Skip to main content
    La Fête du ChampagneUp to 18% off
    New York · Oct 14–17Chicago · Oct 22–24
    Pearl
    Join
    Blackthorn, Restaurant in Bearna
    Restaurant300Points
    Michelin 2026

    Blackthorn

    Barna, Bearna

    Restaurant in Bearna, Ireland

    SaveMark VisitedBook with Pearl

    The Read

    Dress

    Smart Casual

    Why go

    Blackthorn is a smart Bearna pick for a special-occasion meal when convenience, polish, Michelin Guide recognition matter more than a destination tasting-menu format. It is stronger for hotel-based celebrations than for diners chasing a wine-led splurge; compare Aniar for ambition and Kai Restaurant for value.

    About Blackthorn

    Is Blackthorn in Bearna worth planning around? Yes, if its confirmed opening pattern and Michelin Guide recognition fit the meal you are considering. The details are direct: Blackthorn opens Thursday to Saturday from 6–10 PM, Sunday from 11:30 AM–4 PM; it is closed Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.

    The clearest trust signal is that Blackthorn is listed in the Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2026 with a Plate distinction. Beyond that, the public facts available here are limited, so it is better to judge the restaurant on confirmed essentials rather than assume a particular cuisine, menu format, price point, chef counter, or signature dish.

    A planned Bearna meal with confirmed recognition

    Blackthorn makes the most sense for diners who want a planned Bearna meal on one of its service days. The Michelin Guide Plate recognition is the relevant confidence marker: it does not, by itself, define the restaurant as a tasting-menu destination, but it does make Blackthorn a relevant option when you want a recognised dining room rather than relying on assumptions.

    For diners comparing it with other choices, keep the decision practical. Aniar is a useful comparison, Kai Restaurant may be worth comparing as well.

    Where it fits against alternatives

    Blackthorn makes the strongest case for guests already planning around Bearna and its confirmed opening hours. Blackrock Cottage, The Pullman, Dela are other comparison points if you are deciding between Blackthorn and a different meal.

    The main caution is expectation-setting. This is not the pick to describe through details such as a named tasting format, chef-led counter, set price, wine programme, or signature dish list. It is better framed as a Michelin Guide Plate restaurant in Bearna with limited weekly service: Thursday to Saturday dinner and Sunday daytime opening.

    Quick reference: choose Blackthorn if you want a recognised Bearna restaurant and its Thursday-to-Sunday schedule works for you; compare Aniar, Kai Restaurant, Dela, Blackrock Cottage, or The Pullman if your priorities point toward another option.

    The takeThis is a restaurant built for an evening that revolves around flavourful, grill-driven cooking. Because the kitchen uses live charcoal to highlight seasonal West of Ireland fish, shellfish and grass-fed produce, it’s particularly well suited to diners seeking a thoughtful dinner rather than a quick meal. Located in a coastal hotel a short drive from Galway, Blackthorn also functions well for hotel guests and visitors who want a polished, regionally rooted meal in a calm setting. The emphasis on technique and seasonality rewards those who linger over courses.
    Venue detailsLocal Sourcing
    Recognition and awards1 source
    Also considerAlternatives
    Restaurant contextBearna, Ireland

    Planning details

    Location
    The Twelve Hotel
    Reservations
    Book on OpenTable
    Website
    blackthorngalway.com
    Phone
    +353 91 597 000
    Explore BearnaNearby
    Around this placeMore Pearl picks
    The take

    The Take

    The Vibe

    Blackthorn sits on the first floor of The Twelve Hotel and pairs a bright, Nordic-influenced dining room with an elemental cooking approach. The kitchen centres on live charcoal and wood fire, so the room carries the low, smoky scent of grilled seasonal produce. The aesthetic reads restrained and modern—light-filled proportions, pared-back detail—and the food follows suit: focused, technically exacting grilling that amplifies West of Ireland ingredients rather than smothering them. The overall effect is quietly refined and warm, a place where smoke and simplicity shape both the flavour and the atmosphere.

    Best For

    This is a restaurant built for an evening that revolves around flavourful, grill-driven cooking. Because the kitchen uses live charcoal to highlight seasonal West of Ireland fish, shellfish and grass-fed produce, it’s particularly well suited to diners seeking a thoughtful dinner rather than a quick meal. Located in a coastal hotel a short drive from Galway, Blackthorn also functions well for hotel guests and visitors who want a polished, regionally rooted meal in a calm setting. The emphasis on technique and seasonality rewards those who linger over courses.

    Ordering Tips

    Prioritise plates that showcase the live-fire format: the signature whole black sole and monkfish chop are explicit examples of the kitchen’s charcoal work, and the beef tartare cheeseburger points to the grill’s ability to translate into meat dishes as well. Expect smoky aromas to be part of the experience; ask servers about that day’s seasonal catches and how the charcoal has been applied. Because the menu is driven by timing and heat, check availability and consider letting the kitchen guide you to dishes that best express the current ingredients.

