Kid with Fussy Eating? The Spinnaker Bar Dunmore East

You're in Dunmore East with a child who won't eat anything that touches anything else on the plate. Or only plain pasta. Or chips and nothing green. Peter at The Spinnaker Bar runs the kitchen himself and handles requests like this every weekend. Ring him on (051) 383 133 before you come, or walk in and ask — he'll sort something plain and safe.

What Peter Can Do for Fussy Eaters

Peter cooks to order in the kitchen at The Spinnaker Bar, Lower Village, Dunmore East. He's used to parents saying "burger with nothing on it" or "plain chicken, no sauce". The chips come from the fryer plain. The chicken korma can be mild or left off entirely. The pizza base is standard dough — cheese and tomato only is fine. If your child eats fish fingers, Peter can batter fresh fish and cut it into strips. If they only eat sausages, he'll tell you straight whether he has them that day or not.

Ring (051) 383 133 and tell Peter what your child will actually eat. He'll confirm if he can do it. If he can't, he'll say so — no fuss. Walk-ins work most days, but ring ahead for Friday and Sunday evenings or if you're a group of six or more.

Safe Plain Options on The Spinnaker Menu

The printed menu at The Spinnaker lists beef burger €20 (comes with salad and chips, but Peter will leave the salad off), chips €5 as a side (plain, salted, hot), pizzas €13.50-€21 (margherita is cheese and tomato), and chicken korma €22 (Peter can make it very mild or serve the chicken plain with rice). The fish batter is beer batter — crunchy, not spicy. The lamb shank and steak are plain protein with sauce on the side if you ask.

If your child only eats one specific thing, ask Peter. He's not running a kids' menu with nuggets and beans, but he'll adapt what's in the kitchen. Email spinnakerbardunmore@gmail.com or message Peter on Facebook if you want to check before you drive down.

The Spinnaker Atmosphere: Harbour Pub, Not Fine Dining

The Spinnaker Bar sits on the harbour in Dunmore East. It's a working pub. Cold pints, big screen for Premier League and GAA, deck out the back with live music some weekends (check the Facebook page for Ash & Laura sessions). Parents with kids are normal here. No one blinks if a child refuses the vegetables or only eats half the plate.

The tables are standard pub furniture. The floor handles spills. Peter's behind the bar or in the kitchen most days. If your child has a meltdown, you're in a harbour pub where noise is expected, not a quiet restaurant where everyone turns around. That context helps.

Timing: When to Bring a Fussy Eater to The Spinnaker

Peter posts this week's food hours on Facebook. Check before you come. Weekday lunchtimes are quieter — easier for Peter to talk through tweaks. Friday and Sunday evenings fill up with locals and tourists, so ring (051) 383 133 to book if you're coming then. Walk-ins welcome most other times.

If your child melts down at unpredictable food times, check the Facebook page the day you're travelling. Peter updates it regularly. Don't rely on old hours you found online — they change week to week depending on bookings and weather.

Dunmore East with Kids: What Else to Do Around The Spinnaker

Dunmore East is a working fishing village at the mouth of Waterford Harbour, 12 km south-east of Waterford City. Population around 1,500. Thatched cottages, pastel paint, cliffs, beach. Counsellor's Strand is a small sand beach — safe for paddling, rock pools, lifeboat station next door. The Doneraile Walk runs along the cliffs (start at the top car park, 2 km loop, pushchair-friendly on the lower path). Kids can watch the fishing boats unload at the harbour or throw stones off the pier.

After the beach or the walk, head to The Spinnaker for lunch. Peter's kitchen is 50 metres from the harbour. The deck overlooks the water. If your child only ate a banana all morning, Peter's chips and a plain burger will fill the gap. Ring him on (051) 383 133 to confirm he's serving food that day.