Where to eat in January when you're watching your waistline and/or wallet

With the festive season’s wallet and waistline-busting indulgence maxing most of us out in more ways than one, January tends to be the quietest time of the year on the restaurant scene with plenty of places keeping their doors closed into mid-month. But between offers looking to lure people back out, healthy specials studded with stuff that’s good for your gut, and just plain-old piping-hot winter warmers to put some life back in your frozen soul, there’s plenty out there to tempt even those of us most fervently watching our belts and budgets. Here's your January hit list...

BARGAIN DEALS

Hawksmoor, Dame Street

Their now-famed rump steak and side special has become something of an annual tradition for Hawksmoor, tempting punters in the door with a €25 price tag. Depending on which side you plump for, that could be anything up to a €10 saving on the price you’d pay any other time of the year – the perfect chance to see what the meaty fuss is all about. With extra courses also on offer at €5 a piece, it’s a solid bet for when you want to eat well without breaking the bank, and it's very possible (if difficult) to swap the chips for veggies.

 

Bah33°, Royal Hibernian Way

With the constant demand at their original home just off Dawson Street, it’s no big surprise Brazilian barbecue joint Bah33° are opening a second branch in Dundrum Town Centre. If you’re hungry enough, there’s serious value to be had at their sword-served all-you-can-eat slow-roasted meat buffet, and even more so now, with 15% off the bill for all midweek lunch bookings in January.

Bell Pesto, Thomas Street

You could save a full €15 if you order smartly at Bell Pesto this month – their weekend deals on two or three courses can work out really good value if you play your cards right. This under-the-radar Thomas Street Italian celebrates a different region of the country each month, and takes us to the little-known Molise this time, with spicy squid, lamb cutlets and Strega-soaked pannocchio among the highlights.

Suertudo, Ranelagh

After pausing for the festive season, Suertudo are bringing back their Lucky Tuesday offering, with individually-priced tacos allowing you to sample a mix-and-match of slow-cooked meat, fresh seafood, and assorted veggie specials (from €3.50 - €6 for as little or as many as you'd like). It’s a great way to right-size your bill and your portion, and if you’re not on the dry January train those €10 margs sound very tempting.

HEALTHY OPTIONS

Glas, Chatham Street

If your new year’s food resolutions include cutting down on meat, there’s no better place to open your eyes to the possibilities than Glas. The jewel in the crown of Dublin’s plant-based scene, it’s leaning hard into Veganuary with a firm focus on seasonal, sustainable cooking. The sound of stuff like quince ketchup and candied artichoke coffee ganache would have us running, even before you factor in their early and late bird discount deals.

Honest to Goodness, The Liberties

Health-centric café Honest to Goodness revealed recently they’re often busier in January than December (that’s despite their Christmas wrap making the top grade in our rankings), and it’s small wonder with the bang-for-buck value packed in their generously-sized salads and sandwiches. Ahead of a menu revamp pending for February, they’re taking customer soundings on which favourites they should keep on the go – now’s the time to get in and have your say.

Tang, Abbey Street

Middle Eastern-inspired Tang moves dinner service (Thursday and Friday nights only) across to Abbey Street from their sunnier Cumberland Place hub for the winter months - all the better to accommodate additional indoor demand, which there’s rightly plenty of. What better than a Mediterranean diet to help you shed those seasonal pounds with precisely zero sacrifice on flavour. The €13 to €18 price point for all their plates is also a major appeal at this time of year.

Fairmental, Grand Canal Street

If you had even a small fraction as many Christmas sandwiches as we did over the last month, you’ll be in need of a serious gut health boost by now. Praise be for Fairmental and their probiotic slaws, krauts, kimchis and hot sauces to bring your digestive system back into balance. Getting a bit of preserved colour at one of the drabbest points of the year for fresh produce is a major plus in this place – you might even be motivated to book a fermentation class or take up a subscription while you’re at it.

WINTER WARMERS

Hong Kong Wonton, Fade Street

“The only therapy you need in winter” won’t be true for an awful lot of people fresh from a family Christmas, but it gives a solid sense of just how comforting the congee in Hong Kong Wonton can be. The standout dish from our first visit this time last year, this savoury rice porridge stewed in chicken stock and served with a soft dough stick, is just the ticket to throw off the worst winter chill – and all for only a tenner.

Dosa Dosa, Rialto

After years of serving up top quality takes on various Indian street foods (not least of course the namesake so good they said it twice), we were thrilled to see Dosa Dosa settled down in a permanent bricks and mortar home in Rialto. They’re celebrating the Hindu harvest feast of Pongal all this week with a special thali platter, so there’s never been a better time to get in and give it all a go.

Nomo Ramen, Charlotte Way

Nothing, but nothing, shakes off the kind of in-the-bones cold we’ve had the last week like a bone broth and nobody, but nobody, does them quite like Nomo. Pimp soup season with these piled-high bowls of intense flavour, with one vegan and three chicken options (all €17.50) available for you to slurp your way through all season long.