchetta carpaccia with cabbage slaw and chips. Both were so delicious we cleaned our plates. It’s located on the edge of Lisdoonvarna, but well worth the trek, or drive if the weather is poor. Great bar and bartender. I noticed their display of ginger beer and asked for a Moscow mule. She had never heard of it but cheerfully made one after I gave her the ingredients. Their menu includes a couple of featured aperitifs and Rob enjoyed one. Highly recommend. The bar is cozy and casual.

Stayed the night and had an amazing meal… great hospitality, beautiful hotel, every detail matters and we felt immediately at home… Came here with my parents during our Irish road trip– worth going back just for the stay. What an oasis

When I told my friend I was going to Lisdoonvarna he immediately advised me that this restaurant was not to be missed. However, as impressive as the food was, shambolic service means that this place is lucky to get one star.
First of all, this place looks great, a very rustic building which also boasts a B&B. Upon entering we spoke to the owner to learn that all the tables were full, the wait would be at least 30 minutes, and that they don’t take bookings. Surrounded by the pleasing interior we elected to wait with the reassurance that we were now members of the queueing process. We ordered two beers and took them out to sit in the glass porch area, as recommended.
Not wanting to get hammered before the meal, we drank slow and after 1 hour began to notice people getting seated. We decided to get another drink, but sat at the bar this time in the hope that we would be noticed. When the owner seen us she immediately had an ‘Oh Balls!’ expression on her face. Without any apology she gave us two menus and left us to wait again as we watched all the late arrivals being shown to their tables by the numerous staff.
When we finally got seated the restaurant was less than full. I was starving and was still willing to forgive everything up to this point if they could just give me a taste of the service which I knew they aspired to have. Unfortunately, the owner went off to seat another couple, have a chat, and take their order before us. The preferential treatment seemed to be because they were also staying in the B&B.
The waitress almost served me the wrong wine and although the steak was beautiful, we deemed it a very expensive meal. By the time we had finished desert, the staff were in cleaning mode while the owner chatted and laughed with a large group of ladies at a nearby table. I had to leave my seat to ask for the bill.
The experience ended up taking 4 hours and the lack for explanation or apology is still hard to swallow. I didn’t just leave disappointed, I left angry.
An extremely disappointing experience.

A friend had recommended the Wild Honey Inn to me a few months ago. I was surprised that I’d never heard of it, as I know the area reasonably well from hillwalking /​fishing etc., and thought in my arrogance that I knew most good places. I’m so glad she mentioned it! In a nutshell, it’s a warm, welcoming, jewel of a place, with friendly staff and cracking food a 5 minute walk from Lisdoonvarna. What’s not to like???
We were staying for two nights, me and my partner, and our two American cousins (18 year olds) over on a visit. A mix of walking /​sightseeing was on the cards (weather permitting).
We arrived late enough on a Saturday night and saw various groups in the main bar/​restaurant all tucking in to their meals. We were conscious of being late, but asked if there was time to eat, and despite it being «officially» closed, the kitchen accommodated us and we had delicious fish and chips, and even dessert (those young boys are still growing :-)) The excellent Roadside Inn is just 3 minutes walk away. Run by the folks who own the Burren Smokehouse, this is an excellent retreat after dinner for some local microbrew beers and some Irish music.
Breakfast was lovely. Served in their breakfast dining room, it includes juices, pastries, granola, yoghurt etc., plus a menu of cooked options, including the full Irish, French Toast, and an Omelette Arnold Bennett (smoked haddock, gruyère these, etc.). All the breakfasts looked great, and my omelette was superb.
We had the full monty dinner there the second night: starters, mains, desserts. Every course was very good, mostly organic or locally sourced ingredients, and top top notch. The food is not showy, but is classy, understated and beautifully done. I’d return for the crab starter alone (an interpretation of a crab cocktail in a glass). Brilliant.
The rooms are lovely — spotless, good showers, nicely decorated. There’s a lovely lounge area downstairs also with books and papers for chilling out. The staff were universally helpful and friendly, and of course Kate was always on top of anything we needed help with. Oh, and the pint of Guinness at the bar was pretty high quality :-)
I’d recommend this to anyone: couples looking for a cosy few days in the Burren /​Clare area, groups going walking, just anyone really. I also found it good value for the quality on offer. I am already looking forward to returning.