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February's monthly 9 giveaway is here! And it's another killer line up, with overnight stays, whopper bar tabs and the chance to try some of the city's best food right now - for free. Our nine monthly giveaways is one of the ways we thank our subscribers for letting us do what we do, with no #ad, #collab or #invite in sight. Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders by midnight on Friday 17th February will be entered into the draw, and winners will be picked and notified on Saturday 18th February. Here's this month's line up... 1) An Overnight Stay In Belfast To Celebrate Belfast Restaurant Week If you haven't been to Belfast recently, what have you been doing with your weekends? On a recent trip we had major decision-making anxiety about whether to do brunch in Neighbourhood or Established Coffee , lunch in Roam or Home , and if decision making isn't your forté either, heading up during Belfast Restaurant Week is the best way to try as many places as possible. From Monday 20th - Sunday 26th February, almost 50 of Belfast's restaurants have signed up to offer a £10 lunch and a £20 dinner , with others offering specials like a £10 breakfast at Stock and a £22.50 three-course menu at The Waterman (both high on our list of places to eat). You'll find offers across the city, and the famous St George's Market will host cooking demos at the weekend. We've bagged an overnight stay at The Clayton Hotel for one of you with B&B plus dinner, so you can start getting your teeth into Belfast's food scene, either next week or whenever suits. Check out participating restaurants and menus for Belfast Restaurant Week here . 2) Dinner For Two At Bar Italia With Wine Pairings We fell hard for Bar Italia recently, visiting twice before giving you the lowdown on their Roman pizzas, giant plates of risotto and what might be the best Carbonara in the country (wear loose pants). We can't wait to send one of you in for a three course meal for two with wine pairings. Our advice? Go for the specials (and the Carbonara, obvs). 3) A €250 Bar Tab For Kodiak, Rathmines If you read our two minute review of Kodiak in Rathmines, you'll know we think it's one of the most exciting bar openings in the city in a while. These guys are just getting it all right, and plenty of others should be taking notes. We've got a whopper €250 bar tab for one of you this month, and if there was ever an excuse to work your through their exhilarating beer list, original cocktails and premium pizzas, it's this gift from the bar Gods. See what Kodiak are up to on Instagram here . 4) 'D Big Lime' Caribbean Feast From AA Caribbean AA Caribbean have brought their 'Rum Parlour' to Bow Lane Social until the 11th of March, serving Trinidad meat patties, chargrilled gambas with homemade pepper sauce, and Scorpion butter wings, alongside Caribbean cocktails like rum punch. They've given us a sharing feast ('D Big Lime') big enough to feed 3-4 very hungry people, with gambas, patties, chicken, fresh sides and loads more, and one of you will be very popular with your friends if you win this one. 5) A Three-Course Meal With A Bottle Of Wine At Lottie's, Rathmines Lottie's in Rathmines is due to open at the end of the month (where Lenehan's used to be), with Ted Ostache (ex-head chef at Mister S ) heading up the kitchen. Quite the hire. They're aiming to be a neighbourhood joint with great wine and cocktails, and it's the second opening for Valence Hospitality, owned by Domini Kemp and Brian Montague, who also opened Nancy Hands a few months ago. We're sending one of you straight in for a thee-course meal with wine, and we expect a full report. 6) Four 'Whole Shebang' Tickets Worth €200 For 'Me Auld Flower' Festival There's an exciting new Irish food and drink festival coming to Dublin this spring and we've got four tickets to give away to one lucky ATF Insider . Kicking off next month's St Patrick’s weekend festivities in Dublin on Thursday 16th March, Me Aul Flower food and drink festival will take place over four days in the historic, Victorian fruit, vegetable and flower market on the city’s northside. The new festival is aiming to bring the best of Ireland together with a modern take, focusing on Irish food and drink culture, with restaurants, chefs, producers, distillers, brewers and makers under one roof. Our winner and three of their friends will miss nothing with four Whole Shebang tickets , which permits access to all of the six sessions over the four day festival lineup, which also includes live demonstrations, talks, DJs and live music. Visit: meauldflower.com for more information and tickets. 7) A Copy Of Soup And Every Cookbook From Blasta Books Independent publisher Blasta Books have just published the newest addition to their recipe book series - ' Soup ', by Blanca Valencia, Dee Laffan and Mei Chin (there's a great feature by Katy McGuinness in the Irish Independent about it here ). There are three more books to come this year - ' Tapas ' by Anna Cabrera and Vanessa Murphy (Las Tapas De Lola), ' Wasted ' by chef Conor Spacey, and ' Masarap ' by Richie Castillo and Alex O’Neill (Bahay), and we've got one of every book in the series to give away to one of you this month, as well as a "Well read & well fed" tote bag. Follow Blasta Books on Instagram here . 8) Food & Drinks For Four From Benjamin's Hot Chicken & The Vintage Inn Benjamin's have brought their Nashville Hot Chicken (and softshell crab buns, and prawn po' boys) to The Vintage Inn in Ringsend, giving you yet another reason to visit. A few more are the fact that they're dog-friendly, have a great outdoor space, show all the big sports games, and have a live DJ playing disco every Saturday night. We've got dinner and drinks for four to give away to one of you this month, up to the value of €160, and we think you're going to have a very good time. 9) A €100 Voucher For Graft Coffee South Dublin has a brand new speciality coffee shop. Graft has just opened in Deansgrange, from three 24-year-old friends (two of whom worked for a coffee roaster for two years), brewing Carrow Coffee from Sligo, with pastries from Medialuna and treats from Thyme Out in Dalkey. Savoury options including sausage rolls and sandwiches are coming in the next few weeks. They've been trying to open their own café since before Covid, and they've finally done it, so to celebrate they've given us a €100 voucher for Graft so you can take a gang of your nearest and dearest and give them the full once over. Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders for February will be automatically entered into the prize draw - you don't need to do anything. If you're not signed up yet join here and support independent content in Dublin and beyond, and get answers to all of your burning questions about eating out, here and abroad, directly from us.

