The best restaurants in Dublin, Waterford, Laois, Clare and Cork for seasonal menus …
April in Ireland can be a rollercoaster. Sunny days spark frenzied plans for al fresco dining and drinks, only for the evening chill to rudely remind us that, yes, this is still Ireland. But with longer days and spring menus bursting with wild garlic, tender lamb, and the freshest fish, there’s plenty to be excited about. This is the season when chefs get giddy with new ingredients, so diners reap the benefits.
Chestnut Meets Rare: A West Cork One-Night Stand
Mark your diaries for April 13 when, for one night only, two of West Cork’s best chefs join forces for a culinary knees-up of the highest order. Rob Krawczyk of Michelin-starred Restaurant Chestnut is stepping into the kitchen at Rare at Blue Haven in Kinsale where he and the wildly talented Meeran Manzoor will create a tasting menu that promises to be nothing short of a loveletter to the region’s produce. This is not just any collaboration, this is the kind that takes the local unparalleled larder and spins it into something revelatory. Meeran, with his South Indian roots, is known for dishes that surprise and seduce in equal measure, while Rob is nothing short of a magician with peak-season produce. Diners can expect a feast, using produce at their absolute prime, flavours that sing, and a tasting menu that celebrates land, sea and everything Cork has to offer. Tickets are €125 per person, but move fast as nights like sell out quickly. www.rare1784.ie
SEE MORE: My Foodie Weekend – Meeran Manzoor
Bramley, Abbeyleix, Co Laois
Abbeyleix isn’t exactly known as a food destination, but Sam Moody’s Bramley is changing that. Here, local produce is treated with just the right amount of respect (and seasoning). The menu shifts with the seasons, meaning you might find silky wild garlic soup one day, or spring lamb with mint the next. The sourdough alone is worth the pilgrimage – warm, tangy, and just begging to be slathered in cultured butter. Service strikes the perfect balance between friendly and knowledgeable, and the whole experience feels like a hug for your taste buds. www.bramleyabbeyleix.com
Linnane’s Lobster Bar, Co Clare
Perched on the shores of the Burren, this legendary spot has been serving up the freshest fish since long before ‘farm-to-table’ became buzzwords. The menu is blissfully simple with whole grilled lobster, creamy chowder, and prawns so sweet they barely need seasoning. The brown bread is so good that it deserves its own fan club, and the pints of Guinness go down just a little too easily. It’s the type of place where you order an extra plate of local Flaggy Shore oysters for the table and then eat them all yourself. www.linnanesbar.com
And Chips, Co Waterford
Sunny spring weekends were made for fish and chips by the beach. And Chips in Waterford is home to one of the most surprising food experiences in the country, a chipper where everything is taken very seriously. The fish is perfectly flaky, the chips are golden and crunchy, and the sauces (béarnaise mayo, tartare, and garlic aioli) are all made in-house. There are falafel flatbreads for vegetarians, and the toughest decision you’ll face is whether to go for a milkshake or a glass of crisp white wine. Comfort food at its absolute best. www.andchips.ie
Volpe Nera, Co Dublin
Tucked away in Blackrock, Volpe Nera is where chef Barry Sun works his magic, turning top-tier ingredients into plates that hum with flavour. The menu flits between Italian, Japanese, and modern Irish influences; always resulting in something beautifully balanced. The pasta dishes are silky and deeply savoury, and the sharing Côte de Boeuf is pure indulgence. Service is spot-on, the wine list is a joy, and the space has that rare mix of style and warmth. By the time the bill arrives, you’re already plotting your return. The neighbourhood midweek menu is excellent value at €38 per person, which is a steal for cooking of this calibre. www.volpenera.ie
And Finally…
Those who, like me, worship at the altar of the Bloody Mary will want to try the new menu at The Lounge at The Fitzwilliam Hotel Dublin. The line-up includes The Bloody Irish (with Mic’s Inferno Sauce and IStil vodka), The Bloody Caesar (with Clamato), Bloody Maria (tequila), The Five Star Bloody Mary (with the addition of Warres Port) and the build your own Bloody Mary because, sometimes, you just know best. One of each, please. www.fitzwilliamhoteldublin.com
SEE MORE: 5 Tiny Restaurants In Ireland That Pack A Big Punch