The Anvil Bar & Restaurant

The Anvil Bar & Restaurant

Review

The Anvil Bar & Restaurant keeps its promise: stay simple, sleep well, and be looked after. For over twenty years, Stephen and Liz have poured pride into this place, and it shows. Rooms are uncluttered and restful, with the little things done right: plugs by the bed, a powerful shower and mattresses that invite a solid night’s sleep. It’s everything you need and nothing you don’t. I arrived on change-over day and watched the team move with purpose, fresh linens flying, bathrooms gleaming, smiles intact, proof that high standards here aren’t a slogan, they’re a habit. Check-in’s friendly, the welcome genuine and the whole operation runs like a well-oiled machine. If you value honest comfort over frills, this is a great base to explore Kerry.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

At The Anvil Bar & Restaurant in Boolteens, tradition meets polish. The award-winning kitchen leans into Irish classics and lifts them with craft: Fish that actually tastes of the sea, braised Kerry lamb with silky mash, brown bread still warm from the oven. Portions are generous, seasoning confident, and provenance proudly signposted. The setting nods to place: it stands on the site of Florence O’Sullivan’s forge, he’s the fourth-generation blacksmith here, so the name rings true. Service is friendly and well-drilled, the room humming without shouting. Weekends bring live traditional music, adding easy warmth without being kitsch. People travel miles for this cooking, and you’ll see why. It feels like a local secret shared, honest food, quiet flair, and terrific value. In beautiful County Kerry