The Malt House

Tucked in a cobblestone alley off of Shoppe Street and just yards away from two of the city’s most famous buildings, lies The Malt House, a cozy white-washed restaurant of style and character. An award winning establishment located close to Lynch’s Castle and Ireland’s largest medieval church, The Malt House offers a comprehensive menu and proves ideal for special occasions and intimate dinners for two. A long-established and popular restaurant, The Malt House serves classical formal, and modern Irish dishes and features a full bar with a selection of fine wines. The specialty is seafood prepared in the classic French style and The Malt House offer a wide variety of seafood including Monkfish, lobster, prawns, scallops, mussels, and, of course, Galway oysters, which are a big hit with both visitors and locals. The restaurant’s décor proves elegant and refined. The tables are set with crisp white linen cloths and candles and the restaurant features a large bay window, a beamed roof, and rough cast walls. The Malt House serves lunch from 12:30 - 3:00 pm Monday – Saturday and dinner from 6:30 - 10:30pm Monday – Saturday. Reservations are highly recommended.

Angela Says: My fellow diners and I just stumbled upon this restaurant one mid-week evening, and I was delighted we did. The Malt House, which lies next to the city’s medieval quarter, consistently serves good food, uses fresh ingredients, and offers a wide - array of seafood, game, and vegetarian dishes. At our table, entrees were ordered such as “scallops with mashed leek” (€28), “Sirloin Steak with a choice of green peppercorn sauce or Garlic butter” (€21.65), “Baked Supreme of Chicken Mediterranean Style with a sundried tomato & mozzarella stuffing” (€16.65), and Honey Glazed Roast Duckling with Soy & ginger sauce and plum & orange stuffing (€16.65). A dining companion of mine ordered a pâté from the appetizer menu, and we sampled “pineapple soaked in Malibu” for dessert. Scallop potatoes, vegetables, and bread were served as complementary sides. Overall, the food was quite good, although the portions were somewhat small for the prices. The atmosphere is elegant even if a bit sterile, and although the décor is not memorable or original, it would prove a “safe bet” for a date. The food was well-presented and simply but professionally prepared. The restaurant would probably be best for an older, refined crowd.

Atiba Says: The Malt House, I have to say, is not one of my favorite places to eat. It is tucked away from the main street and is geared for an older crowd. The portions were really small and the prices were way too expensive for what I was served. The desert menu also was not up to par. The service is not the best in terms of waiting-time. I was not pleased after my meal, that’s all I have to say.