Kildare

Strong’s Café and Bistro

Strong’s Café and Bistro in Kildare town serves contemporary rustic dishes in a stylish yet relaxed atmosphere. Their unique Khanya coffee has won multiple awards in Ireland and the UK. The menu ranges from French toast for breakfast to warm goats cheese salad for lunch. Don’t miss the Strong special sandwich with honey-baked ham either!

Sprout and Co

Sprout and Co is committed to locally-sourced, seasonal, healthy food that never sacrifices taste. In 2018, they started their own organic farm in Kildare. The menu celebrates simple pleasures - vibrant salads, hearty wraps and nourishing bowls like the Bangkok fishbowl. Each dish reflects their philosophy that truly good food should be properly delicious too.

Junction 14 Mayfield

Motorway service station, Junction 14 Mayfield, is off the M7 at Monasterevin. Open 24/7, it offers ample parking and a range of dining experiences to cater for every taste. From Zambrero and Subway to Freshly Chopped, Papa John’s Pizza and their carvery from the deli, there’s something for everyone. Zambrero, offers Mexican-inspired food that aspires to help stop world hunger through their Plate 4 Plate initiative — every burrito or bowl purchased means a meal donated to someone in need.

Laois

Polly’s Container Café

For a unique alfresco dining experience, head to Polly’s Container Café at the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel. Open daily, it serves coffees, cakes, sandwiches and salads, with wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas and gourmet burgers available on weekends.

The clever seating area boasts a retractable roof, sliding glass walls and heaters, making it a cozy spot whatever the weather.

Bowe’s Foodhall and Café

Stop at Bowe’s Foodhall and Café in Durrow for fantastic coffee and freshly baked goods and indulge in their full breakfast menu. Lunchtime brings a choice of freshly made soups and main courses, while their gourmet rustic sandwich menu is available all day. Also consider their selection of quiches, pasties, homemade sausage rolls and terrines from the deli. With an extensive takeout menu, Bowe’s has you covered for this year’s Ploughing.

The Portlaoise Plaza

The Portlaoise Plaza is a one-stop shop for all your needs when travelling along the M7. This motorway service station features a food court with Supermacs, Papa John’s Pizza, SuperSubs, Mac’s Deli, and a Bewley’s Coffee counter. With a spacious seating area, Spar shop and 24-hour fuel pumps, it’s the perfect pit stop for your Ploughing journey.

Mueller and O’Connell Bakery

Housed in a former bank building in Abbeyleix, Mueller and O’Connell’s Bakery now produces some of the country’s best sourdough and fresh yeast breads. With 11 different kinds of bread, including seven types of sourdough and a range of seasonal pastries, there’s always something new to try. Give their famous cruffins a go as well. As proud members of Laois Taste, they also stock foods from other local producers.

The Pantry Café and Walled Garden

The Pantry is a midlands gem that’s been powering ahead since Ladonna and Mark opened their doors six years ago in Portlaoise. Their cooking is tasty, meticulous and scrummy — many food lovers would walk a country mile for their sweet baking alone. With their speciality 3fe coffee, a new walled garden terrace and the funky Nook & Cranny gift shop, the Pantry is a don’t-miss destination just five minutes off the M7 motorway in Portlaoise.

Treacy’s Bar and Restaurant

Treacy’s is a slice of living history, famed for its quality food, golden straw thatched roof and unique character. The restaurant located in Portlaoise serves up the best in home-cooked Irish food all day, with locally sourced ingredients freshly prepared by top chefs. With an award-winning kids’ menu, Treacy’s is perfect for family dining.

Offaly

Quigley’s Café, Bakery and Deli

Since 1890, Quigley’s has carried on a proud bread-making tradition. Now with 16 cafés around Ireland, they still make all produce fresh each morning in Nenagh. Whether you’re grabbing a loaf or sitting down for a meal, you’re tasting over a century of baking expertise, with a café located in Tullamore.

The Blue Apron restaurant

The Blue Apron is an award-winning culinary destination in Tullamore which has been included in the Michelin guide for multiple years. Owners Sarah and Kenan offer fine cuisine in an intimate setting. The menu features locally sourced meat, fresh fish and vegetarian options inspired by Kenan’s Turkish roots. All dishes are made from scratch, focusing on seasonality and quality.

Roscommon

Keenan’s Bar and Restaurant

For over 150 years, Keenan’s has watched over the historic Shannon crossing in Termonbarry. This family-run gem offers travellers a perfect pitstop with award-winning cuisine, a traditional pub and luxurious boutique rooms. If you’re in for some more travelling after the Ploughing, Keenan’s is ideally situated at the gateway to Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.

Tipperary

The French Quarter Café

Located in Tipperary town, the French Quarter Café focuses on providing good quality homemade food at affordable prices. From freshly baked scones and breads to soups and quiches, everything is prepared in-house. Don’t forget to taste their classic French tarts before you leave. This place is a must-visit for food lovers travelling through Tipperary.

O’Neill’s Bistro

O’Neill’s Bistro is an award-winning country restaurant that prides itself on sourcing the best ingredients and cooking them to the highest standard. With friendly yet professional service and a perfect five-star rating on Tripadvisor, it’s well worth a stop in Cashel on your way to the Ploughing.

Chez Hans

For a truly unique dining experience, visit Chez Hans, located in a 19th-century church beside the legendary Rock of Cashel. Since 1968, it has been serving the best of local and seasonal produce in one of Ireland’s most atmospheric dining rooms. With a four and a half-star Tripadvisor rating from over 500 reviews, it’s clear that Chez Hans continues to impress diners with its combination of a historic setting and excellent cuisine.

Bacchus Restaurant in Athlone.

Westmeath

Bacchus Restaurant

Bacchus offers modern Mediterranean and European cuisine in Athlone. Chef Jasim’s experience shines through in flavourful, unpretentious dishes using local ingredients. Bacchus provides a one-of-a-kind dining experience. From Connemara lamb confit to seafood medley casserole, the menu is a culinary journey. Don’t miss their desserts, especially the homemade Malteser cheese and Turkish baklava.

Limerick

Finnegans Resturant and Bar

MJ Finnegans Restaurant and Bar is situated on the main Dublin road (N7) and dates back to the 17th century. It is the perfect pitstop for large crowds or buses as they have a big car park and seating for 250 people. The stone, brick, wood and vintage decor creatively re-worked produces a cosy and relaxed ambience.