Vegging Out in Sligo

We’re always delighted to receive guest posts and we love this one by Lucy:

These 10 places in Sligo offer delicious and interesting meat and fish-free dishes, so you won’t feel like you’re missing out.

Whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, curious or simply trying to cut down on your meat intake, and looking for somewhere that will do the job for you, read on!

1. For an Instagrammable healthy treat – Sweet Beat, Bridge St. Sligo

Sweet Beat offer 100% plant based breakfasts, lunches, salads and sweet treats, all of which are flavourful and vibrant and a feast for the senses. You’ll enjoy homemade beans on toast, avocado toast, plant based lasagnes, risottos and super salads. There’s also gorgeous juices, smoothies and healthy goodies such as vegan cakes and energy bars.

2. For a feast – Nook café, Collooney

Nook change their menu every month, but there’s always a great veggie/vegan option or two on the menu. I’ve tried their vegan ‘chicken’ burger, tofu bao buns, veggie burger, veggie breakfast… you’re always guaranteed something different when you go to Nook!

3. For a hangover cure – Street Cart, Sligo

Street Cart offer burritos, salads, nachos and sandwiches. They’ve been a favourite of mine for years, I love burritos and they do a mean vegetarian one. If you’re hungover or just desperate for something filling and delicious, one of their bean/rice/veg burritos will definitely sort you out!

4. For a tasty lunch and a catch-up – Osta café, Sligo

Osta’s pancakes and vegetarian breakfast are delicious if you’re after something a little bit more indulgent, but they also do really nice lunch specials which are often vegetarian or vegan. I’ve had some delicious hotpots and soups there, and the salads of the day are also gorgeous. It’s a lovely spot to sit outside (if it’s warm enough or you’re brave!) or sit by the window looking out onto the river.

5. For a seaside day out – Shells café, Strandhill

Shells is a gorgeous seaside café in beautiful Strandhill that caters for everyone – families, surfers, couples – and has delicious food. I’ve tried their veggie burger and it was delish. Lunch in Shells and a stroll along the beach = heaven.

6. For a cracking salad – Henry Lyons café, Sligo

Divine salads (never thought I’d hear myself call a salad divine), hearty hot dishes and amazing cakes in the Bakeshop – worth the wait for a table!

7. For a romantic meal (or afternoon tea!) – Eala Bhán restaurant, Sligo

This is definitely a special occasion place for dinner, but they also do great lunches and a lunch special at a really reasonable price. I’ve had vegetarian arancini (risotto balls) and the most incredible Afternoon Tea (read my blog post about it here). They also have vegetarian options such as blue cheese lasagne and a coconut curry.

8. For pub grub and a pint – Swagman Bar, Sligo

Tasty craft beer, a nice beer garden and the food menu is really really good. Recently they’ve changed the menu and they have quite a few veggie and vegan options including nachos, a rice and bean hotpot and more. (P.S. try the peanut butter stack for dessert, it’s amazing.)

9. For a hotel lunch – Cawley’s Hotel, Tubbercurry

Teresa, who runs the hotel, told me the hotel caters for everyone with their menus. She was very knowledgeable about what I could and couldn’t eat and really put my mind at ease. If you’re ever passing by Tubbercurry definitely call in here for a bite to eat.

10. For a little bit of everything – Strandhill People’s Market, Strandhill

Ok, this technically isn’t a café or restaurant, but I think they deserve a mention. Strandhill People’s Market is a brilliant weekend market with music, local people selling their creations, and, of course, food! I’ve tried halloumi shawarma, hummus and pita bread and spinach/feta filo pie from Sushi Sisters (who also do amazing vegetarian sushi too), vegan burritos from Sweet Beat, chips and dip from The Draft House, and Snickers ice cream from O’Hara’s. The market also has an Indian food stall which does gorgeous veggie and vegan dishes for great prices, a paella stall who sometimes do vegetarian paella and patatas bravas, and a pizza/pasta stall.

Thanks for a great post Lucy. You can find Lucy’s blog here.