You want to eat out and eat well but you don’t want it to be too formal or fancy – where do you go? We’ve found 15 places around the country that are sure to fit the bill, from a bakery in Kilkenny to cafes in Down and Mayo and a Ukrainian restaurant in Dublin.
3 Leaves
Unit 30, Blackrock Market, 19A Main Street, Blackrock, Co Dublin; 3leaves.ie
Blackrock Market continues to be a Dublin gastronomic mecca, home to two-Michelin-starred Liath and, around the corner, the ever popular 3 Leaves, where diners flock for gutsy spices and slow-cooked sauces as much as for Milli Mathew’s hospitality. Chef Santhosh Thomas combines Kerala home cooking with contemporary restaurant styles for delicious dinners, great value thali lunches and street food favourites. AD
Arán Bistro & Bakery
8 Barrack Street, Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny; 056-7756297, arankilkenny.ie
On one side of Barrack Street sits Arán bakery, turning out excellent sourdough breads, buns and seasonal Danishes. Across the street, its sister bistro buzzes for all‑day brunch with a rotating, creative menu full of cheerful plates of food such as the eye-catching ube French toast, Carlow nettle cheese toastie and the great Korean chicken wrap. AD
Bearú
52 South Street, New Ross, Co Wexford; 051-420735, bearu.ie
Serving breakfast and lunch during the week, chef and co-owner Dave Rowley dips into bistro life on Fridays and Saturdays with a three-course menu offering dishes such as cod and crab croquettes, monkfish with langoustine bisque, duck breast and hand-rolled gnocchi. It’s an atmospheric room and a great place for settling in with a few pals. CH
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Budds
Main Street, Ballydehob, Co Cork; 028-25842, instagram.com/buddswestcork
Jamie Budd taps into 30 years of cooking experience and travel to bring tastes of the world to west Cork. This daytime spot is perennially popular with both locals and visitors for its healthy and tasty food. Think masala dosa served with chutneys, vegetarian Madras curry packed with spinach and sweet potato or a hearty beef burger with Toonsbridge scamorza. Or grab a coffee and a sweet treat to enjoy outside. JC
Cafe Rua
New Antrim Street, Castlebar, Co Mayo; 094-9023376, caferua.com
Last year, owners Aran and Colleen McMahon said goodbye to Ann, their mother and the founder of Cafe Rua more than 30 years ago. Her legacy lives on in the warm welcome and hearty, delicious food that is served daily from the cafe’s two locations. Enjoy Andarl Farm roast pork with Caesar salad and buttermilk dressing, hake mornay with Cratloe cheese or the weekly sandwich special. Click and collect is available for those who might like to picnic by the sea. JC
Feast
24 Bridge Street, Rostrevor, Co Down; instagram.com/__feast___
This food truck‑turned‑restaurant continues to excel with chef Melissa McCabe’s inventive take on Irish cooking. Drop in by day for the famous Bricfeasta and unfussy, flavour-packed lunches, Sundays for a proper roast, and now the evening service on Friday and Saturday with a newly curated drinks list. A dining experience that will make you smile. AD
Grálinn
Sunny Row, Fethard, Co Wexford; gralinncafe.squarespace.com
Grálinn is the kind of cafe that should exist in every town in Ireland. During the day, it serves dishes such as French toast with blood orange and clotted cream, golden toasties with pastrami and Gubbeen cheese, or burnt honey and caramelised white chocolate doughnuts, made at its Lumi bakery. With a recent kitchen redesign and new coffee bar, summer will see the return of evening dining. JC
Izz Cafe
14 George’s Quay, Cork, Co Cork; 021-2290689, izz.ie
Izz Alkarajeh and Eman Aburabi’s cafe began at Mahon Point farmers’ market, guided by Darina Allen, as a way to stay connected to home, family and culture. The result is now a Cork city favourite and a true taste of Palestinian hospitality. Expect bright, tasty dishes such as mana’eesh flatbreads, hummus, falafel and home-made cakes. A welcoming community cafe where every dish tells a story. AD
King Skewer
8 Cathedral Street, Dublin 1; 01-4458207, kingskewer.ie
The delicious smell of grilling is the first thing you’ll notice at King Skewer, the second is how busy it is. There’s practically nothing the chefs here can’t grill, from classic cumin-fragrant lamb skewers to chicken feet and frog. Bone marrow is split in half and grilled in tinfoil for rich indulgence, oysters are cooked in the shell, arriving molten hot with glass noodles and garlic. Pick and mix your way across the menu, and leave happy. JC
Lucy
6 Clanbrassil Street Upper, Dublin 8; 085-7847757, lucy-pyrizhkypierogi.ie/
The story of Lucy is one of triumph over adversity. Husband and wife Mykola Kuleshov and Viktoriia Horbonos made the decision to leave Kyiv, relocating to Dublin where they now serve the homely cooking of their native land. A former engineer and trained chef, Mykola’s dishes are like a hug, ranging from borscht and deruny (potato pancakes) to varenyky (savoury dumplings), accompanied by Ukrainian wines. Be sure to try the delicious layered medivnyk honey cake. JC
Miyazaki
1A Evergreen Street, Cork, Co Cork; 021-4312716, instagram.com/miyazaki_cork
Cork has a habit of making things its own, and thus it is with Miyazaki takeaway. It’s somehow fitting that it lies in a historic part of the city where it feels part of the fabric. Chefs Mike McGrath and Paudie Nagle could be cooking in Japan; recent specials include ramen with mayo tofu, pork mince and drop egg, pan-fried sea bass in kabayaki sauce or haddock katsu curry. Head across the road with your food to O’Sho pub to pair with a pint of Japanese beer. JC
Pot Duggans
New Road, Ennistymon, Co Clare; 065-7072212, potduggans.com
A mix of many different things, Pot Duggans is constantly bringing new entertainment to the market town of Ennistymon. Operating as a cafe during the day, this traditional pub hosts regular markets, electric and traditional music nights, and even has its Hot Pot sauna out the back. At 3pm, the pizza hatch takes over from the cafe, turning out perfect pies that keep the crowds happy. JC
Strandfield
Ballymacscanlon, Dundalk, Co Louth; 042-9371856, instagram.com/strandfield
The large car park at Strandfield is always full, a sure sign that something good is going on. A cafe and grocer’s, plus garden, antiques and clothing shops are spread across several buildings, with outdoor seating. Inside the bright and spacious cafe, the furniture is a charming medley of farmhouse chic. The all-day menu includes a breakfast brioche bun, St Tola goat’s cheese toast, wood-fired pizzas and a panoply of sweet treats. JC
This Must Be The Place
High Street, Westport, Co Mayo; 083-0599229, thismustbetheplace.ie
The length of the queue outside this spot is a sure indicator of its quality. With a focus on speciality coffee and simple but tasty food, this all-day cafe and provisions shop packs them in for breakfast and lunch. Ingredients are sourced from Mayo and surrounding counties and are used in hearty open sandwiches, toasties and vegan Thai red curry. Look out for the upcoming tuna melt sandwich special. JC
Ursa Minor
45 Ann Street, Ballycastle, Co Antrim; ursaminor-bakehouse.com
The daily changing menu at this Ballycastle bakery is as picture-perfect as the cafe itself. For sourdough breads, playful pastries, morning buns and friends – get there early or miss out. Sandwiches are stuffed with local produce, focaccia is loaded with dreamy flavour combos. It also hosts pop-ups and dinners with some of Ireland’s best chefs, and its pizza nights are always a sell-out. AD
