Here, the IMAGE staffers round up the brand spanking new restaurants and long-time wish list destinations we’re hellbent on visiting this year…
Sophie Power, Marketing & Memberships Director
I have been dying to go to Variety Jones since before the pandemic and have finally managed to get a booking for later this summer. I have heard such great things! Also on the list to try is Matsukawa, Ireland’s first Omakase restaurant, which is supposedly the real deal. I also keep hearing about Eleven at Whelehans Wines, the latest venture from John Farrell of 777, and Amy Austin.
Meghan Killalea, Marketing Account Executive
As someone with a litany of food intolerances (gluten, eggs, and dairy to name a few!) it’s always difficult to find classic comfort food. However, I recently discovered that The Saucy Cow not only offers a full range of delicious looking vegan dishes, but they’re also coeliac friendly upon request. They specialise in turning classic comfort food vegan, from burgers to loaded fries, and offer gluten free burger buns if you ask for one. After hearing this (and scrolling their Instagram page for longer than I’ll admit), it went straight to the top of my ‘must-try’ list.
Lizzie Gore-Grimes, Editor-in-Chief
It’s hard to whittle it down, but to pick just a few that are top of mind… Homestead Cottage in Doolin, Co Clare, is top of my drive-for-hours-just-to-eat-there list. I am not that into super fussy, starched tablecloth places so this is my dream version of a Michelin-starred restaurant. Set in a traditional Irish cottage, just a short drive from the Cliffs of Moher, the interior looks so cosy, characterful and warm – with off-the-charts food. What a combo.
Next on the list would be Amy Austin, recent winner of a coveted Michelin Bib Gourmand (my favourite style of restaurant, where the food, wine and service are guaranteed to be great but the atmosphere is still relaxed and fun). Amy Austin may be teeny, hidden away in a Dublin city centre car park, but it’s got huge personality, as with all of restaurateur John Farrell’s places.
Running out of room here but I also have cooking-over-fire Lignum in Galway on my wish list, with Goldie in Cork and then back in Dublin Bar Pez (Spanish small plates from the folks behind Fish Shop) and Big Fan (serving up inspired Taiwanese and Chinese small plates, plus killer cocktails, on Aungier Street). You’ve made me hungry now.
Sarah Gill, Staff Writer
Since moving to Cork, I’ve been steadily compiling a hit list of all the best bars and restaurants to try out, and it’s about the length of my arm by now. As any Corkonian will tell you, it’s not just the real capital, it’s also in the running for foodie capital.
First up on the agenda is Da Mirco on Bridge Street, an authentic Northern Italian restaurant whose Instagram alone makes me drool every time. They’ve got a five-course tasting menu—which can be levelled up to include a dish by dish wine pairing—that I will be holding out for a special occasion to try.
For a slightly more laid back atmosphere, I’m dying to try out Paladar. It’s a Latin American inspired cocktail bar and kitchen that has both small and sharing plates, but it’s the desserts that pique my interest. I am usually a two-starters-no-dessert kind of person, but when I saw a picture of the Pina Descolado, I knew I’d be all in. It’s brioche soaked in four different milks, served with coconut custard and pineapple. And I suppose I’ll have a margarita too, for good measure.
Shayna Sappington, Branded Content Editor
My friends and I are always on the hunt for new restaurants to try around Dublin so I’ve a list in my Notes app of must-try places that is ever-growing. At the top is Achara, a new Thai restaurant in Temple Bar that I’ve heard only great things about. Centred around a charcoal grill, everything is served family style, so it’s perfect for a group. The mussel skewers and grilled pork belly are not to be missed!
I recently attended the opening of Flortiz on Stephens Green and was pleasantly surprised with its opulent interiors, gourmet bites and delicious cocktails. Serving a mix of small and large plates, each menu item is inspired by international cuisines but made with local ingredients – a winning combo for unique flavours to pair with your favourite cocktails. My top dishes were their fresh sushi, lamb bao, chicken skewers and rice chips with dragon sauce.
Sarah Finnan, Deputy Digital Editor
We got our best weather in September last year and I have many fond memories of post-work dips at Seapoint, followed by obligatory post-swim drinks and dinner in Blackrock. Those few days of sunshine were all the excuse I needed to treat myself and I got quite fond of sampling the local offering. So, you can only imagine my delight at hearing that there’s now a new opening that warrants a visit.
Aptly called September (perhaps they’re predicting the same end-of-summer temperatures again?), it’s a dotely little wine bar tucked into the space previously occupied by The Wooden Spoon. A café by day and wine bar by night, it has great views of the coast and their evening menu is a tasty mix of pasta, seafood and natural wine. Most importantly, I believe they serve tiramisu so colour me interested.
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