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There's no shortage of great wine on Dublin restaurant lists these days, but affording most of it is another matter. When it comes to great value, there really isn't much of it around, so that's where BYOB (bring your own bottle) and corkage charges come in very handy. Whether you want to bring along a special bottle that you've been saving, or just want to minimise spend while maximising quality by taking advantage of cheap (or no) corkage offers, there's plenty of places offering big time bang for your wine loving buck. Just be warned that some of the wine glasses you'll be presented with may not be up to your usual standard, so if it's a REALLY special bottle we recommend bringing your own... Hawksmoor, Dublin 2 New opening Hawksmoor on College Green has the city abuzz, but a visit here won't come cheap (that €2 million fit out won't pay for itself). Make the most of your visit by going on a Monday where they'll let you BYO for just €5 (you can also do it Tuesday - Sunday for €25), and for maximum value you can bring a Magnum, Nebuchadnezzar or Balthazar for the same price. This is a corkage deal that won't be beaten. Green Man Wines, Terenure After a long hiatus, the wine bar at Green Man Wines is back open with small plates from their new chef served Thursday - Saturday. There's an always brilliant wine list, but the real value lies in being able to pluck anything off the shelf for a mere €10 corkage. We're going for Grower Champagne, WBU? Fallon & Byrne's Wine Cellar, Dublin 2 The basement wine cellar in Fallon & Byrne offers a corkage charge of €10 on any wines off the shelf from Wednesday - Saturday, which is already great value, but from Sunday - Tuesday it's just €1. That's at home wine prices in a wine bar. If ever we needed convincing of midweek drinking... Loretta's, Phibsborough Loretta's is one of very few upmarket restaurants in Dublin to state their corkage policy openly on their website. It's €20 per bottle, or €30 if the wine needs decanting and extra special glassware, and if you have an extra special bottle at home that you'd love to drink in extra special surroundings this can work out very well. E.g. Sandhi's Central Coast Chardonnay will be priced at €85-90 on a wine list. If you buy it retail for around €40 and stick on another €20 for corkage, it's a considerable saving. The Wine Pair, Dublin 8 The Wine Pair opens from Wednesday - Sunday for wine drinking and small plate eating, but Sunday is the day to visit when you can drink anything off the shelf with no corkage charge. Zero. That's around half price depending on the bottle. They're open open from 13:00 - 18:00 so day drinking it is. Arisu, Capel Street Korean BBQ restaurant Arisu charge €5 corkage, but glasses are predictably unsuitable for fine wine. If you're not fussy you can wash down your barbecued bulgogi, pork ribs and lamb chops with a bottle of your choice. We recommend something fruity and fleshy like a Riesling or Grüner Veltliner to pair with all the spice. Shouk, Drumcondra Delicious, Middle Eastern, purse-friendly food in Drumcondra that's predominantly vegetable based (but don't panic, they do have meat). Pittas, falafel, mezze and flavour-packed salads are always on the menu at Shouk , as well as rotating specials. They have their own passable wine list, but corkage for those in the know is €10 per bottle. M & L Chinese, Dublin 1 One of the few places in Dublin to get authentic Sichuan food, the dumplings and fried green beans with chilli at M & L Chinese have caused many addictions to be formed over the years (raises hand). Corkage is €6.50 but go easy on the chilli oil if you're taking something nice. We have brought our own wine glasses here, and we recommend doing the same if it's a really good bottle. Fayrouz, Dublin 8 A taste of Lebanon in the Liberties, Fayrouz has an authentic menu of mezzes and grilled meats on offer alongside broader fare like shawarma and shish. Vegetarian options are particularly good, while their tabbouleh has a reputation as among the city’s best. Corkage is free (for some bizarre but wonderful reason) for tables of fewer than six, and nearby Molloy’s has Lebanese wine in stock for a perfect pairing option. Pho Ta, Temple Bar Delicious, flavour-filled Vietnamese food in Temple Bar with the friendliest staff. Try Pho Ta 's unusual looking (but amazing tasting) steamed rice paper rolls with prawn, the cold beef salad or the crispy fried rice noodles with chicken or prawn. Corkage is €5. Zakura, Dublin 2 Fancy some Chardonnay with your sashimi, Riesling with your ramen, Gewürztraminer with your gyoza? Zakura ’s three south city sites all allow you to bring your own wine along to enjoy alongside their sushi and noodle-packed menus. Corkage is €6 per bottle. Dada, Dublin 2 Top-quality Irish meat gets the Moroccan treatment in Dada , with a menu brimming with traditional tagines and couscous. The harissa and ras el hanout can make for some seriously spicy dishes, so be sure to pair wisely. Corkage is €5 for wine, €7 for Champage, and €1.50 per beer. Pho Kim, Dublin 1 Some of the best Vietnamese food in the city with excellent savoury pancakes, Pho (noodle soup) and Bun (rice vermicelli with a combination of meat, spring rolls, fresh vegetables and herbs). Pho Kim charge corkage of €7 on wine and €1.50 on beer. Musashi, Dublin 1 Musashi now has six locations across Dublin, with sushi aficionados frequently mentioning it as one of Dublin's top spots. A hot tip is to go mid-afternoon when they've sold out of lunchtime stock and are making it fresh. Only the Parnell Street branch allow BYO and corkage is €6 per bottle. Jerusalem, Dublin 2 Hearty home cooking Arabian style, Jerusalem takes inspiration from across the Middle East in its menu but hones in particularly on Lebanon and Jordan. Makloubeh, a slow-cooked rice dish studded with veg and served upside-down, is one not to miss. Corkage is €5 for wine and €2.50 for beer. Eatokyo, Temple Bar Sushi, gyoza, katsu curry and noodle dishes are all on the menu at Eatokyo on Wellington Quay, although a couple of critics have recommended veering towards the hot dishes over the sushi. Corkage is €6. Rotana Café, Portobello Casual Lebanese restaurant in Portobello serving charcoal-grilled kebabs, falafel sandwiches and mezze platters at very good prices. Corkage is free in Rotana when you have two courses. Keshk Café, Dublin 4 Casual, no-frills Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food in Ballsbridge, with all meat at Keshk Café cooked on a charcoal grill and the lamb moussaka coming highly recommended. Corkage is free. Did we miss a great BYO place? Let us know by emailing info@allthefood.ie.

What should we know about Astopia? In February of this year Bao House became one of the many Dublin restaurants to fall prey to rising costs. In its place now is Astopia , and between the garish glows of neon lighting and a website that promises a cyberpunk Asian fusion mocktail bar, we had to take a look. What should we have? We skipped over the standard-issue appetisers and got stuck straight into the Asian tapas options with some 'golden gyoza'. The pumpkin pastry of these potstickers brings a nice orange hue, with a well-crisped bottom offering a delicate crackle as you tear into the filling of tofu, glass noodles and veg. It’s a solid starter plate and perfect for sharing. Three types of bao are here for the choosing, but we had eyes only for the Beijing roast duck, with crispy-skinned slices in a savoury homemade sauce scattered with iceberg lettuce and scallions. This is a bao that can hold its own with the Aungier Street competition, although the perfectly shaped buns are obviously not homemade. “Soul of Seoul” came next - an array of rice cakes and sausages in a sticky sauce that's Astopia’s take on the Korean street food tteokbokki. While it’s a relatively rare sight around Dublin, it happens to be one Space Jaru does to perfection, and anyone who’s indulged will find this squidgy feast a pale comparison. If standing out from the crowd is the idea, Astopia’s pitch is “Pandora’s box” - a teetering tower of hollowed sliced pan packed with the makings of a breaded mushroom spice bag. It’s an … ummm … unique plate. The assorted innards were life and limpless, while the bread had barely been browned. Side wasabi and beetroot dips tasted only of mayo, while the “magic powder” (a salted popping candy) was just plain wrong. This is a dud. Happier turf was found with the hot pots, served in an impressively ornate golden bowl. We went for the bomb, a super spicy Sichuan beef base, and its intense kick proved too much for one, while another lapped it up. The plate of ingredients to drop in at your leisure isn’t of the utmost quality, but it’s easy to imagine the price spiralling well beyond the reasonable €22 if provenance was a priority. What is there to drink? Astopia have drawn up an impressive mocktail menu with smart twists on classics along with inventive originals. We tried two, both finished at table with a spray of edible (drinkable?) gold - the Vampire, a blood-red and lightly-spiced red wine (N/A) martini dotted with popping bubbles; and the Blooming Moment, a smoky-sweet passion fruit and tea tipple with flowers preserved in its ice. The mixes are creative and the prices of around €8 are fair. This is one area that gives Astopia an edge. What’s the verdict? Evenly pitched between a genuine niche and a bit of a gimmick, Astopia feels like a very 2023 opening that might go either way. There’s plenty of potential - given the right focus to iron out the kinks we can imagine this becoming a decent late-night snack spot, especially for the non-drinking crowd. Get a round of mocktails, the better sharing plates and a hot pot to catch up over. Just don’t open Pandora’s box whatever you do. Astopia 34 Aungier Street, Dublin 2 astopia-dublin.com

What should we know about Okky? It's where Lucky Tortoise used to be on Aungier Street - they're now in a bigger space in Temple Bar . Okky is a passion project from co-owner John Ennis who previously lived in Japan, and whose favourite dish there was Okonomiyaki. It's also the most popular dish in Lucky Tortoise , so the team felt the time was right to dedicate a site to the cabbage-based pancake. Okky Okonomiyaki means "grilled as you like it", so there are endless variations, but these recipes have come from their Japanese chef Haru, whose grandparents they say were some of the first Japanese people to bring Okonomiyaki to Brazil in the 1960's. What's the story with seating? It hasn't changed much since it was Lucky Tortoise, except that the table in the window to the right as you walk in is now the chef's cooking station. There's one table in the other window, some counter seating at the wall, and a few more tables in the back room up a few steps. What should we have? It's a small, appealing menu, making it easy to cover the lot if there's a few of you. Obviously the big thing is the okonomiyaki, but they do homemade gyoza, Japanese omelette and sides too. Gyoza come in pork and veggie, and the wrappers were both crisp and silky - clearly prepared in house - with nicely seasoned pork and a soy dipping sauce. The tamagoyaki is a soft, soy-seasoned omelette, with a savoury tonkotsu sauce for dipping, but we'd rather a piece or two as opposed to the whole dish - perfect for sharing, maybe egg overkill otherwise. The okky is the main event, and starts at €12.50 before adding toppings (priced at €1.50 - €2.50 each). We picked bacon, cheese and egg, bringing it to €17.00, and it's a hefty plate of food. The pancake is thick, spongey, chewy and ultra savoury, with the kewpie mayo and tonkotsu sauce bringing a flavour party to your plate. It doesn't need the fried egg, but we enjoyed slicing and dicing it with our chopsticks (the okky comes cut up so easy to pick up and share). We ordered sides of kimchi and cucumber salad but they brought the rice and spinach salad too - they'd just opened and wanted all the feedback. The kimchi is on the hotter side (as it should be) and we loved the sesame pickled cucumbers, but it was all enjoyable to pick at. The other Okky option is the 'Hiroshima' (€17), with udon noodles and 'hiroshima' sauce (a rich oyster sauce). It's even thicker, even chewier, and even more savoury, and we loved the crispy onion and spring onions covering the top. Pick your poison, they're both great. There's no dessert so cross the road to Scoop for gelato, or if it's late you could chance your arm at a bar seat in Uno Mas for some flan. Why should I go? Staff were so lovely and so concerned that we had a good time and enjoyed it all - and we really did. This is fast, inexpensive food the way we like it, and around €30pp will get you a large feed and a drink, with leftovers to take home. In the current climate, those prices for this quality are hard to argue with. Okky 8 Aungier Street, Dublin 2 okky.ie

