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With all the drinks in this month's ATF Insiders giveaways you'd definitely know it's Christmas, but there's also the obligatory new openings, high end grocery vouchers, and a New Year's Eve hotel package worth €500! ATF Insiders is ou r premium service offering added benefits for readers, that allows us to operate ad-free and independently, with everything featured and recommended here paid for by us . Having your name put in the hat for nine brilliant prizes every month is just one of the benefits. Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders by midnight on Tuesday 17th December will be entered into the draw, and winners will be picked and notified on Wednesday 18th December. Here's what you could win this month if you're in the club... 1) The NYE Experience at The Club Hotel at Goff's, Co. Kildare worth €500 How would you like to ring in 2025 with an overnight stay, dine and spa escape at 4-star boutique hotel The Club at Goff's in Kildare? You'll be treated to a five-course dinner paired with wines, Champagne for the countdown, live music, a deluxe paddock-view room, and breakfast in bed the following morning. They're also including a late checkout, and you'll have spa access to relax on The Deck – their new outdoor hot tub and sauna facilities overlooking the paddock. Check out the package here . (If the winner can't make NYE they can opt for a January Escape instead) 2) Glendalough Whiskey tasting dinner at Charlotte Quay and gift pack worth €270 We don't go in for Dry January around here, it's a depressing enough month as it is, so we're going to brighten up the longest month of the year for one Insider with two tickets to a Glendalough Whiskey tasting dinner at Charlotte Quay on Friday 24th January. You'll enjoy Glendalough cocktails on arrival, food pairings with some of Wicklow-based distillery’s best whiskeys, and a hamper to take home with some of their best whiskeys and glassware to drink it out of. For updates and information on Glendalough Distillery ’s festive offerings, visit their website , and follow them on Instagram here . 3) €100 voucher for Hera, Dorset Street   When Juno on Dorset Street announced they were closing for a revamp a few weeks ago we weren't sure what to expect, but they've just reopened with new gastropub Hera attached and we couldn't be more eager to get in and see what the guys behind Crudo and Achara have cooked up now. Fried Tallegio with pear and ginger mustard; sourdough with chicken and mushroom butter; a €30 Delmonico rib-eye with green peppercorn sauce and pickled onion rings - sounds like ex-Bastible chef Joe Smith knows exactly what the people want right now. Check out Hera and Juno here . 4) A mega cocktail hamper from Dublin Cocktail Lab If you want to make your life easy this Christmas when it comes to drinks, Dublin Cocktail Lab should be your first port of call. Christmas isn't actually Christmas without their mulled wine and hot whiskey syrup , and we've got a bumper package of some of their best drinks to give away this month, including mulled wine; a mix to make your own; lemongrass and habanero spritz, their new N/A version of the same, a wild nettle and smoked pear old fashioned, and the full Whitebox cocktails gift set. That's easily enough to see you through to the New Year without the cocktail shaker needing to come out. Order online here or find them in loads of great off-licences. 5) A dine in and drink at home prize pack from Galway Bay Brewery We're not sure how Galway Bay Brewery find time to come up with so many new beers, from this year's sell out Two Hundred Fathoms , to the Wild Ale series , to Imperial stouts aged in Bourbon barrels , and we're sending one of you a hamper filled with some of their best to celebrate with this Christmas. They're also throwing in a €50 voucher to go and eat in one of their pubs, including the newly opened Molly's Bar on Francis Street in Dublin 8 (see all of their bars here ). To maximise your visit you could always head in Monday - Thursday for their 2-for-1 Christmas burger deal . Follow Galway Bay Brewery on Instagram here . 6) €100 to spend on dim sum at Nan Chinese Nan Chinese around the corner from Stephen's Green are the only restaurant serving Huaiyang cuisine in the country, and their new dim sum series is now served all day. It's all handmade in house by their chefs, very well priced and made for sharing, making it an ideal Christmas shopping stop when you want to lay down your bags and refuel with soup dumplings, steamed pork ribs and golden buns with char siu pork. We've got a €100 voucher to give to someone this month so you can work your way through all the deliciousness. 7) €100 gift card for Fallon & Byrne and a Julienne Bruno gift box To celebrate the arrival of JULIENNE BRUNO to the Food Hall at Fallon & Byrne Dublin, one ATF Insider is going to win a gift box plus a €100 Fallon & Byrne gift card, just in time to stock up for Christmas. Stocked everywhere in UK from Harrods to Wholefoods, and across 800 hospitality locations including The Wolseley and Soho House, JULIENNE BRUNO 's plant-based, dairy free products  launched in  Tesco stores nationwide, online and now in the Food Hall at Fallon & Byrne Dublin. Made from soya, they're naturally fermented to create a range of fresh, creamy and versatile soft cheeses, and after a taste you'll see why chefs and home cooks have been going crazy for them. Check them out at juliennebruno.com . 8) The full range from The Boatyard Distillery Located on the banks of Lough Erne in Co Fermanagh, The Boatyard Distillery is the first B Corp distillery in Ireland. Distilled in Fermanagh and poured in many of the best bars around the world, this Christmas The Boatyard team have given us one of everything in the range to enjoy at home with your nearest and dearest. The original vision was to create an award-winning gin made with Martinis in mind, with a double hit of juniper to stand up in a delicious Gin & Tonic too, but they've now expanded to four spirits - Boatyard Double Gin, Boatyard Vodka, Boatyard Sloe Boat Gin and Boatyard Old Tom Gin. S hop the range and find out more about the tour experience at boatyarddistillery.com . 9) A Powers Whiskey Irish Coffee Gift set Tis the season of Irish coffees, and this year the guys in Powers Whiskey collaborated with Brady's Coffee to barrel age their coffee beans in Powers barrels for 12 weeks. The end result is Powers whiskey infused coffee, and we hear it's rather delicious. They've just released a limited edition gift box containing the coffee, a bottle of Powers and two Irish coffee glasses (RRP €65). We've got a gift set plus a bottle of Powers Three Swallows to give away this month, to make it a very merry Christmas. Buy the gift set here . Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders for December (new and old) will be automatically entered into the prize draw - you don't need to do anything. If you're not signed up yet join here before midnight on Tuesday 17th December. You'll be supporting independent reviews and news in Dublin and beyond, and be able to get answers to all of your burning questions about eating out, here and abroad, directly from us.

We're weeks away yet from the big day, but already we've had to open our belts out a few notches. As well as the mountains of Christmas sandwiches we've chronicled and covered so far across the city, there's puds and pies, burgers and slices, sweets and treats aplenty for your seasonal delectation. Here's the festive fare that's got us excited lately... Mince pies, Fable Bakery We’re glad someone out there takes mince pies as seriously as we do. Fable's fantastically fun behind-the-scenes video peels back the curtain on the Mince Pie Manifesto and months of flavour that kicked off all the way back in October - now that’s dedication. You can get them solo or in boxes of six over the next few weeks, and you'll be wanting more than one visit for these. Tiramisu choux, Sorn Bakehouse Newcomer home bakery Sorn missed a trick not following Allta’s lead and calling this a tiramichoux, but a quick read through this description has us feeling forgiving. The cracked crust of cardamom craquelin looks just as good as it sounds, while we can only imagine the flavour bomb of mascarpone mousse and white chocolate ganache. They can be ordered in boxes of 8 for delivery or collection. Christmas pudding, Scéal Fear not: you needn’t trek all the way out to Greystones to get your mitts on what must go down as the most tempting Christmas pud we’ve seen so far this season. Scéal are selling their family recipe-based dessert centrepiece out of Drury Street’s Irish Design Shop right through to the big day. Treacle texture and a healthy measure of Guinness are more than enough to have us running right over. Quince pies, Elliot’s Mince pie connoisseurs have long held up Elliot’s as one of the best in the city for their delicious quince-studded specimens; this year they’ve gone all in and just called them quince pies. Clementine marmalade is an extra touch of December decadence, and once you’ve tried an oat and brown butter crumble topping you’ll never look back. Christmas alfies, Bakeology Meath Street bakery Bakeology does a great trade in Argentinian delicacy alfajores year-round, but rarely are as prettily presented as this. These dulce de leche-filled cookie sandwiches have been fashioned into festive shapes and covered in coloured icing, and they’re available by the box for collection on Sundays – there’s a gift we wouldn’t mind getting. Mince pie bagels, FatBaby Bakes It’s invention aplenty this festive season but not much out there is as enticingly original as the latest special from FatBaby Bakes . Christmas bagels - things you never knew you needed. They’ve also got a cranberry and walnut variety newly added to the menu. Orders are taken twice a week for collections in Ringsend on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Christmas pizza, Coke Lane We have to wonder what the Italians would make of this one – or the Christmas traditionalists for that matter. Whatever the purists might say, we’re all aboard for trying the combo of confit duck and brussels sprouts in any form, not least a pizza. Coke Lane have the combo, together with mozzarella and pomegranate to cut through it all, available in both branches. Christmas Clucker, Cluck Chicken ‘Tis the season to be giving, and this one’s giving a LOT, in calories as much as charity. Cluck have brought back their seasonal special and this time out they’re donating €5 from every sale to homeless charities. Mulled wine glaze and a pulled ham and cheese croquette had us sold on this one already, but with a cause that good we’d better go ahead and get two. Mince pies, No Messin’ It’s good news for us all that No Messin ’ are making more than ever of their in-demand mince pies, though we’re going to guess that won’t prevent some still being disappointed this year – these always fly out the door. It’s not for nothing they’re so popular: from the perfect provenance of each and every ingredient to the classic crisp puff pastry crust, these are as good as it gets. Christmas slice, Mani Mani were too busy finding their feet after an early December opening last year to get in on the seasonal special games, but that’s a market they’ve easily elbowed into since. Their first Christmas slice is a showstopper, with house sausage and roast sprouts playing off a Hegarty’s bechamel and guanciale and herb stuffing for a helluva festive feast. Mince pies, Honey Truffle Given the standard out there and no shortage of choice, it takes something special to turn our heads where the humble mince pie is concerned. Caramelised whiskey bites are that something special in the case of Honey Truffle . We reckon they also take the prize this year for the prettiest ones around town.