Ireland is having a Lion King moment. You know when Simba’s dad sits him down on Pride Rock and explains that “everything the light touches is our kingdom”? Seems that a pile of Dubs have taken it literally and seem to think it applies to the Kingdom. If you’re one of the many drivers of D-reg cars setting out for a slice of life beyond the N7 in the coming weeks, here are some of the best places to eat around Kerry's top summer destinations. Dingle If you’re packing your vaccine passport, extended family, luggage, pets, and anxieties up for a week, Dingle is an excellent choice for some R&R. Rugged scenery, hidden beaches, and a buzzing artsy town means there’s lot to do, plenty of outdoor activities, and no shortage of independent places to eat. First make your way to Green Street. Start with The Fish Box ; the family-run restaurant serving the freshest seafood from their own trawler. The portions are huge and you’ll find classics like fish and chips (made from local Maharees potatoes, of course) plus loads of specials that change depending on what’s caught that day. Fish kebabs with homemade salsa, buffalo hake bites, prawn Thai red curry, fish spice boxes - we’ve never had a bum meal here. Currently operating take-away with some outdoor seating. Be warned that it gets busy so we’d recommend ordering online, and taking your food for a stroll to a nearby bench if you can’t secure a table. They also sell beer from neighbouring Dick Mack’s pub and brewery, and there’s a surprising number of vegetarian and vegan options for a seafood restaurant. Speaking of Dick Mack’s , head for the pub’s courtyard and you’ll find two food trucks - Chewy and the Beast selling wood-fired pizzas, burger, and chips, and Cáis , a toastie truck. If eating from food trucks in the back of pubs is your thing, and it totally is ours, Mex West Dingle is tucked away behind Paddy Bawn Brosnan’s and serving tacos, nachos, brunch, and daily specials with homemade salsas and sauces. They’re on a short break but back from July 20th. Next stop down the street is Bean in Dingle , a coffee shop that does their own roasting. Keep an eye out for sausage rolls with Anascaul black pudding, and lots of cakes and desserts. There’s a Bean in Killarney too. On the market for an ad-hoc picnic? We have the ultimate dream team. You’ll spot Bácús Bakery on the corner and need to go there for traditional made-from-scratch bread and some of the best baking in Munster - their cinnamon buns alone are worth the trip. What you may not spot as easily is The Little Cheese Shop that’s right behind it. Walk into the small shop and you’ll find a massive selection of Irish cheeses, charcuterie, chutneys, crackers, cultured butter, and just random, beautiful things. It’s basically a cheese tardis. At the bottom of Green Street, veer left and keep an eye out for beards and checked shirts as the coffee hipsters gather; you’ve found My Boy Blue . Great coffee, epic brunches, and excellent bakes await you inside the blue door. Across the way, you might clock Reel Dingle Fish Co. and dismiss it as just another chipper, but the sheer number of McKenna’s Guide plaques over the door will leave you in no doubt that there’s something special here. Fresh fish, proper chips, homemade tartare sauce with the John and Sally McKenna seal of approval. For lunch by the water, Out of The Blue is our favourite kind of seafood restaurant. The menu, hand-written on a blackboard, is completely dependent on what comes off the boat that day, nothing’s frozen, and you won’t find any chips. You’ll need to reserve a spot on their outside terrace, but it’s worth the planning. On Main Street Land to Sea is a Dingle institution and we predict indoor tables will be in high demand once they’re able to open fully but, until then, they’ve pivoted to a Lebanese menu for takeaway. If you’re staying in Dingle and fancy a night off from cooking, Solas Tapas is operating on a book and collect basis. Currently on a little break, they’re back from July 22nd so you have ample time to squeeze in some pulpo gallego, manchego croquettas, Pollack kiev, or Cromane oysters with mirin. Ring of Kerry and Valentia Island If the idea of a 180km drive along cliff edges and narrow, sheep-dotted, coastal routes has been on the bucket list but also terrifies you, the lack of coach tours this year might mean you have an opportunity to experience it without having to compete with buses for the limited road space. Obviously, the main draw here is the sights, but nobody can enjoy a view on an empty stomach. Killarney Poor ol’ Killarney has had a rough 18 months without the normal influx of tourists, but lots of restaurants have outdoor dining options in place, ahead of indoor dining plans, to cater to visitors and locals who are sticking around this summer. The town is packed with restaurants and pubs serving food so you’re likely to stumble upon something that interest you, but here’s a few of our favourites. You’ll see Quinlan’s fish counters and seafood takeaways dotted around the county, and their Killarney restaurant The Mad Monk is a continuation of their tide to table attitude. Currently there’s outdoor dining available on a walk-up basis. Menu is traditional (think chowder, Portmagee crab claws, lobster salad) and exceptionally well done. The Hungry Donkey , the food truck from chef Chad Byrne, has developed a really loyal following since it launched earlier this year and, having eaten pretty much everything on the menu there over the last while, we can see why. Prawn and chicken spice bags (with an option to add scallops, which is a necessity rather than an option as far as we’re concerned), proper Kielbasa hotdogs, and tacos, it’s a good call for a take-away to eat while sitting on the grass around Ross Castle. It’s also right next to an off-licence; you know what to do. The INEC venue is normally best known for Nathan Carter tours but that’s all changed. Damn you, Covid, can’t we have anything? This summer, you’ll find Eleven77 Food Bus parked outside and serving up a pretty interesting mix. There’s coffee and tea, housemade chai and bakes, but you’ll also find croissants packed with crab, lachha bread with khati chicken, smash burgers (on their holidays from Dublin), tacos, and Cubano sandwiches. Not your average food truck. At the very bottom of High Street, under a sign that has lost several of its letters, you’ll find Petite Delice , a French boulangerie and patissierie that also serves coffee. The bread is great and there are lots of sandwiches and filled rolls for lunch, but the real draw here is the pastries. We don’t care what you have to leave behind you, you will want to keep car-boot space free to bring as many home with you as possible. They also have a spot in Cahersiveen. At the time of writing, indoor dining is still not open and, given the chopping and changing that have plagued planning along the way, we don’t think anyone is sure of what July 26th will bring. Once you’ve had your full vaccines, can recite the Greek alphabet backwards, don’t mind offering-up your firstborn, and are therefore allowed to eat indoors, The Celtic Whiskey Bar and Larder is definitely one for your list. Contemporary Irish menu and an extensive drinks list, they unfortunately weren’t able to open for outdoor seating. Kenmare Possibly the jewel in the Kerry eating crown, Kenmare isn’t a huge town but it punches well above its weight when it comes to dining options. Between cafés, Lorge Chocolate , Kenmare Ice-Cream shop and lots of lovely little boutiquey shops, you’ll easily spend a day there eating and shopping exceptionally well. Before you even hit town, you can start eating. As you drive past a bright yellow and red cottage called The Strawberry Field near Moll’s gap between Killarney and Kenmare, you’ll likely do a double-take and ask yourself “did that sign say pancakes?” It certainly did and you need to take that as a sign from the pancake gods that you should pull in to a world of sweet and savoury pancakes, Dutch apple tarts, and soups. But really, you’re here for the pancakes. There’s a lovely garden outside for al fresco pancakage. Top of our list is No.35 which, unfortunately, is closed until indoor dining resumes. Until then, start planning on when you’re going to reserve your table in the cosy restaurant, and dream about when you can get your hands on locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients, and pork from their own farm. Similarly, keep an eye out for when The Lime Tree re-opens. No. 35 / The Lime Tree Thankfully open for business is Boka on Henry St. which is operating a takeaway menu and has outdoor seats. The menu is casual with a focus on seafood, burgers, salads and healthy rice bowls. Davitt’s benefits from a pretty sizeable outdoor eating area, and good food in a relaxed environment. Possibly the only place we’ve seen in Kerry lately with Jambalaya on the menu. Mulcahy’s Restaurant and Bar describes what they do as having an “emphasis on simplicity”, and that’s fine by us as “simplicity” covers crab and lobster croquettes, and brioche stuffed with lamb. Currently operating a scaled-back street menu for takeaway or outside dining, it’s a popular spot so plan to reserve a table if you want to get inside when restrictions allow. Davitt's/Mulcahy's We love Kerry and we don’t think it’s ever right to compare it to Dublin because there’s just no comparison between what a small rural town can sustain businesswise compared to a city, but if we could wave our magic wands, we’d clone Maison Gourmet and move it to Sandymount or Drury Street. Until the technology to clone cafes is invented, you’re just going to have to drive to Kenmare to stock up on breads, light lunches, and some of the best patisserie on the island. Cahersiveen As you drive through Cahersiveen, you may wonder why there's a church with picnic benches outside - you’ve found The Oratory Pizza and Wine Bar . While indoor dining is in the lovely and atmospheric old church, the grounds are a pretty lovely place to sit and watch the world go by. Pizzas range from the classic Margherita to a blue cheese and peach number. Quinlan and Cooke is a boutique townhouse with accommodation and also houses QC’s Seafood Restaurant. Head here for cocktails and outdoor dining with lots of local seafood and steaks. Currently takeaway only, Fertha Bar and restaurant has a pretty classic menu with soup, chowder, smoked salmon, and some unexpected surprises like squid puttanesca. Outdoor dining right by the water is always going to mean a battle for tables so we would recommend booking if you want to bag a table at O’Neill's, The Point . Don’t worry if you miss out, they’re doing takeaway also. As you’d expect, the menu is seafood heavy and with fresh crab, prawn pil pil, and Atlantic lobster, we wouldn’t want anything else. Valentia Public service announcement: you should not visit Kerry and skip Valentia. It’s beautiful and every turn gives you something new to take in. You will definitely need a car, though, but fitter people than us (hey, we eat for a living, do not judge) would probably break out the bikes. Cable & Co. Food Trucks is a collection of colourful trailers not too far from the waterfront and ferry (you can drive onto Valentia, but for the full experience on a sunny day, opt for the ferry from just outside Cahersiveen), selling coffees, pizza, burgers, loaded fries, hotdogs and shakes. Set your sat-navs for Valentia Ice-Cream . It’s an ice-cream shop housed on a dairy farm so super fresh and plenty of flavours, plus there’s waffles. There are little benches at the front but walk behind the shop to the end of the carpark and enjoy the best view with your dessert. Driftwood Surf Café is the restaurant that Valentia reserves - okay it's just outside Valentia in St Finian's Bay, but close enough. We stumbled upon it on a recent trip and were just blown away at so many things - the beautiful building with giant glass wall opened out to views over the bay and the Wild Atlantic Way, the morning yoga classes, some of the cutest Highland cows in the adjoining field, and the food; local, seasonal and so fresh. We loved it. There’s lots of picnic tables outside but they fill up quickly. Lunch is walk-ins only, but you can book a table for the evening menu. Just below, as you walk towards the bay, you’ll find An Bothán , their sister-trailer selling coffees, cakes, and occasionally fish and chips. Pro-tip: if you see a sign for Geokaun Mountain, follow it. It’s €6 per car to drive all the way up to the top where you have a 360° view across Dingle Bay, the Kerry mountains, Skelligs, and what feels like half of the Atlantic Ocean. At the very top, you’ll find seating areas carved into the landscape so bring a picnic.

Ummm Galway. Slow down being so great for food and drink. There we were thinking we could fit all the best spots into a weekend but how wrong were we? Very. We did our best and ate very, very well, but clearly a return trip is on the cards based on this lot. Here are six places you do not want to miss on your next trip to Galway, and if you haven't got one planned we would advise doing so as soon as financially possible. Éan Bakery + Wine Bar We had originally planned to eat in Michelin-starred Loam , but a covid case caused the restaurant to close so we ended up in their new wine bar (and weekend bakery) Éan , which was quite the consolation prize. It's headed up by Christine Walsh, formerly of Allta and before that Loam, and the industrial style space is unlike anywhere in the capital - lucky Galway. The menu is small plates heavy with one sharing dish for two, and you'll want all of it. The tomatoes with preserved lemon, basil and burrata is one of the best things we've eaten this year, and their squid toast with blond miso and bonito is an illustration of how they're doing things differently. Don't even think about missing their weekend pastries and sourdough, but get there early as there can be queues. The Universal It's a pub, but with really good food, and the natural wine list of your spontaneous fermentation dreams. Is this heaven? No it's The Universal , and if we could clone it and pop one in every country we wouldn't think twice. All the vibes, all the delicious plates (like whole roast turbot in caper brown butter; and shallot, fennel and goat's cheese tart with a citrus salad), all the brilliant, fairly priced wines. You could just go here every night and return home very, very content. Wa Café Barely a day goes by where one of you bemoans of the lack of exciting sushi in Dublin to us. We hear you, it's not the capital's strong point, but turns out it's Galway's, and Wa Café is worth getting in the car for. At the moment they're takeaway only so take your salmon katsu roll, spicy tuna roll and teriyaki chicken roll to Spanish Arch around the corner. We're hoping they're back open properly the next time we visit so we can try their omakase menu, prepared by Japanese chef/own er Yoshimi Hayakawa. Ard Bia @ Nimmos Ard Bia @ Nimmos is one of Galway's go to brunch spots, but they're open for dinner too (there's no outside seating at night though). The menu is creative and fun, with dishes like sour ale aubergine fritters with harissa and pickles; lamb with broad beans, feta, buckwheat and salsa verde; and roast tomato and chard risotto with fior di latté, olive and hazelnuts. It's on the more expensive side of dining options so watch your ordering exuberance as the bill adds up quickly, or go for brunch which is far more pocket friendly. Tartare Chef J P McMahon's Tartare is wine and small plate central, with an evening menu you'll want everything from. During the day it's a simplified menu of a few plates and sandwiches, but the lovely, natural-focused wine list goes all day. We loved the beef tartare with smoked egg, pickled onions and sourdough toast, and a steak sandwich with wild garlic pesto, Hegarty's cheddar and leaves was impeccably cooked. U Liotru There are two major reasons to go to casual Sicilian spot 'U Liotru - arancini and cannoli, and you should order copious amounts of both. You'll find at least 10 different types of arancini, with ragu, with sausage and broccoli, with blue cheese and walnuts, and they're all fresh and made for eating out of one hand as you walk the city's streets, pretending you're in Palermo. The cannoli might not look as Instagrammable as some of the new kids on the block, but it does Sicily proud. Do you have a favourite place in Galway we should know about? Let us know by emailing info@allthefood.ie.

