The Step Inn is one of those places that has been around so long, it has become an intrinsic part of the village. There's live music on Saturday nights and lives sports in the bar on a 60in high definition TV with surround sound.
Typically, it's buzzing with a mix of families, couples young and old and people watching the match in the bar, complete with a brief announcement over the PA system to announce the winner of that evening's raffle. Walking in the door, you feel as if you've walked into the beating heart of a real community institution.
And it's no surprise that it's so popular when you look at the menu. There are plenty of old favourites, such as calamari or chicken wings to start, or a Thai red chicken curry or fish pie for mains.
But look a little closer, and you'll find some unexpected flair on the menu too, like a starter of truffled mushrooms on sourdough toast, or fish and chips given a little twist with the addition of Belfast Blonde ale in the batter. Vegetarian options are more plentiful than average too, such as a smoked feta falafel sandwich that sounds good enough to tempt the carnivores.
The Dubliner burger is as good as any burger you'll find anywhere. Served with a small kilner jar of their own homemade ketchup and a Waterford blaa, it comes on such a generous wooden board, complete with a basket of chunky chips and onion rings, that it feels like a feast.
The star attraction at the Step Inn, though, is the 'on the stone' dishes. They claim to have been the first in Ireland to offer them, and they've remained a hit ever since. Choose from a fillet or flat iron steak, duck, tiger prawns or tuna, and the sizzling hot stone comes straight to the table with the raw meat on top of it so that you can cook it exactly to your own liking.
Or, if they all look equally tempting, you can get a taster stone with a mix of sirloin steak, prawns and tuna. They say that the stones have converted quite a few people who thought they liked their steak well done to eating it as medium or even medium rare once they got to cook it themselves and realised how tender the beef could be.
There's an impressive international selection of craft beer available, though only one Irish offering (Galway Hooker). If you can't make up your mind, try a tasting tray for only €6. And if you still have room, you might be swayed by a dessert such as an individual banoffee pie or a light-as-air pavlova.
The Stone Grill is an adjoining but separate space with more of a restaurant ambience than the casual lounge, but with the same menu and friendly staff - and the option to bring your own wine every Wednesday and Thursday.
Whether you want to meet friends for a coffee in the morning, grab a quick lunch, enjoy a leisurely dinner or just have a drink at the bar, the Step Inn is a good choice no matter what time of day it is. And with genuinely warm, friendly service, you'll be well fed and well looked after.
