Restaurateurs and chefs around the country were running to the shops this morning for a copy of The Sunday Times, where John and Sally McKenna have today released their 100 best restaurants of 2018. This year they will publish a new guide, 'Ireland The Best', but until then this is a great start for eating your way around the country.
Of the 100 restaurants listed, 33 are in Dublin (last year it was 29 which is a sign of how vibrant and dynamic the capital's eating out scene is right now). New additions to the list include Clanbrassil House, the second outpost from Bastible owner Barry Fitzgerald, fine dining favourite Dax, which has had a new injection of life since chef Graham Neville came on board last year, and Hey Donna, the latest opening from Jo'Burger and Crackbird founder Joe Macken, only open since October.
Clanbrassil House
Dax
The other new additions are Hugo's, where chef Margaret Roche took over in 2016 taking the food up several notches, Niall Sabongi's Temple Bar seafood shack Klaw, Elaine Murphy's gastropub The Legal Eagle, fiery Thai Nightmarket in Ranelagh, café of dreams Storyboard in Dublin 8, and Michael's in Mount Merrion, which has been wowing diners and critics with fresh, great value seafood and hospitality to match since Gaz Smith took over in 2016.
Nightmarket
Michael's
Many of our favourites have stayed on the list since last year, including Etto, Bastible, Fish Shop, Brother Hubbard, L'Ecrivain, Forest and Marcy, Chapter One, The Fumbally, Amuse, The Winding Stair, Chameleon and Piglet. You can read the full list here (subscription required) or get down to the shops for a copy of The Sunday Times before it sells out.
Forest & Marcy
Piglet
We're not sure if we're the only ones who find it strange that Ireland's only two Michelin starred restaurant, Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud isn't on the list of 'Ireland's 100 Best Restaurants'. Maybe next year PG.
