What could be better than nabbing a window seat in a 200-year-old pub looking out at stunning views of Sligo Bay and Knocknarea? Well, how about the fact that Austies also has a top-rate food and drink offering to boot?
Owners John and Lorna are the latest in a long line of owners going back to the seventeenth century. They have worked hard to keep Austies friendly and welcoming for tourists and locals alike, from the cheerfully bright blue exterior to the hospitable staff and traditional Irish and folk music sessions every weekend.
Austies operates as a café and bakery during the day and the menu switches to a more substantial a la carte offering at 5pm, with daily specials and a roast lunch on Sundays. Or you could just call in to pick up a loaf of their homemade bread, jam or chutney.
For a light lunch, try the potted crab, which comes in a generous portion with plenty of homemade bread. For something more substantial, the homemade cod goujons have an oaty breading speckled with dill that gives them a lovely texture and a nice twist of flavour. And there are no wispy rings of calamari here – at Austies, they are fat golden nuggets of squid, jazzed up with a wasabi mayo on the side.
Dinner is a solid offering of steak, chicken and fish, while dishes like a piri piri chicken burger, a lemon and lime baked hake or a pappardelle and hazelnut ragout with wild mushrooms keep things interesting.
And since the bakery treats are displayed on a table in the conservatory, it will be hard not to give in to temptation after casting sidelong glances at them all through your meal. The Belgian chocolate brownie and chocolate biscuit cake are particularly good and are rich enough to share, but you might want to have a slice of apple tart, lemon drizzle cake or carrot cake all to yourself.
There’s a good children’s menu and the atmospheric old bar is pet friendly too, so don’t be surprised if you see someone’s dog sitting next to them as they sip their pint. When the weather is good there’s seating outside, either at the front to enjoy the spectacular views or in a more sheltered courtyard. And to top it all off, there’s a good Irish craft beer selection too.
For anyone travelling along this part of the Wild Atlantic Way, make it a point to call in to Austies for a drink, a treat from the bakery or a meal – you’ll be glad you did.
