Review
Connemara Greenway Café has been the dream of Marie Begley and her husband Johnnie for the past ten years. Back at the end of June 2104 it finally came true and it is located in the beautiful village of Oughterard.
From the outside it is a rustic building with stone exterior and quaint window boxes, and is pretty and inviting. Once inside it is divided in two, with the café to the front and a smaller area to the rear which is an upmarket shop, deli and bakery. All produce is locally sourced and you will recognise all the brands including Connemara Smokehouse salmon, lots of artisan favourites and Sheridan’s cheeses, while all the breads and cakes are baked in-house.
With painted wooden floors and grey banquet seating to the right walls space has been well used to get in eight or nine tables, and no matter what time of day you are there it is always busy with a great buzz. The menu is well laid out with starters, mains and sandwiches all on offer, while specials are on the blackboard displayed on the far wall.
Prices start from €2.50 for fruit scone with jam and cream and go up to €11.95 for traditional lamb stew, while other dishes included lasagne with garlic bread, smoked salmon on homemade bread or grilled salmon & new potato salad. Our last visit was at lunchtime and Fred ordered the Connemara seafood chowder which was well prepared, with just the right consistency and full of good, fresh fish. I had the grilled chicken super salad which was a bed of pasta with green pesto, crunchy broccoli and quinoa with a generous helping of grilled chicken and parmesan cheese; this was light but filling, and I had with a pep in my step afterwards. Our daughter Keisha had a half portion of lasagne with garlic bread which was delicious, really moist and very well flavoured.
With the selection of desserts calling my name since we got there, I had to try the berry cheesecake which was big enough for two, so Fred got a fork and we both thoroughly enjoyed it while Keisha had her eye on a strawberry cupcake, which she fairly demolished. A latte, cappuccino and a tea to finish and we were truly set up for the afternoon
Connemara Greenway opens daily till 7pm through the winter months and till 9pm on a Friday and Saturday, while during the summer they are open till 9pm every day. This is a labour of love from two committed foodies, and is an ideal stopping point for some delicious homemade food, not to mention an array of lovely products to bring home for yourself or family and friends.
In the evenings the menu ramps up somewhat, and there are some great specials. With a carafe of house wine for €14.00, what better place to spend an evening with friends? Connemara Greenway had us at Hello.
