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We’re long-time sceptics of ever venturing into a restaurant on Valentine’s Day, an occasion second only to the Christmas season for souped-up set menus charging through the nose for a strictly time-limited table. But we recognise that not everyone has the kitchen confidence (or, let’s be real in Dublin these days, kitchen access that’s not shared with far too many others) to whip up a show-stopper meal that says what no Hallmark card ever could. So here’s our loving gift to you - top tips for delicious dinners that won’t rinse or rush you – and that aren’t already booked to the rafters. Yet. Be quick...   Gursha, Poolbeg Street With a name that literally refers to the act of lovingly feeding another with your hands, Gursha couldn’t be any better suited to the corny couple moments that make Valentine’s play like The Purge  for PDAs. All gag reflexes aside, this excellent Ethiopian spot is one of the best places around town to try out East African food, with mixed plates of five (meaty) or six (vegan) dishes mopped up with deliciously airy injera flatbread. Book here .

Six months on from Christmas and with nine years still to go to the start of spring, it’s fair to say this January has been an endless, soaking slog we can’t wait to be rid of. All that’s keeping us going is sneaking in whatever catchups we didn't get around to at Christmas, but with everyone’s bank balance still hurting from the festive season, value options are key. Here's our best bets for treating yourself while feeling smug about the minimal outlay involved...   Chiya, Dame Street   Somehow still coming in under the €10 mark in this day and age, Chiya ’s Berlin-style döners stand out first and foremost for their crazy cheap cost, but their belt-bursting value is just as much a story – you will not be needing sides (but don’t skimp on extra pickles). With three outstanding veggie options it’s a fail-safe fallback for finnicky mixed groups, and there’s enough green goodness in the salads buried beneath charred mounds of meat to make every option in here seem passably healthy.   Fallon & Byrne, Exchequer Street   Our hats are off to anyone still persisting with Dry January (our thinking caps too – see our no-and low-alcohol guide here ), but for us, a little wine to while away the dark and gloomy nights goes a long way. Fallon & Byrne ’s wine cellar charges just €1 corkage on anything purchased in-store Sunday to Tuesday, meaning for less than €20 a head you could be getting all the latest over a shared bottle of fizz and a charcuterie board.   Bolt Burger, Patrick Street   If you don’t mind a Monday outing (how better to start the week), The Fourth Corner’s Bolt Burger  will dish you up a double smash and fries for €12 (an even better €10 for students) – that’s a steal even before we get to the FX Buckley beef they’re using. The cosy bar’s various nooks and crannies make for an ideally private perch for whatever colourful catchups you might have in mind, especially on these quieter nights.   Shaku Maku, Ranelagh   One group who might not mourn these dark and dreary evenings is Muslims – an earlier start date for Ramadan means fewer daylight hours to fast through. Even so, the full spread sunset feast that is iftar doesn’t hold back in its fast-breaking indulgence, and where better to sample the buffet bounties than Palestinian-owned Shaku Maku . They’re taking €30 a head bookings for Feb 17 th online now .   Row Wines, Coppinger Row   We needn’t only confine ourselves to the cheap and cheerful in our hunt for late-winter value – Row Wines  are classing things up with their midweek meal deal of any two plates for €25, plus a glass of wine for an optional €5 too. It runs all night (!) Tuesdays to Thursdays so you can share in their famed Kilkee crab rosti or beurre blanc mussels without a sharp price shock when the bill lands down.   Sano, Temple Bar & Ranelagh   If you can get in before 6pm Monday to Thursday, Neapolitan-style Sano  have a steal of a deal in both their Dublin branches. For just €20 you can choose from their classic or signature pizza menus (no specials), add a beer or wine, and throw in dessert too – with some of their 12” creations touching on €16 a piece, that’s a solid saving. Make sure you buy a voucher online  to avail.   Hawksmoor, Dame Street   There’s precious few days left to take advantage of Hawksmoor ’s January €25 rump steak and side special – depending on which side you plump for, that’s anything up to a €10 saving on the price you’d pay any other time of the year. With extra courses also on offer at €5 a piece, it’s a solid bet for when you want to eat well without breaking the bank, and it's very possible (if difficult) to swap the chips for salad.   Suertudo, Ranelagh   After pausing for the festive season, Suertudo  have brought back their Lucky Tuesday offering, with individually-priced tacos allowing you to sample a mix-and-match of slow-cooked meat, fresh seafood, and assorted veggie specials (from €3.50 - €6 for as little or as many as you'd like). It’s a great way to right-size your bill and your portion, and if you’re not on the dry January train those €10 margs sound very tempting.   Coke Lane, Rialto & Liberties   Generously doing their bit to beat the January blues, Coke Lane ’s D8 branches in Rialto’s The Circular and Meath Street’s Lucky’s are offering a pizza and pint combo for €15 every day of the week for what’s left of the month, as long as you get in before 18:30 – sounds like a perfect post-work or weekend plan to us. That there’s no strings at all on which of each you can choose either, which is especially good music to our ears.   Andhra Bhavan, Marlborough Street & Abbey Street   Deceptively filling dosa is one of our go-to choices when we’re feeling a little light in the pocket but still craving a night out, and nobody does them better or more varied than Andhra Bhavan . Most of their 20+ takes on the fermented chickpea pancake come in at under €15, with the onion rava and gunpowder masala among our favourites after many a visit. If you’re feeling flush, the dozen-plus dish taster thalis for €30-€40 are the way to go.   Nan, Stephen Street Lower   An upmarket Chinese with a €55 lobster section on the menu might not scream cheap night out, but we were shocked on a recent visit to Nan  to find ourselves full to bursting with dim sum for less than €20 a head. You’d need a spell in rehab to get over their pork-salted turnip cakes, while adventurous eaters will revel in the spicy chicken claws and beef tripe. A steaming big bowl of pork, beef, or chicken congee will only set you back €9 too.   ATF Perks, Everywhere   Happy to spend a bit more but still want to feel like you're saving? Grab yourself an ATF Perk , with offers like free cod chips in Mamó , 25% off in One Pico , and a free snack and Irish coffee to finish in Mr Fox . ATF Perks are exclusively available to ATF Insiders - if you're not already signed up to our premium service, see everything you could be taking advantage of here .

We're nearly there people. The longest month since time began has only five days left (still another five!?), and we're plodding our way through with thoughts of fresh fig pizza, balsamic mushroom and comté pastries, and stuffed brioche buns that look like they've landed straight from a Bologna sandwich shop. Here's this week's eating hit list... 1) Mortadella, stracciatella and pistachio brioche, Elliot's Praise be for Elliot's doing the actual Lord's work with this mortadella, stracciatella and pistachio brioche. We were in a literal spin last week doing algebra equations on travel times to D7 divided by the chance of any being left on their Arran Street East counter by the time we got there. Find it (hopefully) weekdays from 12pm. 2) All the pizzas , La Strada La Strada say their pizza toppings are "getting wild in 2026", and they're absolutely % flirting with us via this shot of their elevated Mortazza (hello pistachio cream), and swipe across for the nduja with fresh figs. We'll be having one of each. Okay love you bye. 3) New small plates, Green Man Wines Green Man Wines in Terenure have some new plates on the go for a new year, and have no shame in admitting how many times we've gone back for a goo at the Yellow Fin tuna tartare with Abercorn Farm fennel and citrus, and the grilled Abercorn Farm leeks with miso butter, hazelnut and cured egg. Flying the flag for genuinely in season produce, surrounded by the best wines available on the island - so many reasons to make a booking. 4) Garlic balsamic mushroom pastries, Fable We almost included Fable's new Chai Bun this week instead, but their new savoury pastry won out by a whisker. Garlic balsamic mushrooms, herby béchamel and Comté cheese will be on their Dun Laoghaire counter for the rest of the month, and we're willing to bet any money that it's going to deliver on those big promises. 5) Thai chicken baos, Park 27 If you've yet to pay Tallaght's Priory Market a visit, might we suggest that homemade bao buns filled with Thai-style chicken is as good a sign as any that now's your time. Park 27 are fully committed to the cooking from scratch bit, and are piling their fluffy buns high with that chicken, picked veg, tamarind mayo for a citrussy kick, and a chilli nut crumb. Sounds like an awesome assortment of flavours and textures.