Food and drink lovers tend to be quite "particular", people who know what they like and don't like, and aren't afraid to let people know (in other words they can be pretty hard to buy for). As we are also those awkward people, we've done the leg work for you this year, and let you into what we'd like to find under the tree this Christmas... For the Cocktail lovers: Craft Cocktails' Christmas Collection, from €17.50 Every year we look forward to Craft Cocktails’ Christmas collection , with flavours like 'Gingerbread Punch', 'Festive Old-Fashioned', and 'Mistletoe Margarita'. €12.50 gets you a double serve or it's €35 for a bigger bottle that serves seven. They also offer a personalisation service where you can add your message to the label on any cocktail. Order by 13th December for personalised orders, or by 19th December for non-personalised orders, or you can collect from Cuckoo Lane until 12:00 on 23rd December. Keep Her Lit Candles, from €15 These handmade candles from Dublin based couple Alex and Dan are the perfect gift for your cocktail comrades (or Guinness girlos). While they're currently fulfilling Christmas orders, keep an eye on their instagram , or catch them at the Bohemia Flea Market in Phibsborough on the 14th of December. Coffee Cocktails, Vice Coffee Inc, from €22.50 Vice know a thing or two about Irish coffee, so treat your gift receivers to the best in the 'biz with Vice's Christmas drink kits. Choose either the OG or espresso martini (decaf versions also available) - a welcome kitchen addition for anyone during the madness that is December. Find them in Vice. For the Wine lovers: The ATF x Lilith Wine Club, €100 After years of talking about it but wanting to get it just right, we've finally launched our ATF Wine Club with our favourite wine shop, Stoneybatter's Lilith . All the love is going into these monthly cases, with the number one objective to get people more excited about wine - what could be a better gift for the wine lover in your life to unwrap on Christmas morning. For the Foodies with a Sweet Tooth: Bon Chocolatiers Chocolates, from €16 Bon Chocolatiers are be the best Irish chocolates we've tried so far, and if any time of the year is worthy of a splurge on treats, it's Christmas. The Festive Treats collection features Christmas spiced s’mores and Cointreau and blood orange, and a twelve piece, four flavour box costs €31.50. Currently sold out (!!) while waiting for them to restock, we're ordering the cute as a button Rockin' Robin Irish Hazelnut (€16) - a multilayered treat in the shape of a robin made with Irish hazelnuts from Glenidan farm in Westmeath. For the Foodies that have everything: Araucaria Ceramics, from €15 Dan Woodsmith is Ireland's it boy when it comes to pottery. Based in the Dublin mountains, you might have seen Araucaria Ceramics in places like Scéal Bakery , Woodruff , Dede at the Customs House in West Cork, or even the Michelin starred Kol in London. The butter dishes (€65 or €95) are a minimalist's dream, as are the salt pigs (€40), and you can never go wrong with a solid mug (€35). Each item is hand thrown using stoneware clay as well as local, hand dug Irish clay. Catch Dan at Killruddery market on the 14th and 15th of December from 10:00 to 16:30, or order on his website . The Long Apron, Abito, €53 Quite possibly the coolest apron on the market currently is Abito I Live's latest long apron . Made from 100% cotton duck (a heavy, woven cotton fabric), the heavy weight cloth can be worn whichever way you like, with two deep pockets to carry all your kitchen essentials while cooking. Cookbook Stand, €69.95 One of those useful items that you could never justify buying yourself but would actually really love, this solid ash cookbook stand from Caulfield Country Boards in Kells is available on nookandcranny.ie - perfect for your pals that are a bit of a whizz in the kitchen. Gefu Meat Thermometer, €37.95 Similar to above, a meat thermometer is not something you would think about treating yourself with but they are such a game changer when it comes to cooking, especially if you are on turkey duty. This handy one has a magnet on the back so you can monitor the temperature easily. Get it here . Dublin Food Tour, Devour Food Tours, €79 Give the foodie in your life the gift of experience with a food tour around our fair city, complete with a morning of sausage rolls, seasonal pastries, Irish cheese, icon-status toasties and the freshest seafood at some of the best spots in the city curated by your friends here at ATF ​. You'll get an injection of history and culture too as you walk through St Stephen's Green, Trinity College, Central Plaza, past Molly Malone and through Dublin's Victorian Architecture. Starting back up in March, it's a gift for their springtime selves. ​ For the ones that love a good hamper: Christmas Hamper at Gannet Fishmongers, from €25 Gannet Fishmongers in Galway aka eatmorefish.ie are doing god's work by encouraging this island with incredible fishing grounds to eat more fish. Their website is like ASOS for fish fans, (a tad bit more chaotic) with a plethora of tinned fish as well as fresh and frozen Irish fish. For Christmas, they're assembling customisable hampers which you can choose yourself by selecting the hamper option on their website and filling up your cart with a selection of tins. It's then packed up nicely, with a personalised card, and sent off to the foodie of your choice. Folláin Christmas Hampers, from €11 Folláin's Christmas selection hampers are a great one stop shop for the cheese and / or jam lovers in your lives. With 50% of all online sales going straight to the Simon Community, this one is a no brainer. A West of Dingle Sea Salt Gift Pack, €29 We are low key obsessed with West of Dingle ’s salts. The whiskey smoked adds a deep layer of umami to everything, the smokehouse rub makes every dish taste like it's come off a charcoal grill, and the lemon and rosemary have taken our oven roasted vegetables from satisfactory to showstopping. Gift the four-pack  to your favourite at-home chef. For the Whiskey Lovers: Irish Whiskey puzzle, €45 A 1,000-piece, hand-drawn jigsaw puzzle all about Irish whiskey, its flavours and traditions. Learn about the uisce beatha passively; perfect for passing the time during that void space between Christmas and New Years when no one knows what day it is. Glendalough Distillery Gift Pack, €50 Glendalough's single grain double barrel whiskey comes in this neat little set with a whiskey tumbler. Matured in flame-charred ex-Bourbon American oak, and finished in Oloroso casks from Montilla, this whiskey won gold at the 2024 New York International Spirits Competition. Available from their website or Dublin airport, which is a handy one if you are travelling this Christmas. For the Subscription nuts: ATF Insiders, €55 Not to toot our own horn or anything, but the perfect gift for the ultimate foodie who wants access to exclusive events, and loves a bit of Insider info, is an ATF Insider subscription . At only €55 per calendar year, it includes entry into nine giveaways a month, event invitations, exclusive content and direct access to our team to ask all and any of their pressing questions about eating out. The Little Cheese Shop monthly subscription from €42.50 For the Irish cheese fans, The Little Cheese Shop in Dingle choose four cheeses of different textures and strengths that are sent at the end of each month complete with crackers, chutney, and tasting notes. From €42.50 per month , there's the option to send a one off, or treat your foodie friend to a whole year of cheese. Brack Club, The Cupcake Bloke, from €65 We are devo each year when barm brack leaves the shelves once Halloween is over, but lucky for us, Graham Herterich (aka the Cupcake Bloke, aka the Brack Angel of Ireland) has given the people what they want with his Brack Club memberships . (Does anyone remember the time he paired it with blue cheese ? Mind = blown). Starting from January 2025, give the gift of fruit bread from the Gods with three or six month subscriptions of the good stuff. For the Book Worms: The Old Spot Cookbook, €35 Marking a decade on Bath Avenue, The Old Spot Cookbook brings together the greatest hits from its award-winning gastropub. Recipes include their mussels pil pil, short-rib lasagne, and their deep fried mac and cheese. The Blasta Book Collections, €58 Blasta Books   are now gearing up for series three of their lovely collections of cookbooks (to be released in 2025), highlighting Irish authors and chefs. Each specialises in a different type of food, from Bahay's 'Masarap', to Lily Ramirez-Foran's 'Tacos', and cost €15 for one or you can buy a bundle of four for €50. Pre-order books 13-16 the next collection for recipe joy delivered throughout 2025. The Story of Tayto, €19.95 Tuck into a bag and get stuck into the history of Ireland's self appointed mascot - Mr. Tayto. Read about the weird and wonderful backstory of our nations crisp - how they changed the snack game globally, their interesting marketing tools, and how Frank Kelly (aka Fr. Jack) was the voice of a Tayto record player made out of cardboard in the 70s. The Story of Tayto has gotten great reviews and the Irish Times are calling it " genuinely entertaining ". An Irish Food Story: 100 Foods That Made Us, €25 Jp McMahon's latest book tells the story of Irish history, culture, and identity through 100 foods that shaped the nation. With entries from barley, milk, and stout, to crispy pancakes, Ribena, and jambons, An Irish Food Story is a delicious reminder that what we eat says everything about who we are. Irish Food History: A Companion, €45 For the serious food nerds out there, this absolute beast of a leabhar goes in depth into the history of Irish food from the Ice age to the present day. A whopping 850 pages, it won best Food and Drink Book at the 2024 A Post Irish Book Awards .

