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About
At Monks we have a special love for the sea and you can taste it in every delicious mouthful of our authentic, traditional food – lovingly prepared with only the freshest and finest, locally-produced ingredients. And it’s all paired with the picture-postcard prettiness, harbour charm and welcoming country comfort that is the beautiful old fishing port of Ballyvaughan – pearl of the Burren.
PRICE RANGE
US$5 - US$54
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch
CUISINES
Irish, Bar, Seafood, European, Pub, Healthy
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Parking Available, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Full Bar, Seating, Street Parking, Free off-street parking, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music
Reviews (1,334)
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Traveller rating
603
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129
96
74
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All reviews mussels seafood chowder stew salad steak brown bread galway bay top class wild atlantic way ireland pier guinness cliffs burren coast clare
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Reviewed yesterday via mobile

The food and the Irish atmosphere were wonderful. A kind staff and clean restaurant. The meals were plentiful and one would not leave there hungry. Inside and outside seating.

Date of visit: May 2023
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Reviewed 5 days ago via mobile

Fabulous food in a lovely setting! The oysters are so fresh, you can taste the sea. The food was beautifully prepared, and the staff were kind enough to accommodate a last-minute request for a table. A perfect spot for our last night in the region.

Date of visit: May 2023
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Reviewed 1 week ago

Stayed over night and had dinner and breakfast here. Iwe traveled all day and got here just in time for dinner. We had a great room and accommodations. Very quiet. The town looked really quaint. I wish we had more time there. The next day...we had a wonderful breakfast and headed to cong. Ballyvaughan and monks are on my list for next time.More

Date of visit: May 2023
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Reviewed 1 week ago

Fish and chips were great! Everyone had a wonderful meal. We were with seniors as well as a baby in arms, and all enjoyed the food and service. Thanks, Monks.

Date of visit: May 2023
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Reviewed 2 weeks ago

Great atmosphere food was great. Tried their seafood chowder which really was lots of chunks of fish it was served with their amazing soda brown bread! Also got their fish pie. Two items not usually found in other menus around. The others had regular items...and the soup special which they loved.More

Date of visit: May 2023
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Reviewed 3 weeks ago

I stayed overnight recently - my room was magnificent, everything to a really high standard, including Voya toiletries. The bed was very comfortable. Delicious food - I had both dinner and breakfast. Alice in reception was very helpful. I'd highly recommend Monks as a place...to stay/eat.More

Date of visit: May 2023
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Reviewed 3 weeks ago via mobile

Have been to Monks a few times. This time the whole place has had a move over. It's very pleasant and tasetfully furnished. However I have to say I felt it lost some of its charm and atmosphere. The old place ouzed character. Having said...that I would really recommend visiting it. The location is along The Wild Atlantic Way which has stunning views and landscape. Ballyvaughan is also nice area to visit. We had a light lunch, I had mussels and the mandatory pint of Guinness. Beautiful. It gets very busy and would arrive early, think it opens at 1pm but worth checking their Web site.More

Date of visit: April 2023
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Reviewed 4 weeks ago

We had a fabulous meal here yesterday, oysters, chowder, guinness and beef stew. Service was superb! This was our first visit and we will definitely be back again. Thanks so much.

Date of visit: May 2023
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Reviewed 4 weeks ago

We had visited Monks about 20 years ago, loved it then, and it’s better now. We enjoyed a late lunch of a bowl of Seafood chowder and a pint of Guinness; maybe the best chowder in all County Clare! This is a special place with...an incredible ambiance.More

Date of visit: March 2023
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Reviewed 29 April 2023

This has to be one of the best seafood restuarants that we have had the pleasure of dining in. The food was tasty as you can get. Expertly cooked to perfection. We will dine here again when next time in the area.

Date of visit: April 2023
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Reviewed 26 April 2023

Lovely setting, top class accommodation, fantastic food, great staff…will look forward to next opportunity to visit.

Date of visit: April 2023
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Reviewed 18 April 2023

Food was lovely. Dog friendly restaurant so we could bring our small Yorkshire terrier with us as we were on a day trip around co clare Lovely staff

Date of visit: March 2023
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Reviewed 8 April 2023

Booked a 1 night stay at the Monks over the Easter weekend. A beautiful part of county Clare. Was greeted by a lovely girl on reception who showed us to a lovely room. There’s where the good thing ends ! Dinner was booked for 7,...was shown to our table immediately, table was set for two but had salt spilled on it and some kind of sticky sauce, and there was chips under my chair form the previous people. The table was cleaned when asked. We waited approximately 40 minutes after ordering and received our starters, which were ok. Main course was fillet of cod but it had to be returned as it was too cold to eat. The fish burger was just edible. Onto the breakfast… no cereals or fruit to be seen, orange juice was provided on request. Full Irish arrived without a fried egg but was given when asked. Eggs Benedict was poorly presented and the eggs were hard. The saving grace was the lovely brown bread. Coffee was served and there was more in the saucer than in the cup. A scene from Faulty Towers. Overpriced and Overrated.More

Date of visit: April 2023
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Reviewed 8 April 2023 via mobile

The seafood was perfect. The oysters fresh, perfectly shucked. The mussels plentiful and perfectly cooked in a great broth.

Date of visit: April 2023
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Reviewed 25 February 2023

We stayed here for 3 nights and it was just brilliant. The room was spotless, great shower, comfy bed. The breakfast was also fab. Staff very friendly and nothing is too much trouble for them. We dined here for 2 out of the 3 nights....Again food was outstanding. We made the very unfortunate mistake of dining at L'Arco Italian restaurant on one of the evenings. That was a total disaster. Half cooked food, unbelievably rude staff. Monks is such a breath of fresh air,More

Date of visit: September 2022
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Questions & Answers
Ask a question
JGJL30
23 September 2021|
Answer
Response from Irishtea1 | Reviewed this property |
I don't believe they close for any long period of time. I know it's coming to the end of the tourist season so I had a quick look at their website and their is no mention of closing. The website is simply monks, you will... More
0
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SamuelS4556
24 September 2018|
AnswerShow all 2 answers
Response from MonksOffice | Property representative |
Sorry for the delay in replying. Monks Ballyvaughan are very proud to exhibit some stunning paintings from the renowned Artisit Manus Walsh. Manus work has been described as cubist, abstract, impressionist, surreal... More
1
Vote
Karen R
27 April 2017|
AnswerShow all 8 answers
Response from TerraExplorator | Reviewed this property |
Hello, they actually have live music almost every night. we went there in the weekend and there was music. amazing food, huge portions, live music is too authentic :)
3
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MONKS BALLYVAUGHAN - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Monks Ballyvaughan

Yes, Monks Ballyvaughan is taking precautions against COVID-19. A full list is available within the "safety precautions" section of this page.

Monks Ballyvaughan is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4
  • Service: 4
  • Value: 3.5
  • Atmosphere: 3.5