The Vintage Kitchen has a singular mission: to give dining guests the yummiest food in a relaxed and soothing atmosphere. It achieves this well, situated as it is adjacent to the River Liffey in Dublin’s ever-lively, ever-vibrant city centre. Uniquely for an eatery, arts and crafts are sold here with patrons encouraged to make a fair offer. Indeed, a small, tight-knit team of chefs and servers have stuck together to win their place a fan base and plenty of praise.
Group bookings are welcomed, with notice requested of larger groups so that treatment can be extra special. Diners are likewise welcome to bring wine, for which corkage is free so long as main courses are ordered. Old nostalgics are encouraged; a 1970s record player is present for anyone wanting to relive an artist from yesteryear. As for the food? There’s delicious roast chicken, meat pastries, goats cheese brioche, pan fried cod among other choices, while the stunning desserts include chocolate and lemon cake varieties.
The Quays Irish Restaurant in Dublin has all the makings of a classic eatery; fantastic, professionally trained chefs, plus doggedly traditional meals like Wicklow lamb shank and cottage pie. Not to be missed are the specials – the classic Sunday Roast, indelible braised meats and the fantastic early bird menu for those wanting to beat the rush. Those wanting a lovely lunch won’t be let down either, while the list of fabulous wines is sure to satisfy with a range of sweet and dry varieties present, alongside all the best beers and whiskies Ireland is known for.
Live music graces the premises during the evenings, and staff pride themselves on their attentiveness toward individual guests. The inclusive attitude of The Quays’ hospitality extends to vegetarians, who can choose dishes like Spanish omelette and a fabulous rendition of Caesar’s salad. The laid-back, convivial atmosphere of the place, with its dark wood finishes, photos and prints of memorabilia – plus the close proximity to all things central Dublin – makes this a fine choice for a meal, drink and craic.
The Winding Stair keeps patrons coming back thanks to its rich history – once a bookshop with a devoted coterie of readers popping by for titles, the store’s closure in 2005 caused outcry. Enter Elaine Murphy, whose passion for food and local heritage shops saw her bring the bookshop back, while adding an eatery to great praise. Books still fill the place ready to be perused, while an encompassing menu of great locally sourced Irish food has blossomed from the minds of the creative staff in there.
Certain foods, such as the gorgeous cheddar mash and scrumptious steamed cockles, tantalize taste buds and attract high praise. Desserts, from the zingy orange and rhubarb mess to the broad selection of the Irish cheeseboard, act as impressive finishes while throughout you’ll find the lip smacking wines and beers an outstanding accompaniment. The Winding Stair’s attentive staff shepherd you through the entire meal, assured you’ll leave sated, contented and ready for the remainder of the day.
Dublin’s Merchant’s Arch Bar & Restaurant has an authentic, traditional air which keeps patrons coming year after year. Dark woods and a well-equipped bar, plus modern nods with its free WiFi and Sky Sports package, mean guests of any age find hospitality here. A formidable range of local beers, whiskies and other spirits are sold, while the menu is populated with creative takes on classics: crumbling, tender fish pie, beef and Guinness casserole, plus alongside traditional Irish stew,. A strong variety of burgers with toppings like blue cheese likewise feature.
Those working at the Merchant’s Arch have a reputation for swift service and great friendliness, while the venue’s live music and entertainment keep the atmosphere buzzing. Praise among guests for the skill of the musicians, whose deftness at both serenading and livening the crowd with their folk renditions, stands undoubted. With its supreme location right in Temple Bar, you’ll easy find your way home – or to the next bar!
The Parnell Heritage Bar & Grill melds a sublimely colourful and relaxing atmosphere with an emphasis on the sporting and rugby heritage of Ireland. With multiple TV screens and a lovely layout, this bar’s delightful sing along atmosphere lets people experience the best in Irish folk music and instrumentation with a modern edge. During the brisk Dublin springs and autumns, the heated rooftop terrace is popular for its lovely views right across Dublin city centre and the Liffey.
At a glance the menu appears to be traditional Irish fare; crisp country veg, plus a sound mixture of beef steak and seafood dishes and Parnell’s own sublime take on Irish stew. However closer inspection reveals adventurous and unique notes – the honey roasted duck for example. Those wanting a bit more of a continental edge will like the Mediterranean pasta dishes, while the bar itself offers Guinness and other ales that suit perfectly the range of tastes assembled by the chefs. Staff treat every customer with welcoming and friendliness, hence the popularity of this venue, nestled just north of the Liffey.
