Michelin Guide names three new Irish restaurants ahead of historic awards
Kaldero's earned rave reviews since the Bahay founders took it over during the summer
The Michelin Man has come a-calling once more with news emerging that the internationally renowned restaurant guide is to add a further three Irish restaurants to its listings.
The Old Spot gastropub and Kaldero, both in Dublin, join Blackthorn at The Twelve hotel, in Barna, Co Galway as the latest Irish hospitality establishments to make the grade.
While their inclusion in the guide sits below Bib Gourmand or Michelin Star status, it will come as a real boost to all three restaurants amidst an ongoing period of turbulence for the hospitality sector, in Ireland and elsewhere around the world.
The Old Spot, in Sandymount, last year celebrated ten years. Led by head chef Mark Ahessy, the gastropub is extremely popular for its homely approach to fine dining and particularly beloved for its Sunday roast dinners.
Reviewing for the in late 2024, Leslie Williams praised the casual atmosphere and “happy buzz” and was especially complimentary about chef Ahessy’s “proper cooking”.
The Michelin Guide listing cited The Old Spot’s “traditional, immensely satisfying food; a buzzing atmosphere; and some of the friendliest, most genuine service around”. The Guide also referenced desserts, including an “excellently crafted bread and butter pudding”.
Kaldero opened in late 2024 to poor reviews, but when Irish-Filipino chef Richie Castillo, founder of Dublin-based Filipino food company Bahay, took over the reins exclusively with partner Alex O’Neill last summer, rave reviews began piling up.
Leslie Williams wrote of the “attentive, charming (mostly Filipino) staff, a creative menu, and a focus on flavour…” in his review, advising a visit goes to the top of readers' lists.
The Michelin Guide listing for Kaldero said that to “miss its warm atmosphere and flavour-packed cooking would be a crying shame” and recommended diners try as many dishes of possible, touting their “big, punchy flavours”.
Blackthorn is the real new kid on the block, a fine dining addition to The Twelve hotel, with Head Chef Nathan Hindmarsh running the kitchen and Fergal Guiney as Sommelier/Restaurant Manager, and it has all the hallmarks of a restaurant with Michelin star aspirations.
The Michelin Guide describes Blackthorn as a “bright, airy spot with a Nordic influence .… the dining room [providing] the ideal backdrop to a menu focused on grilling seasonal ingredients over charcoal, filling the air with wonderful smoky aromas …” and also referred to the “generous, carefully executed dishes”.
Of the three, Blackthorn is beginning to emerge as a potential late bolter for a Michelin Star with Chef Hindmarsh, formerly Executive Head Chef at London’s Chesterfield Mayfair, delivering especially refined fare based on premium Irish produce, and with a heavy focus on cooking over live fire.
Whether Blackthorn does wind up with stellar recognition so early in its culinary journey will be revealed at the Michelin Star awards ceremony, which comes to Ireland for the very first time next month.
The awards, taking place at the Dublin Convention Centre, carry an additional charge of excitement for Irish hospitality with the Irish food world also abuzz at the possibility the event will see the unveiling of Ireland’s very first Michelin three-starred restaurant.
