Bodega Restaurant & Wine Bar is an award-winning restaurant in the heart of Waterford City, serving contemporary food with a strong emphasis on quality Irish ingredients, local produce, seafood and meat.
Located at 54 John Street, Waterford, close to the Apple Market and Waterford City Centre, Bodega combines relaxed dining with an extensive wine, cocktail and drinks selection.
The restaurant has been recognised by the Restaurants Association of Ireland, including being named Best Casual Dining Restaurant in Waterford and Munster. (bodegawaterford.com)
For visitors searching for restaurants in Waterford City, places to eat in Waterford, seafood restaurants, steak restaurants, Sunday lunch or casual dining in Waterford, Bodega is one of the city’s established dining options.
What is Bodega Waterford?
Bodega is a restaurant and wine bar located on John Street in Waterford City Centre.
Its style is best described as contemporary casual dining, combining Irish produce with international and Mediterranean influences.
Local ingredients feature strongly across the menus, including Waterford and regional producers as well as seafood associated with the south-east coast. Bodega has specifically described its approach as using produce from the locality and making it the focus of the dish. (bodegawaterford.com)
It’s a restaurant designed to work equally well for a dinner for two, a night out with friends, family occasions and larger group celebrations.
What Food Does Bodega Serve?
Bodega’s menus change, so individual dishes shouldn’t be treated as permanent. However, the current menu gives a good indication of the restaurant’s cooking style.
Expect a combination of Irish meat, seafood, vegetarian dishes, pasta, steaks and contemporary starters and desserts.
Current dishes include ingredients and produce such as Dunmore East fish, O’Flynn’s Irish Hereford beef, Knockanore smoked cheddar, Gubbeen cheese and locally sourced tomatoes. (bodegawaterford.com)
Current menu options include dishes such as steaks, seafood, risotto, salads and contemporary desserts, while Bodega also offers coeliac-friendly dishes and coeliac options on a number of menu items. (bodegawaterford.com)
Because the menus are subject to change, we’d recommend checking the current menu before visiting rather than choosing the restaurant for one particular dish.
Local Produce & Irish Ingredients
One of Bodega’s strengths is its use of local and Irish produce.
Rather than treating “local” as a marketing slogan, the restaurant identifies producers and places on its menus.
Current examples include Dunmore East seafood, O’Flynn’s beef and Waterford’s Knockanore smoked cheddar, alongside produce from other Irish suppliers. (bodegawaterford.com)
That makes Bodega particularly relevant for visitors who want to experience modern Irish food while visiting Waterford.
Wine, Cocktails & Drinks
Bodega isn’t simply a restaurant – it’s also a wine and cocktail bar.
The drinks selection includes wines, cocktails, spirits and Irish whiskey.
There is even a dedicated selection of Waterford Whisky, alongside cocktails including Margaritas, Whiskey Sours, Martinis and Aperol Spritz. (bodegawaterford.com)
This makes Bodega suitable for people looking for dinner followed by drinks without necessarily having to move elsewhere immediately afterwards.
Early Dining at Bodega
Bodega currently offers an Early Bird Menu on selected days.
At the time of writing, it is available:
Wednesday & Thursday: 4:30pm–6:30pm
Friday: 4:30pm–6:15pm
The current price is €33.50 for two courses or €39.95 for three courses. The menu and availability are subject to change and exclusions apply at certain times of year. (bodegawaterford.com)
For visitors eating before a show, concert or evening event in Waterford City, this can be a useful option.
Sunday Lunch at Bodega
Bodega also opens for Sunday lunch, with a dedicated Sunday menu.
Current dishes include seafood, Irish beef, pork, pasta and vegetarian options alongside desserts. (bodegawaterford.com)
Sunday opening is currently 1:00pm–7:45pm. (bodegawaterford.com)
Is Bodega Good for Groups?
Yes.
Bodega caters for groups and currently offers a dedicated three-course group menu for parties of eight or more.
