Olde Castle Bar

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#9 of 53 Restaurants in Donegal Town€€ - €€€, Irish, Bar, Vegetarian friendly

+353 74 972 1262+ Add website

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Hours

Sun

12:00 - 20:00

Mon

12:00 - 20:00

Tue

12:00 - 20:00

Wed

12:00 - 20:00

Thu

12:00 - 20:00

Fri

12:00 - 20:00

Sat

12:00 - 21:00

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What is Travellers’ Choice?

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.

Ratings and reviews

4.5

1,894 reviews

#9 of 53 Restaurants in Donegal Town

Travellers' Choice 2024

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Food and ambience

Local cuisine, Irish, Bar, Seafood, European, Pub

“Lobster to die for!”

“... chips, seafood stew, power bowl salad, hearty bread and butter, all washe...”

“... they were saying aboit their lobster, chicken supreme and seafood platter...”

“Superfood salad was the best salad I have ever had Many in our group who had...”

Location and contact

Tirchonaill Street, Donegal Town Ireland

+353 74 972 1262

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Does this restaurant offer takeaway or food to go?

Yes

Unsure

Details

Manage this business?

About

Best Seafood Ulster 2018 Award by Good Eating Guide Donegal’s finest traditional old Irish Bar & Restaurant offers a warm welcome to visitors to Donegal Town and locals alike. The Olde Castle Bar and Restaurant Donegal is home to the finest Donegal seafood, steaks, beers, wines & whiskies – served by the O’Toole family and their team, with a smile and a Cead Mile Failte!

PRICE RANGE

€8.00 – €47.00

CUISINES

Irish, Bar, Seafood, European, Pub

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, Drinks

FEATURES

Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Television, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Digital Payments, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Non-smoking restaurants

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4.5

1,894 reviews

Excellent

1,064

Very good

574

Average

139

Poor

Terrible

cleobyrne

Wicklow41 contributions

Stopped by chance and had a lucky find!

Mar 2020 • none

Stopped for Sunday lunch on our way north. While I thought the prices were on the high side, when the food arrived it was really delicious. A lot of local people eating there too which is always a good sign. Staff were very friendly.

Written 7 March 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.

Sharpattack

Ireland276 contributions

Nice restaurant and good food

Jul 2020 • none

Four of us ate here. Service was friendly and efficient. For starter I had the Tian of crabmeat. It was lovely. 2 of our party had the chowder and declared it excellent, though very filling. For a main I went with the steak sandwich was very well cooked and was accompanied by a basket of fries. One of out party had the lobster and was well satisfied. All round very good.

Written 31 July 2020

Gavin Westley

County Cork355 contributions

Great recommendation

Jul 2020 • family

Old Castle Pub was recommended so we pre-booked (highly recommended under the current circumstances) a lunch having driven from Co Cork. The staff were attentive, wearing appropriate protective gear, tables were distanced and of course the meal was great. Perfect pint of Guinness too.

Written 19 July 2020

AC_Nolan

Dublin13 contributions

Very disappointing service

Jul 2020 • family

A group of seven went for dinner in the Olde Castle on a Saturday evening. The food was to a good standard however the service was extremely disappointing. A lack of information provided and was told "it wasn't the time or place" when one of the group asked if they made cocktails. Furthermore when the bill was brought to the table the waitress stated "you will be kicked out in 15 minutes". This language I do not think is appropriate in a restaurant. We waited at the table to pay the bill as are the current government guidelines to then be told "pay at the bar, it is not a collection service". There was a very negative atmosphere amongst the staff and I would not reccomend dining here. I would recommend dining elsewhere.

Written 19 July 2020

S Mallon

2 contributions

Terrible Service

Aug 2020 • couples

We went for a meal together we had muscles for starters which were very tasty. For my main I had a steak sandwich which I had asked to be cooked well done. The steak was served and it was not at all well done- to the point it was turning the bread red. I told our waiter who told me it was well done. After some discussion he agreed to get another steak. A few minutes later he returned with the same plate and the steak was inedible as it had not been recooked and was now cold. After our meal we tried to order a drink and were told we had overstayed our time slot (given we had not had dessert we had definitely not been there for 1 hour never mind 90minutes). I would not recommend this restaurant as it is a rushed experience with rude staff

Written 22 August 2020

Shawna L

Kamloops88 contributions

Best Guinness on Tap Served Cold as it should be!

