Tang (Cumberland)

What should we know about Tang's Cumberland Place dinners?

It's the third year of outdoor summer time dinners at Tang on Cumberland Place - a risky move in a country perennially plagued by rain you might think, but it's had little or no impact on bookings here, or how much diners have been enjoying the experience (just look at their reviews). Fundamental to that are clever, robust pergolas with the ability to stay fully covered, and pull the sides down in case of sideways rain, but we're told that's not really been an issue.

Tang is one of the places Dubliners are most obsessive about when it comes to breakfast, brunch and lunch (is there a single soul in the city who doesn't love what they do?), so it makes sense to keep the Middle Eastern vibes going through to dinner, which they only host on Thursday and Friday nights during summer - no Saturdays so their staff can have a weekend off. Don't you love to see it.

What's the story with seating?

This secret garden is one of the loveliest outdoor options in the city, tables flanked by foliage, and large pergolas to shelter diners if an unexpected shower hits. Even if you've booked an outdoor table in advance and the forecast on the day changes, don't despair and cancel in a panic - they'll make sure you're protected from the elements.

You can book inside seating too if you don't like the risky life, but we're coming here on a warm summer evening for that patio space outside.

What's the menu like?

A Middle-Eastern inspired mix of flavour first combos, with vegetables in most of the starring roles. There are only two meat dishes and a few featuring cheese, and it's a compilation of Ottolenghi's favourite flavours, with sumac, tahini, toum and za'tar scattered across it. It's divided into snacks, dips, small plates, large plates and sides, and we strongly recommend coming here in a group of AT LEAST four, because you're going to want more than is physically possible for two people to eat (we did the damage to ourselves so you don't have to).

Two crunchy lavash crackers (€8) came topped with creamy, tangy goat's curd and simultaneously savoury, sweet and saline fig and olive tapenade, shattering into all kinds of loveliness on first bite.

We insist you order the courgette fritti (€9) - beautifully battered and adequately drained coins of hot, juicy veg bursting out from a crispy, cumin-studded coating. Lemon tartare sauce on the side is a genius addition.

Dips have their own menu section, with a choice of hummus, labneh and muhammara (€10 each), all coming with an individual loaf of sage brown butter kubaneh (a traditional Jewish yeast bread). Tang's hummus is infamous, so we tried the labneh with confit garlic and za'tar, and the muhammara with pomegranate and toasted walnut. There's nothing timid about the flavours jumping out of these plates, and you're guaranteed to send them back embarrassingly clean.

Marinated cucumber with miso tahini, chilli crisp and scallions (€13) is a dream bowl for a warm evening, all crunch, creaminess and spice, with chunks of cucumber begging to be dredged through multiple competing sauces.

Another small plate of fried halloumi came on top of harissa yoghurt and sumac onions (€16), and while the flavours were once again in your face delicious, we found the halloumi dry - maybe the advance soaking trick would work.

Juicy lamb kofta balls (€19) came sitting on a tangy sumac yoghurt, topped with chilli, shallot and herb salad to add zing and cleverly cut through the meatiness. Kofta can get a bad rep for being dry - this one won't be receiving any such complaints.

You absolutely need to get the Middle Eastern chicken skewers too, with hot honey and tzatziki. Drag those juicy, burnished chunks of meat through sweet and spicy smears, then cooling yoghurt, relishing each fizzing flavour individually and together.

You don't need sides, but when has that ever stopped us. Get the crispy potato terrine with toum and shatta (€7), delicate slices compressed into a whole new form, and cooked until crisp, livened up further by being dragged alternately through Lebanese garlic sauce and fiery hot sauce.

Need some crunch? The baby gem salad with herby yoghurt, toasted hazelnuts and green chilli (€8) will tick that box, as well as the one for your daily greens. Not quite as healthy as a plate of steamed spinach, but so much more enjoyable.

Of the four desserts, one is a trio of their stuffed dates, and one is an affogato (they do excellent decaf if you want the flavour without the inability to drop off once you get home). That left our two, a rhubarb and custard brioche, and a dark chocolate crémeux with orange, sesame and sumac. While we're die hard fans of rhubarb and custard, a slice of bread was not what we needed after dinner, and this sent us into the realms of discomfort and belt loosening.

The chocolate crémeux was a far more suitable after dinner spoon, sweet but not overly, with lovely tang from the orange and crunch from the sesame. The sumac was drowned out by the rest, but we didn't miss it.

What are the drinks like?

The drinks list is simple but functions perfectly well. There's a nice selection of summery spritzes and cocktails priced from €12-€14 (be aware our spicy pineapple marg was PROPERLY spicy), and nine wines from €35-€48 - everyone complaining about restaurants where wine prices now start at €50 will be delighted. A couple of Whiplash beers and N/A options complete the line up.

Wine wise we love Arndorfer's refreshing Grüner Veltliner, which comes in a 1 litre bottle - even more bang for your buck. We're also fans of Baglio's Nero D'Avola, and if you like skin contact, try the excellent value Salamandre Blanc. 

How was the service?

Every Tang we ever enter, owner Stephen O'Dwyer is there overseeing things. If anyone out there knows how he's successfully cloned himself we'd love the details. Is it something to do with AI? Between him steering the ship front of house, and everyone else friendly, warm and relaxed, looking like they really like where they work, it would be hard not to have a good night here.

What did the bill come to?

€175 before tip which included three wines and a cocktail, plus leftovers to take home. Less greedy people will spend less. €45 per person on food will get you the full shebang.

What's the verdict on Tang's dinners?

Like strawberries, barbecues and water fights, some things are just better in summer, and so are dinners at Tang. This lovely outdoor space serving plates supercharged with flavour should shoot to the top of your summer 2026 eating list - September will be here before we know it, don't spend Autumn mourning all the outdoor eating you never got around to. If you can time a meal here with Ireland's next heatwave that would be ideal, but either way once it's not lashing out there you'll feel very continental.