Where to eat in July

With another heatwave (apparently) on the agenda, summer might well be saved. We're thinking California taco vibes, rooftop retreats, and the best gelato in town. Here's where we'd send you if you asked us where you should eat in July...

For the potential new star in town:

Comet, Joshua Lane

It's been a much quieter opening that we anticipated for chef Kevin O'Donnell's Comet, where wine bar La Ruelle used to be off Dawson Street - more of an industry-only whisper than a public megaphone announcement that they were open. He cut his teeth in Bastible (who are backing this restaurant) before leaving Dublin seven years ago and moving to Denmark to work at two-Michelin-starred Restaurant Kadeau in Copenhagen, where he ended up as head of R&D. When chefs leave Michelin-starred restaurants to go it alone, rest assured that the inspectors won't take long to come knocking... Read our once over here.

For the feel-good industry story of the year:

Kaldero, Dublin

Dreams do come true. After Press Up made yet another mess of yet another restaurant, the group's new owners (under new name Eclective), have made the first sensible food-based decision maybe ever, and given over Kaldero on South King Street to Bahay's Richie Castillo (chef) and Alex O'Neill (marketing and branding) to work their magic. We've never had a dish from Bahay that was anything else than very exciting, and Dublin city centre having its first upscale Fillipino eatery is another reason to get in before it gets too busy.

For all the LA vibes on the Northside:

Chubby's Kitchen, Clontarf

Barry Stephens’ is the man behind iconic sandwich shop 147 Deli (may she rest in peace) and taco truck Just Chubby’s, which parked up in Clontarf three years ago and has been delighting local taco lovers ever since. They took a longer than expected Christmas break this year, teasing a big new direction, and Just Chubby's has now grown into fully fledged restaurant Chubby’s Kitchen. We are obsessed with the Californina-style, eclectic fit out of this room, and what we've seen so far of the food looks obscenely tasty. Look out for our once over coming soon.

For Dublin's first PROPER food court:

Priory Market, Tallaght

You couldn't possibly have missed all the buzz over the past few weeks about Dublin's first legit food court and market, and while we'd have preferred to have it in the city centre and more accessible to all, we will most definitely be schlepping out to Tallaght at our earliest convenience - lucky lucky them to have this on their doorstep. ATF favourites Bless Up, El Milagro and Coke Lane have moved in, and we're dying to get a taste of Venezualen Flavouritos, Lebanese Zaira, and Italian Buongousto. There's a brewery and tap room on site, as well as a coffee roastery, wine bar and cocktails, so leave the car at home if you can.

For mainly wine, with snacks:

Fion Eile

Okay this is more somewhere you should drink in July, but olives, almonds and crisps are still food right? New Phibsboro wine shop Fion Eile have just started serving wines by the glass and a few nibbles from Thursday - Sunday. A great excuse to hang around rooting through the shelves a bit longer, or just sit and sip and ask about what bottles you should rehome.

For the scarce few weeks you can eat on an outdoor rooftop:

Kinara Kitchen, Ranelagh

The clock is ticking for outside eating in the summer of '25, so get that lunch and dinnertime vitamin D while you can. Kinara Kitchen's Ranelagh rooftop + their new summer cocktail menu + their Friday and Saturday night pre-theatre menu with two courses for €35 = precious summer memories.

For what might be Dublin's best gelato:

Parnell Street Bakery, Parnell Street

You'd be forgiven for not having room for gelato after all the pastries, patisserie and sandwiches you may have ingested at Parnell Street Bakery, so you'll need to plan a gelato-specific visit this summer. The flavour list is compact but you won't be complaining when you taste their coconut gelato or chocolate brownie special - this is batting with the city's (probably the country's) best ice-cream options. The coffee from Imbibe is also flawless - DIY affogato?