Half the halls aren’t even decked yet but that hasn’t stopped the starting gun being fired on the annual Christmas sandwich scramble. Like Mariah Carey kicking down the doors at the first whiff of winter, we spotted the earliest entrant on this list back on November 5th! Here’s everywhere in Dublin you can get a taste of Christmas in the north and southside suburbs. Check out the city centre, Smithfield and Stoneybatter here , and read our verdicts here . It’s beginning to look a lot like… indigestion. (Note, we've added a 🥬  emoji to anywhere with a veggie option, and we'll update this list over the next few weeks)

Half the halls aren’t even decked yet but that hasn’t stopped the starting gun being fired on the annual Christmas sandwich scramble. Like Mariah Carey kicking down the doors at the first whiff of winter, we spotted the earliest entrant on this list back on November 5th! Here’s everywhere in Dublin you can get a taste of Christmas in the city centre, Smithfield and Stoneybatter. Check out the north and southside suburbs here , and check out our verdicts here . It’s beginning to look a lot like… indigestion. (Note, we've added a 🥬 emoji to anywhere with a veggie option, and we'll update this list over the next few weeks)

December is definitely Decembering and no doubt you'll find yourself in town at some stage this week or next mooching around the shops or meeting up with pals. From goodbye doughnuts and fluffy French toast, to all the truffle and a very good value Sunday roast, here's what we've been scoping out this week... 1) Hong Kong-style French toast, Hong Kong Wonton Popping up any day now in the spot where Duck used to be on Fade Street, Hong Kong Wonton have been putting out all the social media teasers for this new and (hopefully) improved opening from the same owners as Asia Market. The Hong-Kong-style peanut butter filled French toast is top of our list, and if their countdown is accurate, doors should be opening in a little over a week. 2) Sunday roast, Bootleg Bootleg have jumped in just in time (the Christmas shopping is mounting and our funds are dwindling) with a very good value Sunday roast. Serving from 12:00 - 18:00, you get a choice of turkey, beef cheek, nut roast, or their pie of the day. It comes with all the sides and trimmings for €25 a head, Bloody Marys are €8, and you can also go bottomless on Malbec for €25. 3) Drunken chicken, Lotus Eaters We're loving the constant unveiling of new additions to the Lotus Eaters menu, and the latest is this drunken chicken with black vinegar and all the truffle. Could there be a more ideal plate for tucking into while gazing out over Trinity and everyone feeling baltic outside. 4) Spiced pumpkin cake, Craft This spiced pumpkin cake from Craft over in Harold's Cross is taking centre stage on their Christmas menu, arriving to the table with pumpkin namelaka, whiskey raisins and vanilla ice cream. Why shouldn't Christmas last all of December? 5) Doughnuts, The Morning Bakery It's the last week for The Morning Bakery  before they close for good on Sunday 15th, and they're promising lots of doughnuts in their last few days. If ever there was an excuse to head down and give them a proper send off, freshly fried and filled doughnuts is the one.

Christmas sandwich hysteria has gone up another gear this year, with everywhere trying to outdo each other, but the prices have taken a leap too. It's more or less impossible to get a Christmas sandwich for under €10 any more, and the most expensive one we've seen so far is €19! So once again we're cutting through the dross, and highlighting the best. Here's what we think of the first 14 we've taste-tested, available in 22 locations across the city... (we'll be added more as we get through them) (Note: we've been finding the service times and availability of Christmas sandwiches quite erratic. We've also tried to get into Pitt Bros, Vada and Bang Bang but either they were sold out or are only serving them on weekdays, so if you're really craving one in particular, check before you go that it's definitely on that day)

Reggie's , the new neighbourhood pizzeria in Rathmines from Reggie White (founder and former owner of Pi on George's Stree t) opens THIS WEEKEND, and we've convinced them to let ATF Insiders in for a first look on Thursday 5th December, with 50% off food while they find their feet. Anyone who agreed with our review of Pi back in 2018 , and who tried his pizza at Little Forest  in Blackrock, will understand why we've been on the edge of our stools to see what Reggie does next. It's in the old red-brick Sprezzatura site, and while Reggie's   passion has always been pizza, the opening menu also features snacks like cacio e pepe arancini with Parmesan custard, ricotta meatballs with sourdough focaccia, and what we're promised will be a killer Caesar salad with smoked bacon (full menu and pricing below). Reggie's  is aiming to be a restaurant that delivers for the neighbourhood and the local community, where everyone can eat dishes they recognise, done to the highest standard, using the best produce possible. They're describing it as "a big hug of a restaurant", delivering a superior casual dining experience, and you can expect to find the main man there the majority of the time. Reggie's  are inviting ATF Insiders  to a soft launch this Thursday 5th with 50% off food, while the front of house and kitchen get used to a full service in a new space, and they'd love your feedback on the experience. Here's what you'll be eating if you get a table. A booking link for the soft launch of Reggie's  will be sent to everyone signed up to ATF Insiders  at 10:00 tomorrow, Tuesday 3rd December.   Each ATF Insider can book for them plus one guest. If you want a bigger table, you'll need more Insiders.   If you're not already signed up click here .

If you're into eating out in Ireland and you're not hitting up Cork city on the regular, what are you at? Cork may claim to be the real capital of Ireland, but officially it gives Dublin and Galway a good run as another food capital. From Michelin-rated seafood to pizza slice shops (yes they have them too), here's eight places you shouldn't miss on your next trip... The Glass Curtain, MacCurtain Street A restaurant to rival any in the capital, The Glass Curtain  on MacCurtain Street was opened by Cork-born chef Brian Murray in 2019. A buzzy dining room that offers both a sharing style menu and a tasting menu (including one for veggies), start off with the Cashel Blue martini for a truly special opening. If you're going sharing style, don't skip any of the snacks - they're bite size, you can take on all three, we believe in you. For mains they offer sharing size plates - either a larger cut of meat, a whole fish, or individual vegetable dishes. It's the cherry on Cork's dining scene. Goldie, Oliver Plunkett Street Aishling Moore's Goldie  has made some serious waves in the country, let alone the city. Dubbed a "gill to fin" restaurant, Michelin were on the money awarding them a Bib Gourmand , and we wouldn't be surprised if that turned into a star some day soon. Their menu changes daily depending on the fish they can get, but oysters are always topped with the most delicious granita, and whichever fish gets to be schnitzeled comes with a wonderfully tangy gherkin and celeriac remoulade - the crushed colcannon is also non negotiable. The wine list is small but they offer plenty by the glass, and there's no argument that this is one of the best seafood restaurants in the country. Paradiso, Lancaster Quay Paradiso  on Lancaster Quay has been a staple in Cork city for over 30 years, which is seemingly impossible for a fully veggie fine dining spot. Led by Spanish chef Miguel Fru­tos, they operate a tasting menu only, with their six course menu coming in at €68, and a natural wine pairing for a further €35, which in today's culinary climate is quite the bargain. Vegetables don't get better than this. Miyazaki, Evergreen Street You've probably heard of Miyazaki , Japanese chef Takashi Miyazaki's takeaway with a few counter seats in Cork city, but it's as good as it ever was, so make sure to pay them a visit on your next trip south. The specials are where it's at, but the OG Tatsuta Don bowl featuring succulent chicken fried perfectly overtop fluffy rice also needs a mention. In the evening if the counter is full, order it to go and enjoy it in O'Sho  pub around the corner - an experience in itself. Also whatever sando is on for lunch, just get it. In fact, don't leave Cork without trying it - perfectly fried fresh fish in a fluffy milk bun will make you rethink any fish sandwich you've ever had. They don't have a website but you can find the menu and daily specials on their Facebook page . Elbow Lane, Oliver Plunkett Street Part of the Market Lane group (Goldie is also in this gang), Elbow Lane  is an exciting microbrewery/smokehouse who are passionate about their suppliers (they have a very  detailed list  on their website). Their meat forward menu is cooked on an open-fire Ox Grill in front of your very eyes, and between killer cocktails, smoked meat, and craft beer made on site, what's not to love? Book well in advance. MacCurtain Wine Cellar, MacCurtain Street Sean Garango and Trudy Ahern met in Dublin while working in the restaurant scene. Trudy, originally from Cork, managed Etto, while Sean is a sommelier who did wine lists for The Legal Eagle. They opened up MacCurtain Wine Cellar in 2022, a wine shop turned wine bar at night with a focus on sustainable, natural, and organic wine. Their snacks are what girl dinner dreams are made of - cheese, charcuterie, tinned fish and crostinis. Bonus points for being able to pick up a bottle to go on the way out. Frankie's Slice Shop, South Mall Boardwalk If Bambino, Doom Slice, and Mani had a baby, it would be Frankie's Slice Shop . Intentionally not wanting to be bound by any particular convention or style - they blend the larger than life flavours inspired by NYC and Detroit, with the fluffy focaccia style of a Roman slice - try the Roman pepperoni and hot honey. Set in a glass box on the South Mall boardwalk, their dough game is strong - springy and chewy slices, with all the best toppings. Good Day Deli, Nano Nagle Place In the beautiful gardens of Nano Nagle Place, Good Day Deli serves up a feel-good, "so fresh it's almost jumping off the plate" menu of predominantly vegetarian food, but their Kai Moana fish tacos will never be allowed to leave the menu. There's a big focus on sustainable eating and living, and a nicely curated list of natural wine, organic tea and West Cork coffee, as well as unmissable homemade cakes. Did we miss your favourite place in Cork? Let us know for our next visit by emailing info@allthefood.ie .

With December approaching thick and fast, Christmas themed foods have entered the chat. From festive pizza and fancy ramen, to once a year desserts, here's what we're day-dreaming about eating this week in the capital... 1) The Christmas slice, Mani Mani are coming in hot with their latest menu addition, and how better to start silly season than with a Christmas slice of pizza. Topped with their house sausage, roasted sprouts, a Hegarty’s cheese bechamel, Guanciale and herb stuffing, all drizzled with a Ballymaloe Cranberry sauce, this fluffy Roman slice is served with a side of gravy, just in case you thought things couldn't get better. 2) The Christmas bowl, Sprout and Co. For a lighter festive alternative than massive Christmas-dinners-between-bread, Sprout and Co. have just launched their seasonal bowl packed with herb roasted chicken, sweet potato, miso glazed sprouts and pickled cabbage, topped with a cranberry vinaigrette and crispy stuffing. We expect the queues to be out the doors at lunchtime for this bowl of yuletide yum. 3) Grilled gambas, Woodruff Amidst the slew of all the Christmas food content that's starting to pop up like crazy, this bowl of grilled gambas from Woodruff in Stepaside is a brain cleanser. Served with taramasalata and katsuobushi on a kimchi pancake, it's a welcome diversion from all the turkey and ham we're about to overdo. 4) Truffle wagyu shoyu ramen, Nomo Ramen We weren't sure a bowl of the good stuff could get this fancy, but it has. This warming bowl of truffle wagyu shoyu ramen (an upgrade on their shoyu ramen menu staple ) is available only from Fridays to Sundays at Nomo Ramen this festive season, so plan accordingly. 5) Mont Blanc '24, Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen's pastry kitchen is one of the strongest in the country, and those who are lucky enough to be enjoying the Christmas tasting menu (we are all very envious) will be treated to this beauty of a dessert. Their version of the Parisian-born "Mont Blanc" is slightly more sophisticated than a pile of chestnut purée topped with whipped cream, but what else would we expect.