A new year means a brand-new set of ATF Insider giveaways - and we’re starting 2026 as we mean to go on. If you're an Insider , you’re automatically entered into our monthly draws, with nine brilliant prizes handpicked by us, from some of the best restaurants, hotels and food businesses around. January’s draw will take place on Sunday 18th January , with the winners announced on social media and contacted directly by email. If you’re not an Insider yet, you can join before midnight on Saturday 17th and you’ll be in the running too, along with getting access to exclusive content, weekly insider intel, invites to the best restaurant events in Dublin and more. Here’s what you could win this month… 1) The Chef’s Menu + Welcome Cocktail + Bottle of Wine for Two at Kaldero It's been a huge week for Kaldero who were added to the Michelin Guide for the first time, and for Richie Castillo and Alex O’Neill (of Filipino pop up Bahay), who've turned the South King Street dining room into one of the city’s most exciting kitchens. Rooted in Filipino flavours and thoughtful sourcing, they've brought Kaldero a long way from its initial format , and to celebrate the much deserved listing, we've got the Chef’s Menu for two , plus a welcome cocktail  each and a bottle of wine to give away to one lucky Insider . 2) Dinner for two at Hawksmoor worth €250 January can feel bleak, but Hawksmoor has the cure. Those cocktails, those blackboard steaks, that grand dining room, the €5 corkage on Mondays! Name a better location for a mid-winter date night. Plus all month they’re serving a €25 Irish rump steak with a choice of sides like butter lettuce and herbs (virtuous), or beef-dripping chips (less virtuous), until 18:00 Monday - Friday, and 17:30 on Saturday. If you're throwing the baby out with the bath water, the molten mac and cheese and sticky toffee pudding should be on your order sheet. One Insider is heading in for  a very bougie dinner for two  up to the value of €250 to enjoy all of it. 3) A €200 voucher for dinner at Nutbutter, Dundrum Nutbutter have just opened their third restaurant in Dundrum Town Centre, and it's a biggie. With 110 seats outside and another 50 outside overlooking the water (hello summer), it's the bright, open space with life-giving food that's the respite you need from crowds and shops. With a menu designed for plant-lovers and carnivores, their affordable, flavour-packed food is available from 11:30 - 21:30 daily, and this one has Dundrum-only exclusives like cocktails and açaí. One Insider is going to win a €200 voucher  to try it all, so start thinking about what friends you'd bring. 4) €100 voucher for The Old Spot and a copy of their cookbook Kaldero weren't the only addition to the Michelin Guide this week. The Old Spot in Dublin 4 were re-added to the guide for the first time since 2023, under Head Chef Mark Ahessy. The guide praised the kitchen's " immensely satisfying food ", and made a point of saying that " desserts are a real highlight ", so ensure you save room on your next visit. To celebrate the news, we've got a €100 gift voucher for The Old Spot to give away, as well as a copy of their award-winning cookbook . 5) A €100 voucher for the new China Hunan in Ranelagh China Hunan , the new opening from the team behind China Song (formerly China Tang) in Monkstown and Nan Chinese in the city centre, is opening very soon in Ranelagh, with the aim of bringing the bold flavours of Hunan - along with dishes from other regions - to another sleek dining room. From handcrafted dim sum to roast meats and signature Hunan dishes, everything will be freshly prepared by their team of chefs from across China, and we've got a €100 voucher  for China Hunan to give away so one of you can head in and explore the menu. 6) A €100 Voucher for Glas on Chatham Street Veganuary or not, Glas makes plant-based eating easy, satisfying and fun. Led by Head Chef Malte Half, the team transforms Irish vegetables into thoughtful dishes highlighting textures, seasonality and above all else flavour. It’s the perfect place for anyone with a 2026 resolution to eat less meat, or who just wants to be surprised by what a talented kitchen team can do with vegetables. We've got a €100 dinner voucher to give away for Glas this month, and for maximum value we suggest using it on their early or late bird menus . 7) The Gaucho Rodízio BBQ for two at BAH33º BAH33º are lessening the financial load of January with 15% off their Gaucho Rodízio BBQ at lunchtime from Monday to Thursday, so if you've never tried it consider this your sign. You'll find more than 15 premium cuts from 100% Irish meat, slow-roasted over charcoal and carved tableside in real Brazilian style, and you've got two hours to consume as much as you can handle. Don't miss their signature Costela Gaúcha 12h (beef ribs slow-cooked for 12 hours) and the Picanha (Rump Cap), and t here's salads, hot dishes and starters too - all unlimited. Check out BAH33º here . 8) A Three-Course Meal for Two at Tenters for ‘Pie January’ Tenters in the Liberties is leaning into comfort season with Pie January, a collection of savoury pies made for cold evenings and midweek catch-ups. The rotating pie menu is packed with pub classics done properly, with options like slow-braised beef and vegetable pie, to chicken curry, or chicken, mushroom and leek. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are also available, making it an easy choice for all, and to celebrate pie season we've got a three course meal for two with a drink of your choice to give away this month. For more information visit the website or follow them on Instagram here . 9) Two Tickets to A Wine Idea's “Exploring the Classics” tasting A Wine Idea are back with a new schedule of their carefully curated tastings (held in Bewley's on Grafton Street), and if you're looking for somewhere to start, you won't go wrong with " Exploring the Classics ", delving into the classic regions and bottles every wine lover should know. It's relaxed, informative, fun and perfect for anyone wanting to deepen their knowledge without feeling adrift, and we've got two tickets  to give away for the next one at the end of February. Check out all of their upcoming tastings here . So there's nine very good reasons to feel a bit brighter about January. We’ll be picking winners on Sunday 18th January , so keep an eye on your inbox, and if you’re not an ATF Insider yet, this is your sign to jump on board. If you are an ATF Insider , thank you for supporting independent food writing in Ireland. It keeps us doing what we do best - eating absolutely everything so you don’t have to. Sign up here .

With the festive season’s wallet and waistline-busting indulgence maxing most of us out in more ways than one, January tends to be the quietest time of the year on the restaurant scene with plenty of places keeping their doors closed into mid-month. But between offers looking to lure people back out, healthy specials studded with stuff that’s good for your gut, and just plain-old piping-hot winter warmers to put some life back in your frozen soul, there’s plenty out there to tempt even those of us most fervently watching our belts and budgets. Here's your January hit list... BARGAIN DEALS   Hawksmoor, Dame Street Their now-famed rump steak and side special has become something of an annual tradition for Hawksmoor , tempting punters in the door with a €25 price tag. Depending on which side you plump for, that could be anything up to a €10 saving on the price you’d pay any other time of the year – the perfect chance to see what the meaty fuss is all about. With extra courses also on offer at €5 a piece, it’s a solid bet for when you want to eat well without breaking the bank, and it's very possible (if difficult) to swap the chips for veggies.   Bah33°, Royal Hibernian Way With the constant demand at their original home just off Dawson Street, it’s no big surprise Brazilian barbecue joint Bah33°   are opening a second branch in Dundrum Town Centre. If you’re hungry enough, there’s serious value to be had at their sword-served, all-you-can-eat, slow-roasted meat buffet, and if you visit at lunch, you're guaranteed not to need dinner. Usually only served from Thursday - Sunday, they're going seven days a week in January, with 15% off for midweek lunch bookings (that's €50.92 instead of €59.90).   Bell Pesto, James's Street You could save a full €15 if you order smartly at Bell Pesto this month – their weekend deals on two or three courses can work out really good value if you play your cards right. This under-the-radar Thomas Street Italian celebrates a different region of the country each month, and takes us to the little-known Molise this time, with spicy squid, lamb cutlets and Strega-soaked pannocchio among the highlights.   Suertudo, Ranelagh After pausing for the festive season, Suertudo  are bringing back their Lucky Tuesday offering, with individually-priced tacos allowing you to sample a mix-and-match of slow-cooked meat, fresh seafood, and assorted veggie specials (from €3.50 - €6 for as little or as many as you'd like). It’s a great way to right-size your bill and your portion, and if you’re not on the dry January train those €10 margs sound very tempting.   HEALTHY OPTIONS   Glas, Chatham Street If your new year’s food resolutions include cutting down on meat, there’s no better place to open your eyes to the possibilities than Glas . The jewel in the crown of Dublin’s plant-based scene, it’s leaning hard into Veganuary with a firm focus on seasonal, sustainable cooking. The sound of stuff like quince ketchup and candied artichoke coffee ganache would have us running, even before you factor in their early and late bird discount deals.   Honest to Goodness, The Liberties Health-centric café Honest to Goodness revealed recently they’re often busier in January than December (that’s despite their Christmas wrap making the top grade in our rankings ), and it’s small wonder with the bang-for-buck value packed in their generously-sized salads and sandwiches. Ahead of a menu revamp pending for February, they’re taking customer soundings on which favourites they should keep on the go – now’s the time to get in and have your say.   Tang, Abbey Street Middle Eastern-inspired Tang moves dinner service (Thursday and Friday nights only) across to Abbey Street from their sunnier Cumberland Place hub for the winter months - all the better to accommodate additional indoor demand, which there’s rightly plenty of. What better than a Mediterranean diet to help you shed those seasonal pounds with precisely zero sacrifice on flavour. The €13 to €18 price point for all their plates is also a major appeal at this time of year.   Fairmental, Grand Canal Street If you had even a small fraction as many Christmas sandwiches as we did over the last month, you’ll be in need of a serious gut health boost by now. Praise be for Fairmental and their probiotic slaws, krauts, kimchis and hot sauces to bring your digestive system back into balance. Getting a bit of preserved colour at one of the drabbest points of the year for fresh produce is a major plus in this place – you might even be motivated to book a fermentation class or take up a subscription while you’re at it.   WINTER WARMERS   Hong Kong Wonton, Fade Street “The only therapy you need in winter” won’t be true for an awful lot of people fresh from a family Christmas, but it gives a solid sense of just how comforting the congee in Hong Kong Wonton  can be. The standout dish from our first visit this time last year, this savoury rice porridge stewed in chicken stock and served with a soft dough stick, is just the ticket to throw off the worst winter chill – and all for only a tenner.   Dosa Dosa, Rialto After years of serving up top quality takes on various Indian street foods (not least of course the namesake so good they said it twice), we were thrilled to see Dosa Dosa settled down in a permanent bricks and mortar home in Rialto. They’re celebrating the Hindu harvest feast of Pongal all this week with a special thali platter, so there’s never been a better time to get in and give it all a go.   Nomo Ramen, Charlotte Way Nothing, but nothing, shakes off the kind of in-the-bones cold we’ve had the last week like a bone broth and nobody, but nobody, does them quite like Nomo . Pimp soup season with these piled-high bowls of intense flavour, with one vegan and three chicken options (all €17.50) available for you to slurp your way through all season long.

