The Cot and Cobble

Just what Ballina needed - another pub claiming to be more than a place to drown your sorrows. The Cot and Cobble sits there on the riverbank, all smug with its balcony views and promises of "gastro" this and "craft" that. I rolled my eyes so hard when I first walked in, I nearly saw my own cynicism.

But damn them. Damn them straight to hospitality heaven for making me eat my words along with some of the most surprisingly competent pub fare I've encountered in this corner of Ireland. The Cot and Cobble in Ballina has done that most irritating of things - forced me to revise my preliminary judgment.

Let's start with the space itself, because whoever designed this place clearly knew what they were doing, much to my chagrin. The interior walks that perfect line between traditional pub charm and contemporary comfort, without falling into the trap of looking like it was decorated by someone who just discovered Pinterest exists. The riverside location doesn't hurt either, though I'm sure they're insufferably proud of it.

The real revelation came with the food. I arrived ready to pen a scathing review about another mediocre pub kitchen hiding behind fancy menu descriptions, but the kitchen staff had other plans. Their mussels - and I can't believe I'm writing this - are actually worth crossing town for. Plump, perfectly cooked, and swimming in a broth that made me forget my professional obligation to find fault.

The steak sandwich (which seems to be something of a local legend) deserves its reputation, though I'll never tell them that to their faces. The portion size is generous without being grotesque, and the meat is cooked with the kind of respect usually reserved for much pricier establishments. Yes, I'm as surprised as you are to find this level of execution in what could have easily been just another pub kitchen.

The prices sit squarely in the "fair enough" category - not cheap enough to make you suspicious, not expensive enough to trigger a rant about highway robbery. You'll get your money's worth, which is more than I can say for half the places in town charging similar rates.

The drink selection deserves mention, if only because they've managed to balance the traditional requirements of a proper Irish pub with enough craft options to keep the beard-stroking contingent happy. The Guinness is well-kept (a basic requirement they actually meet), and their cocktail game is stronger than it needs to be for this market.

Live music features regularly, and unlike many venues where that's code for "bring earplugs," The Cot and Cobble somehow manages to host performers who understand that some of us still want to hear our dinner companions speak. The outdoor seating area, with its river views, provides a rather pleasant escape when the weather cooperates (which in Ballina means whenever it's not actively raining).

Service walks that fine line between attentive and overbearing, though I suspect they've been trained to recognize food critics and journalists - they certainly backed off quickly enough when they caught my note-taking. Smart move, that.

For families (god help us), they've actually put some thought into making the place accommodating without turning it into a circus. Groups can be easily handled without destroying the atmosphere for everyone else, which is no small feat.

Parking is - surprisingly - not a nightmare, with both lot and street options available. They take cards, cash, and those contactless payment methods that make me feel like we're living in the future I was promised.

Look, I didn't want to like The Cot and Cobble. I really didn't. Ballina has enough decent spots to grab a pint or a bite. But here I am, recommending that you book a table (yes, actually make a reservation, particularly for weekend evenings) and experience it for yourself. Just don't tell them I sent you - I have a reputation to maintain, and they're already smug enough about what they've created here. But if you're looking for a spot that delivers more than it promises rather than the other way around, you could do far worse than this riverside gem. Just remember you didn't hear that from me.