Those pesky hours between lunch and dinner can be difficult to navigate. Here’s where to go if you find yourself seeking out a special mid-afternoon meal in the city centre…
Fish Shop, Dublin 7
Beloved by all who dine there, Fish Shop is possibly one of THE most recommended restaurants in Dublin, and make no mistake, it is deserving of every accolade. Even entrenched Southsiders have been known to venture across the city to dine at Fish Shop and should you have a mid-afternoon hankering for the crunchiest chips, the freshest crab and fish so fresh that it could inspire its very own fan club, this is the place to go. On a recent visit, we eschewed our standard order of beer battered haddock in favour of the lighter baked sole and we had no qualms in doing so. Even the salad is top notch. Open Monday to Sunday from 12.30pm until 9pm, the kitchen closes between 2.45pm and 3.45pm which is the perfect time to snag a table, peruse the menu and drink some very good wine while you wait for your feed. www.fish-shop.ie
Cellar 22, Dublin 2
Over the past number of years, we have certainly embraced charcuterie and cheese in all its glory and there are few better places to do just that than Cellar 22. However, to be clear, Cellar 22 has a lot more to offer apart from its excellent, made-in-house charcuterie. I still fondly reminisce about the beef tartare with piquillo pepper and pomme paillasson that I enjoyed there and the Jerusalem artichoke agnolotti with ricotta and hazelnut is also fodder for future dreams. Of course, being a wine bar, there is an excellent selection of reasonably priced wines – plus, there are cocktails should your afternoon morph into something more devilishly decadent. Open seven days a week from 12pm until 9.30pm. www.cellar22.ie
Nan Chinese, Dublin 2
A Chinese feast in the afternoon? Count me in. Nan Chinese on Stephen’s Street Lower is a great choice for an indulgent afternoon sampling some of the best Chinese food the city has to offer. A spontaneous late lunch or early dinner (linner?) of prawn and pork meatballs or fried turnip and wind dried pork cakes followed by steamed turbot with ginger and scallions is never a bad idea, and when you consider that most people are likely working at that precise moment, the food tastes all the better. For the traditionalists, there is Kung Pao chicken or even sweet and sour but this is a place to embrace your ever so slightly adventurous side. All day dining available from 12pm until 9.30pm (open until 10.30pm on Friday and Saturday). www.nanchinese.ie
Peploe’s, Dublin 2
A Dublin institution, Peploes’s reeks of old school glamour, in the best possible way. The location, on St Stephen’s Green makes it the perfect afternoon pit stop for a late lunch in smart surroundings. The blood-red leather booths; the perfectly attired wait staff; a dry martini in the afternoon; all are matched with an air of sophistication making this one special lunch spot. A recent mid-afternoon lunch of Dublin Bay prawn risotto followed by Peploe’s classic chicken Milanese felt decadent and delicious and with all wines directly imported by the restaurant, there is something on the list to please everyone. Open Monday to Wednesday from 12pm until 10pm and Thursday to Saturday from 12pm until 11pm, the lunch menu is served until 5.30pm with the kitchen closing for just 30 mins before the dinner rush begins. www.peploes.com
Dunne and Crescenzi, Dublin 2
Channel your inner Italian and pay a visit to the original South Frederick Street branch of Dublin stalwart Dunne and Crescenzi for a great range of antipasti, exclusively imported burrata and mozzarella, sfiziose (nibbles), salads and of course pasta and tagliere. The evening menu has a few other additions, but at any time during the afternoon, you can expect to be well fed. The prices are reasonable, the food authentic and the ambiance is inclined to encourage you to say yes to that extra glass of wine. www.dunneandcrescenzi.com