#Restaurant Review

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#Restaurant Review

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>The interiors of Cork's Mantra restaurant.</p>

S food

Restaurant review: Cork eatery Mantra has the spice — but more would be nice

"Once home to the pizza restaurant Burnt, where almost everything was coated in black in a rather nihilistic style, the space has now been cleverly redesigned into a vibrant, welcoming room."

<p>Orwell Road: The room is relatively small but feels modern and open with clean lines and good light</p>

S food

Restaurant review: Orwell Road is in safe hands with its impressive chef

<p>Nosh 19, Princes Street, Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins</p>

S food

Restaurant review: Cork's Nosh 19 is a treat for fans of authentic Chinese fare

Restaurant review: 3 Leaves is a star of Dublin's leafy suburban scene

S food

Restaurant review: 3 Leaves is a star of Dublin's leafy suburban scene

Restaurant review: Ocras is serving up some of the best food at the Marina Market

S food

Restaurant review: Ocras is serving up some of the best food at the Marina Market

Restaurant review: Get on the waiting list of this cosmic Dublin eatery at lightspeed

S food

Restaurant review: Get on the waiting list of this cosmic Dublin eatery at lightspeed

Restaurant review: This is one of Cork’s most enjoyable restaurants

S Restaurant review: This is one of Cork’s most enjoyable restaurants

The people behind Liberty Grill have created a comfortable, welcoming space in their latest restaurant

Tue, 19 Aug, 2025

Restaurant review: No bells or whistles, but Cork's Fingas is a safe haven away from home

S Restaurant review: No bells or whistles, but Cork's Fingas is a safe haven away from home

"The restaurant itself doesn’t scream big budget but a wood-themed approach — floor, bare tables and wall panelling — does a decent job of turning a banal retail unit into a surprisingly pleasant space."

Sat, 16 Aug, 2025

Restaurant review: The Wicklow sun shines on this top-tier gourmet pub grub

S Restaurant review: The Wicklow sun shines on this top-tier gourmet pub grub

"The Pumphouse in Dunlavin is the new name for the Dunlavin Inn, which has recently been taken over by Dunlavin native Liam Brown and his wife and business partner Tara."

Sun, 10 Aug, 2025

Restaurant review: This Kenmare eatery nails the produce, but falls short of precision

S Restaurant review: This Kenmare eatery nails the produce, but falls short of precision

"Some pause for thought when conceiving dishes and then a little more precision in their delivery, and [they] would be guaranteed to nail it every single time."

Sat, 02 Aug, 2025

Restaurant review: This Dublin 6 eatery is building to something luxurious

S Restaurant review: This Dublin 6 eatery is building to something luxurious

Philip Yeung opened Craft in 2016, having previously been head chef in Town Bar and Grill, and Bang. The space is modern and comfortable with a choice of sitting at the front facing Harold’s Cross Rd or a quieter space at the rear of the (relatively) narrow space

Sun, 27 Jul, 2025

Restaurant review: Early days, but good omens for this East Cork bistro and pub

S Restaurant review: Early days, but good omens for this East Cork bistro and pub

"The large open room with lovely views onto the harbour and bay remains intact, but we insist on first sitting out on the tiny terrace by the front door, the better to drink in that glorious vista and an equally glorious pint of stout."

Sat, 19 Jul, 2025

Restaurant review: Familarity and attention to detail makes Dublin's Delahunt a must

S Restaurant review: Familarity and attention to detail makes Dublin's Delahunt a must

"Tables have white marble tops which add to the atmosphere and there are booths, and private dining rooms, bar seating (yes, it too was made from lovingly polished dark wood), and high bar tables which are reserved for walk-ins."

Sun, 13 Jul, 2025

Restaurant review: Midleton's Cush does real food — served to a high standard

S Restaurant review: Midleton's Cush does real food — served to a high standard

This is real food, very good produce cooked to a high standard.

Sun, 06 Jul, 2025

Restaurant review: No airs at Notions, it’s a fun place to dine

S Restaurant review: No airs at Notions, it’s a fun place to dine

Two Pups coffee shop is 10 years old now and still unfailingly appears on any proper list of ‘best cafés’ in Dublin. They also opened in Fairview in 2023, followed by a bakery upstairs in Francis St; the brilliant Bold Boy Bakery, which supplies both cafes.

Sun, 29 Jun, 2025

Restaurant review: Waterford's Mara packs potential to make huge waves

S Restaurant review: Waterford's Mara packs potential to make huge waves

"The vaulting epicurean ambition afoot in Mara is very apparent. It is also remarkable. To paraphrase Churchill, never has so much been cooked by so few for so many."