Our 35 hottest list features the most talked about restaurants in Dublin right now, based on column inches, Insta love and the general pain involved in getting a booking. There are the restaurants with all the buzz, in alphabetical order, with four new entries for 2026... (It might also be useful to read our guide on how to tables in the top ten hardest to book restaurants in Dublin) * This list doesn't include cafés or lunch-only options, everywhere here is open for dinner at a minimum Achara Where: Aston Quay, Dublin 2 Northern Thai BBQ-inspired Achara on Aston Quay, from the same owners as Crudo in Sandymount and Hera in Drumcondra, has felt like just what Dublin needed. The chilli caramel fish sauce wings, Killary Fjord mussel skewers, and whole chargrilled fish have the young and old lining up in tandem, and the premium cocktail and wine lists have them hanging around long after the food's gone. Read our review of Achara here . Allta Where: Grand Canal Dock Allta found its fourth and (they're hoping) permanent home in Grand Canal Dock, with their short-lived "bar and bottle shop" next door recently closing - a new seafood bar is coming soon in its place. Expect carefully sourced Irish produce in both, cooked for maximum flavour, in modern spaces designed to very high standards. Read our Allta Bar once over here . Amai by Viktor (New) Where: Harry Street, Dublin 2 Few brand new Dublin restaurants have ascended to fame as quickly as Amai by Viktor . After opening above The Corkscrew last July, a reader told us we had to go asap. We take those orders seriously, and couldn't believe what we stumbled upon. Other reviewers followed, as did Michelin, adding them to the guide in October - three months post opening! All eyes are on them for a potential star when the awards come to town in February. Read our our once over here .

New year, new us, right? Not likely. If you're looking for us we'll be hoofing coppa and crescentina, eating more Semlor than is recommended, and slicing into a Galette de Rois with abandon, but we will balance it out with veggie sambos so all isn't completely lost... 1) Coppa & Crescentina, Borgo It's no secret that we're big fans of all things Italia around here, and this Antica Coppa with Crescentina Fritti from Borgo is the best looking one we've seen outside Bologna. If you've never had the pleasure of light and airy deep-fried pastry pockets, draped in Italy's best cold cuts (with obligatory picked veg on the side), taking a bus to Phibsboro will be cheaper than taking a flight. 2) Semlor , Elliot's It's the most wonderful time of the year - Semlor season. The sweet Swedish buns are traditionally eaten on 'Fat Tuesday', as one last blow out before Lent, but more recently bakeries have started making them available just after Christmas. If you've never had the rich, creamy, almondy buns, get yourself to Elliot's in Dublin 7 - the clock is ticking. 3) Galette de Rois, Bread 41 There aren't many places in Dublin that you can get your hands on a Galette de Rois, but Bread 41 isn't your average bakery. The puff pastry pie filled with almond frangipane and one whole almond to crown your King or Queen always appears on the counter on the 6th of January (Epiphany Day), but those kind souls are making it available for the whole month of January in all locations, so plenty of time to get your slice. 4) California Bagel, Junior's It's been ages since we had a really, really good bagel, so this from Junior's turned our heads. They're filling a toasted Bretzel bagel with crispy bacon, avocado, tomato, rocket, a fried egg, relish and chipotle mayo, and you can get it seven days a week for breakfast (Monday - Friday) or brunch (Saturday - Sunday). 5) Onion bhaji sandwich, Urbanity On a 2026 quest to eat more veg? Start with your sambos. Urbanity have come to the table with this "bangin' bhaji" number with crispy onions bhaji; carrot, cabbage and coriander slaw; mango chutney; pickled chilli; coriander aioli; and rocket on Tartine sourdough, and we're embarrassingly excited at the thought of getting seven a day in one sitting.

If the fate of Dublin’s few no-booze bars in recent years is anything to go by, an all-or-nothing approach to alcohol just isn’t going to cut it. We admire (from afar) those who stick firmly to a truly Dry January, but there are just as many out there who find this time of year the most amenable to a stiff drink. So whether you’re booking for a crowd who want solid options either side of the low ABV mark or just (sober) curious to check out something more considered than 0% draughts, here are the best spots in the city to stay dry(ish) this January... The Collins Club, Mount Street Don’t let being dry keep you from getting swanky – if anything, the cheaper bill you’ll rack up on N/A cocktails is all the more reason to go full fancy. The Leinster Hotel’s red-decked Collins Club offers four options at €10 a pop, a full €6 cheaper than the alcoholic alternatives, even with top-quality N/A spirits included. The spicy blueberry sour and passionfruit sgroppino sound like our kind of way to raise a toast to smart choices. Gloria Osteria, Westmoreland Street The maximalist vibe of newcomer chain Gloria Osteria doesn’t extend beyond the décor into the drinks menu too - there’s tons of stuff here for those taking it easy. Their six virgin cocktails all clock in no higher than the €10 mark, with a wide range of big and bold flavours to ensure you don’t feel left out of the fun. Three low ABV cocktails made with quarter proof spirits are a welcome addition to things too. Board, Dublin 8 After the initial wave of interest that met their opening back in January 2024, Clanbrassil Street’s Board  struggled to keep up the custom – their smart pivot to regular drinks and an additional low alcohol focus broke them out of their teetotal niche and saw them survive where the likes of The Virgin Mary did not. Dry January partakers are particularly well-catered for with the five N/A spirit cocktails named by flavour, while we can vouch for the solid quality of their pizzas.

What’s the story with Street Frites?   After the short-lived (much loved) Vi's House  closed after a year of trading, 21 Duke Lane sat empty for much of 2025. Former fans were a flutter when the lights went back on before Christmas, hoping that Vi was making a comeback, but it was something new. Street Frites is "Belgian-style fries using the best Irish potatoes", from commercial grower Meade Farm in Navan, with chips cut and sauces made in house. They've got on-the-go cones complete with sauce hatch at the back, 'gourmet fries', 'gourmet bites', and "street shakes". Is there seating? Just four tables for two, so you're not coming here with a gang, but there is a toilet so you won't have to schlep to BTs afterwards to wash the smell of chips off your hands. What did you have?   Cones come in original (ambitiously priced at €6.95), truffle (€8.95 with all the truffle oil, so nope), or funky (€7.95 with chimichurri, garlic, chilli and shichimi - our pick). There are 11 sauces, but we kept it classic with Belgian mayo, which is slightly sweeter. Fries were hot and crisp with a spicy, herby flavour, and we always like to see Irish chips served skin on (fibre goals), but as they cooled they became quite dry, and plenty of water was needed to wash them down. Kids (and adult kids) will love the cone's novelty factor.   There are five 'gourmet fries' - a veggie (Jakarta curry), two chicken, a beef, and a prawn. 'Yo Mama fries' (€12.95) come with fried chicken in a peanut glaze, kimchi mayo, sesame seeds, crispy shallots, chives, and unbilled chilli and peanuts. Chicken was tender and crisp, but there's no provenance information - staff had no clue and enquiries to the company have uncovered little. The sweet and spicy flavours were pleasant, but again the fries were hard to get through, needing plenty of sauce.   Tempura prawn fries (€13.50) come with saffron aioli, wakame, nori salt, red chilli and lime, and were like fresh scampi, in a top tempura batter. We loved the saffron aioli and seaweed, and it felt like it had marginal health benefits to offset some of those fries.   The 'gourmet bites' are the same as the gourmet fries, without the fries, and the Korean chicken bites with a clever wasabi and miso mayo (€8.95) were again well cooked, but the Korean flavours were off, with more gochujang needed and a burnt sugar taste, like treacle.   'Street shakes' are made with ice cream from The Milk Parlour in Northern Ireland, and while we couldn't stomach most of the diabetes in a cup combos (does anyone over five want salted caramel, oreo crumble and chocolate popping candy in liquid form?), we tried the 'Fla'mango'. Turns out mango, candied jalapeño, agave and lime is very delicious, especially when you get a mouthful of tajin and lime zest.   Why should we go?   It's just off Grafton Street, it's fast, it's easy, and kids and fast food lovers will be happy. Be aware though if you're taking the fam, prices will add up fast - gourmet fries and a shake each for four and you'll be down €85.   Street Frites 21 Duke Lane Upper, Dublin 2 streetfrites.ie