Even with all efforts to make no major plans in December, your calendar will find a way to fill itself. Between work dinners, friend catch ups and family get-togethers, it's almost impossible to avoid mass-socialising, and while set menus can be very handy for group dining, we know a lot of you hate having your arm twisted into multi-course dinners with higher than usual prices. So we've looked high and low for the restaurants sticking with their regular à la carte menu during silly season... Forêt , Sussex Terrace Sandy and John Wyer's brand new French bistro Forêt (next to Forest Avenue on Sussex Terrace) has no intention of messing with their menu of classic French dishes during December. Apart from being ludicrously tasty the food is very well priced by current Dublin standards, and the room above O'Brien's pub is cosy in the extreme. Read this week's once over of Forêt here . Coppinger, Coppinger Row It's business as usual at buzzing Coppinger - if business as usual means a steady stream of new menu additions, each looking better than the one that came before. There is a group set menu for €70pp if you want to go that way, but otherwise you can take your pick from snacks, small plates, mains, sides and desserts like you would any other night. Achara, Aston Quay Achara aren't going to messing with a working model just because it's getting close to Christmas. There is a family style sharing menu for the banging price of €45 per person, but you can order their mussel skewers, basil chilli aubergine and pork belly moo hong like you would at any other time of the year. With these prices you can go a bit bigger on that beautiful wine list too. Suertudo, Ranelagh New opening Suertudo in Ranelagh sees Amy Austin 's Executive Head Chef Victor Lara installed in the same position here - a very good omen. The menu is somewhere between the more casual 777 and the more envelope pushing Amy Austin with octopus chicharron, blue ceviche, and pink mole with smoked beetroot goat's cheese, and there's no change for December. Hawksmoor, College Green Hawksmoor does group sharing menus year round (and check their out those private dining rooms ), but the à la carte never budges, and there's bags of choice for all tastes, budgets and diets. Go big with sharing steaks from the board or keep it simpler (and cheaper) with a Caesar salad and a burger. Bar Pez, Kevin Street Lower Easy going Bar Pez (from the same people who own Fish Shop in Smithfield) is focused on small-plates and iconic wines, and they wouldn't dream of enforcing a seasonal set onto diners in December. Pick from dishes like beef tartare, scallop crudo, and salt & vinegar potatoes, and when it comes to wine, there's no better time of year to treat yourselves to a special bottle. Library Street, Setanta Place The spend per head in Library Street is probably at Christmas levels year round - just try to stop ordering those anchovy choux buns, Flaggy Shore oysters and turbot head - it's impossible. If you have a gang between six and ten you can also take over the PDR downstairs, where they'll feed you until you're fit to burst for €85pp. Amuri, Chatham Street We love the laidback, fuss-free vibes of Amuri , where the food is as good as what comes out of the best Sicilian Nonnas' kitchens, with zero pretension in the mix. Their seasonal menu always highlights what's best right now, and December sees no change to proceedings. Kaldero, South King Street Usually we don't take a lot of notice of Press Up's new culinary ventures, but with Bahay's Richie Castillo in the kitchen, new opening Kaldero has our attention. Filipino, Chinese and Indian cooking are coming together under one roof in the old Wagamama site on South King Street, and with doors only opening at the weekend, there's no chance of a Christmas switch up. The Legal Eagle, Inns Quay The Legal Eagle is the easy breezy gastro pub that won't put any pressure on you to eat the way they want you to, as long as your table is for one - four people. There's a snacky bar menu, as well as a full à la carte, so you can do you boo. There's also a set menu for groups of five or more. Big Fan, Aungier Street The OG small plates and laid back vibes venue, Big Fan has never diverged from its roots, and if boss baos, jiaozi and rare featherblade steak with urfa chilli sound like your kind of Christmas catch up, get booking - they're continuously rammed. Amy Austin, Drury Street Before devising the menu for brand new Suertudo above, Chef Victor Lara made major waves in Amy Austin - formerly the wine bar in the car park, now a Bib Gourmand eatery that's constantly getting name-checked by the Michelin man . It's small plates central filled with ingredients you've probably never tried before, like anise velouté, soy potato cream, and bergamot yoghurt, and portions are small and fresh so you should be able to keep going for hours afterwards. Little Washer, Glasnevin Despite Dublin 9 getting a flurry of new wines bars over the past year, none have made their mark with food and wine quite like Little Washer . Their meatball subs, pizza and beef shin pappardelle have been magnets for locals (and non-locals willing to travel), and there's no change for December. Kinara Kitchen and Kajal, Ranelagh/Clontarf/Malahide Kinara Kitchen and Kajal are giving a nod to the season with their new Christmas cocktails, like the Cranberry and Macadamia Sour, and the Chai Hot Toddy with Jameson Black Barrel. When it comes to food though it's business as usual so all your favourites like the Nehari Gosht and the Goan Fish Curry are there for the picking, with whatever starters and sides you'd like.

What should we know about Spice Village? Chef Joginder Singh landed in Ireland in 2005 to join the Jaipur group after nearly twenty years cooking in India. A stint at Kerala Kitchen followed a decade later, before he went it alone in 2017 with Blessington’s Spice Village . Seven years and three more openings later, the sit-in and takeaway operation has clocked up plentiful IYKYK buzz about town, not least for the Keralan buffet lunch available every weekend at its Rialto branch .  What should we have? An appetite – with an all-you-can-eat entry fee of €19.99 and anything from 15 to 20 dishes laid out for your self-serve delight, this has the capacity to be about as much bang-for-your-buck as you'll find in Dublin these days. Modelled on sadya, a Keralan family feast typically served up for festivals and major celebrations, it’s been a sleeper hit with homesick expats.   That might explain why signage is patchy – most guests didn’t need to ask what they were dishing up, and we didn't mind leaping into the unknown. If you’re spice-sensitive or dealing with dietary requirements, staff are exceptionally friendly and happy to talk you through it. Your first glimpse is three deep clay vats - Kottayam Meen (fish and tamarind), Angamaly Manga (green mango and coconut) and Chenayitta Kaalan (yam and yogurt). They get progressively creamier from left to right, though none have anything to fear for the spice-intolerant. The standout is the fish, thick chunks of king mackerel adding oily indulgence to a balanced curry.   Two types of thoran (quick-cooked shredded veg stir fries) are often sides in a sadya, but have enough fresh flavour here to be enjoyed on their own. That’s also true for the pazham pori, soft banana fritters we’d snack on all day. Either do a fine job in tempering other dishes, like the mild-spiced crispy chicken ’65 or the formidably fiery chicken perattu – if you want tongue-tingling pile it high. Beef roast is slow-cooked to a deep and spice-crusted complexity that made us wish we had room for more. The lentil stew sambal and veg and tamarind theeyal had slightly less wow factor, but should leave veggie visitors very satisfied.   Kappa ularthiyathu is spiced and stir-fried tapioca, not unlike the thoran in offering a more intensively-flavoured foil than rice as a base or side for all the curries, but there’s rice there too - the Keralan kind is thick and chunky. Idiyappam (rice noodles) are also served and topped up at the table – the mix-and-match possibilities are endless.   Should you still be upright by then – we very nearly were not – a dessert of payasam will come out in an ice cream cup. This vermicelli and nut porridge has a savoury-sweet satisfaction and a strong scent of cardamom - as a final parting taste, it's a fond farewell.   Why should I go? Whether you look at it as a three course lunch or a single piled-high plate, Spice Village’s buffet offers a kind of value few in the city can compete with. There are discoveries aplenty to be had here in the joys of Keralan cuisine, and a communal buzz in the room that money can’t buy. Spice Village 471 South Circular Road, Rialto instagram.com/spicevillage_rialto