Sat, 21 Jun, 2025

Restaurant review: Cork cocktail bar Cask now also a great restaurant

S Restaurant review: Cork cocktail bar Cask now also a great restaurant

Food to match classy cocktails at Cask

Sun, 08 Jun, 2025

Restaurant review: Persistence required to book a table here but it will be worth it

S Restaurant review: Persistence required to book a table here but it will be worth it

A magical place that brings food to meet your heart’s desires every 10 minutes

Sat, 31 May, 2025

Restaurant review: Farmgate Lismore is one of my new favourite Irish restaurants

S Restaurant review: Farmgate Lismore is one of my new favourite Irish restaurants

An old school classic reborn anew in wonderful west Waterford.

Sun, 25 May, 2025

Restaurant review: Dining in original carriages from the Orient Express overlooking Lake Corrib

S Restaurant review: Dining in original carriages from the Orient Express overlooking Lake Corrib

The Pullman is only open a couple of months in its new guise and there is oodles of talent and potential

Sat, 17 May, 2025

Restaurant review: This Cork institution is a national treasure in the making

S Restaurant review: This Cork institution is a national treasure in the making

Tonight, it seems plugged directly into the national grid, the room alive with energy of deeply contented diners.

Sun, 11 May, 2025

Restaurant review: This space has somehow maintained a secretive vibe over the years

S Restaurant review: This space has somehow maintained a secretive vibe over the years

This is old school fine dining

Sun, 04 May, 2025

Restaurant review: A fine taste of home for Indian diaspora in Cork

S Restaurant review: A fine taste of home for Indian diaspora in Cork

Tasty authenticity that packs a punch

Sun, 27 Apr, 2025

Restaurant review: I can see why one dish went viral within hours of this place opening

S Restaurant review: I can see why one dish went viral within hours of this place opening

And the cacio e pepe is so well executed that it could calm a Lazio Ultra supporter following a three-nil defeat by Juventas.

Sun, 06 Apr, 2025

Restaurant review: Pizza paradise in Cork at the coolest crossroads in Ireland

S Restaurant review: Pizza paradise in Cork at the coolest crossroads in Ireland

The arrival of Good Hood to St Luke's is a gamechanger

Sun, 30 Mar, 2025

Restaurant review: This French bistro has a menu that's packed with classics

S Restaurant review: This French bistro has a menu that's packed with classics

The head chef seems to have doubled down on their Frenchness to delicious effect

Sat, 22 Mar, 2025

Restaurant review: This new street food spot in Cork's English Market is a must-try

S Restaurant review: This new street food spot in Cork's English Market is a must-try

The fish and chips included some of the finest chips I’ve had in a while

Sun, 16 Mar, 2025

Restaurant review: Hera is another culinary highlight for Dublin's rising Northside

S Restaurant review: Hera is another culinary highlight for Dublin's rising Northside

"Juno was initially a craft beer pub with bar snacks but they have now pivoted to a ‘gastro-pub’ format on one side named Hera (Juno’s Greek counterpart). Gastro-pub is a much abused term in Ireland but one I think Hera can actually use with some legitimacy as behind the stove is chef Joe Smith, formerly of Bastible."

Sun, 09 Mar, 2025

Restaurant review: Perfectly-pitched fare at Tipp's Bishop's Buttery — but at a price

S Restaurant review: Perfectly-pitched fare at Tipp's Bishop's Buttery — but at a price

"Though Cashel is a national historic hotspot, there is something surreal about first sight of the magnificently restored former 18th century bishop’s manor. Palladian architecture, polished to within an inch of its life, suggests the box yew-hedged vibes of Versailles."

Sat, 01 Mar, 2025

Restaurant review: I can't do justice to the diversity of flavours at this southern Indian spot

S Restaurant review: I can't do justice to the diversity of flavours at this southern Indian spot

Andhra Bhavan is named for the legendary canteen in New Delhi which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and provides inexpensive tasty food to hundreds of Delhiites every day.

Sun, 23 Feb, 2025

Restaurant review: Minuscule Cork eatery scores big on taste

S Restaurant review: Minuscule Cork eatery scores big on taste

"I’ve done plenty of eating on Douglas Street through the decades, especially when I was a resident of the street during the reign of the late, lamented Douglas Hide gastro-pub."

Sat, 15 Feb, 2025

Restaurant review: Ballymaloe is still the big thing in Irish food

Restaurant review: Ballymaloe is still the big thing in Irish food

Ballymaloe House Ballymaloe More, Shanagarry, Co Cork, P25 Y070 Tel: 021 4652531 ballymaloe.