One of the most common questions we get asked every week by ATF Insiders is "where should I book for a group?" There's usually a caveat - we'll have veggies/vegans with us, older family members who can't handle too much noise, fussy eaters who need plainer options - group dining isn't for the faint of heart. There are our top choices for private dining rooms, set menus to satisfy a wide range of tastes and budgets, and big splurges for serious celebrations. Dublin 2 Hawksmoor This is one for the long finger, as Hawksmoor 's private dining room isn't operational yet, but they're hoping to get it up and running sooner rather than later, once everything else is ticking along nicely. The space is like nowhere else in Dublin, the food is varied and skillfully done, and the PDRs are your very own clubby hideaway. If you have an end of summer birthday or Autumn work event it's definitely one to keep in mind, especially if someone else is footing the bill, as those blackboard steaks don't come cheap. Hang Dai Hang Dai is available for private hire (with up to 60 downstairs in the main restaurant), but for smaller groups the Gold Bar upstairs can seat up to 30. If the weather is temperate it's hard to beat the terrace looking out over Camden Street, but otherwise you can sit inside surrounded by red leather, brass fittings and a gold ceiling. Their set menus are priced at €40 or €60 per person (the latter includes the woodfired duck they're famous for), and the cocktails are always worth diving into. Library Street Library Street 's downstairs PDR seating 6 - 10 people is group dining goals. There's a minimum spend of €100 a head for food and drinks, and chef Kevin Burke will design a menu just for you (which you can make adjustments to if needed). There's a full sound system and record player and it's completely private. We did it , and we loved it. La Maison La Maison on Castle Market have five areas that they can box off for private events and group bookings, for anything from eight people up. They offer a set three-course lunch or dinner for groups, with all the classic French dishes like Coquille Saint-Jacques, moules-frites and duck confit, and you can't get a more central location if people are coming from different parts of the city. Dax For fine dining group style, Dax have a couple of cavernous areas in their basement dining room that it's possible to take over. They do a set menu with three courses for €89, featuring all of chef Graham Neville's classic, French/Irish dishes, and it's a good option if there are older members of the group who like a low noise level and no surprises. Mister S The semi-private space down the stairs at the back of Mister S takes bookings of up to 18 people across three booths, and it's the perfect setting for plate upon plate of fire-cooked food, like their burnt end rendang spring rolls, smoked short-ribs with chimichurri, and grilled halibut with mojo rojo. Big Fan Big Fan can cater for groups of up to 15 in their outside space at the front, and up to 75 indoors. They'll work with you on a menu and service style to suit your group, but don't miss the bao, cheeseburger jiaozi and the best mushrooms in Dublin - the enoki fan. Read our once over here . The Pig's Ear The Pig’s Ear have three rooms overlooking Trinity College's playing grounds, seating up to 48 on the first floor, up to 55 in their Mirror Room, or up to 10 guests in their third floor private dining room. The menu is of the "something for everyone" variety, and the nostalgic desserts are one of the main draws. One Pico The upstairs Polo Room in One Pico seats 12 - 43, with your own special menu and private entrance around the side. The evening set menu is €85, with supplements for pricier ingredients, so one for the bigger spenders where the budget's out the window, The Saddle Room At The Shelbourne For groups of up to 20, The Saddle Room offers privacy and five-star elegance if you and your gang feel like splashing out. We recommend starting in the Champagne Terrace upstairs for an aperitif, before coming down for chef Gary Hughes' €65 three-course Table d’Hote, featuring dishes like Fivemiletown goat's cheese mousse, loin of Wicklow venison, and The Shelbourne pavlova. The Bank Bar And Restaurant The Bank Bar and Restaurant on Dame Street has a dedicated space for small groups with The Bank Manager’s room seating 5-8 people, but we reckon that booking out the mezzanine level for a larger group would work really well too. The menu is classic in the extreme, but the ingredients sourcing is a world better than your average bar. Brookwood The club room is located on the top floor of Brookwood on Baggot Street if a PDR focused on steak and seafood is your thing. They can cater for groups of up to 14, and there's a personal music system and flatscreen TV in case you want to listen to. or watch something. It also gets our votes for one of the prettiest chandeliers in Dublin. Dublin 1 Bar Italia Bar Italia might be all sleek black and gold upstairs, but downstairs harks back to the past, with muted tones and Graham Knuttel art all over the walls. This is where they can host groups of up to 37, working with you on a menu and drinks to fit your group, and offering extras like a prosecco reception or homemade cake. There's pasta, pizza, risotto, fish and meat specials, so it won't be difficult to please a wide range of tastes, and we'd crawl along the quays for their carbonara. Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen For the ultimate, no expenses spared group night out, Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen , has a few choices for private, or just more secluded dining. The Chef’s Table, in the kitchen, seats up to six, the (semi-private) Demi-Salle seats four - six, and The Middleton Room seats up to 10. As far as experiences with family or friends go, this is one you'll never forget. Krewe 'NOLA-inspired' Krewe on Capel Street is great for groups where no-one wants to spend too much, and diners are of the fried chicken/burgers/brightly coloured cocktails variety. Downstairs can seat a few long tables, while upstairs is made for a full takeover, and it's easy to get in and out for around €50 a head. Mr Fox Mr Fox can cater for groups up to 65, the full capacity of the restaurant, or a smaller number. Groups are usually seated in the back room with a set menu planned in advance, and the tasting menu is €78 per person. The Woollen Mills The Woollen Mills is tailor-made for private dining, with a whopping four options seating up to 80 people, and access for wheelchairs - surprisingly hard when it comes to private dining rooms that are generally up or down stairs. The Riverrun room overlooks the Liffey, as does the smaller Joyce room, and the fully heated and covered room terrace can take up to 80 people. M&L Chinese Our go-to place for Sichuan food, upstairs in M&L Chinese off O'Connell Street there’s a private room that seats 10-12. You can BYO for €5 a bottle so it's a great value option if you like drinking the good stuff (just consider bringing your own glasses), and if you've yet to try the handmade dumplings, Szechuan green beans and deep-fried fish, your next group outing is the perfect excuse. South Dublin Locks Locks in Portobello have two private dining options upstairs - The Gold Room and The Bewick Room, seating groups of 8 - 25. The food features the best Irish produce they can get, treated in careful but exciting ways, like the Castletownbere scallop with cauliflower, Colombo spice and kombu hollandaise, or the crispy veal sweetbreads with beef fat mayo, pickled shimeji and garlic scape. Clanbrassil House Clanbrassil House will let you take over their room at the back for groups of 12-18, so you and your pals can feast on fermented potato bread, Thornhill duck leg croquettes with walnut ketchup, and m arinated & dried tomatoes with buttermilk ricotta and elderflower. The wines are natural and it's the cool neighbourhood hideaway we all wish we had near us. The Old Spot The Old Spot have two spaces upstairs for groups of up to 20 or 50, with their largest single table seating 12-14. They provide a three-course set menu which is €45 for lunch or €60 for dinner, with a choice of starters, mains and desserts. Bresson The first floor private dining room in Bresson , Monkstown, can seat 20-46 people, with a bar, sound system and dedicated staff to serve your party. Their four course dinner menu is €75, including Hors d'Oeuvres and Petit Fours. North Dublin Loretta's Loretta's in Phibsborough lets you book a table for up to 12 on their website , but you can call for a bigger party. Three courses of really excellent food costs €55, and the Sunday night sharing menu with snacks, small plates and sharing plates like fire-roasted lamb leg and 28-day aged steak with chimichurri, is perfect if you're with an unfussy group who are happy to get stuck in. Shouk Shouk in Drumcondra is tailor-made for groups, with a 'feasting menu' available for tables of 10 or more. For €35 a head you'll be laden down with mezze, salads, dips, arayes, shawarma and schnitzel. There's even hot drinks and baklawa to end. Old Street Old Street in Malahide cater for groups of all sizes in their sunlight-flooded first floor, and we recommend a walk by the sea afterwards. A three-course lunch is €39 with dinner €49, and you can see menus on their website .

Times may be tough in the hospitality industry, but Dublin’s restaurant ranks continue to swell regardless. From Brazilian burgers to okonomiyaki, world-class steak to hyper-local Indian, here’s what's new to the capital’s food scene lately... Row Wines, Coppinger Row Planting their flag back on Coppinger Row after the closure of their flagship restaurant of the same name at the end of 2021, brothers Marc and Conor Bereen have launched Row Wines next door, and the early whispers are positive. Young chef Paddy Maher is heading up the kitchen, after working his way up the Press Up ranks, before a stint in Mister S and then Row's sister restaurant Orwell Road , whose head chef Dan Hannigan takes on an executive role here. The menu’s 8-10 small plates and snacks will see regular rotation, while the all-small producer wine list and vinyl deck cement the casual wine bar vibe. Astopia, Aungier Street In a highly-competitive restaurant scene, it’s rare for new openings to carve out a wholly unique niche. Enter Astopia , the new cyberpunk, Asian fusion mocktail bar, whose AI image-loaded website speaks to bold ambitions and bolder style. The owner was the manager of previous tenant Bao House, and took the opportunity of that restaurant’s lease lapsing to realise her own vision of pan-Asian cuisine in an immersive dining experience. The result is - well, we won’t know what to think of the result until we get in to take a look for ourselves, but suffice to say our curiosity is piqued. Expect salads, gyoza, bao, hot pots and (much less expected) a spice bag served in a “toast box”. We did say wholly unique. Kari, Inchicore It’s been a slow and steady expansion for husband and wife Bala Nayak and Nidhi Joshi, whose Clanbrassil Street Konkan first opened its doors in 2004, followed seven years on by a second branch in Dundrum. Kari takes its name from the Tamil word for curry and specialises in south-western Indian cooking - the new name marks a bit of a departure from Konkan’s stall with more dishes Irish diners may not be familiar with from the Goa, Kerala and Karnataka states among others. With the sheer variety of cooking seen across as vast and populous a country as India, the owners are wary of calling their food authentic - just informed by their own experiences and memories. Read our once-over here for what we thought after our visit. Crackbrgr, Temple Bar We’d been enjoying the steady drips of tea that accompanied Crackbrgr ’s path to opening, from early mutterings that it was the return of Crackbird and Jo’Burger’s (geddit?) Joe Macken after his food empire was liquidated in 2018, to his in-no-uncertain-words dismissal of the new venture as a “Frankenstein’d” revival by former business partner John Roberts, whose share was bought out 18 months before it all went under. If the notably similar concept, style and menu wasn’t cause for a cynical pinch of salt with this one, the Instagram-friendly disco ball bathroom and regular “clucky seats” share-to-dine-free promos surely must be. Okky, Aungier Street Just over a year after opening a second Lucky Tortoise in Temple Bar, co-owner John Ennis has refit the Aungier Street original into a casual ode to okonomiyaki. The affectionately-named Okky draws on his three years in Japan and Korea, where the popular street food of a cabbage pancake topped with sweet Kewpie mayo and savoury okonomi sauce was a regular pursuit. This slimline menu is a smart diversification for the smaller premises, with six topping choices allowing for an as-you-like-it experience of the classic dish, alongside two types of gyoza and a Japanese omelette option. We can see the €12 lunch deal of a pancake and three sides going down a treat. Eathos, Baggot Street Upper Baggot Street residents rejoice! Not quite content with their existing two outlets on the Upper and Lower ends of the Grand Canal-spanning street, Eathos have opened a third branch right between the two, so no matter where you may be along it, you’re never more than three minutes away from their health-oriented offering. Fans though we may be of the veg-heavy hot and cold plates they offer across breakfast, lunch and brunch menus, we can’t pretend we’re not a little bit baffled by this, but the (probably) soon-to-be café empire’s business sense hasn’t let it down yet. It’s walk-in only, but if you can’t get a seat - well, have we got good news for you. Arboretum, Parnell Street Of all the things you might have bet on taking over the top floor of the reopened Chapters Bookstore , a garden centre can’t have been top of the pile. But here we are, and the Arboretum brand of Carlow and Wicklow fame has arrived to take over the former used books section, with the well-regarded Rachel’s Garden Café coming right along with it. From quality coffee, cakes and pastry to hot offerings like stout-braised stew, the all-day menu should make for a welcome addition to a stretch of the city without much quality casual fare to offer. There’s house jams and preserves on sale too - we’ve got our eyes on the banana curd. 2 Lads, Bolton Street Another month, another new opening springing up to serve Dublin’s growing Brazilian population. The latest is 2 Lads , taking over the space that was previously occupied by Brazilian BBQ shop B Skewers before they made their ill-fated move to Temple Bar late last year. At a glance it’s a relatively simple menu with burgers and hot dogs at the heart of things, but talk of homemade sauces like guava ketchup and orange pepper jam has turned our head, almost as much as the sight of a streaky bacon onion ring flooded with melted cheese. Be still our beating, soon to be very clogged, hearts. The ever-popular chicken coxinhas, cheese balls, and loaded - sorry, “ladded” (sigh) - chips make up the sides, and there's a deep-fried banana hotdog style bun to really finish you off. Hawksmoor, College Green There’s little introduction needed for Dublin's new steakhouse Hawksmoor , which first flagged its Dublin debut almost a full year ago, and sold out its first week of reservations inside fifteen minutes - no mean feat given the 152 seats scattered throughout the old National Bank site on College Green. The London-based chain now has branches on both sides of the Atlantic, and was named the world’s best steak restaurant in 2022, before dropping back to second in this year’s table - we’ll still take it. Prices are suitably steep given the reputation preceding it, though the lunchtime and early bird “express menu”, running until 6pm Monday to Saturday is a very reasonable €33 with rump steak and chips, Dublin Bay monkfish and sticky toffee pudding among your choices. ATF Insiders got a first look at the Sunday roast this past weekend, and they weren't disappointed. Pi, Temple Bar It's now five years since George’s Street pizzeria Pi opened its doors, and with many Dubliners still holding it close to heart as the city’s best pizza, it’s a wonder it’s only now they’re coming to expand. The new Essex Street site was once home to Mexico to Rome - about as strange a fusion restaurant as the city has seen - but we reckon this might just prove a bit more of a hit with the foot traffic tourist trade. To mark the occasion there’s a new menu in both locations, with peanut rayu-topped pork and pineapple, and a smoked prosciutto BLT among the more eye-catching additions - don’t worry, the nduja, margherita and marinara aren’t going anywhere.

What should we know about Toca Tapioca? It's billed as a superfood, sustainable Brazilian café, set up by a Brazilian/Irish couple who used to work at Thunder Road Café next door on Fleet Street, and who it appears were backed by the bigger business to open something new next door. Their fans seem to fall hard, with frequent posts about those who visit almost every day. What were we missing... The bright-eyes earnestness seeps from their website, talking about aunts and uncles "tirelessly making tapiocas ... on a humble farm in Brazil", and falling in love with Açaí bowls, wanting to bring "this goodness to all the lovely people here in Ireland." The thing is, they're completely genuine, You can feel it from the first smiley welcome when you walk in the door, and you can taste it in the obviously homecooked food. What should we have? Açaí bowls and tapioca wraps are the two big things at Toca Tapioca , with cuscuz, savoury snacks and Brazilian cakes bringing up the rear. The wraps are made from tapioca flour, which comes from the cassava root and is naturally gluten free, and the açaí comes either sweetened with guarana or unsweetened (zero). There's also a high protein 'crepioca' wrap which has an egg added to the flour. We went at lunch so wanted all the savoury, starting with a chewy, cheesy Pão de queijo (Brazilian cheese bread), and a coxinha (like a breaded, deep-fried dough ball in the shape of a tear drop) stuffed with chicken and cream cheese, on the recommendation of our waitress. It was a good recommendation, and something to file away under "snacks to grab on the go in Temple Bar". The tapioca wrap fillings didn't have our eyes lighting up, but we went for one with Calabresa (Brazilian cured sausage), Irish mozzarella and red onions. Tapioca is known for its chew, and if you like the texture that the Chinese call " Q " (see also boba, fish balls and Tteokbokki), this will be right up your street. Finely diced, deeply-flavoured sausage with plenty of melted mozzarella and a slight crunch from the red onion had us polishing it off in seconds. We clocked the cuscuz with corned beef and cream cheese on Instagram and thought it was some kind of Brazilian/Irish hybrid, but no, it turns out corned beef is even bigger in Brazil than it is here. It does what it says on the tin - couscous, corned beef and creaminess from the cream cheese, but you'd want to really like corned beef to finish one off on your own. Homemade cakes and sweets are another thing they do very well in here, and a fubá (corn flour) and guava jam cake was golden, moist and dense, although we would have liked double the sweet fruity jam - we'd like a jar to bring home actually. A lime brigadeiro was spectacular, but half of this sugary, rich ball of joy would be plenty for most. Why should I go? The earnestness coming from every inch of this place is hard to resist, and there's no doubt in our minds that they're doing what they set out to do - introducing Irish people to Brazilian, feel-good food, served with smile on top of smile. Toca Tapioca 49 Fleet Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 tocatapioca.com

