Self-Catering

Lough Mardal Lodge is self-catering. There is a large fully-equipped kitchen, a BBQ area and Pizza Oven and everyone has their own allocated cupboard and fridge space to store food supplies.

We offer Breakfast packs and our own organic Dexter Beefburger packs along with Pizza DIY packs which can be selected as an Optional Extra when booking. There are Supervalue, Aldi & Lidl supermarkets in Donegal town (15 min drive) and there is a small local shop for basic supplies in Ballintra, less than a 10 minute drive.

Guests are more than welcome to catch their own dinner, there are Pike and Perch in both lakes! And for those who would like to check out some good local eating and drinking spots, below are some good places to start.

Eating & Drinking

Restaurants

Whoriskeys Bar & Music Lounge - Cashelard, 5km

The local pub and your best nearby option. Midweek they do great pizzas and fish 'n' chips and at weekends there is an extensive menu in their adjacent restaurant. If you're luckly you'll catch occasional live music. They also offer a a take-out menu.

Smuggler's Creek - Rossnowlagh, 13km (closed midweek in off-peak months)

Bar & Restaurant. Good seafood and grills. An unbeatable setting positioned high up on a clifftop with a breath-taking view of Rossnowlagh beach - a prime spot to watch the sun set. Reserving a table is recommended during the busy summer months. Open weekends only during the off-season.

Maddens Bridge Bar & Restaurant, Bundoran, 20km

Maddens do very good food, particularly seafood. Great views of Donegal Bay and world renowned surf spot "The Peak". Reserving a table is recommended in the summer.

Bella Donna Italian Restaurant - Donegal Town, 18km

Delicious authentic Italian food in very popular restaurant, definitely book ahead. They also do Pizza & Pasta to take away. (There is a take-away menu in the Lobby of the Lodge.)

Chandpur Indian Restaurant - Donegal Town, 18km

Multi award-winning Indian restaurant in Donegal Town - amazing Indian food for eat-in or collection. (There is a take-away menu in the Lobby of the Lodge.)

Quay West - Donegal Town, 18km

Popular seafood restaurant in Donegal Town overlooking Donegal Bay

The Courthouse - Kinlough, 23km

Excellent Italian. A deliciously authentic Mediterranean dining experience. Excellent Italian. Award-winning and recommended by Georgina Cambell, McKenna's Guides & Bridgestone Guides.

Biddy O'Barnes - Barnesmore Gap, 28km

A bit further afield (but still only a 25min drive) and a top recommendation - nestled picturesquely between the dramatic Bluestack mountains in the Barnesmore Gap Biddy's do top notch food and claim to pour the best pint of Guinness in Donegal! They also have a large beer garden.

Cafes

The Bakery Shack, Rossnowlagh, 13km

A well kept secret amongs the locals, this seriously good artisan cafe & bakery serves homemade brunch, lunch & all sorts of delicious treats for take away or for eating in their small outdoor dining area. From there drop down to Rossnowlagh beach for a picnic.

Blas - Donegal Town, 18km

A great large family run cafe serving breakfasts & lunch.The finest ingredients are sourced locally using local traders. Delicious homemade scones & jam and their pancakes and french toast breakfasts are to die-for!

The Old Stone - Donegal Town, 18km

Wonderful brunch & lunch menus in the centre of Donegal Town.

The Weaver's Loft - Magees, Donegal Town, 18km

The Weavers Loft Cafe is situated upstairs in the famous Magees. A good offering of breakfast, lunch, desserts and baked treats - all freshly prepared in-house. If you get your timing right you can catch a demonstration of their traditional tweed handloom.

Blueberry Cafe - Donegal Town, 18km

Busy family-friendly cafe beside Donegal Castle in Donegal Town centre. Probably the best traditional Full Irish Breakfast.

Aroma Cafe - Donegal Craft Village, 16km

An intimate little cafe just outside Donegal Town, everything is baked daily on the premises. A handy coffee-stop while browsing the adjacent craft village wares.

The Salty Fox, Bundoran, 20km (closed Tuesdays)

A cheerful family-friendly cafe a stones throw from Tullan Strand with super toasted sandwiches, salads and freshly baked cakes and deserts.

Buoys & Gulls, Bundoran 20k

This hipster cafe is a favourite amongst the surf community and overlooks The Peak, the famous surf spot. A case of 'less is more' it is a small cafe with a small selection of toasted sourdough sandwiches but oh 'buoy' are they good!

Salthill Cabin, Mountcharles Pier, 27km

A quirky pier-side cafe the kids will love. Delicious treats, freshly made crepes and ice-cream, sea air in the lungs and to top it all a petting zoo around the back.

Doggie-friendly dining options are listed at the Doggie Dining Club There's a very small subscription fee but for that you get access to an extensive listing of dog-friendly restaurants & cafes around the country, including Donegal.