The Shack - Moate

During our journey south, we made a stop in Athlone and had a wonderful experience. The food was excellent, the staff was friendly, and the place was very clean. Parking right outside was easy, and the Guinness was also quite good.

We popped in for a quick dinner and it was fantastic. We only ordered main courses: roast beef, sea bass, and bolognese. We were very pleased with the service, cleanliness, and the food. Our waitress Martina was incredibly friendly and helpful.

We had lunch at the restaurant on Sunday. The staff was delightful and welcoming, checking in on us without being intrusive. The food was amazing. We ordered fish and chips as well as a cod fillet with bacon and mashed potatoes. The portions were generous and the fish was perfectly cooked. Everything was delicious. The food and atmosphere were both excellent. We are excited to return again soon!

My partner and I both ordered the lamb tagine, and we found it so delicious that it will be tough for our next few meals to measure up. My wife chose the prawn and smoked salmon tagliatelle and declared it the best pasta dish she has had in a long time. The restaurant has a lovely atmosphere, and the staff are exceptionally friendly and attentive. I highly recommend visiting this place—I will certainly be back in the future.

I went for lunch with my son, looking forward to enjoying a chat and a meal together. When we arrived, the restaurant was empty except for two young men who appeared to be construction workers, sitting directly across from the entrance. We headed up the stairs to the right to find a seat, but then we were called over quite rudely by what I believe was the owner. He asked in an unfriendly tone, "Can I help you?" and then directed us to sit right next to the two young workers. We were practically at the same table, which made for an incredibly awkward lunch. I couldn't even enjoy the food or have a proper conversation with my son. It only struck me how ridiculous the situation was, given that the place was nearly empty, and I regretted not refusing to sit there. This experience has really put me off returning, which is disappointing because my family and I, along with my colleagues, used to frequent this place. I hope the person who treated us that way reads this and realizes that their attitude was rude and condescending. It's uncomfortable to be seated so close to strangers while dining, especially when there were plenty of other seats available.