Ssssh … let’s not mention the festive season just yet. But of course it’s already on your mind, we know, as it is on ours. After last year’s sudden festive full stop, we are all eager to make the most of every occasion, safely of course, whether it’s a girls’ lunch with a few good pals, an overdue siblings catch-up, a book club bash or a school mums’ night out. At Dundrum Town Centre, a range of smart restaurants suit every budget and appetite. And the key is to book well in advance – we predict demand will be high! Remember, there’s time to schedule a sneaky lunch or dinner for two or four or six, to preview the season, before the madness really begins. Bon appetit!  

Harvey’s  at Harvey Nichols For A Buzzy Lunch with Bubbles

Harvey’s Restaurant and Bar on the 1st Floor in Harvey Nichols, is the perfect spot for a buzzy lunch with friends. With floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Town Square and Pembroke Square, the view is lively, the space is light-filled and elegant and the food is incredible. A special Ladies Lunch promotion includes a free glass of Prosecco with any main course meal, all week long. Linger over a plate of pappardelle in a cream pesto and white wine sauce or herb gnocchi topped with shaved parmesan. There are delicious salads and charcuterie boards and tempting desserts. If you have arranged for someone else to pick up the kids from school, or in the evening, the babysitter is booked until late, you might have time for a cocktail and more chat in the smart cocktail bar beside the restaurant. Harvey’s is open Thursday to Sunday, from 12pm. Make a reservation on Opentable or by email: reservations@harveysdublin.ie.

Ananda For A Unique Indian Dining Experience  

If you are looking for a very special Indian food experience in a sophisticated setting, consider award-winning Indian restaurant Ananda, recognised again for its quality and excellence in the 2021 Michelin Guide. In a calm and beautiful space, head chef Karan and his team pay tribute to Irish produce and the traditions of Indian cuisine. Indian cuisine has vast and varied traditions and with many regions and cultures to reflect Ananda features seasonal, locally celebrated cooking in a variety of the country’s regional specialties. Its food philosophy is to innovate, experiment, push boundaries and challenge perceptions, creating something that is gamechanging. The secret to exquisite Indian food is deep understanding of spices and the sequence in which they are added to a dish.

Ananda’s autumn menu is a seven-course tasting experience like no other. Start with a glass of chilled Veuve Clicquot and then enjoy seven perfectly curated courses matched with wine, like pickled duck kulcha and smoked Barbary duck with Hunter’s Pinot Noir with its warm red fruits, aged black lime sorbet with Himalayan sea salt and toasted cumin. Spice-crusted halibut and seasonal vegetables with the delicate white peach aromas of Peth Wetz Riesling or chargrilled lamb chops with celeriac textures, rogan josh and marrow jus with Ramon Bilbao Reserve, a bouquet of ripe fruits, cinnamon and dried leaves, are heaven on a plate, and that’s just a flavour. Discover the menu www.anandarestaurant.ie/tasting-menu and book online www.anandarestaurant.ie/book-now. Open Tuesday-Saturday from 5:30pm and Sunday from 1pm.  

Siam Thai & The Candlelight Bar For Grown-Up Gatherings  

This beautiful, buzzing restaurant is set over two floors overlooking Town Square. Siam Thai’s remarkable Thai food meets the highest standards of quality and freshness and combines both modern, creative and traditional Thai styles of cooking. Lunch features all the most popular dishes from the main dinner menu, including Phad Thai, Chicken Satay, warming curries and lighter options such as delicious Thai soup and vegetable rolls. Book at www.siamthai.ie/dundrum-reservations. The Candlelight Bar on the top floor is a modern 1920s speakeasy-style late piano bar, the perfect spot to sip a signature cocktail. The bar features Siam’s own line of Thai tapas, Candlelight’s bespoke cocktails and craft beers, as well as a comprehensive wine list. It also has a smart balcony with comfortable sofas for alfresco dining and drinks, perfect for groups. Book the Candlelight Bar, call 01 296 4500. 

Port House Ibericos 

This cosy cottage in the Pembroke district is home to the ever-popular Port House Ibericos. Share plates of delicious tapas and treat yourself to a glass (or two) of wine from their extensive list from small producers across Spain and Portugal, purchased directly from vineyards in order to control quality and deliver keen prices to customers. From Albariño to La Rioja and Navarra, these wines are lovingly sourced by lovely people for your enjoyment. The heated outdoor garden is partially covered, so you can stay protected from the elements and still enjoy the cosy atmosphere of the indoor dining area. Bookings can be made here www.porthouse.ie/ibericos and walk ins are also welcome.

YO! Kitchen For Speedy Sushi

Beside Harvey Nichols on Town Square and inspired by the markets and backstreets of Japan, YO! Kitchen is an Izakaya-style restaurant with a collection of dishes perfect for mixing and matching and enjoying with friends. With a spectrum of different Japanese flavours and fresh ingredients, YO! encourages guests ‘to eat in colour’. YO! Kitchen’s range of sushi is freshly made each day and includes the signature YO! Kitchen Roll, Crunchy California Roll or a super-delicious Seared Spicy Salmon roll. Try hot, fresh street food in Bento Boxes, like the ever-popular Katsu Curry Bento or Salmon Teriyaki Bento. There are plenty of meat and fish-free options too. Open Monday-Sunday, from 12pm. Walk-ins are welcome or call 01 588 3980.

Donnybrook Fair is Coming Soon

Irish artisan and speciality grocer, Donnybrook Fair is coming to Dundrum Town Centre’s Pembroke Square with an extensive retail food hall and premium restaurant and bar. Donnybrook Fair’s hugely popular own brand produce and delicious gourmet meals, as well as several pop-up culinary experiences, will be a welcome addition. And you’ll be able to dine out at Donnybrook Fair too. A stylish new restaurant on the upper floor will be the perfect place for casual dining, from breakfast to dinner. Offering fresh, locally sourced food in a relaxed setting, the space is the perfect place to unwind before or after your shopping trip. Donnybrook Fair will open in the weeks before Christmas. Keep an eye on www.dundrum.ie and social media channels for more information.

Something More Casual?

There are plenty of places to pick up a snack or casual lunch, and lots of outdoor and dining options available across the Centre too. Don’t forget the heated dining pods on Town Square and Pembroke Square where you can savour the delights of Griolladh or Little Dumplings for a quick stop between shopping. And the fuel that shopping runs on, that is, coffee, comes in a range of delicious options at Butler’s, Hotel Chocolat and Fools & Horses. Please visit www.dundrum.ie to check out our full list of restaurants, including booking information, opening hours and more.