As the So Sligo Food and Cultural Festival and the Sligo Food Trail is taking place this weekend I thought I’d post about some of my favourite places for lunch.

These are just a few of my suggestions and all are in Sligo town. A county one will follow in the next week of so.

Eala Bhan – fine dining at a great price. This is such a pretty restaurant and the food is fabulous. Emphasis is on quality, locally sourced ingredients. As well as lovely lunches they also do an amazing Afternoon Tea – it’s just the business.

The Glasshouse – the hotel that you can’t miss. They serve really good food from sandwiches to hot lunches and of course desserts. Alan Fitzmaurice is their head chef and produces some really special dishes.

Osta – again locally sourced produce including their 15km breakfast (all ingredients are from within 15km of the cafe). If you don’t have time to linger check out Osta to go. The Sligo Platter is really special – but this might not be on the menu all the time so best to check.

Cafe Fleur – who doesn’t love a coffee with a tree on top? They also serve a wicked chocolate and caramel cake.

Swagman – you can’t beat the chips with peppercorn sauce, it may sound gross but try it. Also the peanut butter stack is just amazing! A mention for Sonia, the most attentive waitress I’ve ever met.

Gallery Cafe at The Model. A bright and airy cafe run by lovely Laura. Check out the Swedish Chocolate cake – it’s even nicer warm with cream 🙂

Riverside Hotel – Sligo’s newest hotel but serving great food. If you go on for Sunday lunch you can hear the Jazz Collective.

Kate’s Kitchen – lovely scones and cakes. Oh dear I’m back on the cake theme and this post was meant to be about lunch! They also have fab wraps – really filling and nice to see a vegan wrap too.

Heart’s Desire – the nicest hot chocolate in town and some great deals on lunches. The parma ham salad is wonderful.

Sweet Beat – perfect for vegetarians and vegans. Various lunch specials on every day and very filling.

I’ve yet to try Miso but I’ve heard great things about them and they won the Connaught World Cuisine Restaurant Award this year.

Anyway that’s just a few of my recommendations. I’ll do a blog post soon of some of my favourite restaurants in the county soon. Have you got any places you’d recommend?