Sun, 09 Feb, 2025

Restaurant review: I can’t think of a better spot for a romantic meal on Valentine’s Day

S Restaurant review: I can’t think of a better spot for a romantic meal on Valentine’s Day

A heart-warming treasure of a place

Sun, 02 Feb, 2025

Restaurant review: This golden hashed-potato is one of the best potato dishes in the nation

S Restaurant review: This golden hashed-potato is one of the best potato dishes in the nation

Etto is still the metric of good taste

Sun, 26 Jan, 2025

Restaurant review: This pizza place has the best base I’ve tasted anywhere

S Restaurant review: This pizza place has the best base I’ve tasted anywhere

He really is king of pizza in Ireland right now, and long may he reign

Sun, 12 Jan, 2025

Restaurant review: Cork's Bayou is a culinary New Orleans carnival, right on MacCurtain Street

S Restaurant review: Cork's Bayou is a culinary New Orleans carnival, right on MacCurtain Street

"Bayou is located in the old City Grill space and promises ‘Southern Comfort Food” with a strong Louisiana influence evident on the menu"

Sat, 04 Jan, 2025

Restaurant review: Press Up's latest Dublin eatery tries to tangle its thinking — but falls short

S Restaurant review: Press Up's latest Dublin eatery tries to tangle its thinking — but falls short

"...a menu designed by committee? Well, that is kind-of what Press Up Group have done with Kaldero, the menu being a mix of Indian, Chinese, and Filipino dishes."

Sat, 28 Dec, 2024

Restaurant Review: Howth's foodie scene harbours a real catch in Mamó

S Restaurant Review: Howth's foodie scene harbours a real catch in Mamó

"Mamó opened in 2019 and was an immediate sensation with rave reviews. I confess I had not managed to visit before this review, but had written about their brilliant covid box for this newspaper."

Sat, 21 Dec, 2024

Restaurant review: Kinsale is so lucky to have a dining experience like Rare

S Restaurant review: Kinsale is so lucky to have a dining experience like Rare

Rare dazzles with culinary treasures

Sun, 15 Dec, 2024

Restaurant review: Newly reopened Coppinger is back with good cocktails and creative food

Restaurant review: Newly reopened Coppinger is back with good cocktails and creative food

Coppinger was open less than a week when I visited and the menu was still evolving

Sat, 10 Aug, 2024

Restaurant Review: Dublin's Ely is wine-bar dining with pure flair and verve

Restaurant Review: Dublin's Ely is wine-bar dining with pure flair and verve

"Ely Wine Bar was opened by Michelle and Erik Robson in 1999, 25 years ago this year. Before the millennium, before 9/11 and Ireland’s boom and bust, when Cru Classé Claret was affordable and before pet-nats or natural wines were a thing."

Sat, 15 Jun, 2024

Restaurant Review: A new seafood journey is beginning at Doolin's Homestead Cottage

Restaurant Review: A new seafood journey is beginning at Doolin's Homestead Cottage

"Yet, in an age where restaurant interiors often wear the homogenised sheen of a professional makeover, Homestead has a charming authenticity that is very hard to buy."

Sun, 09 Jun, 2024

Restaurant Review: Monkstown's Bresson is an early-bird miracle

Restaurant Review: Monkstown's Bresson is an early-bird miracle

"Finding good French bistro food in Dublin is not as easy as you might think and there is something comforting about seeing dishes like Boeuf Bourguignon, Duck à l’Orange, and Moules Marinière on a menu."

Sun, 21 Apr, 2024

Restaurant review: La Fougère in Knockranny House Hotel is truly on top of its game

Restaurant review: La Fougère in Knockranny House Hotel is truly on top of its game

Seamus Commons really is doing something special in La Fougère.

Sat, 09 Mar, 2024

Restaurant review: The Arch in Cobh offers limited food options but wine list delivers

Restaurant review: The Arch in Cobh offers limited food options but wine list delivers

Food is there to serve a secondary and supporting role to the wine, the real star of the show — putting further pressure on the wine list to deliver.

Sun, 03 Mar, 2024

Restaurant Review: Cellar 22 is a welcome addition to Dublin’s prolific wine bar scene

Restaurant Review: Cellar 22 is a welcome addition to Dublin’s prolific wine bar scene

Cellar 22 may be yet another wine bar, but this kitchen is pushing itself harder than most

Sun, 25 Feb, 2024

Restaurant Review: Cork's Beantown Café banks on its American heritage

Restaurant Review: Cork's Beantown Café banks on its American heritage

"Beantown is a diner with more claim than most to a direct American heritage, so pancakes get a prime billing, with as many sweet toppings on offer as a cash-strapped dentist could ever dare to dream of."

Sun, 24 Dec, 2023

Restaurant Review: Dublin's Dash Burger is a smash — and Clonakilty addition is revelatory

Restaurant Review: Dublin's Dash Burger is a smash — and Clonakilty addition is revelatory

This new kid on the block has been called the “Best Burger in Dublin” by several people our food reviewer trusts. Here's his take.

Sun, 20 Aug, 2023

Restaurant review: Everybody needs good Neighbours — Naas is lucky to have this place

Restaurant review: Everybody needs good Neighbours — Naas is lucky to have this place

Neighbourhood is offering flavourful ambitious food in a convivial atmosphere

Sun, 06 Aug, 2023

Restaurant review: A true taste of China at new Dublin eatery Nan Chinese

Restaurant review: A true taste of China at new Dublin eatery Nan Chinese

Nan Chinese opened just a few weeks ago and is a sister restaurant to Hakkahan in Stoneybatter

Sat, 11 Feb, 2023