The Mill Restaurant

The Mill Restaurant, being one of the finest restaurants in Ireland, is worth not only a special trip but a couple of nights at the Inn (€ 48 per person sharing). The food, the lake and mountain view, the service, and the dining «experience» are thoroughly exceptional. This is the Irish equivalent of the Inn at Little Washington, in Virginia (USA).
You will need to reserve well in advance. The restaurant is open from 19:00 to 21:00 Tuesday through Sunday, from mid-​March to December. While reaffirming Scott’s comments in 2009, let me add that in the past four years, this venue has received many awards, including the «Hideaway of the Year 2012 Georgina Campbell Award, the «Best Restaurant in Donegal» and the «Best Chef in Donegal 2012» from the Restaurant Association of Ireland. It is family run — including the chef, and continuity is clearly a virtue.
The food is locally sourced, and as flavorful and artistically presented as you can possibly imagine. Portions are somewhat small by U.S. standards, and the all-​inclusive price (starter, main and dessert) is rather high (€ 41 per person). The wine list is fairly priced.
We selected from a half-​dozen or so alternatives in each stage of the meal, with all choices made in advance. Our appetizers were steamed mussels, and mackerel. Main dishes were fresh local fish, and Horn Head lamb. Desserts consisted of chocolate cake with chocolate sauce, and a half-​dozen Irish cheeses. Each dish item was expertly prepared and displayed, and altogether delicious.
The opportunity to socialize with other diners in the lounge (with coffee and petit fours) after the meal makes this a dining experience unlike any other. We met a couple that traveled all the way from Belfast, Northern Ireland, just to eat here.

This is the only 5 Star rating that I’ve given on Unilocal,and for good reason.
The Mill is a dining experience. It would get 4 Stars from me on the food alone, but it is the location and experience that push it over the top.
First, it is located in one of our (my wife and I) favorite places in all of Ireland, the Dunfanaghy area in northwestern Donegal. The area is gorgeous (matched only by the Dingle peninsula). Then, the restaurant is located right next to a large pond filled with birds of various descriptions, and there are great views from the dining room.
When you first arrive, you are seated next to a peat fire and have your drink order taken. It is a great way to get prepared for the meal. When you are taken into the dining room, you’ve waited just the right amount of time, not too long, not too short.
The food itself is great. The best mussels I’ve ever had were at The Mill. You’ll have a wonderful multi-​course, fixed price meal with great views and good, yet fairly unobtrusive service. I won’t try to peg the style, but I’d say generally modern, continental.
After dessert, you will then go into a conservatory with tea and coffee, where you can wind down (and if need be, sober up), before heading out.
Only thing to really be aware is that The Mill is closed during the winter. Also, I’d highly recommend reservations. Don’t take a chance that you’ll show up and not get a table. You’ll regret it.