Garlic Mussels at The Spinnaker Bar, Dunmore East

The Spinnaker Bar serves fresh mussels steamed with garlic, cream and a splash of sherry, served with warm garlic bread for €14. Peter sources them locally and cooks them to order in the harbour-side kitchen at Lower Village, Dunmore East. Ring Peter on (051) 383 133 to book a table, or walk in most days.

How Peter Cooks the Garlic Mussels

Peter steams the mussels in a pot with fresh garlic, cream and a measure of sherry. The mussels open in the steam and take on the garlic and alcohol flavour. He serves them in a deep bowl with the cooking liquor and a side of garlic bread for dipping. The dish costs €14 and comes as a starter portion, though some people order it as a light main. The mussels are cleaned and debearded before cooking. Any that don't open go back to the kitchen — Peter doesn't serve closed mussels. The garlic bread is sliced baguette brushed with garlic butter and toasted. You use it to soak up the cream and sherry sauce at the bottom of the bowl. The Spinnaker Bar sits right on the harbour at Lower Village, Dunmore East, so the seafood comes off day-boats tied up fifty metres from the kitchen door.

Other Ways Peter Serves Mussels

Peter also does mussels with chorizo. Same base — garlic, cream, sherry — but he adds sliced chorizo for a smoky, spicy edge. Still €14, still served with garlic bread. Some people prefer the straight garlic version because you taste the mussels more clearly. Others want the chorizo heat. Both options are on the menu. You can ask Peter which way he'd recommend on the day, depending on the batch of mussels that came in. He posts specials and availability on The Spinnaker Bar's Facebook page each week: facebook.com/p/The-Spinnaker-Bar-61579148378692. If you're coming Friday evening or Sunday evening, or bringing a group of six or more, ring ahead on (051) 383 133 so Peter can hold a table.

Why Dunmore East Mussels Taste Different

Dunmore East sits where the River Suir meets the Celtic Sea at the mouth of Waterford Harbour. The water is cold, clean and tidal. Mussels grown or caught here feed on plankton in fast-moving water, which keeps them lean and sweet. The local fishing boats land shellfish daily, and Peter buys from boats he knows. That means the mussels at The Spinnaker Bar are often less than 24 hours out of the water when they hit the pot. You can taste the difference — they're plumper and cleaner than mussels that have sat in a depot for three days. The harbour location matters. You're eating seafood in a working fishing village, cooked by Peter in a pub that overlooks the boats that landed it. Email him at spinnakerbardunmore@gmail.com if you have shellfish allergy questions or want to check availability before you travel.

What Else to Order with the Mussels

If you're treating the mussels as a starter, Peter's beer-battered fish (€22.50) or seafood pie (€23) make good mains to follow. The fish is crisp and light, served with chips and tartar sauce. The seafood pie has haddock, salmon and prawns in a cream sauce under puff pastry, with mash and vegetables. For something heavier, the lamb shank (€27) or 8oz striploin steak (€37) are on the menu. Sides cost €5 — chips, mash, vegetables or salad. If you want to stay with smaller plates, add the prawn cocktail (€12) or the wings (€14, buffalo or barbecue). Peter pours a cold pint and there's a good wine list. The big screen shows every Premier League match and all the GAA games, so it's lively on match days. Live music on the deck at weekends when the weather allows — Peter posts the schedule on Facebook. Walk-ins welcome most days, but ring (051) 383 133 for busy times.

How to Find The Spinnaker Bar in Dunmore East

The Spinnaker Bar & Restaurant is at Lower Village, Dunmore East, Co. Waterford. Dunmore East is 12 kilometres south-east of Waterford City on the R684. Follow signs for the harbour. The pub is on the waterfront, facing the fishing boats. There's street parking nearby and a small car park at the harbour. The village has thatched cottages, a lifeboat station and two beaches — Counsellor's Strand and the smaller Badger's Cove. The Doneraile cliff walk starts from the village and runs three kilometres along the coast with views over Waterford Harbour to Hook Head. If you're walking the cliffs, The Spinnaker is a good place to eat afterwards. Ring Peter on (051) 383 133 to book, or message him on Facebook. The phone and email go straight to Peter, so you're talking to the person running the kitchen and the bar.