Ah Sunday. The day of rest. Or for many of us, the day of eating and drinking everything around you in order to forget that you have to go to work again tomorrow. To add insult to injury, Sunday is notoriously bad for finding somewhere good to eat, as many sensible restaurateurs and chefs shut up shop due to also having families and friends that they like to spend time with, but every week we field desperate instagram messages from people (many of whom are restaurateurs and chefs come to think of it) wandering hopelessly around town not knowing which door to knock on. So consider your problems solved.
1. Grano
Neighbourhood restaurant Grano has dived into our favourite restaurants in Dublin this week (read our full review here), and we're struggling to think of a better end to the week than stuffed artichokes, spicy nduja and guanciale pasta.
2. Mad Egg
Mad Egg have perfected their fried chicken, and the fact that it's Irish and free-range makes us very happy. The Charlotte Way branch is also a perfect stop off on the way to see a movie in The Stella to really round Sunday off in style.
3. Wilde
1930's-style Wilde at The Westbury is a great spot if you're after fine dining, or have someone to impress. Steak and seafood reign supreme, and any excuse to go for a cocktail in The Sidecar works for us.
4. Klaw
Niall Sabongi's Temple Bar seafood shack Klaw is a consistenty dependable place for fresh seafood in the city. He's also been known to get the blow torch out which we imagine is handy for keeping warm on those cold winter nights.
5. The Saddle Room
A few months ago Catherine Cleary called The Saddle Room in The Shelbourne "Dublin's best Sunday-night dining secret" - if that's not testimonial enough nothing is. The room is complete with super swanky golden booths and the menu is big on Irish produce, with different seasonal ingredients championed throughout the year.
6. Old Town Chinese
Authentic Sichuan cooking on Capel Street, where most of the clientele are Chinese. Dumplings are a must, but follow the chef's recommendations if you want the real deal.
7. Peploe's
Peploe's has gotten a new lease of life since chef Graeme Dodril took over the kitchen last year. What was previously seen as a den for business meetings and ladies who lunch, is now being talked about as somewhere that's seriously upped its game. Classic bistro cooking with lots of Irish seafood and meat.
8. Pho Ta
This lovely Vietnamese in Temple Bar does really tasty food at really cheap prices, and with €5 corkage you can keep the weekend going right up until 10pm when they'll kick you out.
9. Osteria Lucio
Another Italian favourite of ours, Osteria Lucio uses the best ingredients in their simply prepared but totally delicious dishes. Staff are lovely and the wine list is ace. Read our review here.
10. Bunsen
Everyone's favourite straight-up burger joint is open seven days a week, and with four Dublin locations (and more in the works) there's bound to be at least one you can get to.
11. Sano
An often-mentioned contender in the "best pizza in Dublin" debate, Sano's pizzas are typically Neapolitan in style and extremely cheap, priced at €6 - €12. A good option for when you overspent on Friday and Saturday.
12. The Woollen Mills
The menu at The Woollen Mills is a real crowd-pleaser so good if you have fussy eaters in tow or just can't decide what you want. There's everything from butternut squash bahji to whiskey and marmalade bacon ribs to Dublin coddle, and Elaine Murphy and Co are the original Irish food champions.
13. Rosa Madre
A great Sunday night seafood option, owner Luca takes a lot of pride in sourcing the freshest fish for his Temple Bar restaurant. Pasta is excellent and there's an extensive wine list.
14. Dillinger's
American inspired Dillinger's in Ranelagh has all of your Sunday soakage, like burgers, BBQ ribs and chicken wings. The nachos are legendary and they also do their sister restaurant 777's famous margaritas. Bring it on.
15. Manifesto
When you ask Italians where they go for real Italian food in Dublin, Manifesto comes up again and again. Owner Lucio's pizzas have won gold at the Pizza World Championships and he has a stellar Italian wine selection upstairs that not many people seem to know about.
Where's your favourite Sunday night spot? Let us know by emailing info@allthefood.ie.
