Where to eat in April

The clocks have finally gone back after the longest winter in history, which means brighter nights on the town, more excuses for getting out and meeting up with friends, and ensuring you have the best outdoor dining spots on hand for when the mercury rises to coat-free levels. Here's where we think you should be eating in April...

For the new wine bar in town:

Notions by Two Pups

The plethora of cafés turning into wine bars throughout 2024 took a slight pause for the start of 2025, but Two Pups in Dublin 8 have kicked things off again. Their new evening wine bar Notions opens this Thursday from 5pm, and will be open each week from Thursday - Sunday, 5pm - late. Little news yet on what the wine list and menu will look like, but these deep-fried polenta chips look promising.

For great value seafood (yes it exists):

The Seafood Café, Temple Bar

While the early bird/table d'hôte at The Seafood Café has risen in price since last year (what hasn't), we still think it's offering great value for fresh Irish seafood at €32 for two courses or €38 for three (with some supplements for pricier ingredients). The menu changes regularly depending on the daily catch, but on our last visit we had clams with garlic and olive oil; scallops with brown shrimp; and a crab roll with fries and salad. It's available Monday - Friday from 12:00 - 18:30, and the best part? ATF Insiders get another 15% off.

For Sunday/Monday night dining:

Mamó, Howth

Sunday/Monday night dining is the eternal conundrum for anyone who works weekends, has visitors at inopportune parts of the week, or has a special occasion fall on a less than perfect day. That's when it's very handy to have somewhere as special as Mamó in your back pocket. The last booking for dinner on both days is 19:00, but you'll have plenty of time to enjoy their market fish crudo, beef tartare or halibut with velouté of Irish sea shrimp, to end/start your week off on the best possible note (and you'll get a free portion of cod chips if you show them your ATF Insiders subscription).

For dim sum in D15:

Kaizen, Blanchardstown

For all the complaints from Dublin 15 dwellers that there is literally nowhere to eat, Kaizen, the new dim sum restaurant from the same people behind Ka Shing on Wicklow street has fallen somewhat under the radar. Perhaps that's because it's in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre next to McDonalds, but don't let that put you off - these guys are experts at Siu Mai, BBQ pork buns and xiao long bao. We'd love to say there's a nice wine bar nearby for a drink after but there is literally nowhere to drink, so maybe plan a post-dinner cinema trip.

For lunch in the sun:

Tang, Cumberland Place

Do you feel it? It's been so long we almost forgot what warmth on our skin felt like, but this appears to be the teaser week for summer. That means we need to start thinking about where to eat outdoors when the temperatures go above 15c, and one of the loveliest, calmest pockets of nature in the middle of the city centre is outside Tang on Cumberland Place. Breakfast and lunch are served from Monday - Saturday, with a Middle Eastern-inspired dinner Fridays and Saturdays, and when the weather's with us, there's nowhere better to sit back and absorb some vitamin D.

For Turkish mezze and a shopping break:

Sofra, Liffey Street

What was formerly Sweet O'Clock, just off Henry Street, went back to their Turkish roots a month ago, reopening as Sofra Café and Grill. Turkish people and others familiar with the cuisine are now all over the internet praising the complimentary mezze, the "on point" Adana kebabs, and that it's like stepping into Turkey for an hour. With the grand stretch now fully operational it's the perfect excuse for some late night shopping and an amble in here whenever you're done.

For the kind of bakery that's on every corner in France:

La Boulangerie Francaise, Swords

Don't go to Applewood in Swords expecting the northside's answer to Bread 41 or Scéal, but sometimes all you want is a simple French bakery - the kind that you can't throw a block of cheese in France without hitting. The sweet pastries are the best bits of La Boulangerie Francaise (but special mention for the parma ham, cheese and bechamel croissant), and we can never, ever skip the fruit and custard Danishes in all the flavours, and the crunchy cinnamon twists. The breads aren't God-tier but tick the box, and the straight from France preserves should also go in your shopping bag.