We thought last year was peak Christmas sandwich hysteria, but each year it seems to shift into a new gear. This year's seen Japanese sandos, off piste meats like duck and beef cheek, and "pigs in blanket gildas" being served on top, which clearly we were straight off to try. Last year we said it was getting impossible to find a Christmas sandwich under €10, this year a lot are edging towards €15 (one was €17.50!!), so it's even more important that you know where is worth your time and money after all that build up. Here are our final verdicts on the 30 we tried... ( and here's a more extensive list of where to get one )

Okay maybe you're REALLY organised but you totally forgot someone, or there's been a last minute addition to the table on Christmas Day and you can't greet them empty handed. Well everyone has to eat, and lots of restaurants have gift vouchers available online for immediate download, so you don't even have to battle the shops - hurray! Whether you're dealing with someone who knows their restaurant onions, or a family member who likes to play it safe with the classics, here's a list of where we recommend... (And if you REALLY love them you can also buy them a digital gift voucher for ATF Insiders ...) For the food adventurers Comet - read our review here . Get a voucher here . Library Street - read our review here . Get a voucher here . Lena - read our review here . Get a voucher here . Uno Mas - read our (sort of) review here . Get a voucher here . Etto - read our review here . Get a voucher here . Amai by Viktor - read our review here . Get a voucher here . Mister S - read our review here . Get a voucher here . Host - read our review here . Get a voucher here . Kaldero - read our review here . Get a voucher here . Gloria - read more here . Get a voucher here . Top row: Comet; Library Street; Lena. Middle Row: Uno Mas; Etto; Amai by Viktor. Bottom row: Mister S; Host; Kaldero For the star chasers Variety Jones - read our review here . Get a voucher here . D'Olier Street - read our review here . Get a voucher here . Chapter One - read our review here . Get a voucher here via The Blue Book. (Chapter One only do postal vouchers) Bastible - read our review here . Get a voucher here . The Morrison Room, Carton House - read more here . Get a voucher here . Clockwise from top: Variety Jones; D'Olier Street; The Morrison Room; Bastible; Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen For the city centre avoiders Volpe Nera - read our review here . Get a voucher here . Borgo - read our review here . Get a voucher here . Crudo - read our review here . Get a voucher here . Lottie's - read our review here . Get a voucher here . Orwell Road - read our review here . Get a voucher here . Mamó - read our review here . Get a voucher here . Woodruff - read our review here . Get a voucher here . Clockwise from top left: Volpe Nera; Borgo; Crudo; Lottie's; Orwell Road; Mamó; Woodruff For the play it safers Coppinger - read our review here . Get a voucher here . Amuri - read our review here . Get a voucher here . The Saddle Room at The Shelbourne - read more here . Get a voucher here . Bar Italia - read our review here . Get a voucher here . Featherblade - read our review here . Get a voucher here . The Dunmore - read our review here . Get a voucher here . The Pig's Ear - read our review here . Get a voucher here . One Pico - read our review here . Get a voucher here . Top row: Coppinger; Amuri; The Saddle Room; Bar Italia. Bottom row: Featherblade; The Dunmore; The Pig's Ear; One Pico