Between new openings, new offers to lure us into old favourites, and all the upcoming festivities on the calendar, we've got a helluva prize line up for ATF Insiders this month. ATF Insiders is ou r premium service offering added benefits for readers, that allows us to operate ad-free and independently, with everything featured and recommended here paid for by us . Having your name put in the hat for nine brilliant prizes every month is just one of the benefits. Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders by midnight on Sunday 17th November will be entered into the draw, and winners will be picked and notified on Monday 18th November. Here's what you could win this month if you're in the club... 1) €250 to spend on food and drinks at Caribou Just think of all of the steak-frites , weekend roasts , craft beers and cocktails you'll be able to consume if you're the lucky winner of this month's top prize from our current favourite bar Caribou - which was this week's once over . Stop in for lunch seven days a week (served till 16:00 on weekdays and 17:00 Friday - Sunday) or head in in the evening for clarified rhubarb sours, palomas, and a craft beer list that will have your head spinning. €250 is going to go a long way in this room... 2) Dinner for two with cocktails at Kaldero Kaldero is the city's newest high end Asian restaurant with Bahay 's Richie Castillo at the helm, along with consultant chefs Daren Liew (ex-Duddell's and Hakkasan in London) and Alfred Prasad (the youngest Indian chef to win a Michelin star at Tamarind, London). It's in the old Wagamama site on South King Street and will bring Filipino, Chinese and Indian food together in one moody basement venue, when it opens next Friday 22nd November. We're got dinner for two to give away to celebrate the opening, with two small plates, two large sharing plates, two desserts and cocktails on arrival. Follow Kaldero (which means 'pot' in Filipino) on Instagram here  and see a sample menu here . 3) Sunday roast for four at Hawksmoor   We're well into Sunday roast season , and there's no question that Hawksmoor 's is one of Dublin's best. Their slow-roast rump of beef is finished over charcoal and served perfectly pink, with enormous Yorkshire puddings, crispy roast potatoes, seasonal veg and Hawksmoor stuffing. Or you can replace the rump with sharing cuts from the blackboard, like prime-rib or Chateaubriand, and add on the trimmings for €9 each (plus extras like cauliflower cheese and celeriac mash with sausage gravy if you're insatiable). We've got a Hawksmoor classic Sunday Roast for four people to give away this month, with a welcome cocktail on arrival AND wine with your meal. Name a better Sunday. Check them out here . 4) Sunday lunch for two at The Seafood Café This weekend The Seafood Café in Temple Bar launch their new Sunday set menu for two. From 12:00 to 17:00 you'll be able to order a feast of food for €35 to €55 per person (depending on the main), which includes an aperitif, starter, main course, sides and dessert. You'll start with a cocktail or pints, share seafood snacks like a shellfish cocktail and oysters, pick a main like Halibut en Croûte, or Lobster and Monkfish Pie, choose two sides, then have cheese or dessert to finish. Ideal if you're trying to catch up with friends during silly season but still want a bit of a deal. See the menu here . 5) €100 voucher for brunch at Old Fashioned Sam's For months we've been getting messages from readers asking what is opening on the corner of Montague and Harcourt Street, and last week it was revealed to be Old Fashioned Sam's . The new three floor venue is opening just in time for those who haven't arranged their Christmas getogethers, with a restaurant on the first floor, bar and courtyard on the ground floor, and cocktail bar in the basement. We've got a €100 tab for one of you to spend on Sam's brunch, featuring dishes like chicken and waffles, 'tiramasu' pancakes and 'the full Granby fry' - head in for on Saturday for live piano, or Sunday if you prefer some DJ action. Follow them on Instagram here . 6) Dinner for two with wine at Bartley's in The Grafton Hotel Serving right through from breakfast to late night aperitifs, Bartley's in The Grafton Hotel is ideally situated just minutes from Grafton Street, with a bar, restaurant, lounge and coffee terrace. We've got a three-course dinner for two to give away this month including a bottle of wine, where you can pick from dishes like Guinness-cured salmon, beer-battered haddock and chips, and braised lamb shank with red wine jus. (Prize valid until 21st May 2025) 7) Two tickets for the Festive Pop-Up Restaurant night at Dublin Cookery School Dublin Cookery School in Blackrock has a load of Christmas-inspired courses & events coming up over the next few weeks, including Edible Gifts Social , Christmas Bites & Booze , and the DCS Annual Christmas Extravaganza - all designed to get you in the Christmas mood. We've got two places to give away for their Festive Pop-Up Restaurant Night on Saturday 7th December, with 20% of the ticket price donated to the Blackrock Hospice. With live music, drinks and canapés on arrival, and a three-course meal to follow, it's the perfect opportunity to start your festive countdown. For some culinary new year's resolutions, check out their 2025 class schedule  here .    8) €100 gift hamper from Folláin Folláin is one of Ireland's most loved preserve makers, and for the past three years they've partnered with The Simon Community , pledging 50% of proceeds from online sales during November and December to the charity fighting homelessness in Ireland. There are loads of gift ideas online including the Christmas Preserve Box, the Cheese Pairing Box, and the 12 Days Gift Box, and you can feel doubly good about giving this year knowing you're supporting Irish and a very worthy charity. Follow the Follain festivities at @follainirishpreserves and shop at   follain.ie . 9) A coffee tasting subscription from Anam Coffee Anam Coffee might be the smallest specialty coffee roastery in the country, in the limestone landscape of the Burren, Co, Clare. They want to make an impact with their 'Ethical First' approach to sourcing, buying from relatively undiscovered  coffee regions like war-torn Burundi and Mozambique . To help highlight this they've given us a three month coffee tasting subscription, plus an AeroPress coffee maker to give away to one of our lucky ATF Insiders . Each month you'll be sent out a different hand roasted single-origin, or exclusive micro-lot coffee in fully compostable packaging, with the choice of having it pre-ground for your preferred method of brewing, or wholebean so that you can grind it fresh. Check out Anam's coffee tasting subscription here . Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders for November (new and old) will be automatically entered into the prize draw - you don't need to do anything. If you're not signed up yet join here before midnight on Sunday 17th November. You'll be supporting independent reviews and news in Dublin and beyond, and be able to get answers to all of your burning questions about eating out, here and abroad, directly from us.

What should we know about Open Bagels? Whether it’s more innovation or desperation, we’ve seen pivots aplenty in Dublin’s cafés across the last few months, as the city’s scene struggles to keep pace with climbing costs and changing tastes. Network  is the latest to shake things up, scuttling its previous All Good Wine Bar for Saturday bagel bar, Open Bagels , instead, serving from 10am until sell-out.   What should we have? There are six loaded bagels, and boy are they loaded. Our eyes widened as decomposable containers of piled-high half rings passed by our kitchen-side seats, more like a mountain of chilli chips than the waistline-watching specimens elsewhere about town. The bagels themselves are beautiful - the Network team developed them under the mentorship of fatbaby Bakes , the native New Yorker whose frustration with the lack of proper bagels in Ireland led her to set up a home micro-bakery . Her lessons have been well-learned; crisp bronzed crusts are flecked with tell-tale blisters and gloriously chewy to the bite. Those who’ve dismissed the humble bagel off the back of O’Brien’s and its ilk should be first in line here for a taste of the real deal.   Our favourite was the 'Lil Spice', liberally smeared with labneh-thick cream cheese and chunks of avocado, topped with peanut rayu and pickled onions and radish. Sharpness and spice cut through the richness of the avocado and cheese, soft and creamy textures playing off the chewy dough. This could be the next avocado toast. Any scepticism we’d had at the €12 price point vanished at its substantial size; that it’s this good is the cherry – rayu – on top.   'The Traditional' is true to its name, a solid, safe bet that satisfied if not set our senses alight in the same way. Generous slices of smoked salmon rest on more of that thick-set cream cheese and beef tomato, sprinkled with capers and dill. It's a classic combo for good reason, and if you’re in for old comforts this is the one.   'It’s Our Jam' wasn't our first choice for dessert (the 'Jack of All Trades' with peanut butter, jelly and fried banana was unavailable when we dropped in) but it was a strong second choice. The menu promises seasonal fruits on top of cream cheese with passion fruit and honey, and if the sour-sweet tang of these strawberries and blackcurrants are anything to go by they’re sourcing them well (despite November not exactly being berry season) – this could be a fun one to watch evolve each month.   The one damp squib is a point of service - even sitting in, the food’s dished out in takeaway boxes. Proper bagels need proper knifework to cut through the chew – these are, blissfully, too big to bite – and the chore of cutting in a crammed container dampens the mood. Bring out the plates.   Why should I go? If the general trend of the café scene in 2024 has been toward plugging gaps in the market at a cross-section of quality and value, Open Bagels seamlessly slots in near the top of the pile. Come ravenous, or willing to share, and see what the NYC fuss is all about.   Open Bagels 39 Aungier Street, Dublin 2 instagram.com/openbagels

It’s more re-openings than anything else in this roundup - whether it's yesteryear’s favourites back under new management, or recent closures refitted to more favourable tastes, the recent crop of arrivals is evidence of the harsh sink-or-swim reality of Dublin’s hospitality biz today... Suertudo, Ranelagh Much RAI hand-wringing followed the news last month that Dillinger’s was to close after 15 years of business in Ranelagh, but the doors will only have stayed shut less than two weeks – less dire omen of an industry on the brink than a restaurateur realising when reinvention is needed. Suertudo looks set to ride the rising Mexican wave that’s crashing in on Dublin of late, taking cues from owner John Farrell’s city centre 777 , and looking to challenge newbie neighbour Parrilla . Its pitch is “elevated” Mexican cuisine, and while we’d like to see that low-key dismissive term consigned to the bin, there’s plenty on the menu like octopus chicharrón and Acapulco ceviche we’d like to elevate to our mouths. One Ballsbridge, Ballsbridge Suertudo is Spanish for lucky, so it might have made a better name for One Ballsbridge . Here, Oliver Dunne is following in the ill-fated footsteps of Dylan McGrath and Richard Corrigan, whose respective efforts at the site in Shelbourne Social and Park Cafe came to untimely ends in recent years. A decade on from dropping his Michelin star at Bon Appetit to move more downmarket, Dunne has found mid-market success across the capital with restaurants like Pink and Beef and Lobster , and seems buoyant on his chances of success where his famous forebears failed. A broadly crowd-pleasing menu that goes big on beef and some enthusiastic early reviews suggest he has a good chance. Vada, Smithfield Dublin’s vegans were dismayed at the loss of V-Face back in August, becoming the third such spot in the Smithfield area to shutter inside of two years, after Vegan Sandwich Co and Woke Cup Café before it. Vada is its replacement from the same owner, a neighbourhood café committed to sustainability, with doggy treats   made from leftovers by far the cutest manifestation of that philosophy we’ve seen in a while. The menu, big on soups and sandwiches with a luxury touch, got the seal of approval   from the previous tenants, who neglected to mention they’re one and the same... Our two minute review is here for those seeking a more impartial opinion. Forêt, Sussex Avenue A rave wave of reviews came crashing down over the past week for Forêt , the new classic French bistro from John and Sandy Wyer of Forest Avenue , Little Forest , and Una fame – with pedigree like that, it’s hardly a shock. The Wyers have always showed shrewd sensibilities through their covid-era pivots to grocery service, and this latest addition – slotting in right beside Forest Avenue, above M’ O’Brien’s pub – can trade on the name while offering something more laidback than the tasting menu below. Bayonne ham, leeks vinaigrette, onion velouté, hake grenobloise and trout rillettes - it’s all here, and we can’t wait to be too. Old Fashioned Sam’s, Montague Street The ongoing evolution of Montague Street into one of Dublin’s hot spots continues with Old Fashioned Sam’s , whose 900-strong capacity across four self-contained areas spread over three floors positions it much more on the Harcourt than Camden Street side of things, conceptually as much as literally. The purpose-built venue (Credo pizzeria was knocked down to make way) is the new crown jewel in a varied empire spanning through city centre joints like Sinnott’s and Capitol Lounge, through more suburban fare like 3 Brothers and the Black Lion. The daytime café bar will complement a basement-level speakeasy and ground floor all-weather courtyard, while the 80-cover restaurant upstairs has some eye-catching offerings such as lion’s mane steak and a bread bowl clam chowder. The Unicorn, Merrion Row You know the boom’s getting boomier when Celtic Tiger-era stalwarts are back in action – forget about unicorns, here’s a phoenix risen from the ashes. Having changed hands a great many times since originally opening nigh-on ninety years ago, The Unicorn is giving it another go under Kristan Burness, who briefly ran things a decade ago before making a living with Lucan’s Sabatini and The Dalkey Duck . They’re keeping things broadly nostalgic, with old menu favourites back on the billing for an Italian-style menu in a high-end space. A wine bar, In Vino Veritas, will offer a piano-soundtracked space to repair after dinner. Coming Soon... Wildflower The rollercoaster ride of Wildflower , Adrian Martin’s pandemic-era opener that debuted in London before hopping over the Irish Sea for an ill-fated few months in Dublin, is set to continue with a second shot at things. No details yet, but they’re coming soon. The Ribs Gaucho BBQ Breathlessly teasing every facet of its gaucho BBQ offering as if it hadn’t already been available in Dublin since 2020, The Ribs opens its Strand Street doors at an undisclosed date later this month. Will its take on the Brazilian tradition, served from the skewer at tableside, make a dent in Bah 33 ’s market lead? French Revolution “A taste of France wrapped in today’s warmth” isn’t going to win any awards for copy writing; lucky then that a picture is worth a thousand less weird words. Romanian chain French Revolution make exceedingly pretty eclairs, and the word from some of our Insiders in the know is that they taste just as good too. Watch this space for location details - we've heard Dun Laoghaire but that's TBC.