Aug 2022 • family

Best Guinness in Donegal and served cold (as it should be!) This homey, traditional Irish pub has friendly service and a warm atmosphere, but is known for its perfectly chilled draught Guinness, which I sampled myself and have to agree it's delicious! The raw oysters were mouth-watering and I enjoyed the seafood chowder immensely. If you are here I'd suggest the fish and chips or fresh seafood, and steer clear of the smoked salmon and "prawn" with bread. (It's an open-faced sandwich with pink baby shrimp not what we consider prawns which may disappoint.) The most attentive table service here is during non-peak times and you'll need to approach the bar to settle your bill instead of waiting for it. All in all great place for a pint!

Written 22 August 2022

IanBTotteridge

London275 contributions

Great seafood and excellent service

Oct 2021 • none

A converted pub now hosts a wonderful (mainly seafood) restaurant. Great quality ingredients, well cooked and presented by friendly and helpful staff. The Donegal oysters were wonderful Around £40-50/ head including drinks Will definitely be back

Written 21 October 2021

David B

4 contributions

A lot of potential

Jul 2021 • family

We ate here during the week and although we all found the food to be nice, the staff were inexperienced, unhelpful and somewhat rude. They made no effort to accommodate us and left us standing by the side of the road. The food was very tasty so a change in attitude and customer service would see a good restaurant.

Written 16 July 2021

megan m

Dundee3 contributions

Very disappointed

Jul 2022 • couples

Having rang ahead at 7pm on 20.07.22 to check what time the kitchen closed we arrived at this place at around 7.40/7.45 and asked to be seated for dinner. The waitress/manager told us she could seat us but "it would be around 30 to 45 minutes wait". We told her this was fine and we were happy to wait. Rather than sitting waiting, we decided to go get some cash out for a taxi and to leave a tip after dinner. Within 15 minutes we came back and sat at the bar and ordered a drink each. Being conscious of the kitchen closing soon, my partner went to ask the staff (AT 20.03!!) for a food menu so we could be prepared to order as soon as possible. The waitress informed him she had been calling our name for "20minutes!!". This obviously wasn't true having only been away for 15mins, and being sat at the bar for another 5 waiting to get a staff members attention for a menu. Being a small town, we had to finish our drinks as quick as possible in the hopes of getting dinner elsewhere. However we were left with the option of a takeaway from the kebab shop across the road. My partner and I have both worked in hospitality for over 20+ years combined including being venue managers and understand how difficult things can be. But sometimes when you have made a mistake you have to accommodate the customer no matter what, especially when the kitchen has only been closed for 3minutes!! I think it is important to mention we have rarely if ever left reviews, and NEVER left a negative review knowing first hand how the hospitality industry works. We felt it was necessary on this occasion as we would hate for anyone else to be left in such a frustrating situation. In future I recommend not giving a 30 to 45 minute time frame, trying to deter your customers from waiting, knowing your kitchen closes within 15mins. Once you have been caught out, rectify the situation.

