This month, Escape the cold outside and enjoy a cosy meal that epitomises winter in one of these top spots …
The weather has most certainly taken a turn and there is a nip in the frigid air which we are embracing wholeheartedly. With woolly hats, scarves and gloves at the ready, these are the place to go for a cosy meal that epitomises winter, in all the best possible ways.
The Anglers Rest, The Strawberry Beds, Dublin 20
A cosy restaurant doesn’t have to have an open turf fire or accents of dark wood, but it certainly doesn’t hurt. Perched on the banks of the River Liffey, Wright’s Anglers Rest is as cosy as they come with a mammoth fire blazing day and night in the main dining room, and a smaller fireplace in the adjoining bar area also constantly on the go. As expected, the fish and chips is a great choice from the all-day menu and the crab claws in garlic butter never disappoint. This is a busy spot so booking ahead is advised. www.theanglersrest.ie
Barnacles Bar and Kitchen, Salthill, Co Galway
Newbie gastropub Barnacles Bar and Kitchen in Salthill is the latest venture from Mark Commins and Conor Graham, the team behind Linnane’s Lobster Bar and Flaggy Shore Oysters. It’s a cosy and intimate space serving seafood focused gastropub classics with an extensive drinks menu to boot. Signature dishes include roast whole west coast lobster with dulse seaweed, mint butter potatoes and Celtic salad, and Barnacle’s fish and chips. The Sunday roast would go down a treat on a dismal weekend afternoon, especially after a brisk walk along the seafront and when paired with a French 75 with Gunpowder Gin, lemon, sugar and Prosecco. www.barnaclesbar.ie
The Old Spot, Bath Avenue, Dublin 4
A Sunday roast dinner in front of a crackling fire with a glass of wine is one of life’s simple pleasures and few places do it as well as The Old Spot. €28 will get you a heaving plate of dry aged Pat Mcloughlin roast sirloin of beef, with buttermilk Yorkshire pudding, duck fat roast potatoes, roast carrots, green beans, cauliflower cheese and lashings of gravy and if you aren’t all warm and fuzzy after that, you may well be beyond hope. Apple and blackberry crumble with toffee custard and vanilla ice cream is optional but highly recommended. www.theoldspot.ie
The Winter Garden at Roe & Co, Thomas Street, Dublin 8
Ok, hear me out. Al fresco dining in winter may not seem like the savvy choice but Roe & Co do it so well, it needs to be considered. Cosy blankets, twinkling lights, heaters and sheepskin seat pads combined with an eclectic selection of whiskey based winter warmers – or Roe & Cosy as they are named, is an alluring combination on a winter’s eve. Add in the rib sticking food platters from Pitt Bros and the frosty air will be but a minor annoyance. www.roeandcowhiskey.com
The Fisherman’s Pub & Ranji Room, Ballynahinch Castle, Co Galway
Seasonal dishes in a traditional pub setting that celebrates all that is great about Connemara. These are the defining features of The Fisherman’s Pub and Ranji Room at beautiful Ballynahinch Castle. An afternoon spent meandering around the stunning Connemara landscape followed by fireside feasting on wholesome dishes such seafood chowder, Killary fjord mussels with roasted garlic and parsley butter or Connemara lamb pie is a day well spent indeed. www.ballynahinch-castle.com