It’s less advent calendar than advent cascade when it comes to Christmas food in Dublin this year, with every day bringing a fresh flood of classics, creative twists, and out-there surprises. Read part one of our guide to the best here if you haven’t already, otherwise read on for even more... Mince Pies, Scéal We noted last time that it’s a crowded space for mince pies, but we’ll always make room for one calling out its flour supplier. Oak Forest Mills are behind the super-flaky pastry of Scéal ’s pies, which add an oat crumble topping and demerara sugar crust for added crunch. It’s an epic-sounding combo, even before the brandy butter gets lashed on. Christmas Pie, Southpaw Once you’ve seen the sight of brie bubbling under the heat of a Neapolitan pizza oven, no other way of preparing it might ever do. Southpaw ’s cheesy pizza dough squares get a seasonal twist with roast turkey breast, sage and onion stuffing and cranberry sauce, all left to soak up that sizzling cheese. Rings Xmas Cracker, Cluck Chicken Cluck Chicken have been knocking it out of the park all year with their guest burgers, and they’re closing things out in style with this collaboration from Rings Farm in Kilkenny. Their signature free range fried chicken is finished in a cranberry glaze, then topped with pulled turkey and ham, a sage and onion stuffing, fried brie, and a gravy mayo. We can’t get a hold of this one soon enough. Argentinian Pan Dulce, Bakeology Christmas centrepieces don’t get much cuter than this. Low-key Liberties hotspot Bakeology is bringing the pan dulce, South America’s answer to the ubiquitous Italian panettone, to Dublin this year in two flavours. You can order a chocolate or nut version for collection on one of their three designated dates, but move quickly -supplies are limited. Cranberry and Orange Tart, Honey Truffle While it turns up all over the place in mayos, sauces, and slaws at this time of year, cranberry doesn’t often get the chance to shine as the central ingredient, but Honey Truffle don't do things like the rest. Their cranberry tart has a crisp, shortcrust pastry case, spiked with slivers of orange peel, and it’s a flavour combo we love to see in the spotlight. Christmas Burger, Chimac Quickly becoming as much a sign of Christmas in Dublin as snowfall in front of the Guinness gates, Chimac ’s festive feast of a burger is back in both locations. The stuffing spice breading is a major part of the draw here, but sprout kimchi, cranberry mayo, and sriracha candied bacon help whet the appetite too. Daily numbers are limited, so you’ll need to be quick. Mince Pie Bakewell, Slice Mince. Pie. Bakewell. We’re all aboard. One of the most enjoyable aspects of covering the Christmas beat this year is seeing the imagination and creativity of Dublin’s many great bakeries in putting a personal slant on their mincemeat creations, and Slice ’s is a sure standout in all its frangipaney delight. Christmas Croissant, Bread 41 We don’t doubt there are plenty of you appalled at the notion of a Brussels sprout croissant, but if anywhere is going to pull it off it’s Bread 41 . Their veggie dinner-in-a-pastry has brie, house sourdough stuffing, and cranberry sauce, with drizzled honey giving it an irresistible sheen. Christmas Stick crepe, Mister Magpie Christmas is nothing if not a time for excess, so why wouldn’t you go all out on a loaded stick crepe? Mister Magpie has rolled out this special studded with glacé cherries and mixed peel, slathered with custard cream and finished with a sprinkle of more cherries, for good measure - ‘tis the season, after all. Christmas Brioche, Two Boys Brew We can’t get enough of all the mince pie twists popping up all over town, and this latest from Two Boys Brew has aged mincemeat in a brioche bun, with a layer of crème patisserie and a mixed spice crumb for added crunch. Dec the Halls, Goats Gruff The Christmas pizza you never knew you needed, and how well turkey works on a pizza we’re dying to know. Goat's Gruff also add parma ham, brie, stuffing and cranberry sauce to round out the Christmassy toppings. White Hot Chocolate, Southbank Café Southbank Café launched their white hot chocolate a week ago to make up for us not getting a white Christmas this year - it’s a good thing they’re better baristas than they are weather forecasters. They take white chocolate, mix it with coconut milk, and bury it beneath a topping of cream and coconut flakes. Festive Mini Desserts, Old Street It’s a good thing Old Street 's wintry dessert pots come in small sizes, because we'd want to try them all. Dark chocolate ganache, brandy-soaked Christmas pudding, red velvet sponge and caramelised almond nougat: if you’ve made it through all that without cravings forming you’re made of stronger stuff than us. Mince Pie, Elliot’s ENOUGH with the mince pies, we hear you scream. However, hear us out here: no. Not with places like Oxmantown sister bakery Elliot’s showing up with versions like this brown butter and quince-laden pie to spice up the competition. The flaky, irregular pastry case just adds to its charm. Christmas Spring Roll, Benjamin’s Hot Chicken Benjamin’s Hot Chicken landed a new home in Irishtown’s Vintage Inn recently and they’ve hit the ground running with this first special in the new site. Sage-spiked sausage stuffing with apple and parsnip isn’t a spring roll combo we’ve come across before, but with chicken gravy for dipping on the side, we’re all for trying it. Christmas Pudding Ice-Cream Sandwich, Café en Seine You can’t move for the number of creative takes on a mince pie about town, but we’ve not seen many innovations on the Christmas pudding front this year. Enter Café en Seine , who’ve decided an ice-cream sandwich is the right way to pimp a pudding. Looking at this level of dunking action, who are we to disagree.

More and more people are finding that certain foods they love don't love them back, and one of the most popular issues gluten. We often get asked where are the best place to eat if you're gluten-free, and to be honest it's a bit of a minefield, as most cafés and restaurants don't have a separate food prep and cooking area, so cannot guarantee to be coeliac-friendly, but if it's a gluten-intolerance you or your loved one has, as opposed to full-on coeliac disease, many of our favourite places to eat will happily cater for you. While it really does depend on the individual and the severity of your allergy (you know best), here's a list of the best places that have gluten-free dining options in Dublin, and even go the extra mile with gluten-free beer and sauces. *Please note that most of the places listed below will not guarantee your meal to be 100% gluten free as there is no separate kitchen. Always ask if you are unsure about anything. Cafés Tiller & Grain, City Centre Tiller & Grain have a gluten-free salad box option when ordering online so you can avoid the queue and enjoy salad knowing it's guaranteed GF. They also have daily gluten-free treats like lemon polenta cake. Honey Truffle, Pearse Street Honey Truffle is another café in the city with good GF options and an order online option, just select the 'free from gluten' option when ordering your salad box. The GF sweet treats on offer include coconut and freeze dried raspberry bites, lemon syrup, pistachio, almond cake with caramelised nut topping and triple chocolate sea salt & almond biscuits. Cornucopia, City Centre Cornucopia not only cater for vegans and vegetarians, they have loads of great GF options on their menu , which has a clear allergen list. GF breakfast options include almond, pumpkin seed and banana granola, overnight oats, and they also have gluten-free bread for their scrambled tofu or smoked baked pinto beans. For lunch and dinner their main courses and salads change daily, but the clear allergen list transfers to their daily board so you'll know which ones are GF. They have cake and pastry options too, and a GF chocolate and hazelnut brownie. Bibi's, Portobello & Dun Laoghaire Bibi 's in Portobello and Dun Laoghaire have a gluten-free bread option to ensure you soak up every last bit of the sauce, juice or dish on their regularly changing menu - squash Turkish eggs FTW. Lunch Yeeros, Drumcondra & Wexford Street Get your gluten-free gyro at Yeeros , with their GF pita bread option for an extra €1.50. They also have good lunch deals for under a tenner which is increasingly rare in Dublin. Happy stomach and happy pocket. Mad Yolks, Smithfield Mad Yolks have gluten-free buns available so you can get your mad yolk, bad yolk, fresh yolk or buff yolk suited to your dietary requirements. They can also serve all their sandwiches in a bowl instead of a bun if preferred. 147 Deli, City Centre 147 Deli know a thing or five about making sandwiches, so sandwich lovers on a GF diet will be very happy to hear they have gluten-free bread available. Take your pick of the reuben, Korean pork, ham and cheesus, turkey and chorizo club, Mexican club, coronation chicken, the 147 cheese steak, or the weekly special. Dinner ViCE, City Centre ViCE have recently added gluten-free bases for their 12 inch pizzas, and 16 inch ones are coming soon. You don't miss out on pizza, your gut doesn't hate you, win win. Fish Shop, Smithfield Who knew Fish Shop ' s battered fish could be made with gluten-free batter? We did. Their other gluten-free options include shellfish and the baked fish of the day, and the advice is to inform the restaurant of any dietary requirements when booking. Bunsen If you're used to having to order your burgers without the bun, Bunsen offer gluten-free buns for an extra 50c so you can get back to enjoying the full burger experience. They do note that they can't guarantee that burgers served with a gluten-free bun are gluten-free they work in an environment that has other gluten-based products, so take your own personal precautions based on your allergy. Note Love fine dining but worried you won't be able to eat anything? Note have an allergen menu available on request with the GF options marked out so you can see clearly what to avoid and what's going to work for you. Apertivo, Nassau Street Another spot with a clear allergen menu is Aperitivo , and while many Italian dishes tend to be gluten heavy, there's plenty of GF options here, including calamari, gamberi fritti, arancini, gnocchi, risotto, pollo Milanese, and other options that can be made GF on request. Sprezzatura Love pasta, hate gluten? Sprezzatura have GF pasta available which is made on site daily. They also have GF pasta sauces and GF small plates on their menu, so no fear of having no choice. Grano, Stoneybatter Another option for pasta lovers, we can already hear the rejoicing when we tell you that most of the pasta dishes at one of Dublin's best, Grano in Stoneybatter, can be made with gluten-free pasta. Featherblade, City Centre Featherblade can make most of their menu gluten-free, including their steaks, burgers and fries. They also have gluten-free Peroni to complete your GF dining experience. Yamamori, City Centre Yamamori have many dishes that are naturally (or can be made) gluten-free, as well as gluten-free beer and soy sauce. As always we recommend you specify any allergies you may have to your waiter so they can let the kitchen know. Mak, Ranelagh If you like being presented with a menu featuring clearly marked GF options, you'll love Mak in Ranelagh, which has a full coeliac menu , including starters, mains, noodles and sides for you to make your way through. A great option for dine in or takeaway. Osteria Lucio, Grand Canal Dock Another Italian with GF options is Osteria Lucio , with gluten-free bruschetta, buratta and pastas, and for dessert the chocolate mousse. The full three courses, and no compromise. Manifesto, Rathmines Manifesto in Rathmines not only have GF pizzas, they also cook them in a completely different area to be extra careful. That's the kind of effort you love to see. And for dessert... The Bakery by The Cupcake Bloke, Rialto The Bakery by The Cupcake Bloke do a GF cupcake every Saturday, with flavours like lemon, and blackberry and almond. All the flavour, none of the flour.

An extra bank holiday, a stretch in the evenings, February is here and spring is in the air. Brighter days bring joy, as does food, and here's what we'd like to bring joy to our mouths this week... 1) Crispy Soft Shell Crab Bun, Benjamin's Hot Chicken The latest addition to Benjamin's Hot Chicken is this crispy soft shell crab bun with chilli salt, Asian pickle slaw, and Szechuan and lime mayo, all served in a potato bun which is suddenly all we can think about. It's available at The Vintage Dublin from Thursday - Sunday - race ya. 2) Pain Suisse, Bread Naturally There are not nearly enough Pain Suisse sighting in Dublin, so praise be to Bread Naturally in Raheny for adding another one to the game. Crispy croissant dough is filled with vanilla custard and chocolate chips, and they're available every Saturday until sell out. 3) Tangyuan, Big Fan Bar Big Fan 's black sesame and peanut Tanguan special with osmanthus and goji sweet broth is said to bring good luck (we'll take any we can get). It's traditionally eaten during the Lantern festival which falls on the first full moon in February (Sunday just gone) but we're hoping they keep it on a bit longer. 4) Dark Chocolate and Pistachio Tart, The Old Spot There's chocolate, and then there's chocolate, and this silky dark chocolate and pistachio tart from The Old Spot , looks like the second type. The roasted banana ice-cream is an added bonus. 5) The Reuben, Stay With Us Café Sandwiches - so good when they're good, so bad when they're bad, but we're confident the Reuben with spiced pastrami, swiss cheese, pickles, sauerkraut and homemade Russian dressing from Stay with Us is going to be one of the good guys.