What should we know about Yeeros? This Greek Souvlaki Bar has been a firm favourite in Glasnevin since 2018, and earlier this year opened branch number two on Wexford Street. Yeeros unsurprisingly specialise in gyros (pronounced ‘yeeros’) - flame-grilled meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie, then sliced and served in pita, wraps and sandwiches. Where should we sit? There’s lots of space for sitting down, with nine tables, which could accommodate roughly 25 people. We were there on a sunny afternoon and decided to take our lunch to Saint Kevin’s Park around the corner, which is a blissful oasis you should make a point of visiting if you haven't already. What should we have? The menu is divided into starters (no less than 16), a ‘From Our Grill’ section featuring gyros, sis kebabs, and other meaty dishes served in pita pots, wraps and ‘plate ups’. There's also veggie options, salads, ‘tasters’, and dips, and for dessert, loukoumades (Greek donuts), and other pastries. We ordered a Greek style sis kebab pita pot, a fluffy pita filled with beef and lamb, tzatziki, tomato, red onion and chips. It had lots of flavour, but we found the amount of meat a bit lacking. The hand-cut chips are good but they seem heavy-handed with them, which puts the meat ratio out of whack. It's good value though at € 8.45. The feta cheese chips were tasty, with the portion generous, but it could have done with being a shade tangier – we prefer more of a punch from our feta. The skepasti consists of mixed gyros (pork and chicken), cheddar cheese, mayo-mustard sauce, salad and chips, between two pita breads, and is served with a generous smattering of more chips. This is huge, and could easily feed two. We enjoyed it, but again it would have benefited from more meat. We added a spicy whipped feta cheese and chili dip, and upgraded the pita to corn (GF), which brought the cost of this dish to a whopping € 19.45. For dessert, we tried the loukoumades – three freshly fried donuts drizzled in honey, cinnamon and walnuts, and wow. Warm, delicious - we’d go back for these to have with a morning coffee. They were also the cheapest item we ordered, at € 3.95. We had to try the baklava – the popular Greek dessert of filo pastry, pistachios, walnuts and honey. This is a generous portion, very tasty but a little on the wet side – it's not so much soaked in honey syrup as it is drenched in it. What about drinks? A very simple soft drinks menu here, with the usual fizzy drinks, water and juice. Nothing ground-breaking, but as you’re in the heart of Wexford Street you won’t have too far to go to get your beverage of choice. Why should I go? If you’re looking for food fast in the city, but want it to actually taste good, you can’t go wrong with Yeeros . We're going for the traditional starters next time, like the feta cheese with honey and sesame, and stuffed vine leaves, but as we were a little underwhelmed by the amount of meat, we'd love to see a little bit more gyros in Yeeros. Yeeros 32 Wexford Street, Dublin 2 yeeros.ie

Hawksmoor Dublin opens its door in the old Abercrombie and Fitch site on Dame Street on Wednesday 25th May, and soft launch reservations unsurprisingly booked out in minutes. One of the things we're most excited about (apart from all the steak) is their Sunday roast, famous for being one of the best in the UK (we've had it, it is), so we're pretty excited that we've secured exclusive access for ATF Insiders to Hawksmoor Dublin's very first Sunday roast on 28th May - with a complimentary cocktail included. ATF Insiders will receive either a Sour Cherry Negroni or a Bloody Mary to welcome them to Hawksmoor Dublin , and can pick from the Hawksmoor Sunday roast with beef rump, or one of the sharing cuts from that day's board (prices TBC but will be approx. €27 per person). The roast comes with dry-aged beef rump, beef-dripping roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, roasted carrots, buttered greens, roasted garlic and bone marrow gravy. Optional sides include Hawksmoor Stuffing, Cauliflower cheese and Madeira shallots - how to choose. They start their beef on a charcoal grill and finish it in the oven, serving thick slices of dry-aged, slow-roasted beef and crispy beef-dripping roast potatoes, doused with bone marrow & onion gravy. There's also an á la carte menu featuring their blackboard sharing cuts, like Prime Rib, Chateaubriand, and loads more. The important bit: Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders will receive a booking link at 8pm tonight (Tuesday 16th May) Each ATF Insider can bring one guest with them on a table of two. There are also tables of four which can be booked if there will be two Insiders at the table, each with a guest (please note we will need the subscription emails of everyone attending) Bookings are first come first served. If you are unsuccessful please email us at info@allthefood.ie and we will add names to a waiting list in the order they are received Sign up to ATF Insiders here .

Times are tight, and we're all feeling the pinch, but that doesn’t mean eating out has to fall by the wayside: there’s a host of delicious, great quality food in Dublin that will leave you full-bellied and smiley-faced without having to empty your pockets, or go anywhere near a Eurosaver menu. Here’s 10 of our favourite things to eat in Dublin under €10. 1) Dosa, Indian Tiffins - €9.99 Tucked away in an inconspicuous corner of Parnell Street is some of the city’s very best Indian street food. Specialising in South Indian cuisine and never skimping on spice, Indian Tiffins offers a choice of deep-fried snacks alongside heftier portions of biryani and curries. But it’s their dosas you really need to try, and the standard ghee roast comes in just short of a tenner. These deliciously crisp lentil and rice flour pancakes go down a treat with the fiendishly hot sauce on the side, and also come with eight filling options if you’ve got an extra few euro to hand. 2) Khachapuri, Ella’s Heaven - €7 When it comes to bang for your buck, Ella's Heaven on Talbot Street is very hard to better: this little Georgian bakery does lunch feasts that could easily last you all day. Fluffy dough is folded into an oval shape and filled with an egg and cheese scramble before being baked ‘til bubbling and topped with an egg yolk and a hearty pat of butter. The airy, piping hot bread is dripping with molten, salty cheese., and extra fillings like spinach and basturma, a traditional Georgian air-dried beef, are available to add. 3) Pho, Aobaba - €8.50 Nothing warms the soul quite like a steaming bowl of pho, and few in the city do it as well as Aobaba . Determinedly casual in its pared-back, no-nonsense layout, this Vietnamese street food institution sees a steady churn of diners through the day stopping by for its excellent value, generous portions. While the pho is definitely the standout here, there’s a host of other soups and stews you can get for under €10 - large portions will tip you over the line, but with these servings eyes are almost always bigger than bellies. 4) The Hot Chick, V-Face - €10 The growing rarity of a non-chain burger option for under €10 is a serious cause for concern, so it’s nice to see V-Face coming out with a special burger-and-drink offer that’ll get you fed and watered without having to break a bigger note. The offer is available Mondays through Thursdays from 12:00 to 16:00, and goes across their Hot Chick, Classic John and Magic Mushie options. We’re fond of all three, but the spice kick and eye-catching charcoal black bun of the Hot Chick just about puts in front. 5) Manoush, Zaatar - €7.50 We raved loudly to anyone who’d listen about the value on offer at Zaatar in George’s Arcade when it opened back in June, and its selection of wood-fired Palestinian flatbreads is still up there among the city’s best bets for a great value lunch. The zaatar is the classic - clue’s in the name - but if the blend of herbs, spices and ground sesame seeds doesn’t float your boat, the three cheese or mohammarah (a spicy walnut paste) surely ought to instead. 6) Popcorn Chicken and Chips, Kakilang - €9.50 Better known as one of the city’s best bubble tea joints, Kakilang has been steadily adding items to its east Asian food menu across the last couple of months. While more adventurous eaters may want to try the takoyaki - Japanese deep-fried dough balls with octopus and cabbage - most will be satisfied with the twice-fried popcorn chicken and chips. This hefty heap of food is crisped to perfection, tossed in lightly spicy Taiwan-style seasoning, and drizzled with sriracha mayo. You’ll be back for more. 7) Fattoush, Fayrouz - €8 There’s plenty of salad available in the city for under €10, but not a lot as likely to fill you as Fayrouz 's fattoush. The Lebanese classic is a mix of diced tomato, cucumber and lettuce with fresh mint and toasted pita chunks, tossed in a flavourful dressing of lemon, sumac and pomegranate molasses - a perfect clash of sweet and tangy tastes to tie together the crunchy, juicy textures. The only issue here is sticking to just the salad - everything here is such good value you might be sorely tempted to go over budget. 8) Croquetas, Mr Croqueta - €6.95 A new arrival on the scene, Mr Croqueta recently branched out from its home delivery business and set up shop on the top floor of Camden Street’s A Taste of Spain , where its various croquettes were previously available for takeaway to those lucky enough to get in before they sold out. For this price you can try any combo of four of their six breaded, bechamel snacks - the Basque cod and mushrooms have to rank amongst our top tips. 9) Pizza, Goats Gruff - €10 Pizza for a tenner is just as much of a rarity in Dublin these days as burgers, so it’s great to see Goats Gruff launching their new €10 Wednesdays offer last week - the inaugural effort was such a booked-out success they had to do a one-off €10 Thursday too. Considering the eight options they offer range all the way up to €15 in regular pricing, it’s not hard to understand the demand. Best to book in early before making your way out to the Strawberry Beds. 10) Grilled Cheese, Loose Canon - €7.50 We know what you’re thinking: really, a sandwich ? Loose Canon ’s grilled cheeses are no ordinary sandwiches, and worth the extra euros. The buzzy cheese and wine emporium in George’s Arcade continually crops up in hot tip lists from Condé Nast Traveller to Mickael Viljanen, and with one bite of these beauties you’ll see exactly why. The cheese of choice can vary depending on what’s in and good on the day, but there’s usually a major Irish focus, like Gubbeen, Templegall, Derg, and Coolea. Break the bank and add a glass of natural wine on too. Do you have a sub-€10 dish in Dublin that you love? Let us know by emailing info@allthefood.ie or sending us a message on social.