We've got to end the year with a bang right? Well BOOM as Paul would say - here's the nine outrageous prizes we've got up for grabs for our premium subscribers in December. Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders goes automatically into the draw, you don't need to do anything else. As an ad and invite-free platform , ATF Insiders is how we're funded, ensuring that the recommendations we give you are 100% genuine, without PR influence, and untainted by invites and free food. Everyone who signs to support our content via ATF Insiders by midnight on Wednesday 17th December will be entered into this month's amazing draw, and winners will be picked on Thursday 18th December. Here's what early Christmas presents could be landing in your lap... 1) €250 voucher for dinner at Cantina Valentina Safe to say we were very happy to see The Hoxton Hotel 's new Peruvian restaurant Cantina Valentina come to town, and we were even happier once we'd eaten their fried calamari ceviche, chicharrónes and carapulcra (one of the best veggie dishes we've had in a while). Have we mentioned the perfect Pisco Sours? Or Peruvian wine? If you've never had the pleasure, we've got a whopper of a €250 gift card to give away to one very lucky Insider this month, and you need to order All The Ceviche. Ideally sitting at the raw bar with a view of your dinner being made. (N/A on bank holidays, NYE and Valentine's Day) 2) An overnight stay with dinner at The Hat Maker, Dungarvan The Hat Maker in Dungarvan is the stunning 16-bedroom boutique hotel you need to know about for your next Waterford stay. The old building (once used to make hats) has been given a new lease of life by its current owners, husband-and-wife team Rebecca Queally and David Burke , championing the handmade alongside contemporary comforts, all with an aesthetic you couldn't not love. One of our lucky readers is going to be heading down to the Copper Coast for a luxurious overnight stay at The Hat Maker , with breakfast, cocktails on arrival, a charcuterie board created with local producers, and a bottle of wine in their gorgeous café-bar, so you can just park up and soak up everything Dungarvan has to offer (if you can bear to leave the hotel). 3) A €200 voucher for Coppinger/Row Wines/Orwell Road/Charlotte Quay The Bereen Brothers group have just launched a new gift voucher covering all four of their venues, letting your recipient pick their favourite. They could choose waterside dining at Charlotte Quay , neighbourhood charm at Orwell Road , music and wine at Row Wines , or the all the energy at Coppinger . To celebrate we've got a €200 voucher to give away, so you can go large in one venue, or spread it across a few. Check out their One Voucher, Four Venues gift cards here . 4) An overnight stay in the Kilkenny Hibernian Hotel with dinner at Ember What better way to get through the drudge of January than with a night away, so we're sending one of you off to Kilkenny for a stay in the Kilkenny Hibernian Hotel with breakfast, and dinner in their neighbouring restaurant Ember , which specialises in food cooked over fire. Located right in the city centre,  in the original Hibernian Bank building, you won't get a better location for exploring The Marble City, and with live music in the Hibernian Bar every evening, it's the perfect place to escape back to after a day of sightseeing. Check out the Kilkenny Hibernian Hotel here . 5) Dinner for two with wine at Forbes Street by Gareth Mullins, at Anantara The Marker Luxury hotel Anantara The Marker , in Dublin's Grand Canal Dock, is one of the Leading Hotels of the World . If you want a taste of the good life without splurging on an overnight stay, book yourself in for dinner at their fine dining restaurant, Forbes Street by Gareth Mullins , featuring loads of Ireland's best produce, cooked in front of you from their open kitchen. We've got dinner for two to give away this month, with three courses and a bottle of wine chosen by the team, and if you're heading to the Bord Gáis Theatre for Moulin Rouge, this is the ideal place for a bite to eat before settling into your red velvet seats. 6) An overnight stay with breakfast at Barnahown boutique B&B in Cork Barnahown , the award-winning boutique B&B in Mitchelstown, Co Cork is the idyllic getaway you need in 2026, with views of the Galtee mountains and dairy pasturelands for miles around. It's also dog-friendly, with private patio access for pooches, and direct access to roam the one-acre site. Its three new guestrooms open in March, all leading onto the Barnahown   herb courtyard and sunset patio, ideal for sundowners after a day exploring, and did we mention the solar-powered hot tub? B reakfast showcases free-range eggs from Barnahown ’s hens, alongside a banquet of foods and produced within a 20 kilometre radius, and we're sending one of you down to Barnahown  for an overnight stay to enjoy all of it. 7) A three-course dining experience at Ely Wine Bar Is there a cosier place in Dublin to eat, drink and be merry than Ely's iconic basement wine bar ? Just a stone's throw from St Stephen's Green, you can pick from à la carte, sharing or private dining menus, or just prop up the bar with drinks and snacks, and we're sending one of you in for a festive giveaway (or save it till the New Year when you need cheering up). One lucky Insider will be treated to a three-course, à la carte dining experience for two, with a surprise on arrival. Check out Ely Wine Bar  here. 8) Dinner for two at Saba with signature cocktails Saba want to help you celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with unforgettable dining experiences, festive decor, and their signature buzzing atmosphere. They've giving us a three-course meal for two to give away this month, paired with signature cocktails, at your choice of either South William Street or Baggot Street. It's the perfect way to end the season, but you've got six months to use it in case this time of year is too crazy. Check out their Christmas offerings here . 9) A food and wine hamper from The Station House The Station House Hotel in Kilmessan, County Meath, is known for the little touches included in your stay, like treats and tasty snacks from Thelma’s kitchen and garden, so it's only right that they've made these available as part of their Christmas gift range. Filled with jams, chutneys, biscuits, Christmas pudding logs, wine and more, The Station House 's hampers are available for pick up or nationwide delivery, and we've got their Station House Christmas Collection   gift box worth €120 to give away this month, including Bordeaux wine, Thelma’s jams & chutneys, Thelma’s Christmas Pudding Log, and three local Boyne Valley cheeses. Check out the gift shop here . Everyone signed up for ATF Insiders in December (old and new) will be automatically entered into the prize draw. You don't need to do anything. If you're not signed up yet, join here before midnight on Wednesday 17th December. Your support promotes independent reviews and news in Dublin and beyond, and allows you to get answers to any dining questions directly from us.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – if three long days in the kitchen is your idea of fun. It's ours, but we appreciate (begrudgingly) that not all those who love food necessarily love cooking it as much as us, and once you layer on the various veggie, vegan, coeliac, halal, et al diets that may feature among your family and friends, well a little help can go a long way. So for those who haven’t already prepped their colour-coded kitchen optimisation spreadsheets for the big day, here are the best ways to buy your way out of Christmas cooking stress... Fallon & Byrne's everything Whatever kind of cavalry you might feel the need to call in can be found at Fallon & Byrne , whose absurdly extensive range runs the gamut of soups, desserts, pre-prepped trimmings, and every main imaginable from your traditional turkey and ham, to porchetta, lamb, wagyu beef, duck, goose, guinea fowl and even the Champagne of chicken that is Poulet de Bresse – and it's far from that you were rared. You’ll rack up quite a bill with this build-your-own basket, but at least it’ll land in a very calm kitchen.   Lotts and Co's sides, snacks and cheese From Fallon to colcannon, the battle of the fancy groceries is on – if Lotts and Co  can’t quite compete with its rival’s impressive array of main events, its sides certainly have a convincing edge, with green beans almondine and a bacon and cabbage bake quick to catch our eye. As opposed to Fallon they’re keeping things classic where the main event is concerned, but their brimming cheese and charcuterie board boxes look like a great way to spare yourself the stress of starters or late-night nibbling (and their cheese selection is consistently one of the best in the city).   Morton’s platters, meats and festive drinks Dessert, snack, and starter platters are a major draw at Morton’s , as well as festive quiches – if you wanted to knock a course or two off your list in a jiffy, you could do a lot worse. The full feast is of course on hand if needed, with a solid selection of sides to accompany the (optionally, if expensively, pre-sliced) turkey and ham. Some very tempting flasks of cider, eggnog and mulled wine might just find their way into your basket too. Donnybrook Fair's full feast If even all that picking and choosing business sounds like too much to handle, make for Donnybrook Fair , where the only decision to be made is whether it’s mushroom or vegetable soup to start. For €395 you’ll have an all-in five-course feast for 8-10 people with reheating all that’s required. There’s add-on options of a Christmas wine box or spirits of Christmas gift set too – don’t mind if we do.   Sally Ann Luykx's Christmas boxes and canapés Christmas comes but once a year, so why not really lose the run of yourself and turn to caterer Sally Ann Luykx . Her Christmas All Wrapped Up boxes start at €480 for six people with all kinds of mouth-watering add-ons that could easily see you to three figures a head if you’re careless – or just a Christmas glutton. Standalone canape platters are a less spenny way to get a helping hand. Cornucopia's veggie mains Juggling everything in the kitchen is challenge enough without having to stress about nailing a second set of mains for veggie guests too – when you don’t want to take your eye off the turkey, there’s no better bet than Cornucopia’s mains . From the more traditionally-inclined Seitan ballotine with chestnut stuffing, to the left-field choice of tofu fillet on peanut polenta, these four options (all €14.50pp) should keep your plant-based pals from feeling short-changed. But hurry, two of the four have already sold out.   Old Street's desserts Malahide’s Old Street   have taken a step back from the full Christmas dinner feast package for the first time since the pandemic this year, but they’ve decided to continue slinging desserts. You can book a signature Christmas pudding (€26) or chocolate and orange yule log (€36) for collection and ensure your work is done once mains are on the table. A bottle of their boozy mulled wine   (€29) is an optional add-on - go on, really put your feet up.   Velvet Café's Rudolph cake Who has the time for piping chocolate icing in the midst of all the madness? Velvet Café have cooked up the cutest Rudolph cherry chocolate fudge cake so you can make a festive impression, without making a festive mess. Now there’s a shortcut to a centrepiece to remember. They’re taking orders over WhatsApp.   Bread Naturally's biscuits and panettone If a Christmas Eve collection from Bread Naturally in Raheny sounds like a smart way to get ahead of things, you’re not the only one to think that – five of their festive dessert options have already sold out. The Florentine biscuit box set (€17.50) and mini panettone trio (€16) are still available, and we’d be pouncing on them quick if we were you. Cakes by Emma's Krispmas Tree We'd be pointing this out for the pun alone even if it didn't look half as pretty at this. Balbriggan-based home baker Emma O'Hanrahan has these genius bakes available for collection all the way up to Christmas Eve. An extra-indulgent festive twist on a Rice Krispie cake, it's layered with Mars caramel, topped with Maltesers and milk chocolate, and polished off with pops of Christmassy colour. Farmhouse Cafe's chocolate biscuit puddings Now here's a festive dessert that's really dressed to impress. Farmhouse Cafe ' s chocolate biscuit puddings really look the part with their crisp shell drenched and dribbling in white chocolate ganache, topped off with glacé cherries and green glints of mint. Inside, there's layers of Belgian dark and milk chocolate with chunks of Digestives and Mars bars. No you're drooling. Pera's custom Christmas cakes A Turkish mangal might not be a natural first port of call for Christmas cakes, but if Pera 's confections taste half as good as they look (and as all the savoury stuff we scoffed on our visit ) you'll be well on your way to delicious dessert. They're happy to customise any of these to suit your needs, the better to make it look like you did it yourself. We won't tell, promise.

Silly season has landed, and while we prefer to hibernate over all the partying at this time of year, us gals and guys still have to eat. So IF we were out on the town this week, THIS is what we'd be racing for... 1) All the winter treats, OMMA OMMA matcha bar in BT's have just launched a new winter treats menu with chef Maeve Scully and wait till you get a load of this. Toasted miso banana bread with mascarpone cinnamon cream and miso caramel; Matcha white chocolate almond brownies; Mandarin daifuku with rice coating; and Dorayaki pancakes filled with red bean paste. There's also hojicha and matcha basque cheesecakes from Coconut and Moo Moo , and there's no way you'll be able to pick just one so go hungry and not on your own. 2) Salt & chilli chicken skin , Chubby's There is not enough standalone chicken skin on Dublin menus, and Chubby's are attempting to right that wrong with this salt and chilli chicken skin that they trialled last week. Served in a little takeaway bag "for cuteness" they say it's banging and hits the menu proper this week. You do still have the Herculean task of getting a table though... 3) Hot honey chicken burger, Soup DL Soup in Dun Laoghaire might be better known for ramen than chicken burgers, but this temporary special went down so well it's just gone permanent, and that's enough to pique our interest. The crispy chicken burger is basted in hot honey sauce, with Gouda, fermented red cabbage, baby cos lettuce and gochujang mayo, and is served with togarashi spiced fries. They had us at hot honey... 4) Croquetas de carne mechada, Table 45 This time of year can get very samey when it comes to food (we've well and truly had our fill of Christmas sandwiches at this stage), so if you're feeling jaded with all the turkey and ham around, head to Table 45 for one of their "non-traditional Christmas specials". Their croquetas de carne mechada are filled with slow-braised Irish beef and served over frijoles refritos (refried pinto beans) with cheese foam and shredded carrots for all the texture, and none of the cranberry sauce. 5) Lambay crab claws with smoked tomato, chilli and garlic, Mister S Mister S are never.not.bringing.it . and their latest thirst trap is these Lambay crab claws with smoked tomato, confit chilli and garlic butter. The butter is actually infused with house-smoked tomato water, roasted red pepper, garlic and chilli, lifted with lemon juice, sherry vinegar and espelette pepper. Have you ever heard a more beautiful description?

