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.
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, Irish, European, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Special Occasion Dining, Romantic, Groups, Business meetings
Is this restaurant a hidden gem or off-the-beaten path?
Details
CUISINES
Irish, European
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours
FEATURES
Reservations, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
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4.5
312 reviews
Excellent
190
Very good
85
Average
16
Poor
16
Terrible
5
Niall C
Drogheda28 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
Myself and my girlfriend stayed at the Headford Arms Hotel and had the pleasure of dining at this restaurant for free. The food was amazing and can I just say that the staff/waitresses really made you feel at home and looked after you to their fullest. Big thumbs up to all who work at this lovely restaurant. We will definitely be back.
Written 2 February 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 O
Mullingar1808 contributions
Oct 2021 • couples
My husband and I had our 1st night out as a twosome in over a year on a Saturday night in October. What's seldom is wonderful! The Vanilla Pod is a regular beloved haunt of ours when we get a chance to go out. The last time we were here was Valentine's night February 2020 (see historical separate review) which when compared to tonight was substantially better value as a great value early bird set menu was on offer that night. The menu has changed and the Headfort Arms, Kelltic Bar and Vanilla Pod menus seem to be amalgamated into one large menu (see picture) since then with a separate specials menu (see picture) .
Tonight, we shared the large chicken wings for €13.50, very tasty and a good sharing portion for two but we thought they were slightly different from memory, not sure if it was the wings sauce or dipping sauce!?
For mains, we both went for the 'special' rib eye with onions, peppercorn sauce & a couple of roasted cherry tomatoes. My husband opted for cheesy garlic potatoes with his and I opted for skinny fries at €24 each but we shared both. Honestly, the creamy cheesy garlic potatoes were the most sinful but best both of us had ever had. Divine, we gave our compliments to the chef via the waitress. I ordered my steak medium rare and my husband ordered it medium well. On cutting, we discovered we were given each others steaks and had to swap. Super tasty and filling though.
For desserts, my husband had the special of banoffi pie with salted caramel ice-cream which he enjoyed and I had the gin and tonic sorbet with berries. The gin and tonic sorbet although small packed a punch and was light after a rich meal. Compliments to the chef on the sorbet. Sadly, it was served with one blueberry which wasn't as stated or expected. I had a strawberry daiquiri which was (€9.50) & my husband had an alcohol free beer. My dessert packed more of a punch than the cocktail🍹
Overall, food is still very good, the amalgamated menu is extensive but value has definitely dwindled. Everything on the menu including a glass of wine seems to have gone up in price (previously €7: now €7.50). Staff were plentiful and friendly as ever, great atmosphere and place was packed. Rating reflects the reduced value and increased prices.
Written 3 October 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.
Emily O
Mullingar1808 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
My husband treated me to a Valentine's night dinner here. It is a local favourite of ours. Our table was booked for 8.45, booked 3 nights previous. I think he was expecting to be ripped off given the night that was in it. So he was pleasantly surprised to see the early bird on offer. We were impressed with this as it great value given the quality of the food. For drinks, I had a mocktail as I was the driver. Staff made up a gorgeous raspberry concoction for me. It was so so delicious 😋 and we were charged €5.95 for it. My husband had a glass of Merlot (I think) @ €7.
For starters, I had the mussels with tasty sourdough bread, very good but I could have dealt with a bigger portion. My husband had the chicken wings, always a winner.
For mains, I had a mouth-watering perfectly cooked Sirloin steak with a stand-out pepper sauce, onions & chips, just perfection. My husband opted for the shoulder of bacon which he was happy with.
For desserts, we shared a light Malteser cheesecake and a rich chocolate tart with a hint of Coole Swan. Both balanced each other out and were really good. My husband finished with a small coffee at €3.10.
Service was very efficient & the restaurant was decorated appropriately for the night that was in it. We'll definitely return. Well done♥️
Written 15 February 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.
Abbeywoodgirl
48 contributions
Jan 2022 • none
We were on on way back from Laois, and starving so did a detour to Kells and to the Headford Arms Vanilla Pod Restaurant. Considering we had not booked, we got a table straight away. It was busy which is always a good sign. We didn't have starters but plenty of tables around us did and they looked lush! Lots of choice on the menu and something different to the norm. I had the Cajun Spiced Pasta and himself had the slow cooked beef. My Pasta was lovely, really tasty and lots of chicken in it. My husbands beef was very tasty (so he told me) but the portion was very small - if it was just a little bit more it would have been perfect and for €21, he was right - even just an extra side of veg included would have been good. I had the almond milk rice pudding for desert and it was gorgeous so I can definitely recommend that. We will definitely be back - just to try the Banger & Mash because it sounds amazing! Over all a really lovely place to eat, lovely staff and ambiance. Definitely worth a detour if you are looking for something different.