You’ve got friends or family coming to Dublin and you want to show them what the city has to offer, or you’ve been asked to give bushy-tailed tourists some recommendations on what should be on their hit list. Here at All The Food, we know how critical food can be to a city break (it dictates all of our city breaks), and Dublin has its fair share of tourist traps, shilling barely passable stews and coddle, so it's no wonder that one of our most asked questions is "where can I bring a visitor for Irish food?" As a nation we're still more well known for our imbibements than culinary prowess, but there's no question that's changing, and we feel it’s our patriotic duty to show visitors just how incredible the food in Dublin is. Consider this list as your go-to guide next time you want to show that Dublin is a whole lot more than fish & chips, full Irish breakfasts and spice bags (no disrespect to any of these fine dishes). Breakfast Bread 41, Pearse Street Whether you’re planning to stock up on pastries and bread for a breakfast picnic in your hotel room, or you’ve managed to snag a table Bread 41 has now reached iconic status in Dublin for anyone looking for the highest quality baked goods available (like these seasonal Semla beauties). The brunch menu is top notch too – we're big fans of the kimchi fritters - and you’re super close to Pearse Street dart station and Trinity College if a visit to The Long Room is on the list. Blas, Kings Inn Street This gorgeous, high ceiling-ed cafe is located on the ground floor of the arts space The Chocolate Factory (which was an old sweet factory). Blas is a great spot for stopping in for a leisurely breakfast or brunch, and they've also got a pantry section and shop where you can pick up Irish food products, as well as a small Irish design shop concession which is perfect for picking up some solid souvenirs. Daddy’s, Rialto A lovely ray of sunshine in Rialto, Daddy’s has been championing local Irish produce since they opened, and the menu is a who's who of Irish food producers. Get your ‘big breakfast’ here for the full Irish experience with a free range and organic twist, alongside Turkish eggs, ‘croissandwiches’ and awesome granola. Pop across the road to The Cupcake Bloke afterwards for some traditional Irish brack and giant mikado biscuits, or non-traditional pasteis de nata. Two Pups, Dublin 8 This lovely spot on Francis Street has been a Dublin go-to for breakfasts, brunches and lunches since it opened in 2016. Incredible coffee and the highest quality food, including top-tier sweet treats, has made Two Pups a must for city visitors. It’s a mere skip and a jump from the city's main thoroughfare, and close to lots of famous landmarks like St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Christchurch . The Pepper Pot Café, Powerscourt Town Centre Bacon, pear and Hegarty’s cheddar on pillowy white bread makes up one of Dublin's most famous sandwiches, and if you don't follow it with a slab of Victoria sponge you're not doing it right. The Pepper Pot Café is situated right in the centre of town in the Powerscourt Townhouse , perched on a balcony overlooking bougie boutiques and galleries below. You might also get lucky and be treated to a live pianist tinkling away on the grand piano in the atrium. ALMA, Portobello This family-run, Argentinian café should be top of on your list if you’re rambling around the Victorian redbricks of the leafy suburb of Portobello. ALMA has got your breakfast and brunch needs taken care of, with a Latin American twist, including chimichurri steak, choripan and dulce de leche pancakes. Delicioso. Slice, Stoneybatter A morning in Stoneybatter is a morning well spent in our books, and we love nabbing the window seat in Slice , perusing the weekend brunch menu of hash brownies with crumbled maple bacon, and buttermilk pancakes with lemon and vanilla ricotta. It's a great stop en route to Arbour Hill Cemetery or Dublin Zoo . Two Boys Brew, Phibsborough Another Dublin brunch staple is Two Boys Brew , for great coffee, hotcakes with vanilla and maple roast plums, chili eggs, and all the sweet treats to fight over. There’s usually a queue, but leave your name and pop into the Phibsborough Public Library to while away the waiting time in this gorgeous art deco and Georgian style building. You’re also not far from the Botanic Gardens and Blessington Street Basin , a drinking water reservoir from 1810 until the 1970s, that became a public park in 1994 and is known as Dublin’s secret garden. Shhhh… don’t tell anyone.... Lunch Loose Canon, Drury Street There are few better fuss-free lunchtime options than sipping on natural wine and eating our body weight in Irish cheese in the guise of a toastie in Loose Canon . Situated on Drury Street, right beside George’s Street Arcade , it's a fantastic pitstop for hungry city-trippers, and great for people watching too. Grogan’s, Dublin 2 No trip to Dublin is complete without at least one pit-stop for a pint of the black stuff, and Grogan are famous for pairing it with the an old-fashioned ham and cheese toastie (don’t forget the mustard). Sit outside, or grab a cosy corner inside and enjoy the various works of art adorning every inch of wall space. Assassination Custard, Dublin 8 This incredibly unique and teeny tiny café serves some of the most exciting food in Dublin. A ‘sort of Italian’, with strongly Mediterranean small plates, the hand-written menu at Assassination Custard changes daily and is based on seasonal produce and the tastiest recipes known to man. Be sure to order everything off the paper bag menu. You can ask Ken and Gwen, the couple who run this magical operation, to tell your visitors the story of the restaurant’s name – which involves James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw and an unfortunate stabbing incident. Fallon & Byrne, Dublin 2 Upmarket food hall Fallon & Byrne is a stone’s throw from Grafton Street and a great refueling station for city wanderers – there’s a deli counter with sandwiches and wraps, and the cheese counter is always generous with its tester slices. The wine cellar also has a strong selection of charcuterie, pastas and pizzas if you’re looking for a more substantial (and boozy) lunch. Tiller + Grain, North Frederick Street Down the road from the National Gallery of Ireland , and across from Trinity College tucked down a side street is the wonderful Tiller + Grain . Run by an ex-Ottolenghi chef, you know the salads are going to be mega, and the sandwiches are on point too – all popping with flavour and made with seasonal Irish produce. The Commons at MoLI, Stephens Green There’s nothing we like better than a good museum or gallery café, and The Commons at MoLI nails it. Located in the basement of the Museum of Literature Ireland , this cafe serves all day brekkies, salads and soups – and we love the external courtyard terrace which feels like an urban oasis. You’d never think you were in the centre of town, right beside Stephen’s Green and the Iveagh Gardens . The Place, Grand Canal Dock If you’re around the Grand Canal area, The Place 'Proper Street Food' is, well, the place to be. This little enclave of street food trucks is an ideal spot to sample the diversity of what makes the Dublin food scene so great, with Dosa Dosa and Pastiamo Trucktorria (voted Best Food Truck by the Irish Times in 2022) among your options. Sampling a little bit of everything is the best way to do it. Bang Bang, Phibsborough This Phibsborough spot is as much a social movement as a café, run by a sister and brother who are constantly campaigning for causes they believe in. Bang Bang - named after a famous local Dublin character - serves Silverskin coffee and sandwiches with Arun bakery bread, and is a great place to hang out with locals, amongst good music and extremely good vibes. Dinner Etto, Merrion Row This part-Italian, part-Irish restaurant with a stellar wine list is always on our list of top picks for dinner in Dublin. With a relatively limited capacity for seating, it can be hard to nab a table at weekends especially, but it's oh so worth a bit of planning. The cosy, bistro space is the perfect place to unwind after a hectic day of sightseeing and there isn't one thing we wouldn't order on the menu. The Etto signature of red wine prunes with vanilla mascarpone dessert has reached cult status at this stage – and deservedly so. Franks, Camden Street The natural wine bar (a sibling to Delahunt ) is a one-man kitchen, serving seasonal small plates on a single long table running the length of the room. Frank's is definitely a great spot for a deep-dive into natural wine, while snacking on delicious local produce and rubbing elbows (literally) with locals. Uno Mas, Aungier Street Spanish sister to the aforementioned Etto, Uno Mas serves all of the Iberian classics like padron peppers and tortilla but with a refined and superbly executed flair. Choose from their nibbles ‘para picar’ to start, and as with its sister, the signature dessert here (flan de queso) is legendary. The only downside (like Etto) is that you have to order three courses including a main, so it's not one for a light bite or tapas style eating. The Pig’s Ear, Nassau Street Overlooking Trinity College ’s playing grounds, this is a great location for groups with multiple private dining options, and well situated for a post museum afternoon meal - the National Museum , National Library and Dead Zoo are all close by. The Pig’s Ear ’s menu caters for all, with an Irish slant (including one of the only lamb shepherd's pies worth eating in Dublin), and has great nostalgic desserts on offer. Note, Fenian Street One of the buzziest newcomers to hit the Dublin food scene, Note delivers on the hype. The wine bar/bistro serves great quality food with a Mediterranean feel, and recently introduced a two course set lunch for Saturdays and a four course offer for Sunday, as well as creating more space for walk-ins and those looking for a quick drink and some specialised snacks at the bar. Spitalfields, Dublin 8 Sister to The Pig’s Ear, Spitalfields pub and restaurant situated in the historic Liberties serves upmarket yet classic feeling restaurant cooking in a cosy upscale pub setting. Grab a booth or a counter spot on the ground floor and get a front row view of the kitchen in action, and don't miss the beef cheek & ox tail parker house roll with bone marrow gravy. Old Spot, Bath Avenue This cosy gastropub is the perfect place to tuck into a great Sunday roast. The Old Spot in Beggar’s Bush also comes Michelin recommended and its cocktail and wine lists are worth making a dent in too. Forest Avenue, Sussex Road Forest Avenue should be one of your top choices for modern Irish cooking with big flavours in an intimate setting. Offering a two or three course set lunch menu, and a set tasting menu for dinner with the best seasonal produce, it's a treat. Lock’s, Portobello With tables overlooking the canal, Portobello restaurant Lock’s focuses on creative fine dining with the best Irish ingredients and a strong wine list. Their menu features Guinness and treacle bread with cultured butter; hash browns with dulse seaweed, cods roe and shallot; Castletownbere scallops with preserved sea buckthorn; and saddle of Sika deer with ‘bratwurst’ boudin - it's like a culinary tour of Ireland. The rooms upstairs are perfect for private dining if you’re there with a group. Fish Shop, Smithfield A small place that packs a big punch, Fish Shop seems to be a stop off for everyone serious about food and drink who sets food on Irish soil. Not only does it do what it says on the tin, serving a daily changing menu of the best locally caught, beer-battered fish, they also do incredible small plates featuring tonnes of Irish shellfish, with one of the best natural wine lists in Dublin. Military Planning Needed Chapter One, Dublin 1 For one of the best dining experiences in the country, and Irish fine dining at its finest, nothing compares to two-Michelin-starred Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen . They were awarded their first Michelin star in 2007, but entered a ‘new era’ in 2021 when Mickael Viljanen took over as head chef and co-owner, quickly catapulting them to two. It’s one of the most unique dining experiences in Ireland, in one of the most beautiful restaurants, and Viljanen’s use of classical French techniques combined with subtle modernity and creativity make dining here an unforgettable event. You'll just have to set your alarms three months in advance for any chance of getting a table. Grano, Stoneybatter One of the best Italian restaurants in the city – Grano is southern Italian cooking at its best. Book well in advance if you want a table at this neighbourhood restaurant - at the time of writing they were booked out six weeks in advance. Seriously authentic dishes, with regular specials, but we find it hard to turn our heads away from the pistachio ravioli. They’ve recently opened A Fianco , a wine bar, or vineria next door, serving small plates and great wine, and it's walk-in only so perfect if you can't get a table in the original. Variety Jones, Thomas Street The doors to Variety Jones opened in 2018 and Michelin awarded them a star just nine months later. Head chef Keelan Higgs runs a family-style dining experience, with a chef’s choice sharing menu (no veggie or plant based menus here), and while his fire-cooked food doesn't come cheap, it's an experience like few others. The wine list is packed full of natural, organic wines and deserves to be fully experienced. Library Street, Dublin 2 Newcomer Library Street opened its doors at the end of 2021 and immediately became one of the most sought after tables in town. Chef Kevin Burke's choux buns with horseradish and Cantabrian anchovies, crispy stuffed chicken wings, and Paris Brest with stout, yuzu and espresso have diners coming back again and again, and if you want a weekend table you better join the wait list.

You can keep your three for €10 Nestles, when it comes to Easter Eggs we're going hard or going home. Yes some of these might seem like a monumental cost for a chunk of chocolate, but think of the work that's gone into creating each perfect piece, the moulding, the filling, the hand-painting. Plus we have no upper limit when it comes to quality chocolate. Here's what we're hoping the Easter bunny leaves behind this year. Bon Chocolatiers The ATF team are majorly crushing on Bon Chocolatiers at the moment (run out of Athlone by young couple Georgia Quealy and Daniel Linehan), with each bite of their bonbons eliciting gasps and sighs and "why doesn't all chocolate taste like this?", so top of our must haves are their layered, OTT in all the right ways Easter Eggs. Choose from Pretzel crunch filled with caramel crunch truffles; Sweet and Salty filled with salted caramel, crunchy caramel and malt biscuit pieces; or Blackberry and vanilla filled with blackberry caramel and dark chocolate crunch, among others. Eggs are €43 - €50, and mini filled ones are €11. Check them out here . If you needed any more convincing about Bon Chocolatiers , feast your eyes on this egg break video. Temptation Patisserie An Irish chocolatier we haven't tried yet but plan to, Temptation Pâtisserie was set up by twin sisters, Kate & Ruth O’Hara, from Laois in 2021. They're self-taught chocolatiers, and each of their hand-painted bonbons takes three days to make. Their Easter eggs are €45 and come in sea salt caramel; hazelnut and almond praline; banoffee; and salted pistachio, and they also do mini eggs (€4) and mini bunnies (€3.50) if you want to bulk up your order. Bakeology Argentinean bakery and café Bakeology in Dublin 8 is doing something a bit different, with their cake and dulce de leche filled eggs. Choose from chocotorta (thin chocolate biscuits), marroc (a layered chocolate cake), brownie or alfajor, and orders can be collected on Friday 7th, Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th. A medium egg serving two is €15, and a big serving three or four is €20. Order by sending them a DM on Instagram . Hazel Mountain Chocolate Hazel Mountain 's Wild Atlantic Easter egg (€29.50) is one of the most beautiful on the market, and there's a choice between milk and dark (and the dark is very, very dark). Controversially we think their salted caramel Easter bunnies (€15.95) are even more delicious, so don't forget to add on a box. Shop the range here . Bean & Goose Bean & Goose 's chocolate hares and geese (€22.50) are synonymous with Easter at this point, but this year we've also spotted milk and dark sea salt caramel goose eggs in the range (€19.50). See their Easter collection here , and you'll also find them in Lotts & Co . Koko Kinsale Koko is one of Cork's most loved chocolatiers, with their picture perfect chocolate shop a must visit when in Kinsale. Their hand-painted, milk, dark and white chocolate shells (€20 - €28) are on the simpler side of Easter options, but creme eggs, bunnies, and eggs in cups can be added on too. See Koko's range here . Grá Chocolates Another eye-catching option, Grá Chocolates ' Easter eggs are super-sized versions of their truffles, in flavours including Lil' Bit Salty, Nuts About You, and Bee My Honey (€45). The hand-painted, thick chocolate shells are filled with caramel, nuts, praline and honeycomb, or there's a more basic range filled with truffles for €25. Check them out here . Sugar Loaf Bakery Sugar Loaf 's spoonable Easter Eggs are more dessert than chocolate, with options including Kinder Bueno, Strawberry Bombom, and Lemon Pie.. They're priced at €25 - €30, and they're also doing truffled shells for €20. You can order everything for collection online here from their Dorset Street or Pearse Street locations. Santo Eggs @ Sfuso Chef and baker Domenico Santo's Easter eggs are sold exclusively through 'Italian Gastronomia' Sfuso in the Italian quarter. The handmade eggs come in three flavours - 66% Mexican chocolate; Zephyr white chocolate and Sicilian pistachio; and Zephyr caramel chocolate and hazelnut, and are priced at €30-€35. Order online for collection only. The Proper Chocolate Company Dublin's bean-to-bar chocolate company Proper Chocolate 's eggs come in three options this year - milk chocolate and salted caramel (which they've nicknamed the giraffe); dark chocolate with Achill Island sea salt; and a speckled egg with salted caramel and cocoa nibs. They're €22.50 which feels like a good price in comparison to some others, and can be delivered nationwide or collected from their stand at the Honest2Goodness Market in Glasnevin on Saturdays. Shop here . Lorge Chocolatiers Kerry chocolatier Lorge is a longtime favourite of ours, and their eggs come filled with the truffles we find ourselves eating year round. You can choose from small, medium or large, hollow or filled, and prices range from €9.70 for a small hollow to €40.70 for a large filled. Shop here . Skellig's Chocolate Irish chocolatier Skellig's are getting a bit of flack since being bought by Press Up, but their filled, solid eggs were one of our highlights of 2022, and we can't see them having changed much. Small eggs start at €13, while the filled ones are €30.50, and they can be bought online or from plenty of good retailers like Sheridan's (whose concessions in Dunnes usually have them too). Have we missed any great Easter eggs? Let us know by emailing info@allthefood.ie.

*This event is now fully booked* ATF Takeover of Volpe Nera - Wednesday 31st May with two sittings at 6:30pm & 7:30pm Even since Barry Sun moved from Etto to Blackrock to open his own restaurant in 2019, Volpe Nera has had some of South Dublin's most sought after dining seats. His signature style came with him, with his dumplings, handmade pastas and dressed oysters drawing diners from all sides of the city. All The Food are taking over Volpe Nera for one night only for a tasting menu of Barry's best dishes from the past few years (and new some ones), including Blue Fin tuna with ponzu and sesame, rabbit cavatelli, and those cep dumplings with aged soy, fennel and herb oil. Manager Darren D'Arcy has also put a short list of wines that will pair perfectly with the menu, or you can choose your own from their extensive wine list. The menu will be priced at €68 including a welcome cocktail and some surprises on the night. As it's a small restaurant seating is very limited so we'd strongly advise setting an alarm if you want to be eating all of the below in a few weeks. The Volpe Nera Takeover Menu Welcome drink Flaggy Shore Oysters Crispy Suckling Pig, Violet Mustard Cep Dumplings, Aged Soya, Fennel, Herb Oil Rabbit Cavatelli, Morels, Broad Beans, Truffle Bluefin Tuna, Cucumber, Coriander, Ponzu, Black Sesame Salt Marsh Lamb, Mammola Artichoke, Smoked Yoghurt, Rosemary Gariguette Strawberries, Basil, Balsamic, Muscovado Cheese, Seasonal Selection, Homemade Seeded Crackers, Quince Jelly All The Food's takeover of Volpe Nera takes place on Wednesday 31st May at 6:30pm and 7:30pm (if you have a time preference please state it in your email and the team will do their best to accommodate you). Booking details will be sent to everyone signed up to ATF Insiders at 8pm on Wednesday 10th May . Tickets are first come first served and very limited, and the team will contact successful diners as soon as possible to confirm your booking and take a 50% deposit ( please include your phone number when you email to book ). Bookings can only be made for tables of two, and each Insider can bring one non-Insider with them. If you're coming with friends just let the team know and they will seat you together. Sign up to ATF Insiders here .

