As the summer months approach, the planning of family celebrations and social get-togethers is in full swing. But where to go? If you are making plans for a meal out with a crowd, family style eating is a great option. If quibbles over who gets the leg and who gets the breast do nothing but inspire nostalgia (rather than rankle), then these could be the perfect places for you and yours to break bread.

Lorettas, Phibsboro

Chef and proprietor, Jimmy Wiley has created something lovely in Lorettas in Phibsboro. A bright, spacious room with excellent food and good wine. Lorettas serve brunch at weekends, but on a Sunday evening between 5 – 8.30pm, it’s the Sunday sharing dinner that interests me. There are a selection of small plates and snacks to share, all priced individually, and then, the main event. Sharing mains include a rack of pork, whole roast Skeaghanore duck, wood-grilled whole Sea Bass with prawns, squid and mussels and a spiced roast lamb leg with mint sauce. There is an array of sides to choose from and of course, excellent dessert options. www.lorettas.ie 

Michaels, Mount Merrion

If you haven’t heard of the fish platter from Michael’s, you are truly missing out. A haul of the day’s catch comes on a sharing platter served with chips and lemon sauce and will include delicacies such as halibut, prawns, mussels and lobster fishcakes. The platter serves two but would easily stretch to three, especially if you had your heart set on some crispy fried brie or crab arancini to start. www.michaels.ie 

Zampas, Hard Rock Hotel Dublin

Peruvian roast chicken with aji verde (spicy coriander sauce) is one of life’s great pleasures. Having made this a few times myself, I appreciate the intricacies involved in getting it right – and the difficulty in sourcing all the right ingredients. Thankfully, Zampas have taken than annoyance out of the equation with their asador cooked ‘Pollo a la Brasa’ which is a whole chicken marinated in a Peruvian marinade, the aforementioned aji verde, grilled corn, handcut chips and a red onion, coriander and feta salad. If you are feeding a crowd, opt for The Butcher’s Block which also includes a dry aged sirloin steak, tonkatsu pork ribs, smoked lamb tomahawks, hand cut chips, grilled sweetcorn and a selection of sauces for €125 to serve four. www.zampas.ie/ 

Pickle, Camden Street

Planning in advance? The Raan feast at Pickle restaurant requires 48 hours’ notice and will likely be the longest 48 hour wait of your life. A slow braised leg of lamb to serve four is served with saffron sauce, black lentils, cumin pulao, mint raita, coriander chutney and butter naan and costs €120. It sounds like an excellent way to celebrate absolutely anything at all. https://www.picklerestaurant.com/ 

The Exchequer, Ranelagh

Paella for a crowd or Sunday roast, the choice is yours in The Exchequer Wine Bar in Ranelagh. The roast serves four and you can choose from a roast rib of beef (€80) or a whole roast chicken (€70). Each option comes with all the sides and a complimentary bottle of house wine which makes it incredible value. The Sunday roast needs to be pre-ordered on a Friday and paella lovers will need to give 24 hours’ notice for the Spanish seafood paella experience which costs €50. www.theexchequerwinebar.ie