Jaru's are bringing Korean food to Dublin 8, a second space for Kind as Folk, and a New Orelans pop-up. Here’s what’s new in Dublin this month... One Kinda Folk, Upper Leeson Street One Kinda Folk have opened their second location on Upper Leeson Street, in the former home of now closed Forest & Marcy. Their original location is a little hatch hidden away off Dartmouth Road in Ranelagh, so this is a move to coffee shop proper. Expect breakfast and lunch, cake and pastries, and all the different coffees. Space Jaru, Dublin 8 Korean food producers Jaru have opened their first restaurant, Space Jaru , on Meath Street in The Liberties. Pork Jeyuk and Chicken Dakgalbi Korean BBQ bowls, Korean fried chicken and sides like seaweed gim, lotus roots and their famous kimchi are some of the options on their lunch menu . For dinner it's a similiar vibe with the addition of small bites like beef galbi dumplings, double fried boneless chicken thighs and slow braised kimchi and pork stew. Check out the full dinner menu here . Space Jaru opens Wednesdays to Sundays for lunch and dinner and for lunch on Sundays. Gumbo Etc, Dublin 7 There's a new pop up in The Glimmerman in Stoneybatter, while Vietnom take a hard-earned holiday. Gumbo Etc. specialises in classic New Orleans dishes, like chicken and smoked sausage Gumbo, roast beef Po'Boy sandwiches, and smoked sausage beans and rice. Keep an eye on their Instagram for weekly specials.

We hope you’ve all made it safely to the 763rd week of January. Seriously, it’s still January. Dark days and grey skies aside, at least there’s been plenty of delicious food to keep our bellies happy throughout this month, and a Happy Lunar New Year to all who celebrate. Here’s what our eyes have been popping over this week – get your Google maps out and start pinning.... 1) Fried Calamari, Pala Pizza & Trattoria Foxrock’s Pala Pizza & Trattoria is slowly introducing new dishes to their menu of antipasti, pizzas, pastas and suppli/fritti (fried snacks), and one of the latest is this classic fried calamari and lemon. We can almost hear the crunch and are in a drizzly Dublin suburb no longer, but transported to the courtyard of a little trattoria in sunny Riomaggiore… 2) Massive Burgers, Meltdown They’re heeeere! Meltdown , home to the cheesiest of toasties, has introduced burgers and we’re ready for it. First up is the ‘OG Meltdown Massive Burger’, featuring a double serving of Courtney’s beef smashed patties, smoked Applewood cheddar cheese, smoked streaky bacon, Meltdown’s special burger sauce, baby gem lettuce, Meltdown hot sauce and caramelised onion on a brioche bun. It's the size of a small child but we're up for the challenge. 3) Cherry, Pistachio and Chocolate Pastry, Noisette Artisan Bakery We’ve been waiting impatiently for new artisan bakery Noisette to open in Rush for months (they're currently offering click and collect/local delivery ), and we reckon these pastries would be worth the spin out alone. Filled with cherry compote, toasted pistachios and chocolate ganache, these treats are little works of art. We'll keep you posted on their opening date. 4) Rabbit Saddle, Woodruff We couldn’t not include a rabbit dish in the year of the rabbit, so here it is. It helps that Woodruff 's (always interesting) menu option is accompanied by black pudding, fermented barley, maitake mushroom (also known as hen-of-the-wood) and preserved blackberry. Think a trip to the neighbourhood bistro at the foot of the Dublin mountains is in order. 5) Winter Greens Salad, Nutbutter One of the additions to Nutbutter 's newly launched Winter menu is a twist on the classic Irish dish of bacon and cabbage. The Winter Greens salad serves up smoked Irish brussel sprouts, plant-based coconut bacon, rainbow carrots, candy beetroots, tamari pepitas and herbs, with a cashew dressing, plant-based Parmesan and furikake. It mightn’t be bacon and cabbage like your Mammy used to make, but it’s a solid (and vegan friendly) alternative.

What should we know about Hellfire? This one came out of nowhere for us. The slick website and social channels appeared at the start of January with the news that Dublin's newest restaurant centred on " Ireland’s first Hornos HBE® charcoal oven " was coming to Westmoreland Street (where Thai Orchid used to be).

What should we know about The Fresh Market? The Fresh Market in Marino is run by the third generation of Smyths to sell fresh fruit and vegetables in Dublin. It all started in 1924, when Nicholas Smyth set up his stall in the Victorian food market in Mary’s Lane (closed for renovation by DCC in 2019 and still no timeline for redevelopment in sight. Dublin, get your sh*t together). Inspired by the food-loving way of life in San Sebastián, you might feel transported to another city when you cross the threshold of the quaint Marino shop. From the outside it just looks like a greengrocers, but since 2019, they’ve been serving daily specials based on seasonal produce from their shop, and the menu has expanded since then. They’ve also got baked goods from Wicklow’s Firehouse bakery , and breads from Le Levain, so don’t forget your ATF tote bag , because you will be LADEN down when you leave. Dedicated to sustainability, they're big on supporting local producers and independent businesses, and rice, pulses, spices, oats, nuts, and more are sold loose by weight, so customers can bring their own containers and fill up – something we would love to see more of across the city. What's the menu like? Their daily lunch menu includes a small but perfect list of toasties. On a recent visit, they were serving a tuna melt with lemon, capers and fennel; ‘the ham hock’ (that we ordered), ‘the braised beef’ cooked with red wine and black pepper, horseradish crème fraiche, pickled red onion and cheddar; and ‘the ploughmans’ which is ‘the ham hock’ minus the ham. Their salads included blood orange tabbouleh; roast cauliflower with celery, hazelnuts and bulgur; and Ras el Hanout aubergine with roast garlic tomatoes, rocket and mint yoghurt dressing. As for soups, they’ve always got something interesting on the pot, like ham ribollita, courgette and rosemary, or chorizo and cannellini bean. Our ham hock toastie and lunch box were delicious and generous - we enjoyed some of the tortilla de patata heated up on the pan for breakfast the next day. The salad was roasted cauliflower with pomegranate and bulgur, and the cheese was a creamy Brie. The toastie had juicy ham, a zingy crunch from the pickles, and sweet caramelised onion to offset the nutty cheddar. The lunch box was grab and go, but we had to wait or the toastie (always a good sign) and there’s plenty in the shop to keep you occupied. What is there to drink? Great coffee – they serve Upside here, the neighbourhood specialty coffee roasters. They also carry a decent selection of juices. Is there seating? Unfortunately, there’s no seating so you’ll have to take your lunch to go. In warmer weather you’re only a short stroll away from Fairview Park or the Clontarf seafront if you want to find somewhere outdoors to sit and enjoy your lunch. Why should I go? Championing the best seasonal Irish produce and local, independent businesses, this type of high quality, local grocer turned deli and coffee shop is something every neighbourhood needs. We can only imagine the challenges of running a shop like this, but it’s something that the Dublin food-loving community needs to get behind, and we'll be back. The Fresh Market 6 St Aidan’s Park Road, Marino, Dublin 3 thefreshmarket.ie

January's monthly 9 giveaway is here! And no surprise it's got a bit of a New Year, new me theme, from vouchers for new openings, to feel-good brunch, to a Lunar New Year inspired hamper - we're confident that winning one of these will be sure to rid you of any January blues. Our nine monthly giveaways is one of the ways we thank our supporters for letting us stay #ad, #collab and #invite free, and keep the focus on telling you about the best food, without compromise. Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders by midnight on Tuesday 17th January will be entered into the draw, and winners will be picked and notified on Wednesday 18th January. Here's what's in this month's line up... 1) Weekend lunch for four at Hang Dai Chinese Hang Dai Chinese are now open on Saturdays and Sundays from 2pm, meaning there's a new long lunch spot in town, and to celebrate we're sending one of you plus three of your most loved friends for an afternoon in one of Dublin's coolest restaurants. You'll start with bubbles, snacks and small plates, before moving onto a family style feast for mains featuring their signature Skeaghanore roast duck and market fish, as well as other dishes and sides. And in case that's not enough there's going to be wine and cocktails too. What a day... (You can book in here ) 2) Dinner and drinks for four at 57 The Headline 57 The Headline on Clanbrassil Street has moved from bar to restaurant over the past few years, with an increased focus on food and wine at good value prices. From their much loved Sunday roast to their legendary smash burgers, and 14 wines by the glass as well as a small, frequently-changing bottle list at reasonable mark ups, it's not hard to see why it's become a local favourite in Dublin 8. This month one of our insiders will be able to work their way through most of the menu with dinner and drinks for four people to the value of €120. Check them out here . 3) Sunday brunch for four at As One We are always looking for new places for Sunday Brunch, so we were excited to hear that from January 29th As One will open on the last Sunday of the month for all of your breakfast muffin, potato hash and mimosa needs - with an all in option for €32 a head. We've got brunch for four to give away, including a brunch dish, small plate, dessert and a cocktail each, and we recommend bringing food sharing friends so you can try the whole menu . 4) A €100 voucher For Umi Love falafel? Who doesn't, especially when it comes from Middle Eastern flavour specialists Umi , whose falafel mix is prepared fresh every morning with fourteen ingredients. We've got a €100 voucher for Umi to give away which can be used at any of their locations in Dublin, Cork or Belfast, and if you've yet to try their ultra tasty, incredible value food, it won't take more than a couple of bites to see what the fuss is about. 5) The Nutbutter tasting experience for four Nutbutter have just launched a three-course tasting experience for anyone wanting to tip their toe into flexitarianism, and we're sending one of you to try it out with three friends. You'll start with a chef's selection of plant-based and meat tacos, for mains everyone chooses a bowl and protein of their choice accompanied by chef's sides, and you'll finish with dessert of either plant-based chocolate mousse, coconut sagu or miso panna cotta. Check out Nutbutter here , 6) Two bumper hampers from Asia Market The 2023 Lunar New Year starts this week, and who better to kick off celebrations than Asia Market . They've given us one of their 'Taste The Trends' Bites Boxes , to give away, with sweet and savoury snacks like salted egg popcorn, crispy Korean-style seaweed with almonds, and hot chilli chicken ramen. You'll also get their Lunar New Year Celebration Cocktail Kit , so you can welcome the year of the rabbit in style with the fiery ‘Soju Mule’ - an Asian twist on the classic 'Moscow Mule', and a creamy strawberry-flavoured Snowball-esque, ‘Yaku Chika’. Check out their hampers here . 7) A €100 voucher for V-Face V-Face , one of the city's best spots for vegan and vegetarian food, have launched their first ad campaign on social media and at bus stops in Dublin. They want us to 'give animals a break', imagining all the things they might get up to in their free time - like pigs doing yoga and hens having a party - rather than the shock tactics more commonly used to put people off eating meat. We've got a €100 voucher up for grabs this month, and we strongly recommend you try their ' Hot Chick ' burger. 8) A foraging tour for two with Howth Foraging Nicole Dunne runs foraging tours around Howth year round, ranging from identifying edible mushrooms, to wild-growing winter greens, to a special love-themed walk for Valentine's Day featuring edible flowers and wild berries, and ending with sloe gin prosecco cocktails. You can see details of upcoming tours here , and we've got a €100 voucher to give away to one of you this month which will get you a tour for two. Follow Howth Foraging on Instagram here . 9) A €100 voucher for Yeeros Greek souvlaki bar Yeeros have arrived on the southside, so no more trekking to Drumcondra for gyros, grilled meat platters and loukoumades (Greek donuts) if you live on that side of the city. You'll find them on Wexford Street , next door to The Jar and just across the road from Against The Grain, and it's got to be one of the best (and best value) options for a quick bite to eat in this bar-filled stretch of town. The lunch deals are particularly good value, as are their sharing platters, but one of you can try it all with a €100 voucher. Check out Yeeros here . Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders for January will be automatically entered into the prize draw - you don't need to do anything. If you're not signed up yet join here and support independent content in Dublin and beyond, and get answers to all of your burning questions about eating out, here and abroad, directly from us.

