Where to go for that friend catch-up on the cheap

Six months on from Christmas and with nine years still to go to the start of spring, it’s fair to say this January has been an endless, soaking slog we can’t wait to be rid of. All that’s keeping us going is sneaking in whatever catchups we didn't get around to at Christmas, but with everyone’s bank balance still hurting from the festive season, value options are key. Here's our best bets for treating yourself while feeling smug about the minimal outlay involved...

Chiya, Dame Street

Somehow still coming in under the €10 mark in this day and age, Chiya’s Berlin-style döners stand out first and foremost for their crazy cheap cost, but their belt-bursting value is just as much a story – you will not be needing sides (but don’t skimp on extra pickles). With three outstanding veggie options it’s a fail-safe fallback for finnicky mixed groups, and there’s enough green goodness in the salads buried beneath charred mounds of meat to make every option in here seem passably healthy.

Fallon & Byrne, Exchequer Street

Our hats are off to anyone still persisting with Dry January (our thinking caps too – see our no-and low-alcohol guide here), but for us, a little wine to while away the dark and gloomy nights goes a long way. Fallon & Byrne’s wine cellar charges just €1 corkage on anything purchased in-store Sunday to Tuesday, meaning for less than €20 a head you could be getting all the latest over a shared bottle of fizz and a charcuterie board.

Bolt Burger, Patrick Street

If you don’t mind a Monday outing (how better to start the week), The Fourth Corner’s Bolt Burger will dish you up a double smash and fries for €12 (an even better €10 for students) – that’s a steal even before we get to the FX Buckley beef they’re using. The cosy bar’s various nooks and crannies make for an ideally private perch for whatever colourful catchups you might have in mind, especially on these quieter nights.

Shaku Maku, Ranelagh

One group who might not mourn these dark and dreary evenings is Muslims – an earlier start date for Ramadan means fewer daylight hours to fast through. Even so, the full spread sunset feast that is iftar doesn’t hold back in its fast-breaking indulgence, and where better to sample the buffet bounties than Palestinian-owned Shaku Maku. They’re taking €30 a head bookings for Feb 17^th online now.

Row Wines, Coppinger Row

We needn’t only confine ourselves to the cheap and cheerful in our hunt for late-winter value – Row Wines are classing things up with their midweek meal deal of any two plates for €25, plus a glass of wine for an optional €5 too. It runs all night (!) Tuesdays to Thursdays so you can share in their famed Kilkee crab rosti or beurre blanc mussels without a sharp price shock when the bill lands down.

Sano, Temple Bar & Ranelagh

If you can get in before 6pm Monday to Thursday, Neapolitan-style Sano have a steal of a deal in both their Dublin branches. For just €20 you can choose from their classic or signature pizza menus (no specials), add a beer or wine, and throw in dessert too – with some of their 12” creations touching on €16 a piece, that’s a solid saving. Make sure you buy a voucher online to avail.

Hawksmoor, Dame Street

There’s precious few days left to take advantage of Hawksmoor’s January €25 rump steak and side special – depending on which side you plump for, that’s anything up to a €10 saving on the price you’d pay any other time of the year. 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 salad.

Suertudo, Ranelagh

After pausing for the festive season, Suertudo have brought 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.

Coke Lane, Rialto & Liberties

Generously doing their bit to beat the January blues, Coke Lane’s D8 branches in Rialto’s The Circular and Meath Street’s Lucky’s are offering a pizza and pint combo for €15 every day of the week for what’s left of the month, as long as you get in before 18:30 – sounds like a perfect post-work or weekend plan to us. That there’s no strings at all on which of each you can choose either, which is especially good music to our ears.

Andhra Bhavan, Marlborough Street & Abbey Street

Deceptively filling dosa is one of our go-to choices when we’re feeling a little light in the pocket but still craving a night out, and nobody does them better or more varied than Andhra Bhavan. Most of their 20+ takes on the fermented chickpea pancake come in at under €15, with the onion rava and gunpowder masala among our favourites after many a visit. If you’re feeling flush, the dozen-plus dish taster thalis for €30-€40 are the way to go.

Nan, Stephen Street Lower

An upmarket Chinese with a €55 lobster section on the menu might not scream cheap night out, but we were shocked on a recent visit to Nan to find ourselves full to bursting with dim sum for less than €20 a head. You’d need a spell in rehab to get over their pork-salted turnip cakes, while adventurous eaters will revel in the spicy chicken claws and beef tripe. A steaming big bowl of pork, beef, or chicken congee will only set you back €9 too.

ATF Perks, Everywhere

Happy to spend a bit more but still want to feel like you're saving? Grab yourself an ATF Perk, with offers like free cod chips in Mamó, 25% off in One Pico, and a free snack and Irish coffee to finish in Mr Fox. ATF Perks are exclusively available to ATF Insiders - if you're not already signed up to our premium service, see everything you could be taking advantage of here.