Visiting The Old Storehouse, you’ll experience the best in Irish hospitality, the place having becoming something of a Temple Bar institution over the years for deftly marrying up great food with a superb bar full of jollity and raucous entertainments. The lovely old brick building, adorned with flower baskets and cast iron lanterns, has an air of invitation. The interior meanwhile does justice to this first impression; everything from old bicycles to photographs to mementos of yesteryear grace the lovely traditional premises.
The menu too reflects how people have eaten round Dublin for generations; perennial favourites like Irish sirloin steak, potatoes and gravy, cottage pie and fresh seafood chowder are all offered. Lunches too are present, with sandwiches and wraps offered to those wanting a bite between activities. Perhaps most notably of all are the regular live entertainments; singers, fiddlers and accordionists. Downstairs in O’Flaherty’s bar they regale and impress with their impressive repertoire of Irish folk songs. Be sure to arrive early though – the place is known to fill up with anticipating crowds!
When you go to The Larder, you’ll discover a selection immediately impressive, with the many dishes present created to pair well with the many beers brewed in the restaurant’s very own brewhouse. The craft ales present range from strong 6.1% IPA ale, to mid-strength 4.5% Blonde – the proprietor, having long brewed his own beer, wanted to add a unique touch to the restaurant and did so in 2014. He took the same approach with the food; in the premise’s gardens are herbs, a large vegetable patch and fruit trees.
The menu is a good mix of traditional Irish meals and all-time favourites; beef burgers, braised lamb shank plus cod and shallots all feature. Continental favourites like gouda cheeses also make a showing. Service is spectacular with the atmosphere lovely; bare brick walls meet plush seating and big windows to set that spectacular mood diners go to savour. With a great lunch menu and gourmet coffee on offer, The Larder doubles as a fantastic cafe to stop off at between your adventures or workday in Dublin.
Those heading to The Porterhouse in Temple Bar to dine won’t regret it: in the heat of the action, this pub restaurant gives patrons the chance to soak up the great atmosphere characteristic of Dublin’s premier nightlife district. The bar opened over 20 years ago as the first ever pub in Ireland that was also a brewery – its launch attracted great attention, given that its beer was among the least travelled in the country. Drinkers and diners alike flocked to the Porterhouse, which as an ale brand been going strong ever since.
The menu is comprised of dishes purposely selected to pair nicely with a good pint. As such, we’ve juicy steaks chargrilled to utmost perfection, tasty cheeseboards and salmon fillets, plus succulent oysters in butter . Lighter options, like Caesar salads and baked chicken fillets, are also available. The service is impeccable, with staff passionate about the food and beers they themselves craft. The frequent live musical entertainments and commitment to traditional authenticity has made The Porterhouse in Temple Bar a great place to stop off for a drink or a meal.
The Spanish cuisine of Salamanca finds compliment in its gorgeous walls and seating in reds and yellows, mirroring Spain’s national flag. The authenticity of the tapas present is plain to see; Spanish omelette, Iberico ham , olives and paella populate the menu, while nods to foods popular in Ireland, such as fish, shrimp and chips, also hold pride of place. The wine list includes some of the best red, white and rose wines from Spain, such as Marques de Riscal and Albarino.
Fantastic service is the norm, with food brought out promptly by friendly, attentive servers . A particular favourite is the group set menus, where whole platters of tapas impress everyone around a table. The presence of dessert sponges, topped by crisp icing or chocolate, and the ever-popular sangria pitchers and cocktails menu secures Salamanca’s place as a restaurant where hospitality is lavished amid a lively yet relaxed ambiance.
The Bank on College Green in scarcely more than a decade became a landmark of hospitality in Dublin. Its pillars, ornate ceilings and chandeliers an illustrious atmosphere befitting diners wanting a meal unforgettable and top notch in calibre . The structure dates back to the 19th century, when it was the Belfast Bank’s main Dublin branch. The restaurant’s stupendous renovation of the stained glass windows and mosaic flooring attracts high praise to this day, with the surroundings done great justice by the talented waiting staff and internationally trained chefs.
Fine wines inclusive of excellent vintages, together with ales and cocktails populate the drinks menu, while the food embodies a commitment to true, local Irish vegetables and meats in meals such as bangers and mash. Supplies arrive direct from farmsteads in the surrounding country and fishermen on the Irish coast, with the Bank restaurant selecting the most consistent and honest suppliers. The menu is well-populated by seafood platters and steamed mussels, succulent steaks and sizzling burgers, plus an impeccably assembled Irish stew and delectable charcuterie board.