We may not manage to get more than two days' heat at a time, but believe it or not the summer is almost upon us, and you'll be wanting to plan ahead to avoid the mad scramble for outdoor space once it comes. We've scoured the city for the best outdoor dining options you can book in for now, plus a few walk-in only options to chance your arm in. City Centre Library Street, Setanta Place "Everything is made to be shared" says the sign over Library Street 's door, and that goes for the sunshine too. They've set up a scattering of outdoor tables for wine and small plates that's sure to be a very hot seat of a summer evening. Book online . Note, Fenian Street One of the best new additions to the city's outdoor dining scene of recent years, Note 's terrace out front is a heavenly spot for wine, small plates and a bit of a buzz on a scorching day. You can book online for a table inside or walk-in for a weather dependent outside one. Tang, Cumberland Place Just across the way from Note, sustainable and climate-conscious café Tang has a super suntrap of a garden area that's one of our favourite city spots for a quick coffee and food to makes you feel good. They’re open from 08:00 weekdays and from 10:00 on Saturday for brunch – walk-ins only. F.X. Buckley, Pembroke Street F.X. Buckley are making the most of their Pembroke Street premises with not one but two outdoor areas, including a gorgeous two-storey section that opens out onto the front. It's conveniently close to Merrion Square Park and Stephen's Green, for the walk you'll be needing after this feed. We recommend calling 016764606 or emailing pembroke@fxbuckley.ie to nab the good seats. Loose Canon, South William Street Loose Canon is perfectly sited to lap up the best of the midday sunshine and take in the buzz of Dublin on a summer’s day, so it’s no surprise their walk-in only outdoor tables are always in hot demand. They’re worth waiting for, with a glass in hand of course. Davy Byrne's, Duke Street The Ulysses destination pub's linen-laid tables on the terrace are always popular with Grafton Street shoppers when the sun is shining. Book online here to beat the crowd and get your fill of gorgonzola sandwiches and bottles of Burgundy. Big Fan, Aungier Street Big Fan 's outdoor dining area on Aungier Street has stayed popular all year, with the heated patio full throughout the winter, but there's no doubt it's at its best when the sun shines. Get in for a feast of bao, jiaozi and lots of other outrageously delicious plates by booking here . Órale, Dame Street The city's best new Mexican spot inside Pawn Shop on Dame Street, Órale have added a few tables to the laneway outside. When the sun lines up just right it's hard to beat a taco with a cool beer in hand. Walk-ins only. The Seafood Café, Temple Bar It won't be long now until lobster rolls are back on the menu at Niall Sabongi's Temple Bar institution, and the little sheltered seating area outside The Seafood Café is the ideal place to tuck in while watching the world go by. If that wasn't excuse enough, oyster happy hour is from 16:00 - 17:00 daily, with naked oysters €2 and dressed or torched €3. Book here . As One, City Quay Health food focused As One have sunshine filled seating for breakfast, brunch and lunch on the quays. Book a table for some gut-friendly food on their website . The Commons at MoLI, Stephen’s Green Opening out into the Iveagh Gardens, the open area to the rear of the Museum of Literature now plays host to The Commons ’ garden terrace, a beautifully secluded spot to enjoy their all-day breakfast menu and range of toasties. They’re walk-in only, and what a walk. Hang Dai, Camden Street The covered, heated terrace of Hang Dai 's rooftop 'Gold Bar' offers a great view out over the Camden Street action, as well as a buzzy area to enjoy some of their unique cocktails and tasty Chinese dishes. Book online here , and if you're out of luck there's also a limited amount of ground-floor outside seating available for walk-ins only. Osteria Lucio, Grand Canal Quay With a small number of high-stool and barrel setups, as well as some covered low tables, Osteria Lucio is one worth booking ahead for. Chef Ross Lewis has taken the lead in the kitchen here since handing over the Chapter One reins to Mickael Viljanen, and the result is worth savouring in the sunshine. Book online . One Society, Gardiner Street Blocked off from the busy streets with planters, One Society ’s sizeable covered outdoor section is a great choice for a weekend brunch or pizza and pasta on a sunny evenings. It's strictly walk-in only. Row Wines, Coppinger Row We've spotted a few barrel-top tables posted outside Row Wines , the new venture from the team behind Orwell Road and the late, lamented Coppinger Row, and we'll wager they'll soon be some of the most sought-after seats in summertime Dublin. Chez Max, Palace Street Palace Street feels distinctly classier with the Parisian chic vibes Chez Max brings in summer. They've just reopened their courtyard terrase after a few weeks' work and it's a lovely spot to sit back and forget you're in Dublin. Book here . Urban Brewing, Custom House Quay Urban Brewing offers an ideal summer setup with tonnes of outdoor seating outside the CHQ building. The menu in the Hop Garden Terrace is built around tapas and larger plates (raciones), and the sun trap bar will be taking walk-ins for drinks and/or snacks. Book here . Two Pups, Francis Street The weekends are always heaving at walk-in only Two Pups - and for good reason, with the sheltered tables out front and the courtyard within offering up some of the nicest spots around the Liberties to grab a sunny, always delicious bite. Drury Buildings, Drury Street T he gorgeous garden courtyard in Drury Buildings is serving food and summer cocktails seven days a week, and the balcony tables overlooking the garden will be the ones to nab if you're very, very lucky. Look for a table here . Korean Table, Stoneybatter Korean Table have created a lovely little spot in Stoneybatter to enjoy kimchi and bibimbap in the sun with hanging lights and plenty of greenery. They’re walk-in only but it’s never too long a wait to get seated. Las Tapas De Lola, Wexford Street An outdoor table at Las Tapas de Lola is always a tall order so plan this one as far in advance as you can. Last minute cancellations may also be your friend here - call 014244100 or email book@lastapasdelola.com for enquiries. 777, George's Street 777 went all-out last year converting a car park into their "777 afuera" (meaning 'outside'), complete with a margarita-serving airstream. They run a special sharing menu outside at €38pp, with tortillas, taquitos and tostadas. You can only book for tables of six plus here , otherwise it's walk in only. The Champagne Terrace At The Shelbourne You can go all out and treat yourself to one (or all) of four champagne cocktails at the Shelbourne this summer, with the return of their Champagne Terrace , sponsored this year by Moët & Chandon. There's oysters and seafood platters going too if you want to really indulge. Open Fri-Sun only. Charlotte Quay, Grand Canal Dock Charlotte Quay has ample outdoor space overlooking Grand Canal Dock that gets the sun all evening. The lunch and dinner menus have plenty of smaller sharing plates so be sure to bring a crowd, and don't forget about two for one brunch cocktails. Bookings available online . L'Gueuleton, Fade Street Fade Street French bistro L'Gueuleton have considerable outside space, mostly covered. It's prime real estate for people watching, small plate eating and Champagne drinking. Book through their website . Fade Street Social Fade Street Social is open outside with a wood-fired menu seven days a week. There's a solid vegetarian selection as well as the expected meat options, so plenty of variety to satisfy a mixed crowd. Book a table here . Nomo Ramen, Charlotte’s Way A big bowl of ramen isn’t our first instinct on a summer’s day, but Nomo have been introducing plenty of lighter bites like their pork bao and shitake chashu korokke we’d happily snack on from their seated area out front. Walk-ins only. The Woollen Mills, Ormond Quay The Woollen Mills has a spacious first-floor roof terrace overlooking the Ha'penny Bridge and Liffey Street. They're open for lunch and dinner seven days a week as well as weekend brunch. Book on their website . Brother Hubbard North, Capel Street Brother Hubbard have lovely terraces at both their Capel Street and Harrington Street locations, with tons of seating to handle the high demand they always attract. Brother Hubbard North is taking reservations here , but Brother Hubbard South remains walk-in only. Saba's Secret Garden, Baggot Street Saba 's secret garden out the back of their Baggot Street location has canopies and heaters, holiday style lighting and art by Subset. It's open seven days a week serving food all day, including black pepper squid, Thai beef salad and Pad Thai. There's also a pretty extensive cocktail menu. Look for a table here . Piglet, Cow's Lane Piglet is one of the few outdoor spots in the city serving lunch seven days a week, and it catches the sun perfectly right around that time of day. They've got two and three course fixed menu prices for the same for dinner, all washed down with an excellent selection of wine. Book online . Ukiyo, Dame Court Ukiyo ' s outdoor terrace on Dame Court always has a lively buzz on the weekend, but they're open for lunch and dinner all through the week. Bring a group if you can - this is a lengthy menu you'll want a hand in making your way through. Book here . Glas, Chatham Street Vegetarian and vegan Glas have a very Parisian (and appropriately green) vibe going on outside their Chatham Street restaurant. The added planters, new since last year, make for better insurance against the ever-unpredictable Irish weather. Book online here . Suesey Street Suesey Street 's terrace is one of the best in the city and has a retractable roof to deal with whatever the elements happen to throw at you. They're open for lunch and dinner every day but Sunday, serving up Irish cuisine with a focus on local ingredients. Book on their website . South Dublin 31 Lennox, Portobello 31 Lennox in Portobello are offering Italian-inspired breakfast, lunch and dinner outside throughout the week with an all-day brunch at the weekend. Their semi-covered outdoor space down the side lane is a lovely quiet oasis near the heart of the action. Book here . Hen's Teeth, Dublin 8 One of the city's best gallery cafés, Hen's Teeth has a heated and covered outdoor terrace that's one of the hottest spots for weekend evening dining. Their ever changing menu is without doubt one of the most innovative and interesting in the city, and most importantly it delivers. Book for lunch and dinner here . Alma, Portobello The seats outside Alma are some of the loveliest in Portobello, and an iced dulce de leche latté in the sunshine while you wait for brunch is as perfect a morning as we can imagine. Check for tables here . Gaillot et Gray, Clanbrassil Street French pizzeria and natural wine hang out Gaillot et Gray is open for lunch (mainly sandwiches on their own bread) and dinner (pizza) on their terrace out the back. You can book by calling them on 014547781 or they'll be taking walk-ins if they have space. Lucky's, Meath Street Liberties hotspot Lucky's has added some seating out front as well as their always in-demand courtyard with delicious pizza from Coke Lane . They're open seven days a week and you can make a booking enquiry through their website . Rascal's Brewing, Inchicore Rascal's pizzeria and tap room has become an Inchicore institution since opening in 2014, and their bustling outdoor space has grown into a really atmospheric evening spot across the course of several pandemic re-openings. Look for tables here . Daphne's, Rialto Daphne's has plenty of covered tables on their terrace available for dinner Wednesday to Sunday and weekend brunch. Their early bird on weekday nights is particularly good value at €28 for three courses. Email info@daphnes.ie or call 015521708 to book. Angelina's Angelina's outdoor tables are the ultimate in goals on a sunny day in Dublin 4. They're open seven days a week for lunch and dinner with brunch at weekends. Book on their website or by emailing book@angelinas.ie . Fairmental, Grand Canal Street Upper D4’s fermentation lab and deli Fairmental is making very smart use of the space out front with some cosy tables set out to enjoy your rice bowls and kombucha from. It’s open for weekday breakfast and lunch and Saturday brunch and it’s walk-in only. Asador, Ballsbridge Asador 's impressive (covered and heated) terrace reopens is available to book for lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Saturday each week for smoked venison tartare, fillet steak and fire-roasted chicken supreme. Look for a table here . Nightmarket, Ranelagh The D6 destination for authentic Thai food, Nightmarket has a fully-heated side terrace "tunnel" open for outdoor dining, so you can stay on to sample the cocktail menu long after the sun sets. Book online . Oliveto, Haddington House There might not be a better spot to enjoy a perfectly clear day than Oliveto 's gorgeous garden terrace perch in Dún Laoghaire serving equally beautiful-looking food. Plus they've got plenty of parasols to escape the intensity of that heatwave sun, if it ever comes... Book here . Soup Ramen, Dun Laoghaire & Soup 2, Smithfield Soup in Dun Laoghaire and Smithfield, with their special ramen, deep-fried kimchi and super cute cocktails have outdoor dining in both locations. Book on their website . Grapevine, Dalkey Grapevine in Dalkey are open for outdoor dining and wine-ing from Tuesday - Saturday for lunch and dinner. They've an all day menu and shelves packed with wine. Book here . Volpe Nera, Blackrock Volpe Nera have only a small number of tables available on their covered, sheltered terrace so an advance booking is definitely recommended. They've been leaning into the season heavily with their heavenly limoncello spritz - you know you want one. Book here . Riba, Stillorgan Riba 's outdoor, covered and heated terrace is open for dinner Wednesdays through Mondays as well as weekend lunch, with an early bird special running up to 18:30 every day. The menu is Italian-influenced with loads of local and Irish produce. Bookings online here . Bresson, Monkstown Bresson ' s lovely outdoor courtyard with white linen tables is open for dinner served Tuesday - Sunday and lunch Thursday - Sunday. It's an appropriately seasonal choice with plenty of summer veg to enjoy in the sun. Check the website for availability. North Dublin Mamó, Howth Mamó 's miniature terrace out front is another pristine spot to savour sun and sea in the company of great food. Their focus on seafood fresh-off-the-boat and ingredients from around North Dublin makes this one of the most memorable al fresco experiences in the city, and we've never had a dud dish, wine or service experience there. Limited menu on the terrace and in the downstairs bar, with the full shebang upstairs. Book online . Milo's, Drumcondra The second opening from the Two Boys Brew guys, Milo's has filled a major gap in Dublin 9 for great coffee, thoughtful food, and all the effort you probably won't make a home. Their outside area seats around 12 and diners move fast so you shouldn't be waiting long for a table. King Sitric, Howth The Howth institution has hands-down some of the best seats in the city for the right kind of summer day, especially after an afternoon's walk on the hill working up an appetite for their seafood selection. King Sitric are very child and dog-friendly too, if you needed another excuse. Book online . Old Street, Malahide Neighbourhood restaurant Old Street in Malahide have a covered and cushioned outdoor area open from Wednesday through Sunday. Book online here . Shouk, Drumcondra Our love for Shouk runs deep. The food, the staff, the prices, the food - and absolutely the outdoor space. Their mid-pandemic expansion out further into their yard was great news for fans of Middle Eastern food, and makes it easier than ever to grab a table. Demand still runs high though, so be sure to book . Honey Honey, Portmarnock Expect a fight for the limited outdoor seats outside Honey Honey in Portmarnock, but if you can get them you'll feel like you've won the jackpot. The simple menu is always done just right, the coffee is faultless, and if all else fails you can take it to go and head for the beach. Did we miss your favourite spot for outdoor dining? Let us know by emailing info@allthefood.ie.

