The Hungry Monk

I arrived solo one night last week. I was looking for bonhomie and people but was slid off to the side near the waitress’ station. There I sat in lonely splendor, well-​looked after, mind you. The food was good but nothing earth-​shattering. The owner was indefatigable – full of charm. Even lent me an umbrella for the walk home!

Hungry monk is a great lil spot. Actually it’s far from little. You have a choice between the main restaurant and the wine bar/​bistro.
I’ve eaten in both and they are both delicious.
I prefer the menu in the downstairs wine bar room. It’s a bit more extensive.
Foods top notch, wonderful big portions, lovely dim lighting, reputable staff, comfortable seating… The list goes on.
Few stand out things for me were, first off the onion rings. They were so crispy and so flavoursome and came stacked up on top
Of each other like a lil pillar.
Another thing I found fun was in the bathrooms. They had music on, which could only remind me of monks singing around a
Monastery. It was very fun and interesting aspect to the experience.
And lastly, I found the staff very attentive. For example when my mum finished the toast they gave her with her pâté, within seconds she brought out a little plate with more toast. Also at desert my dad asked for extra chocolate sauce and they kindly gave him a small jug of it. No extra cost.
My family and I come hungry monk now and again cause it is a 25min drive from our home. But it’s defo worth the trek. Great place, great food, great staff!!!

This place has a definite «monky» atmosphere. As in… it was really quiet. And fairly dark (downstairs). We were the only ones in our «wing» for quite a while. The food was tasty and the service was acceptable.

While staying at the Ritz Carlton, Powerscourt, it is an easy cab ride to The Hungry Monk. I just returned from my 6^th trip to Ireland (from the US). I love the Hungry Monk so much that I make it a point to eat there at least one time every trip. It is consistently the best meal I have while staying in Ireland. The staff are always attentive and friendly. The fish and vegetables are very fresh. The extensive wine list is superb and is reasonably priced. The ambiance and décor make this a cozy little hide out which I never want to leave. Somehow, they have managed to extend into a new addition without losing the cozy atmosphere. Bravo!

This restaurant came highly recommended through the internet as well as by local hotel staff. The staff was nice and hospitable. But the food quality did not match the service. The black pudding starter was overcooked and dry. The same applied for the Lamb burger and the Sirloin Stake. They seem to overcook everything here. We were also told of their «excellent» wine selection that we found it to be «good» but way overpriced.
There are many other really good restaurants in the area. This is not one of them.

This place is small and dark. BUT! It’s got great food. I love their menu, and still haven’t had everything on it. Check it out if you’re in the area, it’s a really nice little place.

So on vacation I heard nothing but good things about this place.
Great reviews, good food. yadda yadda yadda.
We went there and the place was empty! The hostess looked at us like we were aliens. and evaluating us and the big empty restaurant.
She finally seated us next to the kitchen door. And was being all odd and hurried.
We ordered drinks, food and I really don’t remember how the food was to be honest. Considering that it felt like we were being rushed out.
Then elder couple comes in and they ask to sit at the bar. The bartender was friendly, not rushing them, joking about. Plus they also were ordering food. So we just thought well is it because of our nationality?
No, it was because they had a party coming in and instead of saying «We have a party for the floor, would you mind sitting at the bar?»
But I guess that would’ve been the easier approach…

waiter downstairs can be rude, food downstairs excellent last meal upstairs was very just ok, and expensive. however the staff upstairs were so lovely, been there in March 10

The restaurant upstairs is fantastic. Great good, good atmosphere, prompt service and a wide and well chosen menu. A great meal every time.

Fun Restaurant on Greystones High Street the place is spick and span with monk-​related décor (gregorian chants play while you pee in the toilets) is a bit of fun — and a combination of hospitality, great wines and interesting, good quality food at affordable (but not necessarily good) prices are at the heart of this restaurant’s success.
Usual offerings include all-​day Sunday lunch and an evening à la carte menu, with fish the speciality in summer, and game in winter.
Blackboard specials include the day’s seafood dishes, any special wine offers — and, perhaps, a suckling pig. Menus give a slight nod to current trends, but is quite old fashioned with lots of (my dads) old favourites, like lambs kidneys Madeira and roast fillet of Irish pork. The wine list is a labour of love and, is full of variety even if the prices have gone up a lot in recent years. Best of all for 80’s kids myself is the offer of ‘yellow pack’ tea, which in the new recession should be all the rage again!