Slane has a way of drawing you in, not just with its castle, music history, and riverside setting, but with its food. Whether you’re here for a day or staying longer, there’s no shortage of good places to eat, each with its own personality.
From fine dining to casual coffee stops, here are some of our favourites in and around the village.
Conyngham Arms Restaurant
A short stroll from the centre of the village, the Conyngham Arms Restaurant is the kind of place you can settle into for a proper meal. The menu changes with the seasons and makes full use of the local food producers, goat’s cheese from nearby farms, hand-reared pork, and golden rapeseed oil are regular features. It’s relaxed and intimate, whether you’re there for a family get-together or a quiet dinner for two.
The afternoon tea in their cosy library is a brilliant way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
More about Conyngham Arms Restaurant
Dolly’s Bar & Pantry
Dolly’s is a proper family-run pub with a warm, old-school atmosphere, but step through to The Pantry at the back and you’ll find a bright, modern café serving speciality coffee, brunch, and fresh, homemade food. It’s the kind of spot where you can just as easily grab an acai bowl on a sunny morning as you can tuck into a meatball sub or eggs benedict.
Ideal for a relaxed breakfast, a casual lunch, or a mid-afternoon coffee break.
More about Dolly’s Bar & Pantry
Brabazon Restaurant at Tankardstown House
For something a bit special, Brabazon at Tankardstown House is hard to beat. Tucked away in the estate’s Garden Village, it’s known for its fine dining without the fuss, a cosy dining room in winter, terrace tables in summer, and a menu that changes with what’s in season. Many of the vegetables come straight from the walled garden, and the kitchen works closely with local farmers and foragers.
This is high-quality dining in beautiful surroundings.
More about Brabazon Restaurant
Brambles at Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre
If you’re heading to Newgrange or Knowth, Brambles Café inside the visitor centre is a handy stop. It’s bright, spacious, and serves the kind of artisan, hand-produced food the Brambles name is known for, breakfast, lunch, or a good coffee to fuel more exploring.
The view through the glazed wall makes it an easy place to linger before or after your visit.
More about Brambles at Brú na Bóinne
Brambles at Oldbridge House
Another Brambles outpost, this one is at the Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre. The café sits in the Tea Pavilion with uninterrupted views over the gardens, perfect for a sunny day on the decking. They serve breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea, and keep sustainability in mind with compostable packaging.
If you’re visiting the site or just passing through, it’s an easy, relaxed place to stop.
More about Brambles at Oldbridge House
Monasterboice Inn
A bit outside Slane but worth the short drive, the Monasterboice Inn is a long-standing favourite for both everyday meals and special occasions. The menu focuses on seasonal, locally sourced food, and the atmosphere is unfussy but welcoming.
It’s also a good choice for larger gatherings, with plenty of space and a comfortable atmosphere.
Sage & Stone
Sage & Stone is part café, part takeaway, part gift shop, all set on a working farm. You can sit in for breakfast or lunch made with local ingredients, or grab coffee, toasties, and fresh bakes from the barn to take away.
It’s the sort of place that’s as much about the setting as the food, with the added charm of farm animals and a country air you just don’t get in town.
Slane’s food scene is as varied as it is welcoming. Whether you’re after a refined dinner, a pint and a sandwich, or coffee with a view, you’ll find it here, and often with a strong connection to the local producers who make the Boyne Valley such a great place to eat.
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