It's the return of the ice-cream cookie sandwich and Irish lobster rolls, and the invention of baked tiramisu and Irish Zabaione that has us raring to get out this week, as well as one of Kildare's finest pizzas making a one time appearance in Dublin... 1) Zabaione, Pala Pizza & Trattoria Pala Pizza & Trattoria in Foxrock just keep churning out the new creations that make us want to go back again and again, and the latest is this Zabaione. They say that the Italian boozy custard is having a resurgence of popularity in Rome right now, and they're serving theirs with stewed rhubarb and raspberry, rye and wholemeal crumble, and a malted whipped cream to finish. 2) Baked Tiramisu, Dolce Sicily Baked Tiramisu you say? We're game. Layers of mascarpone cream, chocolate sponge and coffee are wrapped up in a shortcrust pastry shell and dusted with sugar and cocoa, for an original occasion cake from Dolce Sicily . It's €45 and you can order online or in store. 3) Lobster Rolls, King Sitric Lobster rolls at back at King Sitric in Howth, which means: 1) summer is here, and 2) we're going back to King Sitric. 4) Ice-Cream Cookie Sandwich, Nobó The Nobó cookie sandwich is back, with their vegan salted caramel ice-cream sandwiched between two chewy chocolate chip cookies. Find these little works of perfection in their Ranelagh freezer all summer. 5) Grá Pizza, Merrion Square If you've been lusting after Grá pizza thinking, "I wish I lived in Kildare", wish no more as they're popping up in Merrion Square this weekend for the International Literature Festival , so now's your chance to try those specials like fennel salami with gochujang vodka sauce, mozarella and pickled fennel.

What should we know about The Morning Bakery? Brian O’Keeffe and Kevin Powell’s The Morning Bakery lives in the former home of once go-to brunch spot, Meet Me In The Morning. That turned into Table Wine in November 2021, but closed in November 2022, with the guys going back to their pastry and coffee roots. The dog-friendly bakery and specialty roaster café now serves great coffee and baked goods seven days a week. Where should we sit? There's seating downstairs for 15 or so people, another two tables outside, and at the weekend they open the upstairs area with space for around 20. What should we have? To the right of the café they operate a takeaway hatch, which had five kinds of focaccia and all of the same baked goods as in the café. As you enter the café there’s a counter with the wares of the moment displayed on parchment paper, with names and prices written in marker. We arrived around 9am on a Saturday, and were told that they bring different items out throughout the day. This is smart, as it makes us want to come back at different times, and the law of scarcity kicks in and makes us want everything, but we started with the berry glazed poppyseed cake - dense and moist with a lovely sweet and zesty tang from the glaze. The sourdough buns (cinnamon and chocolate) were delicious, sweet and buttery, with just the right amount of icing – the fermentation process giving a greater depth of flavour to balance the sweet with the sour. An oat cookie was made rich with the addition of chocolate, but crunchier and more substantial with the oats and cranberries. We loved the dark chocolate and sea salt cookie too, perfectly chewy, salty and sweet in equal measures. The only sweet bum note was a chocolate and almond friand which was disappointingly dry. We asked about the focaccia having seen them next door, and they told us they usually serve one or two ‘more substantial’ ones in the café, so when they brought them out, we thought it would be rude not to try them. We had a spicy mushroom and olive with shichimi togarashi, (a Japanese 7-spice seasoning blend), and a green pesto and parmesan, and wow. The flavour punch was real, and the bread was soft and fluffy on the inside, with a nice crunch on the outside. Both were incredibly tasty, but the mushroom got our douze points . We’d go back for his alone, and to try the other versions next door (broccoli and parmesan, oregano and leek with lemon balsamic glaze, and lemon and rosemary). What about drinks? It’s all about the caffeine here. Coffee is sourced from producers KB Coffee Roaster s, and they serve chai, mocha and hot chocolate. For warmer days, there's iced ‘dulce de latte’, and regular iced lattés and Americanos. Why should I go? As written on their glass counter-top, ‘We don’t do brunch :)’, so don't ask for avocado toast. It is however the perfect spot to while away a morning drinking good coffee and eating the most delicious of baked goods. The ‘no laptops’ rule means you won't be working here either – they’ve set their sights on creating a community vibe, and they've done it. The Morning Bakery 49/50 Pleasants Street, Dublin 8 themorning.ie

What should we know about Krewe? The "New Orleans-inspired" restaurant opened on Capel Street at the end of 2019, with their bright colours, amped-up music and "fast food but make it fancy" menu drawing a crowd of predominantly younger diners. They're always busy, and whenever we check their availability for ATF Insiders in need of food they're usually fully booked - and it's not a small space. We had planned to do a full once over of Krewe , but honestly the food wasn't good enough to bring us back for a planned second visit. We still wanted to tell you what to expect though. What did you have? It's a big menu (which makes us anxious), with starters, "Nola friend chicken", mains, "dirty fries", sides and desserts. There are 45 dishes in total. We'd seen a review saying the buffalo cauli bites were "the best ever", but more fool us because they were not. They're unbattered and came nicely al dente, but were swimming in a mouth-shrivelling sauce of what tasted like Frank's Hot Sauce and vinegar - finesse this was not. The vegan ranch on the side was pleasant, but our mouths felt like they'd been attacked and we left half behind. Nicely battered and cooked softshell crab came sitting on a creamy corn bisque with red pepper jam in the middle, and all was going well until we got to its body, which was so unpleasant we spat it out again. The only thing we can guess is that maybe they didn't remove the gills (Deadman's fingers), because we can't imagine what else would cause such a grainy taste offensive. A buttermilk hot fire chicken burger (none of their chicken is free-range) had meat that should have been juicier in a nicely crunchy batter, with hot sauce, house pickles and Krewe slaw on a brioche bun. The flavours were good, but the bun disintegrated fast, and within minutes was a soggy mess. Bang Bang shrimp tacos with lime slaw, chow chow relish, corm, avocado crema, chipotle, coriander and sesame was pretty tasty (the shrimp in particular) but had a lot going on, and once again the tacos got soggy pretty fast. Eat quick and it won't be an issue. Beignets for dessert were passable but heavier than we were expecting, and the accompanying chocolate sauce tasted cheap - caramel was better. What about drinks? There's a full bar with a big focus on cocktails, mostly draught commercial beers (with a few craft cans), and a wine list that won't get anyone excited, but most bottles are under €40 - so maybe that will get you excited. Why should I go? Clearly not everyone holds restaurants to the same elevated standards as the ATF team because Krewe is swarming, and the food isn't bad, but could be better. Some reasons you might want to go: a) The prices. We paid €50 a head for two courses and two drinks each, a shared side and dessert. As good as it gets in Dublin right now. b) Staff were lovely and food came out fast. c) There's loads of space and it's ideal for groups. There's plenty of choice and the varying price options mean it should satisfy everyone. d) It's very child-friendly, noisy enough to drown out tantrums, and what child wouldn't get excited by posh chicken tenders and chips. Krewe 51-52 Capel St, North City, Dublin 1 krewe.ie

May's monthly 9 giveaways have dropped! And this month we've got a nautical-themed hotel stay, loads of restaurant experiences, a hamper, a wine tasting, even a coffee making course. Being automatically entered into our monthly giveaways is just one of the perks of being signed up to ATF Insiders - our premium service that allows us to operate independently, with no #ad, #collab or #invite across any of our channels. Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders by midnight on Wednesday 17th May will be entered into the draw, and winners will be picked and notified on Thursday 18th May. Here's what you could win this month... 1) An overnight stay with dinner at the Titanic Hotel, Belfast The multi award winning Titanic Hotel Belfast is giving one lucky ATF Insider the chance to experience the historic hotel, including the Heritage Tour. You'll be taken back in time to when the Drawing Offices housed the designers of some of the world's most impressive ocean liners of their time, and transported to the telephone exchange where the call of RMS Titanic's fate was taken. You'll enjoy dinner in the Wolff Grill Restaurant , eating from a menu created by Nigel Mannion (named Yes Chef 'Chef of the Year' just last week), and before you check out and have the opportunity to explore Titanic Quarter, you'll enjoy a Titanic sized breakfast. (Transport to and from Belfast is not included. Dates subject to availability and prize can be claimed between Sunday and Thursday.) 2) Dinner for four with drinks at Juno, Drumcondra When we asked our readers about the best things they've eaten recently, Juno in Drumcondra came up again and again. From the same crew as Happy's on Aston Quay, the bar and restaurant in Dublin 1 has a menu we'd struggle to choose from, including a black pudding and thyme battered sausage, bacon and cabbage arancini, and a hot fish sandwich with jalapeño tartar and pink pickles. Their cheese and onion fries with Cashel Blue crema, pickled and crispy onions also got special mention. We've got dinner for four at Juno to give away this month, with a €50 bar tab so you can dive into their cocktails and craft beers too. 3) A €100 voucher For Okky New opening Okky on Aungier Street (formerly Lucky Tortoise ) is Ireland's first Okonomiyaki bar. As well as the Japanese savoury cabbage pancake, they serve tamagoyoki (Japanese omelette), gyoza and sides, with recipes coming from their Japanese chef Haru, whose grandparents were one of the first Japanese people to bring Okonomiyaki to Brazil in the 1960s. They're hoping to add more unique Japanese dishes like Omurice and Onigiri to the menu in the future, but for now they've given us a €100 voucher so that one of our Insiders can visit and try it all. 4) A table for two at Café en Seine's FORAGED dinner Café en Seine is hosting a special FORAGED dinner with Glendalough Irish Gin on Friday 2nd June, and we're sending one of our Insiders off with a guest to experience three courses of wild and foraged foods from head chef Stephen Gibson. They'll be paired with carefully curated gin cocktails from Glendalough, whose gin is made using wild botanicals collected by their full-time forager. Tickets are €58pp (excluding booking fee), with two sittings at 17:30 and 20:30, and can be bought here . 5) Dinner for four with drinks from Kinara Group Now in its 22nd year of business, the Kinara Group comprises three of Dublin's leading Pakistani and Eastern restaurants - Kinara Clontarf , Kinara Kitchen in Ranelagh , and Kajjal in Malahide , and their early bird is one of the best ways to experience maximum flavour for minimal spend. At €29.95 a head for three courses, it's available from 4pm to 7pm every Wednesday and Thursday, and we've got an early bird table for four to give away including two cocktails each, worth €220. 6) A 'Best of Bakestone' hamper Bakestone Café & Pantry in Cork (Carrigtwohill and Fota House) have just celebrated 10 years in business, offering an all-day menu with a focus on high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients, in their buttermilk pancakes, French toast, salads and quiches. The ' Bakehouse Pan try ' sells products from over 150 Irish producers, as well as homemade chutneys, jams, pickles and relishes, and we've got a hamper full of Bakestone treats worth over €100 to give away this month including their brand new coffee blend with Badger & Dodo - Common Grounds . 7) A Cool Hand Coffee Class For Two Cool Hand Coffee Roasters now have three locations in Dublin to discover coffee from around the globe, explore flavours, and create your own bespoke blends, and they've just launched three new coffee workshops, perfect for beginners. Their ‘Brewing’, ‘Latte Art’ and ‘Roasting’ classes (€50 - €75) are a mix of facts and hands on experience, and are a great grounding in all things coffee. Workshops are on every Saturday at 12pm in their Baggot Street location (places can be booked here ) and this month one of our Insiders is going to win a class of their choice for them and a friend, plus coffee to take home. 8) An Urban Brewing x Estrella Galicia tasting menu for two Urban Brewing is teaming up with Estrella Galicia for a tasting menu featuring local, seasonal ingredients cooked by head chef Dan Keane (see the menu here ), paired with Estrella Galicia beers, including some special bottles you might not have come across before. The dinner takes place on Saturday 27th May from 18.30, priced at €65 for all food and drinks, and tickets can be bought here , but we've got two to give away to one lucky Insider this month. 9) Two Tickets to The Corkscrew's Sauvignon Blanc Showdown On Monday 12th of June, The Corkscrew are holding a " Sauvignon Showdown, Loire Valley V New World " wine tasting, upstairs in Amuri restaurant. They'll be pitting Sancerres and Pouilly Fumés from the Loire Valley against some of South Africa, New Zealand and Napa Valley's best, and it will be up to the tasters to award points and crown the champion. It starts at 18:30 and tickets (€55) can be bought here or over the phone, but we've got two to give away, so if you're a Sauv Blanc fan cross your fingers. Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders for May (new and old) will be automatically entered into the prize draw - you don't need to do anything. If you're not signed up yet join here before midnight on Wednesday 17th May. You'll be supporting independent content in Dublin and beyond, and be able to get answers to all of your burning questions about eating out, here and abroad, directly from us.

