Finding somewhere to eat out with kids that ticks every box — a menu they’ll actually eat, healthy drink options, highchairs, room for the buggy, and maybe something to keep them entertained while the food arrives — can feel like a tall order. It’s not always easy to find somewhere in Clare that covers all of that. So we’ve pulled together this list of family-favourite spots across the county, based on recommendations from local parents and our own family’s go-to places.
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1. O’Briens Bagel Factory, Abbey Street Car Park, Ennis
Tel. (065) 682 2848
Soups, salads, bagel sandwiches, coffees and smoothies — there’s something here for everyone in the family, right down to the classic peanut butter and jam bagel that’s a hit with younger diners. It’s set along the river with outdoor seating in the summer months, and highchairs are available.
2. The Creamery Bar, Bunratty
Tel. (061) 364 114
Good pub food in a friendly, relaxed setting. Alongside the usual kids’ meal options, there’s a half portion of the daily roast available, and a free bowl of mash and gravy or soup for little ones. Kids tend to leave happy, especially if there’s a lolly waiting at the bar.
3. Gallagher’s Seafood Restaurant & J.P. Clarke’s Country Pub, Bunratty
Tel. 061 363 363
Two restaurants, two different atmospheres, under one roof. Gallagher’s thatched restaurant is known for its seafood, while J.P Clarke’s next door is a more rustic pub setting with its own menu. Both are known for good food and attentive service.
4. The Lakeside Hotel, Killaloe
Tel. 061 376122
This restaurant has a varied children’s menu designed with young appetites in mind, moving beyond the usual nugget-and-chips formula to include some healthier options too. It’s a nice change to see fruit featured on a kids’ menu.
5. Bofey Quinn’s, Corofin
Tel. 065 683 7321
A family-run restaurant serving Irish favourites like bacon and cabbage, alongside pizzas and pasta dishes that tend to go down well with children.
6. The Long Dock Bar & Restaurant, Carrigaholt
Tel. 065 9058106
Set in one of the Wild Atlantic Way’s most beautiful and remote spots, this cosy pub is known for its seafood and its views. Kids are made welcome, and the children’s menu is varied and reasonably priced. There’s outdoor seating for fine days, and an ice-cream parlour on site serving homemade ice-cream — worth asking about when you visit.
7. Vaughan’s Pub, Kilfenora
Tel. 065 7088004
Traditional Irish food served in a relaxed pub and restaurant setting, with both indoor and outdoor seating. Kids are always welcome, and there’s céilí dancing in the barn a couple of times a week — a fun bit of extra entertainment if the timing works out.
8. Stonecutters Kitchen, Doolin
Tel. 065 7075962
Housed in a traditional stone cottage with a flagstone roof, this family restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating, toys for younger visitors, and a walled garden with a playground outside. The menu is home-cooked, traditional Irish fare, with a good selection for kids and half portions available on most dishes. Adults can enjoy a selection of beer and wine, gourmet coffees and freshly made desserts. Opening days and hours vary by season, so it’s worth checking ahead before you travel.
9. Milano Ennis, 11 O’Connell Street
Tel. 065 6822131
Italian food with a proper kids’ menu, colouring activities to keep them occupied, and baby-changing facilities. Paper chef hats are handed out to young diners, which can buy you a surprising amount of peaceful eating time. The bambinoccino at the end of the meal is usually the highlight.
10. The Cloister, Ennis
Tel. 065 68 68 198
Set in the heart of Ennis’s medieval quarter, The Cloister Bar and Restaurant serves traditional Irish food using fresh, locally sourced produce. There’s plenty of space for buggies, highchairs are available, and the atmosphere is relaxed and genuinely family friendly.
A few more worth trying
Parents have also recommended these as good options for families:
- The restaurant in The Old Ground Hotel, Ennis
- The Bakehouse in Miltown Malbay
- O’Looney’s Bar / Waves Restaurant on the Promenade, Lahinch
If you have a favourite family-friendly restaurant in Clare that isn’t on this list, let us know in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in a child-friendly restaurant in Clare?
The basics make the biggest difference: a kids’ menu with more than just nuggets and chips, highchairs, enough space to fit a buggy comfortably, and staff who don’t mind a bit of noise or mess. Places with outdoor seating or something to keep kids occupied while they wait are an added bonus.
Do these restaurants take bookings for families?
Most of the restaurants on this list welcome families and can take bookings, though policies vary by venue and by season. It’s a good idea to call ahead, especially for larger groups or busy weekends.
Are highchairs and baby seats available at all these restaurants?
Several of the restaurants listed, including O’Briens Bagel Factory, Gallagher’s, and The Cloister, specifically offer highchairs or baby seating. If this is essential for your visit, it’s worth confirming directly with the restaurant beforehand.
Are there family-friendly restaurants near the Wild Atlantic Way in Clare?
Yes — The Long Dock Bar & Restaurant in Carrigaholt is right on the Wild Atlantic Way and combines a warm welcome for kids with seafood and coastal views.
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- What Makes a Restaurant Child-Friendly
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- How to Survive Eating Out With Kids
Save This for Your Next Family Day Out
Planning a trip around Clare with the kids? Bookmark this guide so you’ve got a list of family-friendly spots ready to go, or browse more of our family days out ideas for inspiration on where to go next.
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