We’d barely published our first festive food and drink rundown  before we were bursting at the seams with enough for a second – even outside of the insane sandwich scene  (don’t miss our ever-updating verdicts ), Dublin is really gone crackers for Christmas this year. From seasonal salads to Christmas cocktails, here’s another helping of yuletide treats to eat and drink your way through the city with... Quince pies, Elliots We went into mince pie overdrive last time with all the great bakeries around town putting out calls for pre-orders, but also getting us giddy is quince  pies. The seasonal fruit is one of our favourite things to eat this time of year, and Elliot’s  festive take is the very best way to sample it – and to save on all that hassle of a lengthy boiling time at home. You can buy them by the box too – best believe we will be. Christmas pizza, Deano’s Walkinstown pizza truck Deano’s  slings out smart seasonal specials on the regular, but nothing is half as popular as their festive pie. Their proper woodfired Neapolitan base is topped with slow-roast smoked pulled ham, Cooleeney brie, fior di latte, and their house festive sage stuffing, topped off with spiced cranberry jelly and a smoked pancetta crumb. That’s six slices of comfort and joy.   Hazelnut praline hot chocolate, Bread Naturally If you’re headed to Raheny to pick up some mince pies or a pudding from Bread Naturally , they’ve got a helluva good reason to hang around too. Hazelnut praline and Belgian chocolate ganache is the base of this brimming hot chocolate, topped with a chocolate and hazelnut-dipped marshmallow that’s (ofc) been made in-house. If you’re gonna do it, do it right.   Christmas mini desserts, Old Street We love a mini-anything this time of year – it lets us lie to ourselves we won’t go overboard. Old Street  in Malahide regularly rotate a selection of petite seasonal sweets, and we can’t get a taste of this Christmas collection quickly enough. Cranberry cheesecake and gingerbread trifle sound like our kind of Christmassy twists on classics, and vegans will be thrilled by a chocolate and chestnut pot.   Sprout and pancetta pizza, La Strada Whatever about pineapple on pizza, it doesn’t seem like the Italians are taking any exception to sprouts. Newcomer La Strada , from the team that previously ran Manifesto, are celebrating their first Christmas in business with this seasonal special, and as die-hard believers that charred-black Brussels sprouts are the only way to eat them, we can’t believe we never thought of trying this before.   Santa’s Custard Sazerac, Hawksmoor We were quick to clock the custard-washed sazerac as The Sackville Lounge ’s best serve when we first visited earlier this year, and it sounds like the folks at Hawksmoor  are in full agreement. They’ve teamed with the new cocktail bar from the 1661 team to put this delicious reinvention onto the menu – if it slapped for us in spring, its sweet, chocolatey, boozy notes will land all the better with the lower temperatures outside.   Mellow star hojicha, OMMA Ukrainian-owned OMMA  in Brown Thomas got in early on the Japanese tea craze, and their matcha and hojicha drinks regularly catch our eyes on the socials. We can confirm  that it’s more than smart fad branding though, so we’re looking forward to trying their latest seasonal takes, none more so than the cinnamon-dusted and star-shaped marshmallow topped hojicha.   Christmas Caesar salad, Bibi’s With the obscene amount of sandwiches  we’re scoffing in search of the city’s best, we’re in dire need of something lighter to tide us over between tests. Praise be for Portobello’s Bibi’s , who’ve taken the great greens from McNally’s Farm to cook up this seasonal sprout and kale salad, loaded with a bacon crumb and crispy croutons, and drizzled with their own house dressing. Light – but not too light.   Fried turkey and rice cake, Sister 7 Like just about everywhere else, Smithfield’s Sister 7  sees prices go up for set menus in December, but unlike a lot of places they’re not just serving the same old thing for that added tenner. Clove smoked pork ribs and a yuzu sake trifle are among the new sharing plates giving the menu a creative Christmas twist, but we’re all about this fried turkey and rice cake dish – as close to a seasonal spice bag as you’ll get.   Christmas pizza, Coke Lane We appreciate the honesty of the good folks at Coke Lane  in saying their prior seasonal special didn’t quite hit the mark – turkey and ham on pizza isn’t easy TBF. Porchetta, mozzarella and candied chillies might not be the most festive of combos, but sage stracciatella sounds like just the seasonal thing to tie them all together in a Christmas-ish bow.   Christmas jambons, Deli 147 @ Chubby's Did she just say "chrambon"!? We badly missed Deli 147 's Christmas sandwich during the Parnell Street institution's hiatus last year - now resurrected as an offshoot of Barry Stephens' Chubby's in Clontarf under the stewardship of Aoife Barker, it's going all-out with a characteristically inventive Christmas menu. We'll be all over the deep fried brie focaccia and peking duck banh mi, but there's a special place in heaven for a brie bechamel-bathed Christmas jambon. Christmas Gourmet Tray, Street Frites We've been keeping a careful eye on newcomer chip shop Street Frites' selection of impressive specials but nothing's dropped our jaws quite as quickly as this. Any one of turkey-truffle croquettes, veal gravy and pickled sprouts would have us full up of festive anticipation. All three of them heaped over twice-cooked fries? Need it now.

This article used to be "where to get a Christmas sandwich in Dublin", but each year more and more places jump on the festive sandwich bandwagon, so instead it's where to get the most interesting ones. We're not including your bog-standard turkey, ham, stuffing and cranberry - there needs to be something extra going on. If you want a full and comprehensive list of where to get one, check out our Christmas sandwich map here , and our verdicts on what we've tried so far here . City Centre

What do you get the partner, friend or family member who’s already eaten everything? Food lovers like ourselves have a tendency to be fussy and have tried it all already (endlessly greedy things), so restaurant gift vouchers can be risky business if you don't have access to their scoring sheets. Never fear - ATF is here with some food and drink ideas that should reach the heart of any wannabe chef or general glutton through the best route there is - their stomach...   KITCHEN NOTIONS   Sumac and the rest, Izz Café, €5.50 Anyone who’s been to Izzeddeen Alkarajeh and Eman Aburabi’s Cork city café will have dreamed about recreating the flavours at home. Good quality sumac is a crucial first step, key to the citric acidity of their iconic mussakhan and fattoush. Good stuff isn’t always easy to source in Ireland - all the more reason to treat someone to this premium brand  imported from Palestinian farms. While you're there you may as well add tahini , za'atar and a premium date selection to your basket. You'll need a copy of their book Jibrin too so they know how to use it all.   Best Sellers Gift Box, Achill Island Sea Salt, €35 It doesn’t get much more fundamental to the cooking process than salt, so go all-in with this taster trio from Achill Island . The cooking nerd in your life will relish tasting the nuance of the natural, smoked and seaweed salts from the handmade pinch pot, and there’s inspiration aplenty from the salted caramel fudge and nougat in there too. There’s even an-the go sliding salting tin. Y’know, for emergencies.   Bushmills Aged Balsamic Vinegar, Burren Balsamics, €37.95 For an Irish twist on an Italian classic, have a look at Burren Balsamics , who’ve racked up awards aplenty with their wide range of vinegary delights. For a kitchen geek it can only be the genuine article aceto balsamico di Modena, aged for three years in Bushmills casks to add notes of smoky oak.   La Cultivada Organic EVOO Tasting Box, Sarah & Olive, €57.50 If you’ve ever had the hand taken off you for reaching for the wrong olive oil, here’s just the thing for that  person. Three taster tins  of La Cultivada’s finest organic EVOO are packaged up with tasting notes, recipes and recommended food pairings, and Sarah & Olive offer a yearlong tasting club subscription  too, if you really want to spoil them.   CHRISTMAS CONDIMENTS   12 days of cheese pairings, Folláin, €14.99 It’ll be a very merry Chessemas for you and yours with any of Folláin’s gift sets, 50% of the proceeds of which are going to charity Simon from now through to the end of the year – that’s one way to feel good about yourself when lying in a food coma. We’re all in on this set of a dozen chutneys and relishes for cheese , complete with pairing suggestions for each.   Gift bag, McNally Farms, €16.95 Get someone hooked on family farm produce with this three-piece gift set from McNally’s. Their homemade butterscotch sauce, cranberry and port sauce, and raspberry preserves are perfect to pimp up Christmas dinner in a dash, and the reusable produce bag they’re packed in is perfect to head back down the farm and stock up on organic veg year-round.   Christmas gift box, Sage, €60 The surprise success of Sage ’s retail range during the pandemic played a big part in chef Kevin Aherne deciding to shutter the Midleton restaurant entirely after 16 years back in 2024. Cork’s loss is the rest of Ireland’s gain, and you can get this twelve-dip set  of favourites with a festive twist, and limited edition new arrivals delivered anywhere in the country.   Preserves advent calendar, Gran Grans, €85 We got gifted this one ourselves a few years back, and not since childhood had we rushed so quickly down the stairs every December morning. Galway-based Gran Grans’ collection   of homemade jams, chutneys, relishes, marmalades and mustards are locally sourced and perfectly portioned to keep the Christmas spirit rolling all December long.   CLASSES & TOURS   Ultimate Dublin Food Tour, Devour, €79 We know, we know – a food tour? But this three-hour trip  through Dublin’s best from Devour is no ordinary tour, not least cos we put it together for them. Between generous servings, a fair share of food history, and deeper dives into locations you might think you already know, this is a tour with the added insight to appeal to even the biggest food fans.   Gift vouchers, Ballymaloe Cookery School, from €85 Throw a bread roll at the Food and Wine Restaurant of the Year awards and you’re sure to hit a Ballymaloe alumnus – the Cork Cookery School has trained generations of Irish chefs since Myrtle Allen became the first female Michelin star chef in the country all those years ago. Let your loved one believe they’ll be next with a gift voucher  for a trip down south.   Mexican Cooking Class, Picado, €95 Mexican pantry Picado has been stocking Dublin kitchens with top quality produce for over a decade now. Their second, more spacious site opened on Cork street at the start of the year and plays regular host to five kinds of classes, from tortillas and tamales to gorditas and enchiladas. New dates are released periodically but you can go ahead and get a gift voucher   now.   Cocktail tasting, Bar 1661, €165 A cocktail nerd’s fantasy, this three-and-a-half hour, twenty-eight drink odyssey  through the award-winning menu at Dublin’s beloved Bar 1661 gives deep insight into the art and magic of mixology from some of the best in the biz. There’s food served along the way too. There’d have to be.   COOK/BOOKS   The Dublin Coffee Guide, Lilliput Press, €24.95 Gorgeous photography and a real expert guide make an essential (and very literal) coffee table book of this ode to Dublin’s every-growing café culture   by Paddy Kirk, who’s been showcasing the city’s best independent shops on Instagram  since 2020.   Scéal, Dubray, €29.99 Given the word “scéal” is Irish for story, it’s fitting the Greystones-based bakery should put out a book that’s more than just recipes  – it’s a broader narrative of the community of customers and suppliers that support every small food business. Now that’s worth supporting.   Good Things, Books Upstairs, €39.95 Blockbuster book and series Salt Fat Acid Heat put Samin Nosrat on the culinary map, and now she’s back with a more informal but still informative tome in Good Things , a guide to the food she loves to share with friends and family. What could be better to share in turn with yours?   2026 series, Blasta Books, €58 It’s a rare year that one of the Blasta Books doesn’t make it onto our list of the best new food books, so why not go all in and get someone the set. This new 2026 series  spans bean feasts to Brazilian food, toasties to quick dinners. They’re delivered every three months throughout the year to ensure the fun never stops.   DRINKS   Mulled wine for Palestine, Dublin Cocktail Lab, €19.50 With 15% of all sales going to an Irish-led community gym in the West Bank, Dublin Cocktail Lab’s mulled wine for Palestine  is a great way to make a splash with every splash of festive cheer. That good cause edge is hard to resist but if you're out for a more cocktail-themed gift you can't go wrong with their six-pack gift set , and Christmas is not Christmas without their hot whiskey syrup .   Rare Apple Ice Wine, Killahora Orchards, €29.50 The climate might not suit grapes all too well here, but that hasn’t held Cork-based Killahora Orchards from bottling what still stands as one of our favourite dessert wines around. Their rare apple ice wine has a delicious, fermented butterscotch sweetness that makes an apple dessert pairing dream for the aspiring sommelier in your life.   Bitters Gift Set, Beara Bitters, €30 Help them kick their home cocktails into high gear with this Beara Bitters set , featuring the all-organic company’s three signature flavours in one handy package. From orange-infused whiskey sours and aromatic old fashioneds to smoked pear-studded mezcal, the opportunities are endless – let’s just hope you’re invited over to taste test.   Christmas cocktails, Craft Cocktails, €35 Serve seven a very merry nightcap, or have a ho-ho-holy hell of a Stephen’s Day hangover all to yourself with any of Craft Cocktails’ Christmas range. Mistletoe margarita and gingerbread punch sound right up our alley, but it’s the festive old fashioned   we can’t stop making eyes at.   SUBSCRIPTIONS   ATF Insiders gift subscription, All the Food, €65 We might be a bit biased here, but as bang-for-your-buck goes on food gifts this one’s hard to beat. From monthly prizes and exclusive invites to a weekly news roundup and direct access to our team for all the niche intel you need, a yearlong membership   to ATF Insiders is a fast track way to making your foodie friends very happy indeed. Cheese Club, various, from €34.95 Who wouldn’t want the sweet smell of cheese wafting through the letterbox once a month? Ireland now has ample monthly cheese clubs, featuring a different selection each month along with chutneys and crackers, notes on each cheese and food pairing ideas. Check out Sheridan's , The Little Cheese Shop , Indie Fudie and Mike's Fancy Cheese .

