The Left Bank

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Review

530 reviews

#9 of 103 Restaurants in Athlone€€ - €€€, Irish, European, Vegetarian Friendly

+353(0)9094446+ Add website

Hours

Tue

10:30 - 21:30

Wed

10:30 - 21:30

Thu

10:30 - 21:30

Fri

10:30 - 21:30

Sat

10:30 - 21:30

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Ratings and reviews

4.5

530 reviews

#9 of 103 Restaurants in Athlone

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Details

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CUISINES

Irish, European

Special Diets

Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours

features

Location and contact

Fry Place, Athlone Ireland

+353(0)9094446

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Can a vegan person get a good meal at this restaurant?

Yes

Unsure

Details

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CUISINES

Irish, European

Special Diets

Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours

FEATURES

Reservations, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service

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4.5

530 reviews

Excellent

316

Very good

148

Average

Poor

Terrible

charlene M

County Louth15 contributions

Fab all round

Aug 2020 • family

We booked an early evening meal with our two children (8&5) . Luckily they’ll eat most things but had they been fussy eaters this place catered for everyone. My youngest chose off the children’s menu (great value and choice) My eldest went for the early bird 2 course menu. Portion sizes were excellent for an early bird menu. Fish was very fresh and great flavours ! Hubby and I ate from the a la carte. Again great choice and variety. Everything was perfectly presented and tasted as good as it looked. All staff were adhering to Covid restrictions and customers well spaced out. Restaurant itself has a really lovely atmosphere and is perfectly situated - we took a post dinner walk along the river. Staff were friendly and polite and made an effort with the children too. A thoroughly enjoyable meal.

Written 14 August 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.

Robert C

Kilkenny7 contributions

Tasty food, great ambiance, good service

Jul 2021 • family

Very friendly service, who always wanted to help. If the waiter didn’t know an answer (what exact craft ales, what lactose-free dessert, all rather specific…) they quickly found out. Food superb, even if the evening menu was short. Would highly recommend, and return again myself

Written 30 July 2021

Mary M

31 contributions

Delicious food served by caring staff.

Mar 2022 • family

We had dinner at The Left Bank on Saturday eve, my elderly Mother and I. We were warmly greeted by Tina, the Restaurant Manager. Initially our table was beside a “ loud table” and Tina kindly moved us to a quieter table by the window- a perfect spot. She also kindly allowed my Mother select a lighter main course from the early bird menu. The food was generous, very tasty and good value. I would certainly recommend The Left Bank and look forward to a return visit.

Written 6 March 2022

Jayne

2 contributions

Disappointing, non child friendly

Jul 2020 • family

We were visiting Athlone for a weekend at end of Jul and we dined here as four adults and two babies aged 15 months and 24 months and had a very disappointing non child friendly experience. Our reservation was for 5.30pm. The restaurant was fairly empty and got busier around 6.30/6.45pm close to when we were finishing. We ordered dessert near 7pm and just after ordering, the front of house manager came over advising there had been complaints on the noise of the babies and people had requested to move tables. The babies were making noise as babies naturally do, they’re both learning to communicate with new sounds and noises so being playfully loud and acoustics in restaurant carried that louder. They were in no means being bold, no continuous crying or running around, they were both strapped into high chairs. For someone to have complained about babies making noise we were shocked but especially in a pre peak dining slot where you expect there to be children at that time. However, it was how the restaurant handled the situation was most disappointing. Firstly, in current times, with pre booking they knew exactly who was dining. We were at the back of the restaurant while the front was fairly empty and there was at least 4-5 empty tables along the window that were empty for our entire visit but everyone was placed in same area as us first. Very poor planning to have placed all around a group with babies, it would have made more sense to space out to give everyone a positive dining experience. Secondly, for the manager to voice the complaint to us based on babies making noise during a pre peak dining slot where their website had said “caters” for everyone. We had also advised ages of babies on booking a few days prior. If they had wanted us to leave earlier they were in no rush to take dessert order as we did have a decent gap between mains and dessert. We had ordered our desserts when she said it, so had max 10-15 mins that we would remain there while we ate and settled up the bill. We really felt most unwelcome at that stage, especially as we “discreetly” heard the manager apologise to the next table for the noise. We felt that we weren’t as valued customers as the tables around us despite having a substantial bill, which we thought would be appreciated in current times. The following day we dined in a different restaurant in the town and had a totally different experience where they were so accommodating and welcoming of the babies. We had picked The Leftbank based on various sites and blogs advising child friendly. However we found that not to be the case, and certainly not young child friendly. Overall a very disappointing experience and lacking in good customer service.

Written 7 August 2020

Sarah4hols

Dublin37 contributions

So disappointed

Aug 2020 • friends

I have been wanting to come here for such a long time and finally got the chance today. The service was appalling by three different servers. Firstly we were left waiting ages for anyone to take our order. It doesn't seem like staff are allocated tables. There were people coming in after us and getting served. I eventually got someone's attention. My starter came, spring rolls, overcooked, nothing special. The mains arrived, i realised I had no cutlery, I asked a server she said 2 mins, she never came back. I went on the hunt for cutlery myself found some in front of the pass. Not good. I had tandoori chicken for main. Chicken was dry, the round chip potatoes were uninteresting. The meal was dry and dull overall. I needed mayo, no servers came to check on us the entire time we were there. No salt, no pepper, no condiments at all. No word from the waitress (the older of the three)with regard to my cutlery. We finished our meal. Wanted coffee, considered desert, didn't bother. The mediocre food plus the inattentive service (although friendly, no issues with them personally) is enough for me to not give this place a second chance. It's such a pity. You guys can and should do better than this, your competitors do!