The restaurant advises groups to contact it directly regarding available times. A 10% service charge currently applies to groups of eight or more. (bodegawaterford.com)
This makes Bodega an option for birthdays, celebrations, work nights out, graduation meals and other group occasions in Waterford City Centre.
Where is Bodega Restaurant?
Bodega Restaurant & Wine Bar
54 John Street
Waterford City
X91 XW2R
Ireland
The restaurant’s central location puts it close to the Apple Market and Waterford’s main city-centre shopping, entertainment and nightlife areas.
Visitors exploring Waterford City on foot can therefore easily incorporate Bodega into an afternoon or evening in the city centre.
Opening Hours
Current opening hours are:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 4:30pm–9:00pm
Thursday: 4:30pm–9:00pm
Friday: 4:30pm–10:00pm
Saturday: 4:30pm–10:00pm
Sunday: 1:00pm–7:45pm
Opening hours can change, particularly around holidays and special occasions, so check directly with the restaurant before travelling. (bodegawaterford.com)
How to Get There
Bodega is located on John Street in Waterford City Centre, close to the Apple Market.
If you’re already exploring the city centre, the easiest way to reach the restaurant is on foot.
Its central location makes it convenient for combining dinner with shopping, entertainment, live music, theatre or other events in Waterford City.
Waterford In Your Pocket Tip
If you’re heading to a show, concert or event in Waterford City, check Bodega’s Early Bird Menu.
Its city-centre location makes it particularly useful for an early dinner before heading elsewhere for the evening.
For visitors who want to try Irish produce, look beyond the headline dishes and check where the ingredients come from. The use of Waterford and Irish seafood, beef and cheese is an important part of what makes the menu relevant to someone visiting the city.
And at busy weekend times, book ahead rather than taking your chances.
Good to Know Before You Go
Best for: Dinner, couples, friends, groups, celebrations and Sunday lunch
Location: 54 John Street, Waterford City, X91 XW2R
Area: Waterford City Centre / Apple Market area
Type: Restaurant & wine bar
Cuisine: Contemporary Irish cooking with international and Mediterranean influences
Local produce: Yes
Seafood: Yes
Steak: Yes
Vegetarian options: Yes
Coeliac-friendly options: Available on selected dishes (bodegawaterford.com)
Early Bird: Available Wednesday–Friday at specified times (bodegawaterford.com)
Sunday lunch: Yes
Groups: Group menu available for parties of eight or more (bodegawaterford.com)
Wine: Yes
Cocktails: Yes
Online booking: Yes
Phone: +353 (0)51 844 177
Email: info@bodegawaterford.com
Website: Bodega Restaurant & Wine Bar
What’s Nearby?
Bodega’s John Street location puts visitors close to the Apple Market, John Roberts Square and Waterford City Centre.
It’s also within walking distance of Waterford’s historic core, making it possible to combine sightseeing during the day with dinner at Bodega later.
For evening visitors, check Waterford In Your Pocket’s What’s On listings to see what concerts, theatre, live music and events are happening nearby before or after your meal.
Waterford In Your Pocket Says
Bodega works because it doesn’t try to be overly formal.
It’s an established Waterford restaurant where good Irish ingredients, local produce and contemporary cooking sit alongside wine, cocktails and a lively city-centre atmosphere.
For visitors, we particularly like the fact that the menu gives them an opportunity to encounter produce associated with Waterford and the wider south-east rather than eating food that could be served in any city.
The location is another major advantage. You’re right in the city centre, so Bodega can easily become part of a wider evening rather than the evening having to revolve entirely around the restaurant.
If you’re looking for relaxed contemporary dining in the heart of Waterford City, Bodega deserves a place on your shortlist.
Plan Your Visit
Bodega is open Wednesday to Sunday, with evening dining Wednesday through Saturday and Sunday service beginning at lunchtime.
Advance booking is advisable, particularly for Friday and Saturday evenings, groups and special occasions.
Menus, prices and opening hours can change, so check the restaurant’s official website for the latest information before visiting.
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