Pig's trotters terrine; barbecued venison; caramel croissant biscuits - no this isn't our three course death row meal, but they are all things we'd like to eat in Dublin this week, and here's where to find them... 1) Everything @ Janet's The eponymous Janet has been so busy promoting her dumpling classes she's been forgetting to post pictures of her food from her stall at The Bernard Shaw, so this was a welcome reminder that her fried chicken, baos and pork belly are some of the best around. 2) BBQ Venison , Orwell Road There's been a stark lack of venison around Dublin this year, so we were skipping at the sight of this BBQ venison with Jerusalem artichoke, purple sprouting broccoli, and juniper jus at Orwell Road . And the bonus? You can find it on their Neighbourhood Menu (Tuesday–Thursday, 5–10pm), with two courses for €36 or three for €42. They even allow you to BYOB on Tuesdays for just €10 corkage. That's a lot of reasons to visit. 3) Warm pig's trotters terrine, Piglet They had us at pig's trotters... Piglet are upping the traditional French ante with this new menu addition, and all it's missing is a glass of Pinot Noir. Their warm pig's trotters terrine comes topped with breadcrumbs and pickles, with apple compote and wholegrain mayo on the side - name a better winter wine bar plate. 4) Ravioli with nduja and aubergine, Dunne & Crescenzi Dunne & Crescenzi is going through a bit of a rebrand at the moment thanks to the next generation sticking their oar in. This ravioli filled with ‘nduja and pecorino, with aubergine, cherry tomato confit, and Buffalo stracciatella is the best looking thing we've seen coming out of the kitchen in ages. 5) Croissant biscuits , Una Tis the season of sugar and daily over-eating, so we didn't need to see these caramel brittle croissant biscuits from Una in Ranelagh, but we have and now there's no going back.

There’s no escaping it anymore: the window displays are out in force, the nights are setting in when we've barely finished lunch; the supermarket soundtracks are unbearable . It’s Christmastime in Dublin alright, and the city’s menus are shifting to prove it. From the top-tier mince pies we wait all year for, to creative confections from new kids on the block, Christmas cocktails to hot chocolate, here’s the best festive food and drink popping up around town... Christmas Dinner Danish, Two Boys Sweet cheese-us is all we can say to this one – maybe a Christmas sandwich can be beaten after all. Two Pups , via their offshoot Bold Boy Bakery , have made all our decadent dreams come through with a tight stuffed dinner danish of creamy cauliflower cheese and crusty stuffing, plus dollops of cranberry sauce and roast veg to boot. Now that’s naughty and  nice. Mince pies, No Messin’ Far be it from us to play favourites, but when a bakery is out there citing their suet provenance, you know they're going to place somewhere at the top of the table. No Messin’  mince pies are legendary (as the rapidly-going slots for collection attest) for their flaky-crunchy-spicy-sweet symphony of seasonal sensation. They launch next Monday and pre-order slots are gone, so you'll have to pop by Proper Order in Smithfield to get one (or 10) from the counter.   Mince pies, Fable Bakery Also vying for top mincer in town, Fable Bakery are now happily housed in their new Dún Laoghaire home after packing up the Dawson Street premises earlier this year. The great news is that means even more space to store the mountain of marinating filling they prep each year, as per the Mince Pie Manifesto – yes, they’re that serious. Sounds extra? So’s the flavour, and that pastry will make you feel totes emosh. Get them fresh from the counter or pre-order  a box.   Mince pie buns, Cakes by Emma It’s full marks for Yuletide invention to Cakes by Emma , popping up at the Swords Castle Christmas Market over the next two weekends with these fab-u-lous creations. It's the mince pie bun that's the one that we'll be making a beeline to Swords for, but we'd feel obligated to grab an OG cinni bun while we're there.   Hot Chocolate, Perky’s Christmas is a crowded space for seasonal drinks and eat but Perky’s  in Raheny have elbowed their way in time and again with this head-turning s’more-style hot chocolate. Top-quality house hot chocolate is rich enough even before the cup’s rimmed in chocolate and digestive crumbs, and topped with a torched marshmallow. We love that they’ve got vegan mallows on hand too. Be warned: this place is RAMMED at the weekend, so prepare to wait for the good stuff.   Christmas cocktails, 1661 “A little more spirit than the usual” – that’s seasonal music to our ears. Bar 1661  was already a top destination for Christmas catchups even before they launched a new range of five festive serves. This gimlet-style creation with cranberry cordial and pine needle is first out of the traps, and we’ll be refreshing regularly to check out the rest as the season winds on.   The Noël pizza, Nino's, Portrane Nino's in Portrane (from the same people as Pronto Pasta ) are quietly building a name for themselves for homemade pizza and pasta in North County Dublin, and they might just speed up their reach with creations like this. The Noël is their take on pigs in blankets, with sausage; crispy pancetta, sweet onions marinated in Worcestershire sauce and honey; mozzarella, herby stuffing and crispy sage.   Chocolate panettone, Sugarloaf It just wouldn’t be Christmas without a panettone under the tree, and Brazilian bakery Sugarloaf  is straight out in front this season with this chocolate chonkster. They’ve gone all-out this year with four varieties of the classic cake available at their Dorset Street site, or save yourself the hard choice and get a three-pack mini gift box to try a trio.   Mince pies, Happy Tummy Co They may be all the way out in Westport, but these Happy Tummy Co  creations look far too good to be kept off this list – that they deliver to Dublin is the icing sugar on the mince pie. Three wholegrain flours and all-organic fruit filling (lashed with Jameson and Bushmills) push these into premium price territory at €25 a box , but what’s Christmas for if not treating yourself?   Festive French Toast, Two Boys Brew Phibsborough’s famed café Two Boys Brew  has very good mince pies but it’s their festive French toast that’s turned our heads this time. Bulky brioche bathed in house salted caramel gets spread with their spiced apple and blackberry compote, all topped off with a chai spiced vanilla mousse (!) and crunchy crumbs of white chocolate and pecan brittle. We need a sit down just looking at it.   Santa hat, Bloom’s Café The picture-perfect patisserie was by far and away what we enjoyed most at Bloom’s Café  back when it opened in February, so it’s great to see them lean in with a seasonal specialty now. Mulled wine jam is a phrase we wish we heard more often, all the more so in combination with cinnamon mousse.   Mince pies, Scéal Always a highlight among the thronged competition, Scéal  tend to tweak their recipe a little every year, forever in search of mince pie perfection. A distinctively flaky spelt pastry case is a standout USP, with intense whiskey and apple flavour in the filling and a crunchy oat-demerara crumble topping. A generous dollop of house brandy butter on the side tops it all off – sure you might as well pick up a jar of that to bring home as you’re at it. (Ed. Don't you love how we just keep forgetting Scéal aren't 'technically' in Dublin any more?)   Gingerbread protein pancakes, Urban Health It’s fighting words from Ranelagh’s Urban Health  to say they might have created something better than a Christmas sandwich – as card-carrying connoisseurs of festive sambos, we can confirm there’s no such thing. But for a healthier feast in the unlikely event we ever have our fill, these cranberry compote and gingerbread cookie-coated pancakes look like just the thing.   Christmas pizza, Goats Gruff Speaking of sandwiches, Goats Gruff  up at the Strawberry Beds regularly emerge among the top of the pack when it comes to seasonal rankings, so it’s no surprise to see them sashay their way into festive pizza too. Turkey, ham and all the trimmings on a perfect pizza base? Deck the halls indeed.