What should we know about Vada? Formerly V-Face , this corner spot where Smithfield meets Stoneybatter has been reinvented by the same owner as " a neighbourhood café committed to sustainability ". On first glance it ticks all the zeitgeisty café boxes, and looks like a rebrand undertaken after plenty of research into what diners want.   What's the seating sitch? Somewhere between cool café and modern British pub, with banquettes on the sides and tables in the middle - try to avoid the ones near the door or you'll be faced with intermittent gusts of air. The acoustics aren't great, with one small speaker playing barely audible music, and it took effort not to listen to other people's conversations. What's on the menu? Three options in the morning and three at lunch, but check the board for specials. We would have liked to see breakfast served all day - is there a bad time for mushrooms on toast and breakfast brioche? Prices are punchy (when are we not saying that lately) and the same for takeaway - we can't see many people taking €15 sambos to the office so imagine they'll be reliant on sit-ins. The porchetta sambo (€15) comes with pesto aioli, herby apple slaw, pink onions and rocket on focaccia. It's a drippy, messy, vibrant combination that you'll struggle to put down, regardless of stomach space. Parsnip crisps were pleasant, but under-dressed, unseasoned salad leaves didn't add anything.   A coconut laksa special (€15) came with optional chicken (€4 extra) or tofu (€2 extra). With the meat from standard battery hens with no provenance worth shouting about, we went for tofu, and the batter here could turn any meat eater. It's a bowl packed with goodness, the creamy spicy sauce enveloping rice noodles, crunchy veg and fragrant herbs. It was so close to being perfect, but missed some fish sauce (or salt) and a squeeze of lime to complete the flavour circle. Miso pumpkin salad is a riot of flavours and textures with house-made labneh, plum jam, tricolour quinoa, crispy shallots and rocket. Sweet and savoury combine beautifully in a bowl to do your body good, with no carb crash to follow.   You'll find homemade desserts on the counter, including teeny squares of Basque cheesecake (at the not teeny price of €4). What should have been a lighter than air, softer than silk, creamy texture was sadly dry, verging on powdery, and the "fermented plum" on top tasted like raw, under-ripe plum. What about drinks? House-made water kefir is the star of the show, with rotating flavours fermenting on shelves up high, made with produce that might have otherwise gone in the bin. We loved the raspberry and hibiscus, and you can add sparkling wine for a spritzer. Coffee is from Roasted Brown and was flawless.   Why should I go? There's a lot to like about Vada , with the focus on seasonality and sustainable eating two big ticks, but we'd like to see this reflected in their meat sourcing too. There's a genuinely unique repertoire of breakfast and lunch dishes that aren't on twenty other menus around town, and between that and the bistro vibes we can see it having a steady stream of customers. Vada 30 North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7 hellovada.com

A lunch special to leave Mickey D's in the dust, bagels baked by an actual New Yorker, and an old Dublin chipper classic getting a new run out are some of the things we're dying to try in Dublin this cold November week... 1) Pumpkin spice bagels, FatBaby Bakes For those of us not quite ready to enter winter, and let's be honest, one can't have enough pumpkin while the leaves are still falling, fatbaby Bake's  very first special is as good a reason as any to drive to Ringsend for bagels. Flavoured with a blend of autumnal spices and topped with a sticky sugar glaze, they're only available this week, so get booking. Check their   insta post   for how to order. 2) Autumnal bowls, Tír Deli Thank you Tír Deli for keeping us on the straight and narrow on what will soon be silly season. These Autumnal bowls are the exact colour and goodness we need in our lives right now, with 'BBQ Mushroom', 'The Works' (with Feighcullen spicy chicken and pumpkin pâté) , and the 'Sunday Roast' (with roast chicken, gravy, pickles, stuffing, roasties, roasted veg, pink aioli, and greens). Mark us down for one of each. 3) Fried fish and frites sandwich, Hawksmoor Hawksmoor have only gone and paid homage to the humble Filet-o-Fish dreamed up by Ronald McDonald himself. Available as part of their Wednesday to Saturday lunch specials, their fried fish and frites sandwich uses fresh hake, and their frites are the perfect matchstick chip - so very underrated in upmarket chip circles. 4) Stuffed aubergine, The Winding Stair The Winding Stair  is known for all the cosy city centre vibes, and with the sun currently ghosting us around 5pm every evening, this dish of roasted, stuffed Kinsealy aubergine with lentils, muhammara, radish, spiced chickpea and saffron yoghurt is just what you need to raise your November spirits. 5) Ray Wing, The Legal Eagle Let's hear it for ray. A beautifully unassuming delicacy, synonymous with Dublin, and previously on every chipper menu in the city, you'll now only find it in a handful (including here ). It's even more scarce in restaurants, so our eyed widened this week when we saw The Legal Eagle are serving it with brown shrimp, capers, lemon and baby roast potatoes, in a brown butter sauce. Swapping batter for brown butter is the healthy choice we're willing to make this week.

Fish specials are having an October moment, featuring three times in our most wanted this week, along with a chickeny-take on a Chinese takeaway classic, and an Autumn dessert that really floats our boat... 1) Chicken toast, Chimac Sure, you've heard of prawn toast, but have you ever heard of chicken toast? Us neither, but that hasn't stopped us wanting to try Chimac 's newest invention. Keeping it local with sourdough from Una Bakery in Ranelagh, dipping these puppies in their habanero hella hot sauce sounds like a hella good time. 2) Miso blackened cod, Lotus Eaters They say it's a nod to Nobu , although there's was miso black cod (also known as sablefish and no relation to cod). Regardless, this miso glazed 'blackened' cod is the latest plate from the Lotus Eaters guys, and whether it's black cod or blackened cod we'd very much like to give those charred edges a whirl. 3) Cured & torched Goatsbridge trout, Crudo Trout is very underrated in our books, and we love the look of Crudo's latest special. They cure and torch Goatsbridge trout from Kilkenny, and serve it with bbq'd courgette, leek and a basil velouté. Perfect for when you're in complete denial about what season it is. 4) Crispy plaice, Lottie's This is indeed the third fish dish in a row, but Lottie's  Insta post of crispy plaice really reeled us in. Served with Sicilian-style cabbage, and chive emulsion, it's the flavour/texture combo to lift your spirits as we enter winter. 5) Brown butter and fig tart, Note We're still in our fig era, happily lapping up any dessert we see featuring these little nuggets of Autumn, including Note's latest dessert - a fig and brown butter tart with a dollop of crème fraîche, finished with fig leaf oil. It sounds absolutely dzvine.

We're in the last throes of game, mushroom and squash season, and pumpkins are quite literally everywhere we look, from doorsteps to dinner menus citywide. Here's where to get that last orange-filled fix before it's all-change for turkey, ham and sprout season... Pumpkin Slice, Mani We can always count on pizza Kings Mani to keep it fresh, and next up in their specials is this brand new slice with Crown Prince pumpkin, cavolo nero, pumpkin sauce, whipped ricotta, lemon & Parmesan. Their slices are made with organic flour and a 72-hour fermentation, and this is as good as pizza gets. Hokkaido pumpkin and Hegarty's cheese, Mae The current starter course on the tasting menu at Mae is giving all the Autumnal vibes. Hokkaido pumpkin comes with smoked Hegartys cheese ravioli, and is that candied beetroot we spy... Oxtail rigatoni, Coppinger New to lunch and dinner menus at Coppinger is the rarely sighted oxtail, serve with rigatoni, chestnut mushrooms and crispy kale. A bowl of this and a bowlful of red wine - what more could you want of an Autumn evening. Pumpkin ravioli, Osteria Lucio There's a crying shortage of handmade pasta restaurants in Dublin, but for a real taste of Italy, Osteria Lucio is bringing the goods. They roast the pumpkins for their pumpkin ravioli in the restaurant's wood-fired oven, before serving it with Toonsbridge ricotta, chanterelle mushrooms, sage and brown butter. Monkfish with roasted butternut squash, Orwell Road Autumn is the season of game, rich sauces and root veg, but that doesn't mean fish should be forgotten. Orwell Road are serving monkfish loin served with roasted butternut squash, crispy mussels, and rainbow chard, all sitting on a rich seafood bisque. Haochi rabbit, Hakkahan We're seeing a surprising lack of game on menus right now, and weren't expecting Hakkahan in Stoneybatter to be the first ones to bring the Autumn rabbit. They're serving French bunnies with glass noodles for their Haochi rabbit, and promising all the bold flavours. Butternut squash gnocchi, Lottie's We love when places don't phone in their seasonal stalwarts, and Lottie's have taken a simple butternut squash gnocchi and super-charged it with Parmesan, crispy pumpkin seeds and balsamic glaze. Look at that silky smooth sauce... Pumpkin on toast, Tang Trust Tang to bring the Autumn feels to brunch time. They're roasting pumpkin and serving it on toast with labneh, pickled onion, zhoug, maple crunch and hot honey, and all we can say is gimme. Beef shin papardelle, Little Washer You could slow braise your own Irish beef shin, trying to work out the perfect proportions of meat to wine to tomatoes, or you could let Little Washer do it for you, serve it on their parpadelle and top it off with truffle Pecorino. We know which one we'd go for. Mushrooms a la crème , September Will anyone think of the mushrooms? Phew, September have, and they're serving theirs a la crème on wide sheets of pasta, with a limited amount of the "dankest truffles" as an optional add on. Pumpkin risotto, Note Keeping it ever simple and effortlessly attractive, Note have a pumpkin risotto on the menu topped with roast pumpkin, pumpkin seeds, cubes of Tallegio and crispy sage. Pair with a glass of white Burgundy for maximum effect. Pumpkin Pizza, Slice of Naples Slice of Naples have taken a brief break from being online comedians to come up with a Halloween pizza special. There's pumpkin, sausage, fennel, pancetta and Gruyère cream, all on that Neapolitan base we loved . Baked Mont d'Or, Sheridans What's the Autumn/Winter season without a baked Mont d’Or, and Sheridans have a suggestion for a DIY version with garlic and white wine. Bake it for 20 minutes and dip bread, crudités or potatoes to your cheese loving heart's content.

