Christmas party season is almost in full swing, meaning a busy time for restaurants and bars all around the country. Work parties, catch-ups between old friends and family get-togethers are planned out with precision, often well in advance.
But what if you’ve forgotten to book somewhere for your get-together? We’ve spoken to people in the business and rounded up some suggestions for your last-minute booking.
Many restaurants are already fully booked closer to upcoming weekends but still have good availability for lunch, as well as dinners early in the week.
The glamorous, Asian-inspired Floritz on Stephen’s Green and the creative Hang Dai on Camden Street, Dublin 2 have space for groups, while in Cashel, Co Tipperary, the Michelin-starred Bishop’s Buttery has added extra lunches on Saturdays and Sundays. Everett’s in Waterford also has space midweek for groups, while the buzzy Goat pub in Goatstown, Dublin 14 has availability.
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Restaurants with private diningrooms are another option for groups.
Industry legend One Pico in Dublin 2 has space in its upstairs Polo Room, while Blackrock’s Volpe Nera’s private room is a wonderful way to experience the superb cooking of chef Barry Sun.
For steak lovers, the private diningroom at Hawksmoor Dublin can seat up to 18 people, while the Little Washer pizza and wine bar in Glasnevin, Dublin 9 holds up to 20 people.
Newly opened restaurants should also be a good bet because they may not have taken many advance bookings. Cantina Valentina at the Hoxton Hotel in Dublin 2, or the opulent Gloria Osteria on Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2 both have space available.
Bring-your-own-bottle restaurants are always a good bet for group dining, and Middle Eastern options such as Fayrouz on Cork Street, Dublin 8 or Keshk on Merrion Road, Dublin 4 allow for the sharing of tasty plates of hummus, baba ganoush or charcoal-grilled kebabs.
If a full sit-down meal doesn’t appeal, perhaps a good glass of wine and some small plates or cheeseboards will do the job. Notions at Two Pups, Francis Street, Dublin 8 offers a short but eclectic natural wine menu and excellent small plates, while neighbourhood cafe Flower & Bean on Cork Street, Dublin 8 has recently opened at evenings for wine and cheeseboards. Cellar 22 on St Stephen’s Green is good for small groups and has an excellent wine and small plates menu.
In Cork, the beautiful Good Day Deli is open for long table lunches and private midweek brunches in the run-up to Christmas, while seafood is on the menu at Fish & Bean in Sligo and the Glyde Inn in Annagassan, Co Louth.
And finally, perhaps an afternoon tea might offer an elegant alternative to dinner? Dublin’s own grande dame hotel, the Shelbourne, is offering a festive afternoon tea until January 4th in the Lord Mayor’s Lounge, while local food features highly on BrookLodge & Macreddin Village’s afternoon tea in Co Wicklow.