Written 4 August 2020

oLe

Dublin92 contributions

Service needs attention

Aug 2020 • friends

Went on Saturday staff were extremely rude. Food was ok. Found expensive for what it was and for New Zealand wine and both experienced wine drinkers was very mediocre. Heard good things but unlikely to return.

Written 11 August 2020

Robbie

Dublin47 contributions

Enjoyable surroundings, misfiring dishes.

Sept 2023 • couples

Dropped in while visiting the beautiful town of Athlone. We hadnt booked but on a Tuesday in September we were welcomed to a nice table. That said, it got very busy as time went on. They have a decent 2 and 3 course set menu but we opted to go a la carte, ordering a smoked salmon starter and beetroot with goats cheese and candied walnuts for myself. Both edible but to be fair, they appeared basic and something easily russled up at home. Onwards to a thai chicken noodle and aromatic duck with crispy rice noodles. The first was tasty and enjoyed by herself, hints of coconut sure to please. the duck underwhelming with 2 distinct lngedients ruining the flavour and aromatic duck should be served crispy, needed another 5/10 mins in the oven. Corriander leaves and a second undiscovered flavour just didnt work. No to the hlthe rice noodles too. Sides came included, tomato salad just shouldn't be served wilth noodles, however the potato slices were welcome. Staff were friendly and the restaurant decor has won awards. We didnt enjoy the craft beers we selected, but the Italian wine was decent.

Written 6 September 2023

Karl Dublin

2 contributions

Great lunch and service

Jul 2020 • couples

Stopped off for lunch in this little gem! Excellent freshly produced food. Hake goujons and a fish pie, the latter was sublime prompting us to try desert which were tastefully displayed and homemade. Sinful baked cheesecake and an almond and pear tart followed by good coffee. Bill was €46 and good value for the quality of food!! Special mention for the staff all of whom observing COVID protocols while providing warm professional service. Top marks all round!

Written 23 July 2020

Kristine B

Orlando272 contributions

Salad-y Sandwich

Mar 2020 • solo

Had a really nice late lunch after visiting Athlone Castle. I thought I ordered a gluten free ham and cheddar sandwich, but it turned out to be a sandwich/salad combo and was absolutely delicious. I don’t know what kind of spread or dressing was on it, but it gave it a sweet, tangy flavor that went wonderfully with the cheddar cheese. Just goes to show that sometimes the simplest meal can be one of the best. I greatly appreciate the Left Bank offering gluten free options and I’d love to go back for dinner sometime.

Written 8 March 2020

markandmaria_ireland

Dublin38 contributions

Excellent lunch, so good we came back for dinnner

Jul 2020 • none

On a recent trip to Athlone, we paid a visit to an old favourite The Left Bank Bistro for lunch. The food and service was as good as ever. The restaurant is located in the trendy left bank quarter of Athlone, a short distance from the castle. The restaurant has a contemporary bright airy feel with high ceilings and large windows. Covid-19 precautions were observed throughout with hand-sanitisers at the entrance and in the bathrooms. A copy of the menu is even available via a QR code printed at the table. There is a good choice on the lunch menu and we had the tandoori chicken and the confit of lamb which were both excellent and highly recommended. For dessert we had a delicious tiramisu. All of which came to a very reasonable €35. We enjoyed the lunch so much that we returned two days later for dinner. Again another excellent meal. There is an "all night" early bird menu available Tuesday to Friday with a choice of 2 or 3 courses. We had the beet root salad for starters, and the gougons of hake and an angus steak for the main. This was accompanied by a reasonable Argentinian Malbec. With dessert, the meal came to €88.

Written 2 August 2020

Action Worldwid... C

28 contributions

Perfect start to finish!

Dec 2022 • family

So accommodating us with Mom in a wheelchair set the tone for an amazing lunch! The soup of carrot, coconut, ginger and touch of cayenne produced the perfect bite for my palette. Hubby raves this was one of the best burgers of his life. The Hake was mild and fresh accompanied with a homemade tarter and amazingly crispy chips. The tandoori chicken was tender and moist with a flavor profile that stole the show. I have to even rave about the light and refreshing dressing that made the side salads on the plate just dance in your mouth! Nice wine and craft selection. Creative cocktail choices including a pornstar martini paired with Really attentive wait staff made for exceptional experience.

Written 1 December 2022

Tadhg O’Grady

Mullingar8 contributions

Lovely Food and Great Service

Mar 2023 • family

I went here with 3 adults and 4 children. It was delicious the food was lovely and kept us extremely full. One of the members wanted to get a meal that there was none left of they were very apologetic and very respectful. Would definitely visit again.

Written 18 March 2023

fromire

Clane24 contributions

Fantastic

Aug 2021 • family

This restaurant I had only ever visited with work groups and was excited to come back in a more intimate atmosphere. It did not disappoint, the staff are fantastic they anticipate what your looking for and are all over it. The food is amazing. Thank you to all at The Left Bank for a wonderful birthday dinner

Written 13 August 2021

burkieWestmeath

Dublin52 contributions

Evening meal

Nov 2022 • none

Great selection Great Mojitos. Had the mussels, for starters .Main course Belly of pork melt in the mouth beautiful seasoned & so tasty And Panna cotta for desert … Chilli prawns for starters .Monkfish main course Tiramisu for desert Excellent service from start to finish Highly recommend The Left Bank

Written 20 November 2022

Anne S

Coventry8 contributions

Awesome food!

Feb 2022 • friends

We stopped for lunch on our way from Dublin to Galway and were super impressed. I had the vegetable soup which was a carrot based cream soup but the cream was not over powering. The mushroom and spaghetti was fantastic and the roast beef was so tender it fell apart. Our server was friendly and answered all our questions! We loved this stop!!! Athlone castle is right across the street but just check to make sure they are open ahead of time. We came off season so missed out on that.

Written 19 February 2022

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