Even though we're still in "the hungry gap" and summer crops aren't quite ready, we're seriously impressed by the amount of colour and invention going into Dublin dishes right now. Woodruff baked Alaska, buffalo chicken focaccia, asparagus and Young Buck galettes - here are the five things we most want to eat this week... 1) ' The Buffalo Gal' Focaccia, Bread Man Walking Gerry Godley is bringing the wings/hot sauce/blue cheese trifecta to a focaccia, and we could not be more excited. Bread Man Walking 's 'Buffalo Gal' sees sourdough foccacia get a foundation of Frank's hot sauce before going into the oven, with marinated chicken thigh and cherry tomato shoved into the nooks and crannys. After coming out there's more Frank’s and blue cheese two ways - a crema and some Cashel Blue. Scallions, Maldon salt, celery seed and shards of crispy chicken skin finish it (and us) off. On the menu now. 2) Bibimbap arancini, Space Jaru It's the Korean/Italian fusion food we never knew we needed. Space Jaru are taking their bulgogi beef, adding some nori and pecorino, and turning it into their version of arancini with a gochujang relish. Clever. 3) Asparagus and Young Buck galette, Elliot's There's a new galette on the bench in Elliot's in Phibsborough. It's got new season asparagus, McNally Farm rainbow chard, herby béchamel, Young Buck and Coolcush cheeses, pea shoots and three cornered leek flowers. Almost ALMOST too pretty to eat. 4) Ryan's rhubarb & woodruff Baked Alaska, Woodruff Woodruff in Stepaside love to use their namesake in dishes - the sweet herb with flavours of vanilla, cardamom, and cinnamon - and the latest is in this rhubarb baked Alaska. We generally can't get enough rhubarb or baked Alaska, so there are a lot of boxes being ticked here. 5) Rhubarb and blood orange panna cotta , Fallon & Byrne We did say we can't get enough rhubarb. Fallon & Byrne 's have just added this dish to their dining room menu of pink rhubarb and yogurt panna cotta with blood orange, poached rhubarb and jelly, confit zest and citrus shortbread. We NEED.

We’re reliably informed that summer is just right round the corner - not that you'd know it lately - and we’re already making plans for those long evenings of BBQs and bottles in the great outdoors. It’s the time of year when the city really comes to life, no more so than in the food and drink scene, so here’s our rundown of some of the best events taking place over the summer months. Cinco de Mayo (5th - 7th May) This annual big bash as it’s come to be celebrated might be more of a Mexican-American invention than a strictly traditional thing, but we’ll take any excuse to indulge in a ton of tacos. Firebyrd in Ranelagh have a special two for €5 deal on the day itself with the same pricing on bottles of Corona, while across the river Kalabasa Market is throwing a free but ticketed big bash with karaoke, food and drink on Sunday night. There's also a party in All Good Wine Bar on Friday night with the talented folks from El Milagro dishing up the tacos. Whiskey Live Dublin (19th - 20th May) The Celtic Whiskey Shop’s celebration of all things Irish whiskey returns to the RDS in mid-May. Whiskey Live ’s exhibitor list is a who’s-who of the Irish distillery scene, along with international appearances from as far afield as China and India. Taste the latest releases, tag along to a masterclass, or try out a whiskey cocktail at any of the dozens of stands. There are afternoon and evening session tickets available for both Friday and Saturday at €40 a head, and all samples as well as bottled water are included, so you can really do the rounds. Moldova Uncorked (24th May) A great opportunity to get a taste of some lesser-seen wines, Moldova Uncorked brings over 50 of the country’s diverse bottles to the Camden Court Hotel for this event. The Moldovan Embassy is on a mission to promote its native grape varieties and the sustainable viticulture practices gaining ground across the country, and at just €15 a ticket this might be one of the best-value tastings of the summer. Best of the Summer Wine (1st and 15th June) Need some inspiration for BBQ season drinks? Neighbourhood Wine will take care of that. Their summer tastings - June 1st in the Arnotts store and 15th in Churchtown - are a showcase of their favourite seasonal styles, from fizz right through to chilled reds. Tickets might seem a touch steep at €50 a head, but with the range and quality of wine in stock here, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to get your money’s worth. Taste of Dublin (15th - 18th June) The capital’s flagship food festival Taste of Dublin is back in the Iveagh Gardens this June, with some of the city’s best restaurants setting up camp to cook a range of their signature dishes. Among those so far announced are Bahay, Bar Italia, Hakkahan and Dosa Dosa, while guest chefs giving demos in the masterclass kitchen include Jordan Bailey, Kevin Burke and Trisha Lewis. There’s four ticket tiers with a price range from €17 to €62, and yes you'll probably complain about it afterwards, but you're still going to go. Summer Foraging Walk (16th July) Just a short skip over the county boundary to Meath is Sonairte , the National Ecology Centre, whose visitor eco-centre with a walled organic garden and nature trail is a great spot for a day out any time of year. This July they’re offering a summer foraging walk , hosted by Rerooting the Future and focused on all the best natural seasonal produce to be found in the wild. Tickets are €20 and can be purchased here . Eatyard Crisp Festival (20th - 23rd July) Surely one of the more niche entries on the food festival calendar, Eatyard at the Bernard Shaw’s annual Crisp Festival is back at the end of July. With eccentric events including blind tastings and sandwich making contests, it’s an ideal day out for the crisp-obsessed among you for just €10 a ticket. Not a fan? Firstly, who hurt you; secondly, you can sample a lot more at the Eatyard Motel 's “summer dining experience” every other weekend throughout the season. The Big Grill (17th - 20th August) We’re still a few weeks out from the announcement of the lineup for this year’s Big Grill , but on the strength of the last few years it’s worth grabbing an early bird ticket now. The annual event sees some major names in international cooking descend on D4 alongside plenty of local talent trying their hand at cooking over fire. Wander the stalls, drop by the “Bastecamp” demo stage, or test your mettle at an eating contest - either way, come hungry. Different ticket tiers available ranging from €20 to €40 are available here . Rumbullion (2nd - 4th June) / Tequila Town (4th - 6th August) Wigwam are paying tribute to two of their favourite spirits over the summer with their Rumbullion and Tequila Town festivals in June and August. The jam-packed schedules include events like drink-and-draw, drag brunches, cocktail competitions and mixing masterclasses, with Rumbullion offering a dining in the dark (& stormy) blind tasting menu that sounds like a messy blast. General admission tickets are €10 and include a cocktail to kick things off, and the blind tasting is €50. Did we miss any great upcoming food events? Let us know by emailing info@allthefood.ie.

Date night. We all love it. Whether you want to impress a new love match, recapture the magic of life before kids, or ensure it's known that you're still making the effort, sometimes a romantic restaurant is necessary to set the scene, but food is always numero uno at ATF so no red-draped, candle-lit, rubbish food serving establishments may apply. Luckily, we’re in no shortage of cosy, dimly lit spots in Dublin city, where the food is incredible, the wine is top notch, and the acoustics are just right, with enough chatter to not feel like everyone around you can hear everything you’re saying (very important). Here are some of our top picks for date night in Dublin City Centre... (We're also big fans of the solo date, perfect for when you want to bask in that main character energy. See some of our favourite solo dining spots here . Amuri, Dublin 2 Relatively new on the scene, Sicilian restaurant Amuri opened last summer, tucked away on Chatham Street just above The Corkscrew wine shop – all you’ll see from the outside is a doorway with the restaurant’s name painted on Sicilian-looking tiles. If you’re looking to reminisce about that romantic trip to Sicily, this is the place to do it, with specialty ingredients like Red Tuna Bottarga, olive oil and pasta imported from top Sicilian producers. It's an authentic experience that we think you’ll fall in ‘amuri’ with. (It's also this week's Once Over - read it here ). Frank's, Dublin 2 The natural wine bar serving small plates on Camden Street is the perfect location for the informal dates that don’t require the full-blown three courses, but still feel special. Most importantly, Frank’s serves great food and wine, from couple David Bradshaw (chef) and Katie Seward (wine and front of house). You’ll join a communal table for your small plates from a regularly changing menu, and Frank’s is walk-in only, so ideal if you've been put in charge of booking and left it a little too late. Fish Shop, Smithfield A go-to restaurant for industry folk for quite some time, Fish Shop on Benburb Street gets it all right. Our favourite thing to do is order everything on the snacks and shellfish menu – the gilda and anchovies and russian salad are musts – but you’ve got your also got your pick of the beer battered catch of the day, with a choice of fish like hake, haddock, plaice or brill. It’s a cosy place with bar-style seating so be sure to reserve a table, and with some great bars close by ( Fidelity is a few steps away), and its proximity to the Lighthouse Cinema in Smithfield, it’s a great option for a movie, dinner and drinks night. Terra Madre, Dublin 1 Nestled in the basement of a Bachelor’s Walk building, Terra Madre feels like stepping back in time to a traditional Southern Italian trattoria. The restaurant is what you might call intimate, with only space for around 15 or so diners, and it's a great setting for authentic Italian dishes and decent wines. The menu features antipasti, primi piattis of great quality pasta dishes, and secondi featuring wild boar and slow cooked beef cheeks, with a choice or two or three desserts. The ravioli del ‘Plin’ (handmade pasta from the Piedmont region, made using a traditional technique known as ‘Plin’ or ‘the pinch’) with black and truffle and cheese fondue is one of our go-to orders, and we reckon it will be yours too once you've tasted it. La Maison, Dublin 2 Nothing says romance quite like a French restaurant – one of our favourites in the city has to be La Maison , the French brasserie on Castle Market. In the summer there’s outdoor dining, but it’s also a cosy restaurant setting for those dark winter evenings when only a hearty French meal like confit duck paired with a good Pinot Noir will do. There’s lots of traditional dishes to choose from here, including Coquilles St Jacques, Coq au Vin, and a 30oz Côte de boeuf for two, if you’re sharing. You’re also perfectly located right next to Grogan’s for that pre or post-dinner drink, when you don't want the night to end. Piglet, Dublin 2 Wine-bar/restaurant Piglet on Cow’s Lane feels just the right distance from the hubbub of the city without being too far removed, and their wine list is a so-called ‘carefully selected mess’ of natural, biodynamic and organic wines alongside classic European picks. Seating indoors or at the bar is an ideal option for date nights on chillier evenings, and their outdoor terrace complete with heaters is a great spot year round. There’s a set two or three course menu, or you can go à la carte, and the food has a Mediterranean influence - but we're really there for the wine. Lock's, Portobello Be sure to ask for a table overlooking the canal on your next date night at Portobello restaurant Lock’s . It's always a solid choice for creative fine dining with the best Irish ingredients, with dishes like Guinness and treacle bread with cultured butter; hash browns with dulse seaweed, cod's roe and shallot; Castletownbere scallops with preserved sea buckthorn; and saddle of Sika deer with ‘bratwurst’ boudin. A stroll down the canal post-dinner on a summer’s evening would be the ideal ending. Library Street, Dublin 2 Located on Setanta Place, adjacent to Kildare Street, Library Street has been one of the most sought after tables in town since it opened. Try the choux buns with horseradish and Cantabrian anchovies, crispy stuffed chicken wings, and Paris Brest with stout, yuzu and espresso. It's the perfect way to round off a cultural day-date with your other half if you’ve been enjoying the National Library, National Museum or Gallery, all within a hair’s breadth of the restaurant. Note, Dublin 2 Buzzy wine bar/bistro Note will definitely deliver for date night – tables for two are against the window, and the warm wooden paneling and relaxed room setting give us serious Copenhagen vibes. Note serves top quality bistro style dishes, and their wine list is next-level. They’ve also had some very interesting pop ups including welcoming the Wildair + Contra team from NYC for a six course tasting menu, and Irish chef and author of the Ómós Digest Cuan Greene for another. Fallon & Byrne's Wine Cellar The basement of upmarket food hall Fallon & Byrne on Exchequer Street is the perfect candlelit location for a romantic rendezvous. Its walls are lined with over 200 of wines from around the world, so you’re guaranteed to find something you both like. Even better if your date night lands on a Sunday - there’s just €1 corkage from Sunday to Tuesday which is some of the best wine value in the city. For food there’s a good selection of charcuterie, pastas, pizzas and desserts to nibble on. Etto, Dublin 2 You'll be hard pressed to find a list of best restaurants in Dublin that doesn’t include Etto , but this Italian/Irish bistro with a stellar wine list is always top of our minds for a cosy date night too. With relatively limited capacity for seating, you can nab a table for two or bar-seating and definitely make sure to book well in advance because it's as popular as ever. You may not leave without ordering their signature of red wine prunes with vanilla mascarpone dessert – two spoons please. La Gordita, Dublin 2 Newcomer La Gordita is our latest entry for date night dining. From the people behind Las Tapas De Lola , La Gordita is like their sophisticated older, cooler sister who always wears great jackets you want to steal. Pick a table for two or bar seating, with some in the front offering great people watching out onto Montague Street. Pitched as Spanish ‘bodega style’, it’s more a place to really get settled into a three-course meal (and they stipulate that you must order a main so unfortunately you can't just gorge on tapas), and we loved the pan con ajo (their version of garlic bread), and the fried aubergine with sugar cane honey. Bastible, Dublin 8 Dublin 8’s Bastible is contemporary Irish dining at its best and has been one of Dublin’s most in demand restaurants since it opened its doors in 2015. Since earning a Michelin star in 2022, it’s also been even harder to get a table, so this is for a special date night that requires a bit of advance planning, but it will be worth it. Offering a five course tasting menu, complete with snacks and petit fours, it’s substantial and delicious in equal measure, with a strong Irish influence. D'Olier Street, Dublin 2 If you’re looking for fine dining in Dublin city centre, in a beautiful setting but without the fuss, D’Olier Street should be high on your list. It feels special without being serious, the ten-course tasting menu features incredible breads and desserts from a renowned, formerly New York based pastry chef, and the restaurant happens to be in D’Olier Chambers - one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, in our humble opinion. Bar Italia, Dublin 1 The god-tier carbonara will have us coming back to Bar Italia again and again, and for a cosy date night grab a table by the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking Millennium Bridge. Its chiefly Roman-staffed kitchen has been really bringing the goods for the past year, with top quality house-made pasta, pinsas (Roman pizza) with 72-hour fermented dough, and an extensive wine list. You’re also only a short walk to Bar 1661 where you can enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail in a very romantic (and award-winning) setting. From Bar 1661 to Bar Italia - that’s our kind of bar-hopping. Margadh RHA, Dublin 2 The newest addition to the Mamó empire (also a great date-night spot in the 'burbs), Margadh RHA is located in the RHA Gallery on Ely Place (the clue is in the name). It's a wonderful way to round off a cultural date spent checking out the latest exhibition, and following your meal you can take a little stroll around Stephen’s Green to walk it off. The tasting menu is some of the best value in town, and the wine list is a joy. Uno Mas, Dublin 2 Etto ’s Spanish sister, and also a permanent resident on those best restaurant in Dublin lists, Uno Mas is a top-tier date night choice, with some of the best counter-dining in town. All the Spanish favourites are here to choose from – gildas, padron peppers, that tortilla, Morcilla Ibérica, and their flan de queso (even if you don’t think you like flan, you’ll like this) is cult-status level at this stage. One Pico, Dublin 2 This is old school dining with a distinctly French flair, all in a warmly lit setting with crisp white tablecloths and plush seating. One Pico on Molesworth Place is Dublin institution-level at this stage, but with new head chef Zhan Sergejev taking the reins in 2022, it’s been given a new lease of life. The food looks as skillfully produced as ever, and it's clear the kitchen is aiming for Michelin star level food. Pickle, Dublin 2 Camden Street’s Pickle is our go-to for great Indian food that feels elevated and sophisticated, and is a solid date-night option as long as your other half doesn't mind spice. This is vibrant, authentic North Indian food packed with freshness and flavour, with dishes like tandoori guinea fowl, goat keema and wild boar vindaloo. Head chef and owner Sunil Ghai is one of the foremost Indian chefs in Ireland, and has the awards and legions of fans to prove it. A Fianco, Stoneybatter Next door to Grano (another great spot for a romantic date night – but we thought we’d give their wine bar a nod this time), A Fianco is an Italian-only wine bar serving small plates from caponata to Calabrian-style anchovies, and 40-month aged red cow Parmigiano. It’s a cosy spot, with just 16 seats, or you can pitch up at one of the standing areas. A Fianco (meaning ‘next to’) takes bookings for their counter or window space, so be sure to reserve a table in advance. What's your favourite date spot in Dublin with great food and wine? Let us know by emailing info@allthefood.ie.