After the success of our first "speed-mating" event last September, leading to loads of new food friends, a group trip to Chapter One, and an ATF Insider whatsapp group (!) we're back and starting 2023 with another chance to meet like-minded foodie friends. We're taking you to Soup Two in Smithfield on Thursday, 26th January for a six-course menu exclusively designed for ATF, and for you to share with your new dining buddies, along with a Midori sour when you arrive to settle any nerves (but going off the last event this won't be an issue. People were making friends in the queue before even getting inside.) Tickets cost €65 (including Eventbrite booking fee) and include a welcome drink and six courses of food, and are limited to one per Insider . You'll sit on six tables over the evening, with something different to eat at each one, and additional drinks can be ordered as you go. Here's the menu... Tickets are now on sale here , and if you've just signed up to ATF Insiders and need the password just shoot us a message. We can't wait to forge some more beautiful new food-based friendships ❤️🍴

We’re in a fresh new year, and although we spend precious little time thinking about the D-words (because pssst: detoxes and diets don’t work, pass it on.), we're generally in need of lighter eating post-Christmas thanks to tight clothes/tight budgets/the pressing need to undo the piggery of the holiday season. A temporary move to more 'sensible' eating doesn't mean you're confined to your kitchen. There are plenty of places to go when you've had your fill of big portions and an abundance of meat, sugar, butter and booze - saying that we’re staunch believers of ‘everything in moderation’ (particularly in the middle of winter), so if you want it, go for it. If you don't want it, here's where to head for... As One, City Quay Open 6 days a week for breakfast and lunch, as well as Saturday brunch, As One is a great choice for organic, seasonal food in the city centre. ‘Food with purpose’ is how they describe themselves, and it’s obvious that they put the highest level of care into their relationships with farmers and producers, highlighting local growers throughout their menu. Breakfast includes porridge oats, yoghurt bowls and eggs, with lunch/brunch offerings like potato hash, omelettes, tacos and halloumi focaccia. Tang, City Centre With three locations across the city centre (Dawson Street, Abbey Street and Cumberland Place), Tang is always on our list for breakfast and lunch that tastes great and feels good. Their food is sustainably and seasonably sourced, including a selection of daily salads and homemade flatbreads with an option to add Middle Eastern Chicken, Moroccan Lamb and Lebanese Bean, as well as extras like pickled cabbage, creamy tzatziki and beetroot or classic hummus. They also serve great coffee from Upside, and freshly brewed tea. Umi Falafel, Various Locations Umi , meaning “my mother” in Arabic, celebrates 10 years in business this year, and it's become a favourite for not just the vegetarian and vegan community in Ireland, but anyone looking for some of the best falafel around. They’re open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, serving falafel flatbreads, mezze plates and salads, as well as a lunch and kids menu. Umi have six locations across Dublin. so plenty of places to find some Middle Eastern deliciousness. 3 Leaves, Blackrock Market Tucked away in Blackrock market, 3 Leaves offers a compact, ultra high quality lunch menu of dahls, curries and breads. As with all Indian restaurants, it's a fantastic option for vegetarians and vegans, but an affordable and unforgettable option for everyone. Staple Foods, Dublin 2 Based on Hanover Quay and Grattan Street, Staple Foods is open Monday to Friday for breakfast and lunch, serving up a nutrient-filled, seasonal menu of salads, sandwiches, hot pots, curries and soup. There's also vegan smoothies, if that's your thing. Blazing Salads, Dublin 2 A Dublin institution, Blazing Salads is an independent family run business who've been trading for over 40 years, and opened the doors to their Drury Street location in 2000. The deli has been serving healthy, wholefood vegetarian and vegan options long before it became cool, and in January 2020, they opened FLIP Burger in George’s Street Arcade. It's a heavier option, but an excellent meat-free one. Nutbutter, Grand Canal Dock and Smithfield This Grand Canal Dock (and pet-friendly) restaurant opened its doors in 2018, and in Smithfield at the end of 2022, serving healthy and delicious food ‘with a Californian twist’. Nutbutter 's menu features tacos including plant-based chorizo and jerk jackfruit, rice bowls, poke, broth and sides, and the menu includes calories (if you’re counting). Brother Hubbard When Brother Hubbard opened in 2012 mid-recession, they addressed a major gap in the Dublin food scene. Anchored in the culture of Middle Eastern cuisine with lots of fresh, healthy and predominantly veggie dishes, times may have changed, but it remains a consistent choice for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the city. They’ve since expanded to four locations across Capel Street, Harrington Street (with a dog-friendly heated outdoor area), Ranelagh and Arnotts, with Capel Street the only spot open for dinner. Tiller + Grain, Dublin 2 This yellow-fronted café on Frederick Street South serves up fresh, seasonal salads, tasty sandwiches and the best baked goods from Monday to Saturday. Opened in 2019 by Clair Dowling who formerly worked for Ottolenghi in London, Tiller + Grain ’s ethos is sustainability and nutrition. Make sure you get there early for lunch (from 12pm), because when these sandwiches and salads are gone, they’re gone. Dosa Dosa, Dublin 4 Located in Albert Court East on Grand Canal Street Lower, this award-winning food truck serves South Indian dosa - a thin, crispy pancake made from a fermented batter predominantly of black lentils, rice and fenugreek. Dosa Dosa is obviously famous for their namesake, but also serve uttapam (a softer and thicker version of dosa with fillings layered on top as opposed to filled inside), parotta (a layered flatbread), kathi rolls (fried paratha flatbreads), rice bowls and a selection of popular South Indian snacks including ‘65’ - a fried snack coated in spices, ginger, garlic and lemon juice. Pho Kim, Parnell Street Nothing beats a bowl of warming pho to cure the winter blues, and Pho Kim serves some of the city's best Vietnamese food on Parnell street seven days a week. You can order a variety of phos here, including Pho Dac Biet (steak, brisket and beef meatballs), Pho Ga (chicken noodle), Pho Tom (prawn noodle), Bun Bo Hue (spicy beef), but the other non-soup dishes like Bun Tom Ga Nuong (marinated chicken and prawns) are delicious and full of fresh and healthy ingredients like crunchy carrots, sliced cucumber and coriander. Canal Bank Cafe Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Canal Bank Cafe on Leeson Street Upper offers lots of healthy and lighter options including salads, poke bowls, veggie flatbreads, and omelettes. With appetisers like padron peppers with Achill Island smoked sea salt, sautéed gambas and gremolata, and sharwarma-spiced white bean hummus, it’s a nice option for small plates to share too. Eathos, Baggot Street Another great shout for mid-week healthy breakfast and lunch is Eathos on Baggot Street Upper and Lower. Their ‘breakfast salad’ is a solid choice sounding way better than a full Irish, with yuzu aubergines, galangal beets, poached egg, feta yoghurt, Aleppo chili and sea salt pumpkin seeds. Their lunch/brunch options include salads (with proteins like char sui salmon, and turkey and courgette kofta), soup and a selection of sandwiches, and food this brightly coloured has to be good for you. Fish Shop, Smithfield Fish and chips, hardly a ‘light bite’ for January, we hear you say. Well, as great as the beer-battered fish is here, we also love Fish Shop 's lighter small plates. Their menu is ever-changing, but expect shellfish like Kelly's Gigas oysters, and Killary Fjord mussels with garlic and parsley, alongside squid and crab on toast. It might not be as light, but you really shouldn't miss the anchovy + Russian salad either, and unless you're doing dry January, their wine list is there to submerge yourself in. Aobaba Another great Vietnamese, Aobaba serves the only handmade Vietnamese-style noodles in Ireland. Based on Capel Street, this small, informal restaurant serves a selection of phos (of which you can order small or large – perfect if you want to sample some other dishes), as well as Vietnamese street food staples like banh xeo (crispy pancake), banh cuon (rice rolls) bun cha (grilled pork meatballs and noodles) and banh mi (filled baguettes). Sprout & Co, City Centre Locally-sourced, seasonal, healthy, delicious - Sprout is always a good idea. They have five sites across the city, as well as their own farm in Kildare which supplies some of the produce for their salads, warm bowls and wraps. They also do breakfast including porridge and granola, and we love that they offered up the front space of their Dawson Street cafe to start-ups, which is how it became the home of Fable Bakery . Life is nothing without balance. Honey Truffle, Pearse Street This daytime cafe near Grand Canal Dock serves fresh, vibrant salads, soups and sandwiches, and a ‘seasonal savoury tart’ of the day, alongside healthy breakfast options like granola crunch, porridge and compotes. There’s a big focus on sustainability in Honey Truffle (which you can read about here ), and they've even partnered with an environmental company to turn their grease waste into compost. The Fumbally, Dublin 8 Located in the Liberties in Dublin 8, The Fumbally has been serving a menu of feel-good food for just over a decade, in a high ceilinged, sitting room-like space perfect to while away a few hours over a cup (or three) of coffee. They're famous for their eggs, Tuscan beans, overnight soaked oats, toasts, lentil based hot dishes and focaccia sandwiches that change daily, plus they’re dog friendly, and serve food til 15:00 – after this, coffees, drinks and natural wines are on offer until 17:00. Bonus points for the quote emblazoned on their wall from Don Quixote: “ All sorrows are less with bread.” Social Fabric Cafe, Stoneybatter This cosy little coffee shop and cafe in the heart of Stoneybatter serves breakfast and lunch every day until 16:00. There’s a great selection of breakfast options on the healthier side like porridge, house granola and Shakshuka, and for lunch they have fresh salads, vegan buddha bowls and wraps. Social Fabric is also pet-friendly so you can bring your pooch. If your new year resolutions include reducing your meat consumption, check out our guide to the best vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Dublin here . We’ve also got a soup guide for those cold days when a warm bowl and a hunk of bread/handful of noodles is the only thing that will do.

