Exceptional dishes and bills that don’t ruin the buzz – this week’s edit is all about maximum enjoyment for reasonable outlay …
The Ivy, Dawson Street
The Ivy’s Taste of Ireland menu is back, offering a produce-led snapshot of modern Irish cooking at refreshingly accessible set-menu prices. Running daily until the end of February, it leans into familiar favourites made with local ingredients and dishes such as Ivy shepherd’s pie, Irish stout and onion soup with Hegarty’s Cheddar, Galway Bay smoked salmon tagliolini and Bantry Bay organic salmon. Desserts continue the love-in with Bailey’s caramel chocolate mousse and a flambéed Dubliner whiskey crème brûlée. It’s broad, crowd-pleasing and flexible, working just as well for a midweek lunch as for pre-theatre dining. One course costs €22.95, two courses €30.95 and three courses €36.95 (also available at The Ivy Belfast, although menus and pricing vary). @the_ivy_ie
Coppinger & Row Wines, Dublin 8
For an excellent value weekday lunch, this is a standout. Its two-course menu is just €15 with three courses for €20 – and a €5 glass of wine available – from Wednesday to Friday. Dishes highlight seasonal, approachable cooking, including salt-baked beetroot with hazelnut gremolata, roast poussin with butter beans and green sauce, and chocolate mousse with crushed pistachio for dessert. Its neighbour (and sibling), Row Wines also offers a casual menu with two plates for €25 with a €5 wine option, Tuesday to Thursday all day and Friday lunch, making the pair a great combination.
Hellfire Steakhouse, Westmoreland Street
Simple yet satisfying. The early set menu offers two courses for €35 or three for €40, Monday to Thursday evenings and Friday to Sunday afternoons. Starters include mussels with nduja, white wine and garlic, or a chicken Caesar salad with bacon, croutons and parmesan, alongside two vegan options. Mains feature a 6oz striploin with pink pepper parmesan sauce, chimichurri fries and side salad, or grilled citrus-and-BBQ chicken thighs with garlic potatoes and padrón peppers. It’s a straightforward, reliably good meal at a set price. @hellfiresteakhousemixology
Hidden By One Society, Smithfield
Pricing is flexible for the early/late bird menu from 4.30-6pm and 9-9.30pm, excluding Sundays: a starter and main start from €21, two mains with drinks from €28, or a starter, main and glass of house wine or beer from €26. The menu leans Italian with dishes such as burrata with Parma ham, bruschetta, patatas bravas, pasta classics like arrabbiata or amatriciana, and 12” pizzas including spicy nduja and quattro formaggi, plus vegan-friendly and gluten-free options. A reasonably priced wine list makes it a casual, value-conscious choice for weekday evenings or a later bite. @hidden_smithfield
Volpe Nera, Blackrock
Chef Barry Sun’s modern European cooking with Asian influences comes as colourful, textured plates that feel like proper dining out. Dishes include smoked eel with Castelfranco, beetroot, horseradish vinaigrette and walnut, while mains range from seasonal pasta to the occasional hearty meat dish, complemented by seasonal aperitifs and a thoughtful wine list. The €38 four-course neighbourhood menu (Wednesdays and Thursdays) and three-course Friday or Saturday lunch menu make it an easy option for locals or worth the trip for visitors.