It's only mid November yet Christmas is most definitely upon us, but you won't be complaining if Santa comes early with one of the nine prizes we're giving away to our premium subscribers in November. Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders goes automatically into the draw, you don't have to do anything else to enter! As an ad and invite-free platform , ATF Insiders is how we're funded, ensuring that recommendations are made without influence, unblemished by invites and free food. Everyone who signs to support our content via ATF Insiders by midnight tomorrow, Monday 17th November will be entered into this month's prize draw, and winners will be picked at random on Tuesday 18th November. Here's what you could be walking away with this month... 1) A €200 voucher for Volpe Nera Chef Barry Sun’s Volpe Nera might be a neighbourhood restaurant, but diners travel long distances (us included) to Blackrock for their Mediterranean and Asian influenced dishes, like cep dumplings with aged soy, or spinach and ricotta malfatti with squash and sage butter. To celebrate the start of the festive season, they're giving one lucky ATF Insider a €200 voucher, which is the perfect gift to give to friends and family this Christmas, but we'd struggle not to keep it to ourselves. To book a table for the festive period ( no set menus on tables under six! ) or to purchase a gift voucher head to www.volpenera.ie   2) An overnight stay with breakfast and late checkout at Travelodge PLUS Imagine ending your city centre Christmas night in a cosy hotel bed, rather than with a late night run for the last Dart or night bus... This fantasy could become a reality if you're clever enough to book yourself into Travelodge PLUS on Townsend Street, just ten minutes from Grafton Street. The cosy, stylish rooms come with extra PLUS touches, affordable prices, and a great breakfast waiting for you in the morning, and we're giving one of you the chance to win an overnight stay for two with breakfast AND a late check out. Name a better ending to the Christmas party. Check out Travelodge plus here .  3) Two tickets for "Christmas Nights at Gravity" with food from BIGFAN We are well into the throws of Christmas, and while we're not entirely sure how we feel about the season starting on the 1st of November, we do love the extension on festive experiences. This year the Guinness Storehouse 's iconic Gravity Bar is undergoing a transformation for ‘ Christmas Nights at Gravity ’, combining 360-degree panoramic views with sets from some of Ireland’s best DJs, along with craft cocktails and festive food. They're collaborating with Dublin 8 neighbours and beloved music bar Love Tempo, as well as food favourite BIGFAN, and we've got two tickets to give away (worth €110) for the events on the 21 st  , 22 nd  or  29 th  November. Check out more and get tickets here . 4) A Gift Hamper from The Boatyard Distillery worth €180 Ireland’s first B-corp distillery, The Boatyard Distillery  in Co. Fermanagh, created their flagship Double Gin with one serve in mind – the perfect Martini. Distilled with organic botanicals and juniper, it's ultra smooth and has won over bartenders worldwide. They also make other gins and vodka as well as seasonal special releases, each committed to sustainability, making them a great gift this Christmas. We've got a gift hamper from The Boatyard Distillery  to give away, including their Boatyard Double Gin Planter Gift Set, Sloe Boat Gin, Vodka, two Hi Ball Glasses, two cocktail glasses, Breakfast Marmalade, Sloe Gin Jelly, and Boatyard Chocolate, worth approximately €180! Shop for someone you love who loves gin here . 5) A Ukrainian dinner experience at Lucy Ukrainian café Lucy on Clanbrassil Street has been at the top of the feel good, taste good charts for the past few months, with their pyrizhky (buns), varenyky (dumplings), and that 14-layered Napoleon cake the talk of the town (read our review here ). Their latest addition is actual dumpling rolling grannies in the window - could this place get any sweeter? One of will be deciding that, as we're sending one ATF Insider in for a Ukrainian dinner experience for four, with hot dishes like chicken kyiv, borscht, holubtsi, varenky, and desserts like honey cake, Napoleon cake and waffle milks, along with kvas to wash it all down with. Check out Lucy here . 6) €100 voucher for Copper + Straw After announcing earlier this year that they were setting up their own kitchen to make all of their food in house, Copper + Straw have more good news - they're opening a fourth location in Palmerstown Park in Dublin 6. They're taking over the restored tearooms, and it's soooo refreshing to see a quality brand take over one of these spaces, instead of a large, faceless chain. To celebrate all of this good news, Copper + Straw have given us a €100 voucher to give away which can be used in any of their shops on coffee, food, retail products or brewing equipment. Check them out here . 7) €100 voucher for The Exchange Bar & Restaurant at NYX Hotel Dublin Christchurch Located in between bustling Temple Bar and Dublin Castle, NYX Hotel Dublin Christchurch have just brought a new dining option to the city centre - The Exchange   Bar & Restaurant . With its eclectic, bright interior, and lively bar with live music, it's a great central option for business meetings, gathering with friends, or a city centre night out. The menu is a mix of smaller and larger plates, with plenty to please all palates, and we've got a €100 to giveaway so one of you can give it all a test drive. To see menus and book visit NYX-Hotels.ie . 8) Tullamore Dew 12-year-old whiskey hamper worth over €150 Tullamore D.E.W. , the Original Triple Blend Irish Whiskey, with a distillery in Tullamore, Offaly, has all the unique gifts for whiskey connoisseurs and newbies this Christmas. You can take a tour of the distillery with almost 200 years of history, experiencing the sights, smells, and sounds of whiskey-making, or head to the gift shop for their whiskies, locally-crafted goods, and the option to take part in Tullamore D.E.W.’s personalised blending lab, with custom bottling for a unique keepsake. This month we've got a hamper of gift shop highlights to give away, including a bottle of Tullamore D.E.W. 12-Year-Old Special Reserve, along with apparel and other gift shop goodies worth over €150. For all the info on Tullamore D.E.W. 's whiskeys and distillery tours, visit www.tullamoredew.com . 9) €100 gift hamper from Folláin preserves Folláin, the family-owned Irish preserves company, is partnering with The Simon Community for the fourth Christmas running, donating 50% of all proceeds from online sales to the charity helping the homeless, from now until the 31st December. They've got brilliant Christmas gift ideas for the preserve lover in your life, like the Christmas Gift Box, and the 12 days of cheese pairings, and we've got a hamper worth €100 full of Folláin goodies to give away this month with every jam, curd and relish you can think of. Check out their Christmas gifts here . Everyone signed up for ATF Insiders in November (old and new) will be automatically entered into the prize draw. You don't need to do anything. If you're not signed up yet, join here before midnight on Monday 17th November. Your support promotes independent reviews and news in Dublin and beyond, and allows you to get answers to any dining questions directly from us.