A cosmopolitan hub, home to the largest port in Germany, and with the second largest population after Berlin, Hamburg is sprawling, reaching from its famous shipping centre on the Elbe river, to the Alster lake which much of the city centre wraps around, to numerous suburbs, all with something different to offer. The city is full of canals, most of which can be navigated by boat, and neighbourhoods range from the lively and colourful St. Georg, to the bar and restaurant-filled Schanzenviertel, to the Altona, famous for its boutiques and shopping malls, b ut when in doubt in continental Europe, start in the old town - the Altstadt. We didn't have time to do the city justice (it would take months), but here's where we loved when we visited. Breakfast Mit Hertz & Zucker Translating as "with heart and sugar", this super cute café (now with two locations) is famous for their homemade croissants. We were told to get there early as they only make a limited amount per day and when they're gone they're gone, and they were worth the alarm clock. A simpler affair than some of the monster creations we're used to here, they really show off the café's commitment to local dairy and grain sourcing, with the crispiest, butteriest pastry. Coffee is from Hamburg roastery Playground, and some of the homemade products from their menu are available to buy on your way out. The breakfast menu features dishes like pancakes with apple-cinnamon compote, vanilla quark, almonds, speculoos crunch and fruit; and scrambled eggs with tomato pesto, spring onions, honey-mustard sauce and bacon, as well as pastries and cakes piled high on the counter. They don't take reservations and there are often queues, so prepare to wait. Marshall Street Coffee The aesthetically-pleasing Marshall Street Coffee is another brunch hot spot, and somewhere else you might run into a queue. The owner grew up in Sydney, and has brought some of the Australian coffee and brunch culture to Hamburg's old town. Coffee is impeccable, and the menu is thoughtful and full of unique touches. We loved the salmon on sourdough with lemon and dill cream cheese, red onions and beetroot horseradish, and the 'Eggs Benny' with buttermilk waffles, spinach, smoked ham and sauce hollandaise, but everything looked tops. Coffee & Cake Milch Down near the port, in a neighbourhood famous for Portugese food (the Portugese quarter), Milch (meaing milk) is too cool for school, with its long, bare room, save for some beautiful blue tiling and some disco balls hanging from the ceiling. They take milk-based drinks very seriously in here, and we had the best pumpkin spice latté in recent memory - everything homemade of course. Herr Max In one of the city's most bustling areas, the Schanzenviertel, you'll find one of their most famous cake shops - Herr Max . The bohemian café is filled with homemade cakes and pastries, and the sound of people catching up over cups of coffee. A great place to put your shopping bags down for an hour, or escape from minus temperatures in winter. Zuckermonarchie Somewhere else that should be on your hit list if you have a sweet tooth (and like the colour pink) is Zuckermonarchie in St Pauli - 'sugar monarchy'. There are three individually-themed rooms to choose from, a vast array of cakes and confections, and Afternoon Tea if you want to go all out. Lunch Brücke 10 Fischbrötchen (fish sandwiches) are a Hamburg specialty, and are served across the city, and all along the Elbe river down at the port. We were told Brücke 10 (bridge 10) had some of the best. We loved the simple white bread rolls stuffed with lightly smoked salmon, shrimps and pickled herring, and it makes for a great value lunch. When the sun shines it's a beautiful place to sit outside, but if it's too cold inside is toasty. Especially with a Glühwein in your other hand. Dinner Hofbräu Hamburg When in Germany, you need to get yourself some weiner schnitzel, curry wurst and a big slab of pork knuckle. That's when you head for Hofbräu Munchen. This massive beer hall (and brewery) is the stereotypical German experience, replete with steins of beer, German wine, and even a play area for kids. It's the perfect place for groups, when you don't have a booking, and when you want laid back, typically German food with no fuss. The one at the Esplanade (where we went) has slightly better reviews than the other. Altstädter Stube Willig For a more rustic German experience, head for Altstädter Stube Willig , tucked away on a quiet square in the old town. It's tiny and you will need to book, but if you're organised you may be able to settle into a velvet and dark wood booth for some duck legs, potato dumplings and schnitzel, at bargain basement prices. Restaurant Im Sprinkenhof Around the corner, Restaurant Im Sprinkenhof is another busy spot that you should book in advance. A traditional Hamburg restaurant, with an almost Medieval feel, they serve dishes like herring with fried potatoes, hamburgers, and whole plaice with North Sea shrimp, with plenty of German beer options to wash it all down. Restaurant Laufauf From the same owners as Sprinkenhoff and just down the road, Laufauf is a Hamburg institution famous for Labskaus - a traditional Hamburg dish of salted beef and potatoes, served with fried eggs, rollmops, pickles and beetroot salad. It might not look great, but it tastes it. Big portions, rustic food, and a cosy wood-panelled room. Bona'me Hamburg's Kurdish/Turkish kitchen Bona'me is a bit like a large food hall, where you settle in, then head for one of their ordering screens, select what you'd like from a large menu of manti (dumplings), pide (like Turkish pizza), beyti (wraps) and loads more, then take a buzzer and come back to the long open kitchen to collect your order once it's ready. There's a huge amount of choice, it's fast, and you shouldn't have a problem getting a table, so it's a good one to know about when you're in need of food fast. Beer Tipsy Baker Bar For an important city in a country famed for its beer, searches for craft beer bars near Hamburg's old town will disappointingly bring up one Irish pub after another. That's when knowing about Tipsy Baker Bar comes in handy. The long, dark bar specialises in craft beer paired with spirits, like fruit beer with a side of vermouth, or New England IPA with pineapple rum. The helpful staff will be happy to make recommendations, and if you don't like beer they're known for their cocktails too. The Christmas Markets If you go to Germany in December, you're probably going for the Christmas markets, and you could easily spend a weekend just eating your way around them - although temperatures drop fast in the evening, so you might prefer to stay indoors once the sun goes down. In Hamburg the main market is in front of the Rathaus (town hall), but there are other offshoots (many of which are quieter) around the city - see more details here . When it comes to must-eats, you've got to stick to the German specialities, and these are our favourites: Roasted bratwurst in bread rolls with ketchup and mustard Currywurst Kartoffelpuffer - the most deliciously crispy, deep-fried potato pancakes. You can get them with a wide range of sauces but apple is the classic pairing Flammkuchen - An Alsatian speciality (now part of France) of the thinnest, crispiest pizza-like base topped with crème fraîche, bacon lardons and onion Raclette - needs no introduction. Pick your base (potatoes or a baguette) and your favourite meat and pickle toppings Handbrot - Soft, doughy, warm rolls stuffed with cheese, mushrooms and ham, topped with sour cream and chives Apple strudel - get it warm and gooey Gingerbread hearts - if you haven't walked around Germany with a gingerbread heart around your neck have you even been? Glühwein - red wine, white wine, with extra spirits, without, kirsch hot chocolate, La Mumba (hot chocolate with rum), the hot drinks are endless, and endlessly delicious. You'll need to leave a 'fand' (deposit) for the cup, but you'll get it back on return, but we recommend taking one home as a souvenir For more information on Hamburg visit www.hamburg.com .

If you're broke and looking for ways to save a few quid post Christmas, or just while living through the "verging on Apocalyptic" world we seem to have found ourselves in, we've found some ways to keep extra cash in your pockets. Enter EarlyTable and First Table - two apps that save you money while eating out. We were wary at first, but more and more ATF-recommended places are popping up on there, so we thought it was time to give you the lowdown. What is EarlyTable? It's a restaurant discovery platform that allows you to get discounts by dining at off-peak times. To book it costs €1 per person but you can save 50% off your food bill. Almost sounds too good to be true doesn't it? Drinks are full price and reservations are for groups of two to eight people. Our top picks on EarlyTable: Crow Street , Temple Bar Kathmandu Kitchen , Dublin 2 and Malahide Musashi , IFSC & Hogan Place Bah 33 , Dublin 2 Bang , Dublin 2 Lucky Tortoise , Dublin 2 Maneki , Dublin 2 Eatokyo , Dublin 1 Bullet Duck and Dumplings , Dublin 1 Gushi , Dublin 1 One Society , Dublin 1 Fayrouz , Dublin 8 The Sussex , Dublin 4 CN Duck , Ranelagh Indo Chine , Dublin 4 Zakura , Baggot Street, Dublin 4 Dall' Italia Pasta Bar , various locations The Guinea Pig , Dalkey Explore Early Table here . What is First Table? First Table is a similar concept, a restaurant discovery website offering 50% off the first table at breakfast, lunch or dinner at partner restaurants. You save money by dining during off-peak times. Similarly the discount is strictly for food only. Availability for every restaurant is added just after midnight each night for the next seven days and reservations are limited to groups of two, three and four people. Sorry solo diners. Our top picks on First Table Yamamori Izakaya , Dublin 2 The Port House Cava , Dublin 2 The Port House Pintxo , Dublin 2 Brookwood , Dublin 2 Kathmandu Kitchen , Malahide and Dublin 2 Indo Chine , Dublin 4 Mulberry Garden , Donnybrook Taphouse , Ranelagh Explore First Table here . Too Good To Go Too Good To Go , an app founded in 2016, was created to fight food waste in the hospitality industry. It connects customers to restaurants and shops that have surplus food at the end of the day, and is available on Android, iOS and Huawei AppGallery. Reports on what people get in their surprise bags are varied, and we've seen everything from crushing disappointment to exultation , it just depends on what's leftover that day, but at €3.99 to €5.99 it's worth a go. Business we've seen on there include Umi Falafel , Camerino and Sprout , but just put your location into the app and it will tell you what's up for grabs nearby, and what time you need to be there to collect. Know any other great ways to save money while eating out in Dublin? Let us know by emailing info@allthefood.ie.

