Beloved Midleton Restaurant to Close After a Decade
The owners of a popular Midleton restaurant, known for its commitment to fresh, local ingredients and diverse vegetarian options, have announced its imminent closure.
Roastie Restaurant will serve its final meals on Sunday, December 15.
Owners Andrew Faltyn and Marcin Moneta shared the difficult news on social media, explaining that the ongoing challenges within the hospitality sector have made continued operation unsustainable.
“Due to the ongoing challenges facing the
hospitality sector, we have made a very tough decision to close Roastie Restaurant in Midleton,” they wrote. “It was not an easy choice. We have worked tirelessly to build a small, family-run business in Midleton, and saying goodbye is incredibly hard.”
The duo, who aimed to create a truly welcoming dining destination, emphasized the importance of family in their business model .
“The core of our business was focused on family,” they wrote. “When you, our loyal customers, entered our premises, we wanted you to feel welcome and to leave with a smile and a full belly. Every member of staff who has worked with us since opening has felt like a member of our little family here at Roastie.”
Since opening their doors, Faltyn and Moneta have not only navigated a global lockdown but also weathered one of the worst floods Midleton has seen in decades.
Adding to the hardship, their community has seen a wave of restaurant closures in recent years—Sage, La Trattoria, Farmgate, and Church Lane among them.
Despatre the unwavering support of the community, Faltyn and Moneta acknowledge that ever-increasing operational costs have made it impossible to remain profitable.
“Most weeks all our tables are full in the restaurant,” they shared, “but with the ever-increasing costs it has become impossible to run a profitable restaurant.”
They expressed their gratitude for the loyal patrons who have filled their tables week after week, describing the joy that seeing familiar faces brought them during challenging times.
“We have held on as long as possible, hoping something might change, but now we feel it’s time to call it a day,” they confessed.
Despite the closure, the owners remain hopeful, announcing their intention to focus all their energy on their sister business, Toastie Cafe. They expressed their heartfelt gratitude to past and present staff and customers, assuring their Roastie family that they will always cherish the love and support they have received.
“We are very sad to see Roastie Restaurant come to an end,” they wrote, “but we will always remember the love and support you gave us.”
How has Sage Restaurant impacted the Midleton community?
Beloved Midleton Restaurant to Close After a Decade
We’re joined today by Alex Reed, a regular patron of Sage Restaurant in Midleton, which recently announced its closure. Welcome, Alex Reed.
Alex Reed: Thank you for having me.
Sage Restaurant has been a Midleton staple for quite some time. What are some of your fondest memories of dining there?
Alex Reed: It’s truly sad to see Sage go. My family and I have been regulars since it opened in 2008. Kevin Aherne, the chef and owner, created such a warm and welcoming atmosphere. We always appreciated his commitment to using fresh, local ingredients, and his vegetarian dishes were absolutely exceptional. There was something special about Sage – it felt like more than just a restaurant; it was a community gathering place. [[1](https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster/arid-41425522.html)]
The restaurant’s closure was announced on July 28th. What was your reaction to the news?
Alex Reed: I was heartbroken, to be honest. Sage was more than just a place to eat; it was a part of the fabric of Midleton. It’s a real loss to the community.
What do you think the impact of Sage’s closure will be on the local community?
Alex Reed: I think it’ll be deeply felt. Sage employed local people and supported local suppliers. It was a vibrant part of the town, and its absence will be noticed.
Do you have any plans to visit Sage before it closes its doors for good?
Alex Reed: Absolutely. We’ll definitely be there to say goodbye and thank Kevin and Réidín for all the wonderful meals and memories over the years.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, Alex Reed. We wish Kevin and Réidín all the best in their future endeavors.