The approaching time of year can be one of the most frustrating when it comes to finding somewhere for friend catch ups, work drinks, and all of those Christmas pints you've been promising people you'll definitely do before the year is out. Most people want the option of food on a festive night out, but not always a multi-course, over-priced set menu, so here's where to go when you want somewhere more casual where the focus is on drinks, the food isn't coming out of the freezer and into the deep fat fryer, and where you can order as much or as little as you'd like... Allta Bar, Grand Canal Dock Allta 's more casual sibling next-door bills itself as a cocktail bar first, but the wine and beer lists are nothing to sniff at either. The bar food menu has everything from oysters and tuna tartare bites to what many are calling the best burger in Dublin, and if you haven't booked ahead you can always wait for a seat at the bar. With cocktails €16 a piece this won't be a cheap night out, but you can have exactly what you want with no festive arm-twisting. Check out our once over of Allta Bar here . Caribou, Stephen Street Lower The guys behind Caribou (who also own Kodiak and Bonobo) know how to do a pub for 2024. The drinks menus are in the top 1%, the staff always seem very happy to be there, and there's always an excellent, uncomplicated food menu for when hunger strikes. While their other two sites are pizza focused, Caribou has branched out with fish sandwiches, steak frites and pork schnitzel, and it's the loveliest room to while away a few hours in, with no one hovering over you trying to get you to overspend. Frank's, Camden Street Natural wine bar and shop Frank's is where you'll find the ones who really love wine splashing out on some special bottles - tis the season. The short food menu changes regularly but there's always, meat, cheese and a few interesting seasonal small plates. When it comes to drinks, tell them what you like and let them do their magic. Hidden, Smithfield New opening Hidden in Smithfield (from the same owner as One Society) is gearing itself up as the casual Christmas option, where Italian tapas meet lovely European wines. You can keep it simple with pizza and antipasti, or if you have a big gang they have options for 15+, with standing and sit down options for €30-€35 a head. Check them out here . Fallon & Byrne's wine cellar Another easy place for a seasonal meet up, Fallon & Byrne's wine cellar lets you pull anything off the shelves and drink it for just €10 corkage - we can hear the Champagne corks popping. Pair it with small plates, pizza or pasta, or just enjoy your wine with no food fuss. Bootleg, Drury Street Drury Street's "disco lounge" Bootleg adapts to many a night out. Wine bar? Check. Restaurant? Check. Late night Italo-disco tunes? Check. Get in and out early if you're looking for wine, cocktails and tasty small plates like Iberico ham and turkey scotch eggs, and stay late if you're not ready for the night to end. Lenehan's, Dawson Street Lenehan's describes itself as a "social hub" for Dublin, and with a sprawling place spanning multiple rooms and floors, in the most central of locations on Dawson Street, there's usually a corner you can slink into with friends, even if you haven't booked. Stay downstairs around the bar areas if you're looking for a laidback night out, and there's a gastropub menu with chowder, salads and burgers for when you get peckish. Row Wines, Coppinger Row Wine bar, vinyl lounge, purveyor of some of the most intensely flavoured small plates in Dublin, is there anything Row Wines can't do? While we'd always advise booking, it's definitely worth chancing a walk in, and the laid back vibes makes it easy to customise your night to exactly what you're looking for. Saying that, if you don't eat here you're making a BIG mistake. Read our once over here . Fidelity Studio / Sister 7, Smithfield A mecca for music lovers, craft beer lovers, and food lovers, it's no shock that Fidelity Studio has been run off its feet since opening a few months ago. Between the frequently changing beers, ever delicious dishes from the team behind Big Fan , and occasional dancing after hours, it's the kind of place you'll never regret clearing a space in your diary for. Read our once over here . The Blind Pig, Suffolk Street You will definitely need to book The Blind Pig (unless you like living on the edge and who knows, you could get lucky), but the dimly-lit, basement room hidden behind a bookshelf is worth planning ahead for. Order drinks from their award-winning bartenders, and pick at antipasti or something a bit heartier, all with an Italian lean. If you're lucky you might catch some live jazz in the corner. The Legal Eagle, Smithfield You can settle in for a full three-course affair in The Legal Eagle , but you can also pull up a seat and graze on bar snacks like homemade salt and vinegar crisps, Korean fried chicken wings, and Irish sardines with sourdough. The wine list has always punched well above its weight for a pub, and it has all the cosy, softly-lit winter vibes we're looking for at this time of year. Cellar 22, St. Stephen's Green From 4pm until closing time, wine bar Cellar 22 serve a menu of picky bits to compliment their extensive, far-reaching wine list. If you just want a cheese plate go for it. If you want a multi-course tasting menu of beef tartare, tomato salad and duck breast you can do that too. We love an underground room on a dank winter's day, and it's the comfiest, cosiest of places for a catch up.

To get you in the spirit of Samhain, we've rounded up the spookiest and tastiest treats in this town for all you Hallow-Queen's out there. Eat, drink, and be scary because it'll be next year before you get another chance to get your hands on all of this... Spooky bread, Noisette Artisan Bakery These Jack-o'-lantern style loaves from Noisette Bakery in Rush are a very fun way to carb-load around All Hallows Eve. Never have we ever seen a spookier or tastier looking batch loaf. Halloween croissants, Medialuna Croissanterie Medialuna's black croissants are back and they look suitably killer. Stocked in spots all over the city, check their following list on their instagram page for places you can find these black beauties. Bone appétit! Bram Stoker pie and Bloody Marys, No. 27 Bar & Lounge at The Shelbourne In honour of Ireland's original spooky man, No. 27 Bar & Lounge at The Shelbourne are cooking Bram Stoker Pies (€25) inspired by a dish in Dracula, filled with slow cooked beef cheek, button mushrooms, bacon lardons and veggies. To pair with it they're shaking up a selection of Bloody Marys for €17, or you can have both for €39. The deal runs from 30th October through to Bram Stoker Day on the 8th of November. Halloween afternoon tea, InterContinental Dublin Dust off your broomsticks and head to Ballsbridge, where InterContinental Dublin  are serving Halloween afternoon tea. There's a pumpkin ‘scary’ spiced cheesecake, ‘bloody’ blackberry bakewells, a milk chocolate ‘Hocus Pocus’ panna cotta and a ‘broomstick’ coconut cocoa bar with mango panna cotta. Running from 25th October until the 3rd November, their Halloween afternoon tea is €62, or €82 with a glass of champagne. Spooky and  bougie. Spooky Cookies, Slice Slice in Stoneybatter are nailing the Samhain spirit with their cute spooky skeleton, ghost, and pumpkin cookies. Pair it with a pumpkin spiced latte for a one way ticket to Halloween heaven. Beetlejuice Margarita, Saba Not gona lie, Saba's special Halloween cocktail, the "Beetlejuice Margarita" is low-key terrifying. It's made with Espolon tequila, lime juice, sour apple and Midori to give it that luminous green glow, and check out those eyeball ice cubes. They're also running an “Embrace the Pumpkin” menu from October 24th to November 3rd so you can tick all your Halloween food boxes in the one place. Pumpkin Spiced Latte, Tir Deli Tir Deli on Hatch Street are serious when it comes to coffee, and if like us you detest the large coffee chains, but still want that Autumnal drink, this is the place to get your pumpkin spiced latté. They roast off the seeds and pulp from Irish pumpkins to make a spiced syrup, and combine it with Cloud Picker coffee and Village Dairy milk. Autumn coffee goals. Pumpkin spice cheesecake, Meltdown Pumpkin is this season's it fruit ( yes you read that right ), and it's currently in everything. These cute little ghostly pumpkin spice cheesecakes from Montague Street's Meltdown   are bringing all the sweetness we want during spooky season. Halloween cheese, Sheridans This Halloween you really can have it all, including top cheese in spooky shapes. Sheridans are stocking Chällerhocker, a cow's milk Swiss-style cheese from Switzerland, the ghost-shaped 'Fabtome', and the bat-shaped Chauve Sourise. Your Halloween cheese board is now complete. Halloween treats, Rustic Honey Rustic Honey out in Cherrywood have all the Halloween sweet treats at the ready, including spooky orange iced cupcakes, bloody witch hat jammy dodgers, trick or treat chocolate fudge brownies, and gingerbread ghosts. Boxes of four are €10.50, which is scarily good value. Nancy burger, Nancy Hands We love Nancy Hands ' nod to Halloween with their eerie version of their Nancy Burger. With a charcoal black bun and a slice of bacon as its tongue, it ticks all of the savoury Samhain boxes. Pan de Muerto, Pickosito Northern Mexican Taquería Ireland's not the only country with a national holiday dedicated to those who have passed. Mexico's version of Halloween - Día de Muertos aka Day of the Dead - is also being celebrated this week, and Pickosito Taquería on Mary Street are baking Pan de Muerto. The traditional circular Mexican sweet bread symbolises the circle of life, while the crossbones honour the departed. Charcoal Latte, Brew Lab Brew Lab are stepping up their latté art game with this spooky charcoal latte - a great coffee alternative for the spooksters that avoid caffeine. It's made with food grade activated charcoal so you can be Halloweeny and healthy at the same time. Halloween Cocktails, Electric Circus Electric Circus on Talbot Street are running a "Pick your Poison" menu in honour of Samhain, and this Blood Bag cocktail with vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry, orange and lime juice, sounds eerie-sistible.