Croquetas, southside souvlaki, and "a dining experience like no other" - apparently. Here’s what’s new in Dublin this month... Hellfire, Westmoreland Street The bold promise of “a dining experience like no other” seems like a stretch when the main difference is a particular brand of charcoal oven, but we’re keeping an open mind on Hellfire , opening today on Westmoreland Street. Italian-born executive chef Roberto Rapisardi (who is also an ambassador for said ovens) has worked across Europe and North America, and his skills take centre-stage at a five-seater chef’s table at the heart of the site, which used to house Thai Orchid. It's from the same owners as the Temple Bar Inn next door on Fleet Street (where Rapisardi was previously based), and Irish suppliers Higgins Family Butchers and Kish Fish are name-checked on their website. The meat-heavy menu goes all-in on demonic puns with it's "divine dishes" and "fiendish focaccias", but if you can past the gimmick there are some intriguing-sounding dishes, including 'Tacos Mignon' with charred beef, guacamole, roasted onion and chipotle, and a 45-day dry-aged Galician blond steak. Check out Hellfire here. Mr. Croqueta, Camden Street It’s a major expansion for Mr. Croqueta as the Spanish snack experts take over the upper floor of the Camden Street branch of A Taste of Spain , where previously their deep-fried flavour bombs were available only to the lucky few who arrived early to nab their limited daily stocks. With this more formal setup they’ve rolled out a full brunch, brunch and dinner menu, with breakfast tortillas, Great Taste award-winning charcuterie and plenty of prawns. It’s no surprise that croquetas are King here, with the Basque cod and mushroom-parmesan our favourite of the six options on offer. Open every day bar Mondays. D'Olier Street, Dublin 2 One of the higher-profile Dublin openings of recent times had a little wind taken out of its sails when it was forced into a last-minute name change , but the erstwhile Church & Chambers powered on to avoid delays. A collaboration between Mr Fox’s Anthony Smith, James Moore, formerly head chef at New York’s two-starred Atera, and Jane Frye (front of house and Moore's wife), D’Olier Street appears to have its eye on great things with its €82 ten-course set menu - not to mention notable signings like pastry chef Mina Pizarro . Save for a mixed review from the Indo’s Katy McGuinness, word has been relatively quiet so far, but we can't see that being the case for long. Fidelity, Smithfield A match-made-in-heaven collaboration between The Big Romance and Whiplash brewers, Fidelity offers 14 of the latter’s beers on tap and a bespoke sound system and décor that heavily recalls the former space. Situated in the spot previously occupied by the much-missed Dice Bar, this new arrival saw a heaving first week before quietening down to a much more relaxed vibe we can see being a fixture of its weeknights. The limited wine menu leans heavily into organic and biodynamic bottles, while the classy cocktail options include a basil and black pepper margarita and the perennially delicious 'papa doble' daiquiri, with rum, pink grapefruit juice and Marashino cherry liqueur. Yeeros, Wexford Street Souvlaki comes to the Southside as much-loved Greek takeaway spot Yeeros expands to a second site in Wexford Street. Long a popular choice for Drumcondra locals, it should do well in this new locale right across the way from Against the Grain . As the food goes, it’s no surprise the flame-grilled gyros and skewers are the stars of the show - served in a pita, on a plate, or as part of their newly-launched pita pots, these hefty servings aren’t for dainty eaters. Dolmadakia and spanakopitakia are among the more authentic starter options on offer, and for dessert, it’s all about the loukoumades donuts. Nan, Stephen Street Lower From the team behind Stoneybatter’s Hakkahan and Double Happy in Rathfarnham, Nan Chinese opened Christmas week, in the space that previously played host to Accents café. Where Hakkahan’s focus is on Sichuan cuisine, Nan is about Huaiyang (another of the four great traditions in Chinese cooking), and the menu’s cold salted duck, ‘lion’s head’ meatballs and sweet and sour deep fried fish are some of the regional dishes being served. Like Hakkahan, provenance is front and centre with a list of suppliers lovingly called out on the menu. A short sampling of dim sum includes the elusive soup dumplings, while sweet soups are some of the more unusual dessert options. Read our Nan Chinese once over here . Perch, Glenageary It’s good news for south suburbs commuters as Perch has branched out from its iconic original home in the little redbrick kiosk just off Leeson Street Bridge, to take up a second residence at Glenageary Dart station. The chirpy café is all about sustainability and local produce, with coffee coming from Bailies in Belfast and a range of food from Greenville Deli, Bread 41 and Konkara regularly popping up on-site. We’re keeping fingers crossed for the same great range in the new location too, open now from 07:00 on weekdays and 09:00 on weekends. Tarbh, Clontarf We barely had time to register the Pigeon House’s closure before this new arrival sprang up in its place. Tarbh is taking a different tack from the high-end fare that preceded it, and the food options are unlikely to set Clontarf alight, with burgers, steak and chicken supreme showing up alongside soup de jour, buffalo wings and goat's cheese salad. Breakfast isn’t any less basic with standard-issue eggs, pancakes and full Irishes alongside yet more burgers and steaks. If you're looking for something ultra safe, this is it.

We're still mourning the end of chocolate for breakfast, afternoons curled up on the couch watching movies, and a break from the relentless cycle of life, but we're starting the year how we mean to go on by scanning our feeds for the best things to eat in Dublin every week, and here's what we think should be on your agenda in the second week of 2023... 1) Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli, Sprezzatura Rathmines We will never not want homemade pasta, and this spinach and ricotta stuffed ravioli, in a sage has taken over our brains this week. They recommend following with an Americano - Red Vermouth and soda water, and who are we to argue. Find it in Sprezzatura Rathmines. 2) Fried Chicken Bap, 3fe If you're not feeling the need for a healthier than normal January, make your way to 3fe sharpish (Five Points and Grand Canal Street) for their new fried chicken bap, which comes with 3fe hot sauce mayo, pickled cucumber and slaw on brioche. If that won't make you warm from the inside out, nothing will. 3) French Onion Soup, Bresson It's French onion soup season, and before we know it, it will be off menus for another year. Dive into Bresson for a bowl of steaming hot, cheesy crouton-topped loveliness before we hit spring. 4) Shuan Jiao Niu Liu from the secret menu at Hakkahan We've recently found out that Hakkahan in Stoneybatter has a secret menu , devised on request by their Chinese customers, and now they've made it available to everyone. We're lusting after the Shuan Jiao Niu Liu - beef fillet with chillies and ginger - and hear it packs a proper punch. 5) Tadka Dahl, Daata If you're trying to eat less meat in January, or in general, head for Daata for this Tadka Dhaal - a chana lentil dahl cooked with tempered spices, and topped with crispy onions and herbs. A side of naan is optional, but recommended.

Forgot someone? Last minute gift scramble just like every other year? Not only does everyone have to eat, and most people love going to restaurants, there's never been a more important time for our favourite restaurants to get an additional cash injection, so consider a restaurant gift voucher a gift to both sides this year. Postal dates for physical vouchers have ended at this point, but all of these can be downloaded online, so you don't need to face any crowds, or get dressed, and they can be purchased right up to Christmas morning. Obviously, lots of places sell vouchers, but these are our recommendations for a great experience when they get there. Woodruff, Bastible, Mamó, Grano, Etto 777 - buy here A Fianco - buy here Aimsir - buy here Bar Italia - buy here Bastible - buy here Bread 41 - buy here Clanbrassil House - buy here Etto - buy here Featherblade - buy here Forest Avenue - buy here Grano - buy here Clanbrassil House, Aimsir, Mister S, Forest Avenue, Note Host - buy here Kinara / Kinara Kitchen / Kajal - buy here Library Street - buy here Locks - buy here Mae - buy here Mamó - buy here Michaels - buy here Mister S - buy here Mr Fox - buy here Nightmarket - buy here Volpe Nera, A Fianco, Mae, Pickle, Sprezzatura Note - buy here One Pico - buy here Potager - buy here Pickle - buy here Sprezzatura - buy here The Park Café - buy here Uno Mas - buy here Variety Jones - buy here Volpe Nera - buy here Woodruff - buy here

December's monthly 9 giveaway is live! From restaurant vouchers for some of the hottest tables in town to wine club subscriptions, cocktail deliveries to Irish food hampers, each one will ensure a very merry Christmas for this month's winners. As always our nine monthly giveaways is a small way to thank our supporters for letting us stay #ad, #collab and #invite free, and we could not do this without your support . Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders by midnight on Saturday 17th December will be entered into the draw, and winners will be picked and notified on Sunday 18th December. Here's what's in this month's line up... 1) Chef's Counter Tasting Menu for Two, D'Olier Street D'Olier Street has been once of the most anticipated Dublin openings of 2022, and we're sending one of you off to enjoy dinner for two at their chef's counter. Their 10-dish tasting menu (€82) highlights the best ingredients from around Ireland and the world, with dishes like foie gras custard, quince and English muffin; nori tartlet, bluefin tuna and ginger; and riz au lait with mango and cardamom. They offer wine and non-alcoholic pairings, and you can book by emailing i nfo@churchandchambers.ie . (Prize can be used Tuesday - Thursday. Beverages not included) Image: Storybord 2) The Gulliver Hamper from Lilliput Stores Lilliput Stores know a thing or five about putting together prime hampers, and we've got 'The Gulliver' (RRP €125) to give away to one of you this month, packed with red and white wine, biscotti, crackers, olives, tinned fish and lots of other good stuff for you to get your teeth into. See their full range of Christmas Hampers here , create your own, or head along to their Christmas hamper market this Saturday and Sunday from 11am-6pm in their Stoneybatter warehouse. If you're signed up to ATF Insiders you can get first access at our preview night on Friday 16th , with all the tasters, mulled wine and 10% off hampers purchased on the night. 3) A €100 Voucher for Nan Chinese Nan Chinese is coming to Dublin 2 any day, from the same people behind Hakkahan in Stoneybatter, and we're giving away a €100 voucher so one of you can get a first look at no cost. Nan means south in Mandarin, and they'll be serving 'Huaiyang' cuisine from Southern China. Head chef Sheng Lin Ji has been drafted in from China, and dishes on the opening menu include crab fried rice; Huaiyang braised ‘Lion’s Head’ with salted egg yolk in Chinese brown sauce; and pumpkin and sweet wine soup with sesame rice balls. We can't wait. 4) A Three-Month Subscription for The Wine Club from Neighbourhood Wine Ever dreamed of being part of a wine club? We could be making that dream a reality, because the guys at Neighbourhood Wine have given us a three-month wine subscription to their new wine club to give away to one of you. Each month they send two wines from small, independent producers, along with tasting notes and wine/food pairing suggestions. Could they be a better monthly delivery to look forward to? 5) A Cocktail Hamper from Dublin Cocktail Lab Dublin Cocktail Lab put the alternative into alternative drinks, and we've got a Christmas pack to give away just in time for the holiday season, including a white negroni, a pink peppercorn negroni, a Christmas old-fashioned, hot whiskey syrup and their famous mulled wine mix. And as if that wasn't enough, they're also throwing in their full range of Whitebox canned cocktails . Talk about stepping up your Christmas drinks game. See their full range here . 6) The Irish Hamper, Lotts & Co Hamper season is upon us, and instead of always being on the giving end, one of you will be receiving your very own Irish Hamper from Lotts & Co . Featuring 16 great Irish products like Cloud Picker Coffee, Lismore biscuits, and Harry's nutbutter, it retails for €125, but hampers start at €50 and you can browse the full range here . 7) A case of Spanish wine from Rueda Life's too short to drink bad wine, and one of our Insiders will be having a Spanish themed Christmas with a hamper of Rueda ’s finest. Known for sandy vineyards producing full-bodied and aromatic white wines, the case of six bottles includes Cuatro Rayas Organic Verdejo; Diez Siglos Sauvignon Blanc; Matarromera Verdejo Fermentado en Barrica; Oro de Castilla Sauvignon Blanc; and José Pariente Sauvignon. Check out more about the region and Rueda wines here . 8) Christmas Hamper from Heart of Spain The Castilla Y Leon Hamper from Heart of Spain has a special Christmas edition, filled with gourmet food and drink from artisan producers in the Castilla and León regions in Spain. It's got wine, suckling pig leg, 12-month matured sheep’s cheese, duck liver paté with Cognac, chorizo, Iberian Cebo de Campo ham, cherries in grappa syrup, and so much more, but we'll leave some room for surprise. Their Spanish hampers are available here , and they deliver across Ireland - but the last day for delivery before Christmas is this Monday, 19th December, so be quick. 9) The full range from House Cocktails To celebrate the launch of the new bottled cocktail range from House on Leeson Street, we're giving away one of every bottle in the range (retailing at €35 each) - , Espresso Martini; Pornstar Martini; Cosmopolitan; and Strawberry Daiquiri. All the fun, none of the arm workout. The full range is available at all O'Brien's off licenses or can be ordered online here for next-day delivery across Ireland. Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders for December will be automatically entered into the prize draw. If you're not signed up yet join here and support independent content in Dublin and beyond, and get answers to all of your burning questions about eating out, here and abroad, directly from us.