Written 23 January 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.
L-i-l-l-y
48 contributions
Mar 2022 • friends
The restaurant is dark you could hardly see what they put in front of you. As hotel guests we expected some quality on the table, but we had a terrible experience. The beef bourguignon was a tasteless dried out piece of meet in a lump of potato with gravy sauce. The vegetables werent even peeled properly. When the waiter has asked how the dinner went we expressed our feedback, she has offered some complimentary dessert, but to be honest the disappointment just continued. The creme brulee was off and tasted sour. Would not recommend and will not return.
Written 3 March 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.
Trish
3 contributions
Nov 2022 • couples
We had a meal booked here for 8.30pm on Saturday night. There were huge delays with tables and we witnessed not just us, but at least four other groups significantly delayed. We were told to wait in the lobby and our table would be ready soon.
We didn't get seated at our table until 9.30pm! When we asked the manager what was causing the delay, we were told that people just didn't want to move off their tables when they had finished their meals.
We weren't offered any goodwill in terms of a drink on the house etc for the inconvenience they caused us. All we got was a mediocore " sorry for the delay, your table will be ready soon."
It's an absolute disgrace to go to a restaurant, with a pre booked table, and have to wait ONE HOUR to be seated. This took the joy out of our meal / experience altogether. Also, there was no time between starter and main course. We had just finished our starters and our mains arrived.
The food overall was nice, but the whole dining experience was dreadful and I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone. I have never experienced such a delay to be seated and absolutely NOTHING offered as a gesture of apology.
Absolutely disgraceful service and management need to review how they run this restaurant so this doesn't happen other customers.
Written 13 November 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.
Grainne N
Virginia4 contributions
Jul 2023 • friends
I visited with a group of girlfriends for a Saturday evening dinner. The restaurant don’t cater well for people with any sort of dietary restriction. I am a vegetarian and ordered a potato skins off the vegetarian menu for my starter. Half way through eating the starter I found several pieces of bacon inside the potato under the melted cheese, I had to send it back. I asked were there any gluten free options on the vegetarian menu, there was no options for gluten free pasta, I was offered faijtas with a slice of gluten free bread instead of a wrap which would have been a very sad meal. It’s so simple to stock some gluten free pasta or wraps, I couldn’t understand why it was so difficult as I’m surely not the only coeliac they have visit. I eventually settled on a stir fry with rice. The stir fry had onions and peppers only. It would have been very simple to add some other vegetables, tofu, chickpeas etc. It was really disappointing to be offered a bowl of fried onion and peppers. The waitresses were very apologetic and offered me a complimentary drink after the mistake with my starter but I certainly would not recommend the restaurant to anyone with any dietary restrictions.
Written 3 August 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.
GCFoodie
Ireland72 contributions
Mar 2020 • friends
For the starter we all had chicken wings - the sauce was gorgeous but the portion size was very small. Two of us had steak for the main. I ordered mine medium and my friend ordered well done. Hers came out pink and bloody which put her off. The desserts were different from the usual and really nice. I had the orange chocolate mousse.
There wasn't much room to move around. I had to squeeze past people to go to the toilet.
Despite the issues, I am giving 4 stars as the food was so nice. I will be back.
Written 8 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.
Emily O
Mullingar1808 contributions
Apr 2023 • couples
My husband and I secured a babysitter & as we had a long standing voucher for the Headfort, we booked a table for the Vanilla Pod. Whenever we get a chance we head here, although prices have noticeably shot up since lockdowns. There were 3 menus to navigate currently: a la carte, Early bird and Specials. Earlybird is to be commended on relative value: 2 courses for €26, 3 course for €29. I could have picked a starter and dessert on the Earlybird but none of the mains appealed to me. So a la carte it was.
For starters I couldn't pass the spicy Nduja, chili and garlic Prawns with toasted breads for €12. It came with 1 slice of Sourdough as opposed to the 'toasted breads' but delicious & devoured. My husband went for his usual of Vanilla Pod chicken wings with blue cheese dip @€8.50. Yum but I suspect the sauce is different to what I remember encountering first years ago.