Written 20 July 2022

tashavodka

Newtownabbey13 contributions

Embarrassed by the elderly blonde waitress

Oct 2023 • family

We visited this restaurant tonight as we have have enjoyed food there befor and the reviews for the restaurant are great. . Our experience tonight was absolutely awful I was very embarrassed by the behaviour of the elderly waitress. I visited with husband daughter and niece. We ordered mussels to share as a starter followed by venison pie. The kids ordered from the children’s menu. The mussels arrived the sauce/soup had diced raw garlic and the cream looked curdled in the wine/broth they the mussels were served in. I overlooked that but then more than half the bowl of mussels were unopened. We said to our server who was really apologetic when an elderly blond haired waitress started to shout across the restaurant that the mussels were fresh and they were fine. She said she would speak to the chef and returned to say that the chef would cool them more she had her voice raised and everyone in the restaurant was looking at us. She insisted the mussels were fine and said the chef would cook them longer. As everyone knows you do not eat mussels that are unopened. We very embarrassed by how she firstly came and interfered and secondly how she dealt with the matter. Our own server was lovely and very apologetic. Our main course arrived and the venison pie was great but neither of us enjoyed it as there as such an awful that I could hardly swallow my food. No one came near us again and it was like we were being ostracised. Anyway we had ordered a €28 bottle of wine that we ended up taking away with us as neither of us felt comfortable enough to sit and finish it. We also did not order desert as we were made to feel so unwelcome that we paid our bill and went back to the Abbey Hotel for deserts. Never again have never had such bad customer service anywhere else in Donegal. If you want good seafood go to the Harbour Bar they have amazing mussels (we eat there the previous night).

Written 30 October 2023

jenna j

7 contributions

Proper old style Irish pub

Feb 2020 • family

Visited with my dad, partner and 3 year old. Everyone enjoyed their food (although the 3 year old was v cross about big chunks of carrot in his bolognese. They were not that big at all, but that made them all the more annoying to pick out!). There was a great choice of fish and meat. My scallops and monkfish were delicious, as was my dad's steak, done as he requested and my partner's fish and chips. Great service, good atmosphere, great choice of food, would definitely eat here again.

Written 23 February 2020

martinakrobinson

Dundalk90 contributions

Lovely staff cosy place food not great.

Oct 2021 • family

The staff where friendly but kept asking if we wanted to order food, we just wanted to have a few drinks first. We just felt uncomfortable so ordered food. They seemed to be hovering. The food was nice but not great. The sea food platter was beautiful but the fish which was suppose to be cooked was raw and cold. The lamb was chewy. The gravy was delicious though. The deserts where fab. Just didn’t feel comfortable. We thought it was very overpriced for what we had. Will not be dining here anytime soon.

Written 5 November 2021

Steve K

United States26 contributions

Go for the appetisers and sandwiches...

Apr 2022 • couples

The old bar has a pleasant inside atmosphere. The staff was attentive. Our appetiser was exceptional: goat cheese crouton. However, our main meals were good but overpriced. The specials were also overpriced IMO with the Monk Fish priced at 30 euro. Before 17.00hrs. they apparently offer sandwiches that get high reviews but unfortunately we dined late.

Written 30 April 2022

sightseer

Ireland1 contribution

I used to love this place, now it feels like a tourist trap.

Jul 2022 • family

I’ve been coming to the Olde Castle for a long long time. It’s a lovely bar and I’ve always been a big fan for food and drinks. I was a big fan. We went here the other day after being abroad for 3 years. A chowder & a Guinness in the Castle has always been a highlight of my trips home. But this time was extremely disappointing. If it continues as it currently seems to be, an over priced tourist trap, I will never go back. €18 for a little bit of fish, a few chips and mushy peas. The €18 Seafood pie was basically a very small bowl of mashed potatoes with a minuscule bit of fish and sauce under it. The chowder, €10 was gloopy and contained one single lump of white fish. No shellfish. Very disappointing. €20 for a chicken Supreme??? I left feeling completely ripped off. I understand things are expensive at the moment, but we returned to Donegal town a few days after and went to the Blueberry next door. I have to say, they blew the castle out of the water on price and quality. And people were queuing on the street to get in. I did missy the Cosy bar feel that castle offers, but it was still a much better experience next door. Olde Castle bar, Please change your direction and go back to great place you once were, a nice cosy bar with good quality bar food for reasonable prices.

Written 2 August 2022

Jo H

Belfast82 contributions

No atmosphere

Mar 2023 • couples

Dropped in for a meal on a Saturday night. My husband got a burger which was fine, I got the special which was not good value for money, at €26 I was expecting it to be great but it was more 1980 dinner party starter. The atmosphere was really flat and the girl who served us was so miserable, she didn’t smile even once. I wouldn’t be rushing back.