In what must be a record year for new openings in Dublin, even Christmas isn’t putting the brakes on things. Here's the deets on some December openings you might have missed...
Little Dumpling
Little Dumpling opened on Mary Street Little in mid-December in what was briefly Fudo Sushi (seems the team have regrouped and decided that soup dumplings are the way forward). Everything is handmade, including the Castletownbere crab and pork soup dumplings (below), and God knows there's a serious lack of soup dumplings in this country so everything crossed that these are the ones we've been waiting for.
Krewe
Another month, another new opening on Capel Street, which is Dublin’s version of a culinary UN at this stage. Krewe is a New Orleans-inspired bar and restaurant featuring a menu of NOLA classics such as jambalaya, Cajun blackened cod, crayfish rolls and some promising looking beignets from Head Chef Niall Smyth, formerly of House in Howth. Expect rye cocktails and lots of neon lights.
The Wine Pair
The former Salt + Stove site on the South Circular Road is now home to The Wine Pair, from husband and wife duo Canice and Mags McKee. They opened the doors in early-December promising lots of wine with cheese, meats, almonds, olives, and bread, and the pair say they want to offer a reprieve from “silly pairings” and keep things simple. Read more about The Wine Pair here.
Bobby’s Wine Bar
We were sad to hear about the closure of Cavern on Baggot St. earlier this year, but happy to hear the basement space has now been given a new lease of life. Bobby’s is a wine bar with some very interesting options on the list, and food from Holly Dalton, formerly of Gertrude. Expect bar snacks with a twist, meats, and cheeses. Read more about Bobby's here.
Meltdown
Meltdown have opened a second location bringing their massive toasties to Leeson Street Lower. That sound you hear is the rejoicing of D2 office workers who can now get a 'Mac Mama' fix on their lunch break.
The Circular and Daddy’s
Another South Circular Road opening, The Circular is the new bar and space from the people behind Lucky’s. The bar focuses on craft beer, with pizza from Coke Lane, and at the front you’ll find Daddy’s, a daytime café with breakfast, lunch, weekend brunch, and early dinner options. Oh, and Daddy’s is dog friendly (on what seems to be a trial basis for now) so you can take the whole family there after walkies.
Ryleigh's at The Mayson
In what feels like Press Up’s 475th opening of the year, The Mayson hotel swung open its doors on North Wall this month. With bike hire, amps and Smeg fridges in each room, this might be their most on-brand venue yet. For food, Ryleigh’s Rooftop Restaurant has an outdoor terrace that should give pretty spectacular views across the city on a clear night. Other eating and drinking options can be found in Dime Coffee Bar, The Mayson Bar, and The Bottle Boy Pub.
Outpost
Brewdog’s first foray in to the Dublin market is pretty huge. The site in Capital Dock, Dublin 2, features two bars, an on-site brewery, “Olympic-sized” shuffleboard (does anyone in Ireland know what a regular shuffleboard is?), a heated roof garden and terrace. Starting as a small brewpub chain in Scotland, Outpost is the group’s 100th bar and, while we haven’t seen much from the food menu yet, we’re told it features burgers, pizzas, salads, and wings. Of course, the big attraction here is the extensive beer menu, but with many priced at over €7 it’ll be interesting to see how they strike a balance between craft beer fans and office workers just looking for a session. Also, it’s dog-friendly, so there’s that.