When we think of holidays in France we usually think of a food and wine filled weekend in Paris, lounging around by the sea in Nice or Biarritz, maybe a Michelin-starred city break in Lyon, but unless you're an avid skiier the chances are you probably haven't considered venturing to the Savoie, just over the border from Switzerland at the base of the Alps. Here you'll find Alpine towns like Grenoble, Annecy, and Aix-les-Bains (called the riviera of the Alps), and cuisines spanning French (from Burgundian escargot to juicy Côte de boeuf), Swiss (all the fondue) and Italian (freshly made pasta and pizza in every town - you'll be less than two hours from the Italian border everywhere you go). Here's where we went, and what we ate, on one of the best food trips we've ever taken... Chambéry We were based in the countryside (there's lots of it around here) and our closest town was Chambéry, a 15-minute drive away. It's a typically quaint French town, with loads of restaurants, shops and a market to pick up groceries, as well as museums and historical monuments, including the former home of the writer Jean Jacques Rousseau. Marché Des Halles, Chambéry The central market in Chambéry is open from 07:00 - 12:00 Tuesday - Saturday, and while not as sprawling as some city markets, it has everything you'll need for self-catering, including fresh French vegetables, meat, fish, terrines, and more local cheeses than you can imagine exist. Boulangerie Hexagone, Chambéry One thing you won't have to look far for in Chambéry (or France in general) is bread, pastries and patisserie. Bakeries seem to be on every corner, but we recommend a stop at the seven-day operation Bourlangerie Hexagone , for sandwiches on freshly baked bread, Marie-Antoinette brioche buns, and creamy tonka bean flans. Don't miss "the Brexit" - ham, egg and cheese in a buttery croissant-type pastry, and the display cabinet is also filled with pizzas to eat in or take home. There are a few seats outside, and serviceable coffee if you want to sit and eat, and it's a great one to have in your back pocket if you haven't made a lunch reservation, because restaurants fill up fast around here and most will wave you away if you haven't booked in advance. La Mezcla, Chambéry Rustic bar and bistrot La Mezcla specialises in no fuss cooking at prices that can't be argued with. A set two course lunch is €18, with three courses €22, and the short menu isn't lacking in interest. We loved the cream of leek soup with two pieces of blue cheese flan sat in the middle, the "butcher's piece" steak with chips and mushroom sauce, and the chestnut and chocolate meringue for dessert. Staff are charming and happy to speak English, the place is busy and buzzy, and the wines were good too. They don't have a website or online booking so call to make a reservation. Italoria, Saint-Alban-Leysse Things we were told about Italoria , the restaurant in the Hôtel L'Or du Temps, a 15 minute drive from Chambéry: "They don't take reservations." "Get there at 12pm or you won't get a table." We lucked out with a very dull and rainy day, so showing up delayed (and panicked) at 12:30 resulted in success, and much sighs of relief as we had no back up plan. At only an hour and 20 minutes from Italy, at the base of the Bauges Massif, it's as close as you can get to the real deal without crossing the border. Fresh pasta, pizza, Roman pinsas, risotto, meat and fish dishes are all on the menu, with daily specials, and a deep-fried burrata salad that was a revelation - why have we never seen this before! Get the pinsa with minced beef and mustard cream, the fettucine with duck ragu, and a glass of Montepulciano to wash it all down. Cedric Pernot @ Au Fidèle Berger, Chambéry Part patisserie, part chocolate shop, part historical monument , Au Fidèle Berger is the oldest shop in Chambéry and has been a pastry shop since 1832. P âtissier Cedric Pernot moved in in 2011, and his creations will have your head spinning from side to side from the second you walk in. Entrements, petit gâteaux, macarons, chocolates, pâte de fruits - if you don't walk out of here laden down with boxes and bags we'll be worried about you. Les Caves Du Château, Chambéry Chambéry has more quality wine shops than you'd expect in a town of its size, and local Savoie wines proudly take centre stage everywhere. Les Caves Du Château specialises in the natural variety (our favourite), and lovely staff are only too happy to tell you about their favourites. Try local white grapes J acquère and Altesse, or the local red M ondeuse, or treat yourself to some grower Champagne at relatively (in comparison to Ireland) knockdown prices. Le Fournil de Victor, Chambéry A bakery on the outskirts of town that's worth getting in the queue for is Le Fournil de Victor , famous for Tarte Tatins, raspberry tarts and lemon meringue pies (in small and large versions), and you're going to want one of each. Freshly baked bread is cut to order, and while savoury options are limited to quiche and rectangular tartes topped with lardons, onions, tomatoes and cheese, everything in here is achingly good, and you will definitely eat too much of it. Aix-les-Bains The "Riviera of the Alps", beautiful waterside town Aix-les-Bains sits alongside t he Lac du Bourget, France's biggest natural lake. In summer the lake is a hive of swimming, sailing, rowing, wake surfing, boat trips, pedal boats and fishing, but all year you'll find Alpine walkers and cyclists taking in the fresh mountain air. Le Philybert, Aix-les-Bains There are no shortage of restaurants in the region serving 'specialités Savoyardes', and Le Philybert on the town's main road is one place to go if you want fondue, tartiflette (potatoes, lardons and local Reblochon cheese) and escargot de Bourgogne in garlic butter. It's the only place we came across serving fondue for one (it's usually for two minimum), and it's also a steakhouse so expect burgers, beef tartare and a variety of meat cuts, from bavette to entrecôte. The outdoor seats are the ones to nab if the sun's shining. Momo Maisonnette Takeaway only (we discovered to our dismay, then quickly recovered when we tasted the food) Momo Maisonnette is the Vietnamese eatery in town. You'll find the dishes you love like Bun Cha, Pho and summer rolls, as well as ones you might not like Mi-Xao and Pho-Xao (both noodle dishes), and everything is prepared completely fresh in front of you, so there might be a bit of a wait. Less fast food, more slow food to eat on the go, and a perfect stop on the way to or from Geneva airport. Grenoble European Green Capital 2022 , Grenoble has been described as an "exemplary metropolis", taking sustainability, respect for the environment and well-controlled development of the city very seriously. But apart from all of that, it's just a stunning place to walk around, with some seriously good food to boot. Don't miss taking the cable cars up to the Bastille for some of the best views imaginable - but skip the food up here. L'Ardoise, Grenoble L'Ardoise is that perfect bistro you fantasise about when you think about going to France. Customers talk animatedly in red leather-backed booths, the menus are all on blackboards, and the service is upbeat and trés efficient. When it comes to the food? This was the best meal we had in France. We're still scratching our heads over how this bone marrow could taste infinitely better than any we've had before, how they can do a three-course lunch including a Côte de boeuf and chips for €36, and how they can make biscuit, pineapple jam and pear mousse look exactly like a real pear. L'Ardoise was faultless in our book, and if we'd had enough time there would have been a second, third, maybe a fourth visit. Bonnat Chocolatier, Grenoble Sometimes you just need a hot chocolate, and when the craving strikes head for Bonnat Chocolatier . Pick from 65%, 75% or 100% chocolate, with options to add Chartreuse liquor or Chantilly cream. One pot is easily big enough for two, and there's plenty of chocolate to take home as a souvenir. Super Ravioli, Grenoble If you're cooking in and need a break from traditional French food, head to Super Ravioli for freshly filled pastas, arancini and sauces, as well as Italian cheeses and charcuterie. The burrata and lemon stuffed mezza luna are the pasta to beat, but it's all good in here. Maison Bochard, Grenoble Chocolate shop Maison Bochard are famous for their chocolate covered mandarins and orange slices, but the choices of obscenely expensive chocolates and patisserie extend well beyond those two options. Saying that, you really don't want to skip those mandarins and orange slices, you'll be throwing your money at them for more. Annecy Picture-perfect Annecy, often called "the Venice of France" because of its canals, seems to be kept secret by people who've visited - we had more than a few messages scolding us for broadcasting about it to the people of Ireland. Dramatic mountains rise up behind Lake Annecy (famous for its ultra clean waters), it's a cyclist, hiker and water sport enthusiasts' dream, and we can't even begin to imagine how busy it gets here in the height of tourist season, so visiting off peak is definitely the way to go. Ying Ba, Annecy French and Vietnamese cuisine have longtime links since France occupied Vietnam in the 1800's, so expect to find much of each cuisine in the others' country. Sometimes in France you've had enough steak, terrines and soufflés and are in desperate need of something fresher and lighter, and that's where somewhere like Ying Ba comes in. Order your nem, pho or bun cha at a screen, take a buzzer, then wait till it goes off. It's fast, it's inexpensive, and it's one of the few place you won't need a reservation for lunch. Phew. Par Faim Bio Glacier, Annecy Annecy seems to have more ice-cream shops than people, but if you're looking for something a bit more pure, Par Faim Bio 's ice-creams are organic and freshly made in front of you. Just pick your fruit, pick your size and the owner will turn it into a refreshing cold dessert as if by magic. These are definitely more on the sorbet than the creamy side, but if it's the latter you're looking for... Les Glacier des Alpes, Annecy This ice-cream hatch on one of Annecy's medieval streets wasn't just the best ice-cream we tried in France, it's some of the best ice-cream we've tried ever. We dove on it and devoured it so fast we forgot to take a picture, and then had to go back up and order more (and forgot to take a picture of that too, we were practically hypnotised at that point). Chocolate, salted caramel, mango - it was all better than ice-cream should legally be allowed to taste, and if you visit one place in Annecy make it this one. Getting there We found flights for around €130 per person via Aer Lingus to Geneva and drove from there, but Swiss fly there too and can be cheaper depending on the dates. Another option is to fly to Lyon and cram in a few Michelin-starred lunches and dinners - which doesn't sound like a bad alternative.

What should we know about Yang Guo Fu? Serving up malatang, a popular street food which derives its name from the spicy numbing sensation of its Sichuan and chilli pepper sauce, Yang Guo Fo has the same same as the 6,000-strong international franchise, but despite some initial confusion, it apparently has no connection to the original Chinese brand - coincidence or copy you decide. A little bit like a faster and less communal answer to hot pot, malatang usually uses a pay-by-weight system where punters fill up a bowl with ingredients and hand it over to be cooked in a bone broth and finished in the distinctively fiery mala sauce. They quietly cropped up on Marlborough Street earlier this year (with no website or social channels), and after hearing some approving noises from the Chinese diaspora, we had to give it a look. What should we have? The world, or Yang Guo Fu at least, is your oyster. Though oysters are one of the few things you won’t find among the 40-plus options laid out here. On arrival you’ll get a friendly word of intro from staff to assure you that malatang is something very special and walk you through what you need to do. Don’t be shy about asking what everything is - the container labelling is wildly inconsistent and there are plenty of things more squeamish eaters will want to know about before popping it into their bowl. Your mixture will be charged at €3.80 per 100g, so canny diners can skew toward the lighter ingredients for a cheaper meal. The buffet starts with a variety of leafy greens like spinach, pak choi, broccoli and Chinese cabbage alongside six kinds of house noodles. If you want to add in the packaged chicken-flavoured instant noodles from the baskets up top (the staff will keenly urge you to do so) we advise passing on the others to leave room for some of the more interesting ingredients. Chief among those are the mushrooms, like white fungus, wood ear and the distinctive enoki, and meats from safe bets like mini sausages and spam to adventurous options like stomach, tripe, and curdled pig’s blood (we warned you). Plenty of varieties of tofu and rice cake are available too, and seafood spans fish balls, crab sticks, and several types of squid. Once you’ve finished, hand over the bowl and select your spice level before weighing in and paying up. When it’s ready just a few minutes later, you can tweak the taste at a condiment station with sugar, satay, chiles and vinegars. Why should I go? There’s a huge variety of possible combinations here and no two bowls will taste exactly alike - for our part we found it a deeply soothing meal we can imagine playing all the better on a cold winter's day. It’s ideal to add a little of everything you’re comfortable with, not only to try a wide variety but also to enjoy the fun of finding something new to explore in every ladle. Our top tips are to try a few fish balls, don’t skimp on the seaweed, and definitely stick with just one kind of noodle, but at Yang Guo Fu it’s all about doing your own thing and putting your own twist on a real Chinese street food experience you won't find anywhere else in Dublin. Yang Guo Fu 27 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1