Spooky season is approaching, and we've got all the treats to give away to ATF Insiders this month. ATF Insiders is ou r premium service offering added benefits for readers, that allows us to operate ad-free and independently, with everything featured and recommended here paid for by us . Getting entered into this draw every month is one of the benefits. Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders by midnight on Thursday 17th October will be entered into the draw, and winners will be picked and notified on Friday 18th October. Here's what your name could be going in the hat for this month... 1) €100 voucher for The Old Spot and their new cookbook The Old Spot in Sandymount has just turned 10, and to celebrate have released their first cookbook, unveiling the recipes for their mussels pil-pil, short-rib lasagne and famous Sunday roasts among others. There's also tips and tricks from the kitchen, cocktail recipes and inside stories from 10 years serving local and famous faces. The book retails for €35 and we've got a copy PLUS a €100 voucher for The Old Spot to give away this month. Check it out here . 2) Food & wine tasting evening, Little Washer, Glasnevin Little Washer is the latest addition to the Northside's happily growing wine scene, and their small plates, pasta, pizza and desserts have been going down very well in Dublin 9. We've got a food and wine tasting evening for you and a guest to give away this month, where you'll try four small plates, two pizzas and four different wines, for a very good time. (Redeemable Wednesday or Thursday) 3) €100 voucher for Harry's, Malahide Harry’s in Malahide is offering a new four-course menu, inspired by the French Riviera. It starts with homemade focaccia, before moving into Mille Feuilles Caprese, then a choice of Beef Ragu, Carbonara Risotto, or a French Lentil Casserole for mains. You'll end with Tiramisu and Cannoli, or Chocolate Mousse, and it sounds like an absolute steal for the price of €35. It's available all night Thursday - Saturday, and for lunch on Saturday, and we've got a €100 voucher to give away so you can go all in and have enough for some wine too. Check out Harry's here . 4) A wine tasting evening with food at Hidden, Smithfield Hidden is the newest Italian tapas and wine bar with wood-fired pizza in Smithfield, in the location that used to house Thundercut Alley. The laid back vibe and menu is perfect for casual meet ups without the pressure of a three-course meal, and 13 wines are served in varying sizes, from small, to large, to carafes. We're sending one of you into Hidden for a wine tasting evening with food, where you'll get to try three white wines, three reds, charcuterie, cheese and pizza. Ideal midweek catch up sitch. 5) €100 voucher for Glas to celebate being Ireland's first fully gluten-free restaurant This year vegetarian and vegan restaurant Glas on Chatham Street, became Ireland’s first fully gluten-free fine dining restaurant, with no wheat, barley, or rye handled in the kitchen. This is huge news for coeliacs who struggle with eating out, and makes it an even more inclusive dining experience. While there's no meat on the menu, they aim to appeal to all, showing the depth of flavours that can be achieved with vegetarian and vegan ingredients. We've got a €100 voucher for Glas to give away this month, so you can head in for Miso Parsnip, Carrot Risotto, Artichoke Granola, and Candy Carrot whenever it suits. 6) A Luxury Food Box from Naomi's Kitchen Naomi's Kitchen , the award-winning catering service has just taken home Gold and Silver awards at Blas na hÉireann 2024, for their beef bourgignon and their Belgian chocolate honeycomb squares. From high-end corporate catering to delivering wholesome, homemade meals to your door, they only use fresh ingredients with no nasty additives, and we've got a luxury food box worth €125 to give away to one of you this month, with mains, sides, cake and extras from their larder. Check out Naomi's Kitchen here . 7) The Christmas Coffee Advent Calendar From Brewbox If you love coffee like we love coffee, there can be few advent calanders as exciting as a Christmas coffee one, and that's what Brew Box have brought to the table this year. 24 days, 24 coffees, 12 different UK and Ireland roasters, and the best beans from each singled out for a mini bag with a QR code on the side so you know what you're drinking. The coffee advent calander costs €150 and would make a great gift for the coffee lover in your life, but an even better gift for yourself. Check it out here . 8) A limited edition Rye Cask Whiskey from Boann Distillery Boann Distillery  and craft brewery, Rye River Brewing Company have teamed up to create  The Whistler “Fisher in the Rye” Doppelbock Rye Cask Finish , a limited-edition whiskey release of 6,000 bottles. After being aged in rye casks, the whiskey blend of 11 to 17-year-old whiskeys are matured further in Doppelbock beer-seasoned rye casks for 18 months, and the result is a fusion of sweet, spicy, and malty flavours. We've got a bottle of this unique whiskey along with a limited-edition Kingfisher poster print to give away this month. 9) A hamper from Five Farms If you haven't swapped your Christmas Bailey's for Five Farms Cream Liqueur , get on the case and we'll wait for your messages of thanks. This superior Irish drink is made with fresh Irish cream sourced from family-owned farms along the Wild Atlantic Way, blended with Cork whiskey within two days of cream production. It's won gold at the Blas na hÉireann Awards for four years running, and is the highest-ranked Irish cream liqueur in history at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. If you haven't yet had the pleasure, we've got a Five Farms hamper this give away to someone including glassware and merch, so this could be your lucky month. Everyone signed up to ATF Insiders for October (new and old) will be automatically entered into the prize draw - you don't need to do anything. If you're not signed up yet join here before midnight on Thursday 17th October. You'll be supporting independent reviews and news in Dublin and beyond, and be able to get answers to all of your burning questions about eating out, here and abroad, directly from us.

Soup season is upon us, and there doesn't exist a better way to warm up than with a bowl of something hot and supremely tasty. We've rounded up the best of the best to warm your cockles, and there isn't a funeral style "country veg" in sight... Honey Truffle, Pearse Street A popular lunch spot and independently run café with a mission to serve the best of Irish ingredients, Honey Truffle has a great selection of sandwiches and salads, as well as excellent coffee on tap, but for us their soup specials are always very special. Exhibit A: roasted sweet potato, cumin, carrot, butternut squash, caramelised red onion, ginger and coconut milk soup, garnished with a spiced maple, lemon beetroot and yoghurt dip, with thyme roasted croutons, finished with a herb jalapeño oil. If that's not a serious bowl of soup, what is. Nomo Ramen, Portobello Nomo is our go to spot in the city for steaming bowls of ramen. Their noodles are imported from the US from the same supplier as Momofuku and Ivan Ramen in New York (humble brag), and their bowls are on the less flashy side, but with layers and layers of flavour. They recently updated their Yuzu Shoyu Ramen (aka Chintan broth) after working on the new recipe for the last couple of months, putting it right back to the top of our must try list. The La La Café and Restaurant, Balbriggan Seafood chowder is an adopted Irish hero (by way of North America), and The La La Café and Restaurant in Balbriggan have only gone and won the best bowl of chowder in the country in the SOUPerb Awards 2024 , judged by food writers Sally & John McKenna. They smoke their fish in house, and put an interesting spin on the classic, adding sweet corn and sweet pepper to offset the smoky fish. Served with a crunchy white croute and home-made brown bread, this bowl of the good stuff is one we've earmarked to try soon. La Maison, Dublin 2 French onion soup is a classic, and we reckon La Maison on Castlemarket (you know, the one Grogan's is on) does one of the best in Dublin. They use a traditional blend of rich, caramelised onions in a savoury broth, all topped with melted Gruyère croutons. This with a glass of bold Bordeaux equals Autumn evening heaven. The Goodies at NCAD, The Liberties Not the first place that might spring to mind when you think of soup, but when we stopped by earlier in the year, The Goodie's  Jerusalem artichoke soup took first class honours. The sweet and nutty flavours from the chokes, paired with garlicky crunchy croutons and smoky cream, are all reasons we're still thinking about it. At €4 a pop it's also some of the best value for money, by a longshot. Read our two minute review here . Full Moon Thai, Parliament Street Husband and wife owned Full Moon Thai on Parliament Street, just outside the Temple Bar madness, have a whole section dedicated to Thai soup on their menu. From brothy noodle soups to spicy Tom Yums, their steamy fragrant bowls will transport you to flavour town while warming you from the top down. Biang Biang, Smithfield Biang Biang is the most recent opening from the folks behind Hakkahan , Nan Chinese , Bullet Duck & Dumplings and Little Dumpling , so rest assured you're in for a good time. Their short and sweet rice noodle soup section allows you to choose your own meaty, spicy adventure, and is best paired with a Roujiamo (a Chinese hamburger) on the side. Read our once over here . Pho Kim, Parnell Street Vietnamese veterans of this viking city, Pho Kim , are masters of the fragrant dish of their namesake, consisting of broth, rice noodles, herbs and meat. The extra spicy Bún bò Huế is a variation on the classic pho, made with beef and pork broth, and using vermicelli round rice noodles. With a bowl of this in our hands and our eyes closed, we could be wedged on a plastic stool in hot and humid Hanoi, instead of tucked inside on blustery Parnell Street with the Luas dinging past and people's umbrellas going inside out. The Pepper Pot Cafe, Powerscourt Centre, South William Street Dearly loved by the people of Dublin, The Pepper Pot Café in the Powerscourt Centre always has a soup of the day that's hard to resist. They can sell out fast though, so be sure to get there early to avoid leaving soup-less. Their hearty bowls come served with their freshly baked breads, and both are perfection. Blas Café, Dublin 1 Sometimes we wish Blas Café was our little secret, but it’s not and that wouldn’t be fair to everyone else anyway. The high-ceilinged hideaway can be found behind Cineworld on Parnell Street, and they're big soup heads in here, chosing it over birthday cake to celebrate their 10th year in business. With dedication like that you know their rotating flavours are going to be good. Meltdown, Montague Street We challenge thee to find us a more comforting or indeed classic combination than an oozy gooey ham and cheese toastie with a hot bowl of tomato soup. Meltdown know a thing or two about a hang and cheese sandwich, and their vegan spicy tomato soup is the perfect accompaniment, each making the other just that little bit more whole. The Gravediggers, Glasnevin Whether you're in the "it's a watery stew!" camp, or the "it's a chunky soup!" corner, Wikipedia lists coddle as a soup, so it's going on the list. The famous Dublin dish is the closest we've got to a legit Marmite situation, but one thing is for sure - a bowl of this paired with a pint of the black stchuff at the Gravediggers is a direct way to inject heat back into anyone's bitterly cold bones. If it's good enough for Tony B ...