A work meeting with a delicious menu and lovely setting leads to increased productivity…so they say
Good food, delicious coffee and a little privacy are the mainstays of a successful breakfast or lunch meeting. Whether working from home or in the office, make time for an off-site meeting with a colleague or a client – more productive and enjoyable than a Zoom with takeaway coffee in hand.
THE DRAWING ROOM AT THE MERRION, Dublin 2 is a classic; both smart and snug with open fires, magnificent high ceilings and charming staff. Just don’t allow the impressive Irish art collection distract you for too long. www.merrionhotel.com.
THE ATRIUM LOUNGE AT THE WESTIN, Dublin 2 is an oldie but a goodie for a coffee catch-up or casual lunch. The glass atrium floods the room with natural light and tables are discreetly well-spaced. Any workday that includes Irish crab salad with spinach and mayonnaise on toasted brioche is a good one. www.thewestinhoteldublin.com.
BALFE’S AT THE WESTBURY HOTEL, Dublin 2 is a magnet for informal meetings with just the right level of formality and professional and courteous staff. Breakfast and lunch menus reassuringly feature all the classics and there’s a different Plat du Jour for lunch each day. www.balfes.ie.
THE MARKER’s proximity to Dublin’s IFSC, Central Bank and Convention Centre, as well as Google, Meta, and several law and financial services firms, makes it a popular spot for the corporate crowd. Both Lobby Bar and Brasserie serve breakfast and lunch. www.anantara.com.
Have eggs cooked to order in the elegant EDDISON RESTAURANT or lunch served in the cosy LIBRARY at the DYLAN HOTEL in Dublin 4. www.dylan.ie.
THE WILDER TOWNHOUSE, Dublin is perfect for breakfast with out-of-town colleagues who will appreciate the quintessentially “Dublin” location and atmosphere. Breakfast is served on pretty patterned porcelain. www.thewilder.ie.
If you’re in a hurry, LOFT AT DONNYBROOK FAIR at Dundrum Town Centre (try the Sweet Potato Fritter with avocado and pomegranate). www.donnybrookfair.ie
FODDER AT AVOCA BALLSBRIDGEÂ is another great spot if you’re in a hurry (order delicious Baked Eggs with Gubeen chorizo); www.avoca.com.
ÉAN GALWAY, from the founders of Galway’s sustainable Michelin-starred restaurant, Loam, is a sweet bakery and wine bar serving coffee and freshly baked palmiers, praline croissants and moreish Morning Buns. Lucky Galwegians, having this just next door to Druid’s Lane Theatre. www.eangalway.com
Period charm, privacy and prettiness combine at NO 1 PERY SQUARE, Limerick, where the Long Room is a favourite for coffee catch-ups and its historic boardroom is termed the “Think Tank” so conducive it is to doing business. www.oneperysquare.com.
THE GRILL ROOM AT THE RIVER LEE, Cork is a a perennial favourite for working lunches. In the teal-panelled restaurant, produce from local suppliers Ballycotton Seafood, the English Market and Twomey’s of Macroom is cooked on the grill. www.doylecollection.com.
Whizz up to Belfast on the Enterprise, where a short hop from Lanyon Place station is a trio of top meeting and eating venues. THE WOLFF GRILL AT TITANIC HOTEL offers iconic views of the city. www.titanichotelbelfast.com.
OX is wonderful for inking deals over a celebratory two- or three-course lunch. www.oxbelfast.com.
New kid on the block is the pared-back WATERMAN in the Cathedral Quarter. This reataurant has airy private rooms for corporate events, private tastings or even team-building cookery classes. www.waterman.restaurant.
LADY CHARLOTTE’S DRAWING ROOM AT LYRATH ESTATE, Co Kilkenny, may be just off the beaten track outside Kilkenny City but worth the mileage. Lush wallpaper and an interesting art collection provide an eclectic backdrop for business lunches. www.lyrath.com