    Venue details

    Ambiance

    Bright, airy dining room with Nordic influence, relaxed but elegant atmosphere, and smoky aromas from the grill.

    Tags

    Vibe

    ElegantSophisticatedCozy

    Best For

    Special OccasionDate Night

    Experience

    Open Kitchen

    Sourcing

    Local Sourcing

    At the Table

    Dress Code
    Smart Casual
    Noise Level
    Conversational
    Service Style
    Upscale Casual
    Meal Pacing
    Leisurely
    Capacity
    Small

    Signature Dishes

    • whole_black_sole
    • monkfish_chop
    • beef_tartare_cheeseburger
    Planning details

    Location

    The Twelve Hotel · Directions

    +353 91 597 000

    blackthorngalway.com

    Book on OpenTable

    Recognition and awards
    Also consider

    Where to go if Blackthorn is not the right fit

    If the celebration needs more culinary ambition and a higher spend is fine, book Aniar. If the priority is modern cooking with a gentler price signal, Kai Restaurant is the better alternative.

    Restaurant context

    How Blackthorn compares in Bearna and nearby

    Blackthorn is the practical celebration choice if Bearna is already part of the plan. Compared with Aniar, it reads as lower-friction and less splurge-driven; Aniar is the better fit for diners who want Modern Irish cooking at the €€€€ end of the set, while Blackthorn is easier to justify for a hotel-based occasion.

    Kai Restaurant is the stronger value comparison because its €€ price signal makes it a sharper pick for modern cooking without turning the night into a major spend. Dela is the more relaxed cross-shop, useful when the group wants something casual rather than a polished dinner setting.

    For ambiance-led meals, compare Blackthorn with Blackrock Cottage and The Pullman. Those make more sense when the room or setting is the point of the booking; Blackthorn makes more sense when the priority is an occasion-ready restaurant tied to a Bearna stay.

    Explore Bearna
    Restaurants in Bearna
    Around this place
    Read more on Pearl

    Discover more on Pearl

    Unlock the full Blackthorn guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.

    Get Exclusive Access
    Compare Blackthorn
    Blackthorn Bearna and similar venues
    VenueLocationCuisineAwardsPrice
    BlackthornBearna;
    2026 Michelin PlateMichelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2026
    		;
    Blackrock CottageGalway
    2025 The Sunday Times Ireland's 100 Best Restaurants
    		; ;
    Kai RestaurantGalwayModern Cuisine
    Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 20262025 Michelin Plate2025 Forbes 5-Star2025 The Sunday Times Ireland's 100 Best Restaurants
    		€€
    The PullmanGalway
    Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 20262026 Michelin Plate
    		; ;
    DelaGalway
    2025 The Sunday Times Ireland's 100 Best Restaurants
    		; ;
    AniarGalwayModern Irish, Modern Cuisine
    Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 20262026 OAD Top Restaurants in Europe Recommended2026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 OAD Top Restaurants in Europe Ranked · #4862025 Michelin 1 Star2025 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 The Sunday Times Ireland's 100 Best Restaurants2024 OAD Top Restaurants in Europe Ranked · #3472024 Michelin 1 Star
    		€€€€

    How Blackthorn Bearna compares with similar nearby venues.

    FAQ

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How far ahead should I book Blackthorn?

    Once your date is fixed, check directly with Blackthorn, especially if you are aiming for Thursday to Saturday dinner or Sunday daytime service. Blackthorn opens Thursday to Saturday from 6–10 PM and Sunday from 11:30 AM–4 PM, with Monday to Wednesday closed.

    What should a first-timer know about Blackthorn?

    Start with the opening hours: Thursday to Saturday dinner, plus Sunday from 11:30 AM–4 PM. Blackthorn is in Bearna and is listed in the Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2026 with a Plate distinction.

    Can Blackthorn accommodate groups?

    The information does not state a group policy or private-dining setup. If you are planning for several people, the safest approach is to confirm availability directly and keep the limited weekly opening schedule in mind.

    Is lunch or dinner better at Blackthorn?

    That depends on your timing. Dinner is available Thursday to Saturday from 6–10 PM, while Sunday service runs from 11:30 AM–4 PM. No other lunch service is confirmed in the details.

    Is Blackthorn good for a special occasion?

    It can be a strong choice if you want a recognised restaurant in Bearna and the opening hours suit your plans. The confirmed Michelin Guide Plate listing is the clearest reason to consider it for a planned meal.

    What are alternatives to compare with Blackthorn?

    For another meal to compare with Blackthorn, consider the kind of outing you want. Aniar, Kai Restaurant, Blackrock Cottage, The Pullman, Dela are useful comparison points, while other dining in Bearna can be considered more generally.

    What should I wear to Blackthorn?

    The dress code is smart casual. Aim for something neat and polished without assuming formal evening wear is required.