Smugglers Cafe
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Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Smugglers Cafe
Review
About
Features
CUISINES
Irish, Cafe, Seafood, International, European
Meal types
Breakfast, Lunch
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Highchairs Available
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Takeout
Location
Does this restaurant accept bookings?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 8:00 AM
Sunday
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Monday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Thursday
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Contribute
4.2
125 reviews
Excellent
72
Very good
27
Average
13
Poor
9
Terrible
4
thewarrensDublin
Dublin160 contributions
Aug 2020 • couples
We stopped by this place during our tour of the Ring of Kerry.
We were lucky enough to get a table out the back of the cafe which has a beautiful view of the harbour and Valentia island.
Prices were extremely reasonable given the quality of the seafood we ate and we both had sufficient amounts of food.
The ambience was also lovely given social distancing challenges and staff were friendly and extremely helpful.
If you're doing the Ring of Kerry tour from killarney it was a great place to stop off before the longer run back to killarney via Killorglin. Thanks to all!!
Written August 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heidi R
New York City40 contributions
Jun 2023 • couples
Fantastic meal after an intense landing trip climb up Skellig Michael. We felt refueled, relaxed, and deeply satisfied by this memorable meal....in fact, we thought of it quite often after as our favorite lunch on the whole trip of several weeks. Warm, friendly staff too!
Written June 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane M
Tramore8 contributions
Sep 2020 • family
Stopped at Smugglers Café after a spectacular looped walk at Bray head one Valentia. This café is not to be missed if you are in the area food and staff amazing and so helpful and very impressed by the cleanliness and attention to hygiene measures here
My husband hadfish and chips which were delicious and not in the least bit greasy. I had the super salad with goats cheese and loads of lovely leaves and quinoa and veg and dressing which was amazing. We then shared a yummy salted caramel brownie so good 🙂 best meal of our 3 day break away.
Written October 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emily D
Waterville2 contributions
Aug 2022 • family
Just ate here for the first time today and it was a really poor experience. Was really looking forward to it as we live locally and have eaten at the Smugglers Inn three times and always loved it. The food was very nice but every interaction with the wait staff was rude and unpleasant. I was initially disappointed that our starters came at the same time as mains, but at least it meant we could leave quicker.
Written August 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
C_and_H_11
Dublin777 contributions
May 2022 • none
We dropped in here for lunch while in Portmagee as it's in a very central location & looked inviting. I decided on an Avocado Melt Ciabatta which was absolutely gorgeous & there was plenty of it there too! My husband asked for the 'Seasonal' chowder, which normally indicates seafood content - as in Seafood chowder & I emphasise this as it contained absolutely NO fish whatsoever. He orders chowder 9 times out of 10 so he's a pretty good judge & he said it was just like a bowl of warm flavoured cream with no fish content whatsoever & he could not really identify the taste that was created as it was so bland. The description was misleading in our opinion & we would definitely not order this again. So nil points for that & we would definitely have given a better rating but for this item. Otherwise, we had a nice table & the staff were very nice & efficient.
Written August 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
4treeferns
Belfast14 contributions
Jul 2020 • family
Just eaten in this unassuming place. Charming, friendly service and the best seafood so far. I had the open seafood sarnie (and a glass of savvy b) and he had the hake wrapped in kataifi pastry. Both superb. The small people enjoyed veg soup and local brown bread and chicken goujons. Neither plate was left with any waste! Defo a recommend from my lot.
Written July 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deepak Trehan
Kilkenny10 contributions
Jun 2022 • family
We live in Kilkenny & my wife is a Chef in one of the very famous Café 's of Kilkenny, therefore trust when I tell you that this one of the best coffees I would have had in a very long time probably the best! There is no match for the taste of Hot Chicken Cibata & Choclate Trufle cake & Carrot cake were simply brilliant.
I & my family just loved the place, friendly staff & amazing food. Well done guys! đź‘Ź
Written June 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kev D
156 contributions
Sep 2021 • none
This was a great wee find on the Ring of Kerry. I’d highly recommmed their special - hake kataifi. Essentially pieces of hake in a filo pastry. I’d never had a dish like that before so was very pleasantly surprised to find something a bit different in amongst the standard lunch menus in a tourist hotspot. Highly recommended!
Written September 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RFLong
Dublin47 contributions
Jun 2021 • none
We had an unexpectedly lovely lunch here on our way to Valentia Island after a wonderful drive around the Skellig Ring. Two of us had the hosue special, Fish kataifi, which was superb (hake in shredded filo pastry which I've more commonly seen in desserts but worked so perfectly), chips and salad. The third member of our party had the chowder which was packed full of fish and rich and creamy. The bread was also really good. Portion sizes were perfect for us. We sat out the back, which was a bit blustery but the fencing offered shelter once we were sitting down and it was a really great experience.
Written June 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fermoy123
5 contributions
Aug 2022 • couples
Nice looking cafe, stopped in for coffee on a wet day. Extremely rude staff, found the experience unpleasant. Certain staff members were abrupt and unwelcoming and could be openly heard discussing a customer in front of others. Not impressed in the slightest, disappointing.
Written August 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BM2
1 contribution
Sep 2020 • couples
We had the superfood goats cheese salad and the goats cheese ciabatta followed by lemon cake and meringue mess. It was all absolutely delicious and good portion sizes too after a long walk around Valentia’s Bray Head. My salad and lemon cake were two of the nicest dishes I’ve had on our holidays this year and that’s saying something because the food in Kerry has been great.
I see another reviewer was complaining about the lack of sea views from the outside back seats. Well our seats were outside back beside the conservatory and were raised a bit higher than others and had great views and there was at least one more table that was on a similar level to ours. Anyway not all the tables out back are at a lower level so if you get a higher one and it’s a nice day you’ll have a delicious lunch with a view.
Also excellent friendly service.
Couple from Dublin
Written September 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Islandlily
Dublin25 contributions
Aug 2019 • none
Have eaten here a couple of times and it has some lovely fresh food choices. Good spot for coffee and cake or lunch. The fish and chips are lovely and toasted lunch specials and kids chicken good too. Good buzz there.
However last visit we had the worst chowder ever- thin broth and a couple of pieces of very dry fish. Sent it back and asked nicely if could have better one please. Got same again with just a bit extra dry fish! No veg or creaminess. This is in an area famous for its fresh seafood. And despite leaving the mostly full bowl behind the waitress said nothing and we paid full price. It's a pity but makes me a bit wary of returning when in the region as some lovely other choices locally and we love our seafood. The venue too is a bit cramped and narrow and has basic seats and tables.
But it's not a bad place and if I was down there more often would def give it another chance.
Written January 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
William F
Scranton215 contributions
May 2019 • none
Quick stop to warm up after driving the Skellig Ring road. A few brave (?) souls sat out on the waterside patio as the wind howled; would be a great place on a warmer day to enjoy one's meal. The chowder and bread were fine and enough to get us rolling.
Written January 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Glenn D
3 contributions
Aug 2020 • family
The Fish and chips are unbelievable in this resturaunt, soooooo tasty melt in your mouth. If my car was broken I would walk to this resturaunt keeping in mind I live a 5hr drive from this resturaunt. Highly recommend stopping if passing. #staycation.
Written August 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darragh
Chapeltown7 contributions
Aug 2021 • couples
Stopped here for breakfast before a tour to Skelligs with my partner. Everything we ordered was very good, but I especially loved their scones. I asked to order some scrambled eggs by themselves & they said sure. Extremely Friendly 2 young girls ashling and caoibhe which I found out after are sisters. They were both extremely helpful when I had to come back and ask a question about some directions.
Written August 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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