Forgot someone? Last minute gift scramble just like every other year? Not only does everyone have to eat, and most people love going to restaurants, there's never been a more important time for our favourite restaurants to get an additional cash injection. It's been a shocker of a week, with many feeling like this is the last straw, so consider a restaurant gift voucher a gift to both sides this year. Postal dates for physical vouchers have mainly ended at this point, but all of these can be downloaded online, so you don't need to face any crowds, or get dressed, and they can be purchased right up to Christmas morning. Obviously lots of places sell vouchers, but these are our recommendations to you when you ask, and places we really want to stay open for the foreseeable future. 777 - buy here Aimsir - buy here Bastible - buy here Bread 41 - buy here Clanbrassil House - buy here Etto - buy here Featherblade - buy here Kinara / Kinara Kitchen / Kajal - buy here Library Street - buy here Locks - buy here Mae - buy here Mamó - buy here Michaels - buy here Mister S - buy here Mr Fox - buy here Mulberry Garden - buy here Nightmarket - buy here One Pico - buy here Potager - buy here Pickle - buy her e Sprezzatura - buy here Uno Mas - buy here Variety Jones - buy here Volpe Nera - buy here Woodruff - buy here

What should we know about Fable? Kate O’Sullivan and Elyse Clarke's Fable Bakery started out selling pastries at the Phibsborough Market in July of this year, and then Herbert Park Market, after both working in Smithfield's No Messin' (which is without any doubt one of the country's best purveyors of pastry, cookies, doughnuts and the rest). After a few months of market trading they spotted this post from Sprout, offering an up and coming food entrepreneur a space at the front of their Dawson Street café, and from over 60 applicants Fable were picked to set up shop in a city centre location they could probably only have dreamt of. They opened at the end of November with sweet and savoury pastries, coffee from Imbibe, and a very warm welcome from local office workers. What's the menu like? Buns, tarts and cookies on the day we visited, with a mostly sweet menu but a couple of savoury options too. The almond, cinnamon and chocolate buns are all variations of the same pastry, with the sun-dried tomato and parmesan a savoury version of the same knot. That sun-dried tomato one was really excellent, even if half the cheese did blow off as we took it out of the bag. Big chunks of sweet, densely flavoured tomatoes, perfectly chewy pastry, fennel seeds, and cheesey swirls. We were less keen on the almond bun, thinking it wasn't chewy or crispy enough, and needed a bit more of the X-Factor, but the sea salt chocolate cookie was a 10 - crispy on the outside, soft and chewy in the middle, perfect fresh from the oven, and still perfect hours later. Dip into tea for the best mid-afternoon pick me up you've had in a while. What is there to drink? Coffee is from Imbibe and while sadly using a good brand doesn't always mean you're going to get a good coffee, we got a very good coffee - smooth and brewed perfectly. Is there seating? Yep. Sprout don't kick off serving salads until 11:00, so the whole space is free for Fable's customers in the morning. After that it might be more of a squeeze, but if you want to eat in you can. Why should I go? Bakeries in Dublin city centre are practically non-existent, and before now you would have had to walk to places like Bread 41 on Pearse Street or across to No Messin' in Smithfield to get something good to have with your morning coffee. All the claps for Sprout for giving two up and coming grafters a space to spread their wings, and this is exactly the sort of small food business we need more of in central locations. Fable Bakery 3 Dawson Street, Dublin 2 fablebakery.com

The trees are up, the mulled wine is simmering, the Toy Show is already a distant memory – Christmas has well and truly begun. Our festive food articles have got you covered for all of your holiday needs (and most importantly Christmas sambos ), but as always, we’ve got our eyes on all kinds of tastiness, and these are some of the dishes we can't take our eyes off this week... 1) Foie gras custard with English muffins, D'Olier Street New kid on the block, D’Olier Street opened its doors this month and is the project of Anthony Smith (Mr Fox) and James Moore (former head chef at Michelin-starred Atera in New York), who both worked together at One Pico, along with Moore's wife Jane Frye. Currently on their €82 tasting menu is this foie gras custard with quince chutney and candied walnuts, served with house-made English muffins. As if we weren't already keen enough to visit... 2) Boiled then baked bagels, Elliot's Flying off Phibsborough shelves, we can’t stop thinking about these delicious, seeded, boiled THEN baked bagels in Elliot’s - which any bagel obsessive will tell you are very hard to find. The microbakery is going from strength to strength, and between these bagels, last week's featured choux buns, and quince mince pies, we’re bringing an extra large tote bag with us on our next visit. 3) Bluefin tuna tartare, Hang Dai When we’re looking for exciting Chinese food, good cocktails and a serious party vibe, Hang Dai on Camden Street is always top of mind. This week we’re hankering after their latest creation - bluefin tuna tartare with a sriracha soy dressing, served with edamame purée, royal Belgian caviar and lotus root crisps. 4) Knafeh, Shaku Maku This Middle Eastern diner in the heart of Rathmines has been serving mezze platters, griddle plans and “Josper” charcoal grills since early this year, but Shaku Maku 's sweet offerings jump off their feed. We really want their “knafeh”, a Palestinian dessert consisting of crunchy shredded filo dough, baked with a layer of a sweet cheese, and then drenched in rosewater syrup. 5) Squid a la plancha, Uno Mas One of our favourite places to eat in Dublin, Uno Mas is top of our list when it comes to superb food and great wine in the city. This pic of their squid a la plancha on the ‘para picar’ (‘to pick at’) menu, served with squid ink aioli and a garlic and parsley olive oil, was just the reminder we needed to book a table there pronto.

Looking for gifts for the immaterialistic, experience-loving people in your life? Want to avoid buying more 'stuff'? We've picked the subscriptions and experiences that we'd love to find under the tree this year - gifts that will keep on giving well into 2023... Experiences Seasonal Supper Club, Killruddery Killruddery ’s Seasonal Supper Club is back, including four courses from a sharing plate-style menu, ingredients from the walled garden and farm, and a glass of bubbles, in a candlelit setting with roaring log fires. Supper at the Grain Store would make a great experience gift, and if you choose your recipient carefully maybe you can tag along. There is currently availability for February and March 2023 at €65 per person, and you can book here . A foraging trip in Howth Foraging seems to be getting more popular by the day, and a voucher for Howth Foraging would be an ideal gift for the nature lover in your life this Christmas. Vouchers for a tour of your choice start at €55 including a bespoke card, and there's a postage fee of €5. Gift cards are handmade using locally foraged dried wildflowers and leaves, and you can buy vouchers by emailing Nicole at howthforaging@outlook.ie . Distilling Academy Experience, Stillgarden Distillery Stillgarden Distillery in Dublin 8 run a distilling academy where you can go back to school - 'Spirit School'. The experience includes a welcome drink, four gin-tasting flights, a cocktail class and cocktail, a food buffet, and your finished bottle of gin or vodka to take home. Prices start at €120 and you can book here , or check out their other distillery experiences here . Cookery Class, Dublin Cookery School If you have someone in your life who loves to cook (or someone who needs to learn to cook) the Dublin Cookery School in Blackrock run a wide variety of cookery classes , from bread making to pasta, modern vegetarian to tapas. You can book a specific class here , or buy a gift voucher if you're not sure what to pick. Whiskey Cocktail Making, Jameson Distillery If you have a whiskey lover in your life, Jameson Distillery in Bow Street has a 60-mintute whiskey cocktail-making masterclass hosted by a Jameson bartender, where they'll learn to make three different whiskey cocktails, and drink them. Classes cost €50 and you can book here . Tickets for The Big Grill Festival It may seem way to early to be thinking about summer 2023, but early bird tickets for The Big Grill and their VIP space Rancho Relaxo, went on sale this week, just in time for Christmas. It's on from Thursday 17th - Sunday 20th August, and tickets are €22.23 for entry, or €61.13 for the VIP experience with two drinks, posh loos and plenty of space to chill out. Get them here . Subscriptions ATF Insiders Subscription Of course, we're going to recommend a gift subscription to ATF Insiders , which we think is the best possible present you could give someone who loves eating out more than any other activity in life. Insiders get exclusive content just for them, event invites, are entered into nine giveaways each month, and get direct access to our team to ask any questions they have about eating out. A yearly subscription costs €55 and will keep giving for a whole 12 months, and we've just launched new gift bundles with totes, cards and notebooks if you want to bulk it up. Shop here . Good Fortune Cookie Subscription Good Fortune's treat and repeat subscription will mean a delivery of freshly baked cookies each month, for three or six months (€90 or €180). A 15 cookie delivery (five each of three different flavours) will definitely brighten up someone's day, week or month, and you can buy it here . Camerino Cake Club Cake club - yes it's a real thing, and who wouldn't love it? Camerino Bakery send a 12-piece seasonal selection box that changes each month, and they collaborate with different Irish food producers. The cake club is available as a one-off starting at €50, or as monthly subscription with options of three, six or twelve months. Get it here . A Fancy Cheese Subscription What better way to say I love you than with cheese? We reckon we've tried every cheese club in the country at this point and we have two current favourites. Mike's Fancy Cheese sends 3-5 cheeses each month (you can specify if there's a type you don't like), with tasting notes and crackers, starting at £30 per month. We're also fans of the Little Cheese Shop' s monthly subscription, which comes with all Irish cheeses, crackers, chutney, tasting notes and details about each cheese and the cheesemaker. Subs start at €39.50 per month and you can order here . Mike's Fancy Cheese The Little Cheese Shop Beer Subscription, The Crú For craft beer lovers, The Crú (formerly The Beer Club) have a beer subscription with three options - solo (4 craft beers), duo (8 craft beers) and trio (12 craft beers) delivered each month. Subscriptions include tasting notes for each beer and there are three, six and 12-month subscription options here . Wine Subscription, Boujee Booze Boujee Booze 's monthly subscription box features three unique wines delivered each month, which could be white, red, pink, orange or fizzy, all in the region of natural, organic and biodynamic production. They send information and tasting notes for each wine, plus food pairings with a full recipe, recipe video and a takeaway pairing. If you're sending it as a gift, add a note and they'll include a card too. Prices start at €65 for a one-month purchase, ranging to €720 for 12 months, and shipping is included. Treat someone to great wine here . Books The Irish Cook Book, JP Mc Mahon You can rarely go wrong with books, and 'The Irish Cook Book' by Michelin-starred chef, restaurateur and author JP McMahon will be on lots of wishlists this Christmas. A companion book, An Alphabet of Aniar: Notes for a New Irish Cuisine, is now available for pre-order. Both books are available to buy/pre-order here . The Bake Cookbook, The Cupcake Bloke Graham Herterich 's 'Bake', a traditional Irish baking cookbook with modern twists, is a perfect gift for the baker in your life, full of foolproof recipes for classics like scones, brack and breads, as well as innovations creations from Herterich's head. You can buy it here on its own or as part of a hamper. Ixta Belfrage's Mezcla Ixta Belfrage co-wrote Flavour with Ottolenghi, and her own book ' Mezcla ' (meaning 'to mix' in Spanish) has 100 recipes inspired by her Italian, Brazilian and Mexican heritage. We've tried and loved the recipes, and it was one of our favourite new cookbooks of 2022. Buy from all good book stores. Scoop Magazine Scoop is a brand new biannual food magazine about Irish food, ideal for any food lovers and avid readers in your life. The first issue 'What is Irish Food?' costs €20 and is available here . There's also an annual subscription for €40 which includes both upcoming issues for April and October 2023.