For mains, the other half opted for slow cooked sticky baby back ribs with house slaw and fries @€20. He enjoyed these. I chose the special of 10z Rib Eye Steak with onions and a side of the most amazing sinful garlic potatoes @€29 and an extra over-indulgent side of onion rings@€4.50. I couldn't possibly have eaten another bite but my husband couldn't pass his go-to Sticky Toffee Pudding @€8. He reported it to be light and tasty but would have liked more sauce with it. For drinks, we had a Carafe of Chilean merlot €14 & Bottle of Heineken zero €5.10, followed by 2 Americanos @€7. Both waitresses are so professional here and a absolute credit to the restaurant. Shout out to Caroline whose name we asked for on this occasion. Service was excellent and efficient. Rating reflects unappetising mains on Earlybird and increased prices. Well done on re-introducing an Early bird menu.
Written 8 April 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.
Noelle0512
Dublin70 contributions
Mar 2023 • none
Was there on a very busy Saturday night for a birthday celebration. I had never been before and was hearing mixed reviews. Am so happy to say that I was very pleasantly surprised!.
Restaurant itself is lovely - really nice atmosphere. Although it was very busy staff had it all under control and were very attentive. Water on table constantly replenished and staff checking everyone ok for drinks.
As a vegetarian I really didnt know what to expect but there was a separate vegetarian menu which had lots of choice.
Food was served promptly and was piping hot. Portions were great and a really nice touch to put of trays of chips on table for sharing. Everyone left the table satisfied and commenting on how good the food was - not one complaint on a table of 16 people!
Although the food was great the stand out thing for me anyway was the staff. They are so professional in getting orders taken and food delivered event though they were under serious pressure with the restaurant being full - should be very proud of the work the are doing there!
Written 5 March 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.
Aoife F
31 contributions
Apr 2022 • couples
Have been to vanilla pod a number of times but on my recent visit the menu seemed to have been changed. Prices had increased a lot (starters at around €11) with no early bird option. Infact during our visit I seen 2 seperate couples leave before ordering, a result of menu change/price increase.
It was also the first time I didn't enjoy my meal which was unfortunate as I usually love the food.
If menu/prices change I will be back but for now I will have to give a miss.
Written 25 April 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.
Denise W
31 contributions
Jun 2021 • none
As staff in a local school we regularly visit the Vanilla Pod. However, in recent months, the Headfort have set up the Garden Grill and we booked here for our end of year lunch keeping to restrictions. Loreena & the team couldn't have been more attentive. We tried several different cocktails and they were all delicious!! The food was the usual high standard you expect from the Headfort and the new 'containers/packaging' had an almost festival vibe to it. I highly recommend the burger and the pizzas in the wood oven. Delighted to see businesses embracing compostable containers. The constant cleaning and staff awareness of heightened hygiene measures was clearly evident. Thanks again to everyone at the Headfort for a wonderful afternoon.
Written 29 July 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.
Page2302
Sittingbourne149 contributions
Jul 2023 • couples
Managed to get a table and can see why the place is so popular. The food was fantastic and so fresh. A ribeye dish and a cod dish were ordered and were cooked exactly as requested. Great service, great Guiness and great food made for a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Would highly recommend this place to anyone stopping nearby.
Written 2 July 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.
KvDon
Carlow39 contributions
Jul 2024 • couples
We ate here on July 4th for my birthday, as we were also staying at the Headfort Arms.
This is a great onsite restaurant at the hotel with a fantastic ambience and a very friendly and professional service provided by the lovely Caroline and Fiona, who looked after us and all their patrons very well on the night.
The menu was varied and offered something for every taste.
We opted to start with Brie bon-bons, followed by spicy ribs and one of the tastiest gourmet burgers i have had in a long time. The chef(s) were excellent.
Dessert was chocolate cheesecake with a selection of ice creams. They also went to the trouble of adding sparkler candles and wishing a Happy birthday to me and another lady celebrating hers also there.
A fantastic experience and I'll certainly visit again when next in the locale.
Written 5 July 2024
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.
Nicola B
3 contributions
Apr 2024 • family
Very disappointing experience with very average food. Provided with specials menus that were from the previous week and unavailable. Spent €120 for 1 bottle of wine, 2 starters and 2 mains. Tried to avail of the Thursday offer of 2 free glasses of wine but advised it wasn’t available from the a la carte menu despite spending twice the amount of the price of the early bird menu which had extremely limited and poor options. Didn’t stay for dessert as didn’t want any further disappointment. Avoid at all costs.
Written 20 April 2024
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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