Five fabulous spots across Ireland that will bring the magic to your next summertime gathering …
allta, Co Dublin
allta has the aesthetic of a chic cocktail bar with the best type of menu filled with butter-soaked, flame-cooked Irish produce. Holding court in Dublin’s Docklands, this is one of the capital’s best destinations for a dinner party that feels utterly cosmopolitan. The terrace is where the magic happens. Sitting down for just ONE civilised drink will always somehow lead to ordering the whole menu “to share” and staying well past your bedtime. Expect razor clam ceviche, wild turbot or halibut, ex-dairy beef, and wines that will have your Vivino app working overtime. Sophisticated yet fun, especially with resident DJs or evenings of live jazz.
Cliff House Hotel, Ardmore, Co Waterford
No list of dreamy foodie destinations is complete without a nod to Cliff House. This is the five-star grown-up version of a seaside soirée – all dramatic cliffside dining and architectural drama with a dose of southeast hospitality. The outdoor terrace is one of the best places in the country to sip and savour like you’re in the South of France. Inside, the Michelin-starred restaurant plates up seriously impressive dishes, but even the more casual menus at the bar and terrace celebrate seafood and serious culinary skill. Black sole with lemon, parsley, capers, spinach and chive buttered new potatoes is the dish of (my) dreams, and the setting is better than a postcard. Stay the night and spring for the balcony room.
Helen’s Bar, Kilmacalogue, Co Kerry
Let’s get one thing straight: Helen’s is not trying to be fancy. That’s its secret sauce. Or rather, it’s secret buttered crab claws. This gloriously unpretentious pub perched at the edge of the Beara Peninsula serves up spanking fresh shellfish with a side of views that make you want to give it all up and become a full-time local. It’s not a place for heels or haute cuisine, but if your idea of a perfect summer soirée involves a table of happy pals, half a dozen pints (of Guinness or prawns) and the sun setting over Kenmare Bay, you’ll be in heaven. Bonus points for the outdoor benches where you can watch the tide go out, one wine glass at a time.
Arundel’s by the Pier, Ahakista, Co Cork
Ahakista may still be under the radar, but Arundel’s is slowly changing that. This low-key bar and restaurant, tucked beside the pier in this postcard-perfect setting, feels like a best-kept secret. The kind that you’ll want to keep to yourself, but will most likely gush about because it’s so good. Run by brothers Tom and Michael Moloney, the vibe is effortlessly intimate with a small but sharply focused menu that leans heavily into the surrounding sea. There’s something for everyone with a variety of mussel dishes, fish sandwiches, smashburgers, cauliflower shawarma and, appropriately, local strawberries and ice-cream for dessert. Order everything, sit in the sun to take in the panoramic view and raise a glass to the Irish summer.
Lir, Coleraine, Co Derry
Destination dining at its finest, in the few short years since opening Lir has been quietly (and then not-so-quietly) raising the bar ever since. Overlooking the River Bann, with full-glass windows offering stunning views, this is a modern Irish restaurant with proper party potential. Expect crisp-skinned fish, hake Kyiv, lobster rolls and copious amounts of orange wine and unique cocktail concoctions. The outdoor terrace is pure perfection on a sunny afternoon. This is al fresco dining on the North Coast, levelled up.