The best restaurants in Dublin, Waterford and Kilkenny for wine lovers, seafood fans, tapas tasting or Mother’s Day brunch …
For the traditionalist: The Coach House, Roundwood, Co Wicklow
If you are REALLY in need of some extra brownie points, do yourself a favour and book a table for your mum. The combination of rustic charm and top-tier comfort food in the heart of the Wicklow mountains is a sure-fire way to earn yourself the ‘favourite child’ mantle.
The menu features dishes that highlight the best of local produce with a great selection of hearty, classic dishes. Think smoked Goatsbridge trout with ajo blanco, cucumber and apple, Coach House smokies with house-smoked cod, bacon, Gruyère and sourdough toast, or Wicklow venison pie.
Desserts run the gamut from creamy tiramisu to apple and blackberry crumble, with drinks pairings to match. Go the extra mile and book an overnight stay to treat mother dearest to a cosy, country night of peace and quiet.
For wine lovers: Row Wines, Co Dublin
If your Mother’s Day plans call for something laidback yet delicious, Row Wines is the obvious choice. A natural wine and small plates bar tucked away on Coppinger Row, it has the kind of warm, buzzy atmosphere that, happy coincidence, makes any day feel like a celebration.
Expect a menu of organic, biodynamic wines, and cocktails that hit all the right notes, against the backdrop of a vinyl-spun soundtrack. Food-wise, it’s all about refined simplicity: Kilkee crab rösti with pepper velouté and fennel, silky burrata with butternut squash and walnut pesto, or pan-seared cod with Jerusalem artichokes and smoked mussels.
Book a table for brunch and enjoy Connemara oysters washed down with a breakfast martini, or keep it old school with a classic Bloody Mary paired with a plate of cheesy birra tacos. Thoughtful wine, food, and music to match? It’s the kind of Mother’s Day treat that feels effortlessly indulgent, making it a no-brainer.
For the glam mam: The Intercontinental, Co Dublin
Mother’s Day at Seasons Restaurant isn’t just brunch, it’s a full-blown party complete with a Bloody Mary and Mimosa station, an endless dessert buffet, and a posy of tulips for every mother figure. The kind of indulgence that makes skipping breakfast worthwhile!
Executive chef Alberto Rossi’s menu is pure comfort, with a touch of Italian flair. Starters range from brioche French toast with caramelised banana and mascarpone to a pitch-perfect poached prawn cocktail, while a late-breakfast option of smashed avocado with nduja and Italian sausage is hard to resist.
Mains deliver on decadence with roast striploin of beef with mash and Yorkshire pudding, carbonara with smoky guanciale, Sardinian fregola heaving with seafood, and pan-fried cod with brown shrimp butter. And then there’s the aforementioned dessert buffet we simply can’t forget. Pastry chef Orna Larkin has pulled out all the stops and, thankfully, choosing between Victoria sponge, berry pavlova, chocolate mousse cake, rhubarb galette, pear and blackberry Bakewell, plus a luscious lemon posset with blueberry compote, is not required. An afternoon of food, treats and cocktails? Sounds like the perfect way to show some love.
For seafood fans: Beach House, Co Waterford
Jumoke Akintola and Peter Hogan clearly know their way around a dining room. Their most recent venture is the gloriously upmarket fish shop, tucked away on the first floor of their Tramore premises, complete with a wood-burning stove. The snug 20-seater is open year-round for both eat-in and takeaway for crisp, golden fish with an unsurprisingly (given the pedigree) well-curated wine list.
The menu leans into its coastal setting, with small plates showcasing the finest with plump local crab, oysters, pristine prawns, and silky Duncannon smoked salmon. There are mussels too, served with their own homemade bread for maximum dunking. The main event has to be the beer-battered fish and chips, with bonus points for having a gluten free option available too. Plus, there are daily specials such as plaice, John Dory and turbot. This is a fish supper worth planning a pilgrimage for Mother’s Day.
For tapas enthusiasts: Tabú Tapas, Co Kilkenny
You can’t go wrong with tapas and margs. This cosy restaurant in Thomastown has made quite the name for itself with punchy, globally inspired small plates, perfect for sharing (or keeping all to yourself).
The menu is packed with flavourful dishes such as crispy calamari with lemon aioli, meatballs, or a sizzling plate of pil pil prawns. Vegetarians will find plenty to love, from smoky roasted aubergines to patatas bravas with a fiery kick. Then there’s dessert: the churros with rich chocolate sauce and cinnamon sugar the obvious choice. Add a bottle of Spanish wine or a zingy cocktail and you’ve got the makings of a fiesta that’s as fun as it is delicious. Warm and welcoming, it’s the ideal spot to toast your mum, but be sure to book ahead as it fills up fast.
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