At times it felt like it would never happen, but as of Monday 29th June restaurants are allowed to reopen, under what feels like daily changing guidelines. The rules still appear to be 2m between tables, or 1m if you can boot them out in 90 minutes (yes that makes as little sense as you think it does), and inevitably this week will bring more moving of the goal posts. While the 2m rule makes reopening for most places unfeasible, the reduction to 1m gives a little glimmer of hope, and the below places are forging on in whatever way they can - and we thank them greatly for it. (Please note, this is not a comprehensive list of every restaurant in the city that's opening next week, just some we think you might be interested in. For a wider range head to Res Diary or OpenTable to see who has tables for the date and time you want.)
For A 'You Got Through Lockdown' Reward
Potager, Skerries
Potager in Skerries reopen on Friday 3rd July, and will open from Friday - Sunday to start, with their set menu for €60. From Wednesday 15th July regular opening hours will resume, with a quicker three course menu available for €45 on Wednesday and Thursday. Book here.
Circa, Terenure
Circa also reopen on Friday 3rd July with a new chef. Gareth Naughton has departed and Darryl Hynes is now in his place. They'll be doing two sittings, at 18:00 and 20:15, with each given a two hour dining slot. Book a table here.
Mr Fox, Parnell Square
Mr Fox reopen on Tuesday 30th June with decreased seating, and a 5-course menu for €55 per person. They'll be open from Tuesday - Saturday and you can book a table here.
On The Grapevine, Dalkey
Dalkey wine shop and bar On The Grapevine reopens on Thursday 2nd July, and if there was ever a time to treat yourself to a very special bottle of wine from the shelves with just €10 corkage, your first post-lockdown wine bar trip is it. Lunch is from 12:00 - 15:00 with dinner from 17:00 and there are three sittings. Book by calling 01 2353054 or emailing reservations@onthegrapevine.ie.
M&L
Sichuan haven M&L, just off O'Connell Street, reopen as normal on Monday 29th June. We can already hear the footsteps running for the handmade dumplings, deep-fried seabrass and those green beans with chilli. Email mlrestaurantdublin@gmail.com to book.
Glas
Veggie/vegan restaurant Glas had gotten off to a helluva start after opening in November, and they're hoping to pick up where they left off when they reopen on Tuesday 29th June. Book a table here.
Cirillo's
Takeaway pizza from a box will never be as good as sit-in pizza fresh from a wood-fired oven. So it's very welcome news that Cirillo's reopens on Monday 29th June with 90 minute dining slots. Book a table here.
For The Special Occasion You Missed
Dax
Fine dining French enclave Dax on Pembroke Street reopens on Thursday 2nd July with 30% less seats and two dinner seatings at 17:30/18:00 and 20:30/21:00 from Wednesday - Saturday. They'll also open for lunch on Thursday and Friday. Book a table here.
L'Ecrivain
Michelin-starred L'Ecrivan reopens on Tuesday 30th June for dinner only. The restaurant was supposed to close permanently in July with chef patron Derry Clarke moving onto a more casual opening in Temple Bar, but this has all been put back due to the current circumstances, and the Baggot Street restaurant will now stay open until December. Book here.
Glovers Alley
The fine dining restaurant in the Fitzwilliam Hotel reopens on Tuesday 30th June with 50% less seats, two metres between tables, single use menus and a 'fogging' machine to disinfect it each day. Book here.
Las Tapas De Lola
The popular Spanish restaurant on Wexford Street reopens on Wednesday 1st July, and we hear a lot of tables have already gone. You might have had to cancel your summer holiday, but cosying up on their terrace with sherry, boquerones and a plate of jamón de Iberico isn't a bad consolation prize. Book by calling them on 01 4244100 or emailing book@lastapasdelola.com.
Bresson, Monkstown
French fine dining restaurant Bresson reopens on Thursday 2nd July with decreased seating and 2 metres between tables. They'll have two floors and the terrace open, and you can book here.
Delahunt
Camden Street (and royal) favourite Delahunt reopens on Tuesday 30th June with a new floor plan, new menu and new booking system. Bookings are due to open today via their website.
For An Overdue Catch Up With Mates
Sprezzatura
Excellent news for pasta lovers, Sprezzatura is back from Monday 29th June. You can email eat@sprezzatura.ie for details of their Covid-19 policy, or book on their website.
Pichet
City centre bistro Pichet reopens on Tuesday 30th June, with tables re-positioned as per current government guidelines, daily deep cleans and advance booking only. You'll be asked to sanitise your hands on arrival and have your temperature checked (contactless), and a multitude of other safety procedures are being put in place, which they go into in great detail on their website. Make a reservation here.
Doolally
Press Up run Indian Doolally reopens on Monday 29th June. They haven't given any details on their social distancing measures but seen as the place is enormous it shouldn't be an issue. Book here.
Lenehans Bar + Grill
The Rathmines bar and restaurant which only opened in October reopens on Wednesday 1st July, but be warned, they're only giving an hour and 15 minutes for bookings. If you're a fast eater you can book here.
Monty's
Nepalese Monty's in Temple Bar reopens on Monday 29th June, with 1 metre between tables, menu sanitation and a new air decontamination unit. They're open seven days a week for lunch and dinner and you can book here.
The Port House
Tapas terminal The Port House reopen their South William Street, Camden Street and Dundrum sites on Monday 29th June. No details about new safety measures but you can book here.
To Blow Off All That Lockdown Induced Steam
Token
Fast food restaurant slash arcade Token in Smithfield are reopening on Monday 29th June, with restricted capacity, socially distanced tables and a two hour limit on bookings. Tables are only for two - four people and must be booked in advance, and PPE will be provided as part of your package. Make a booking here.
Ukiyo
Japanese karaoke den Ukiyo reopens on Monday 29th June. They haven't given any details on a new set up or whether karaoke will be available, but you can book here.
Piglet
Temple Bar wine bar Piglet reopens on Wednesday 3rd July, and expect the outdoor tables to be in demand. Book via their website.
Rosa Madre
Another Temple Bar mainstay, Italian seafood restaurant Rosa Madre reopens on Thursday 2nd July, and they are excited. They're promising socially distanced tables and high levels of sanitation, and you can book here.
For A Family Gathering
The Old Spot
The Old Spot's legendary Sunday roasts are back from next week. They'll be open Thursday - Saturday from 17:00 and Sundays from 13:00. Book here.
Hugo's
Hugo's on Merrion Row reopens on Thursday 2nd July promising "the most rigorous safety protocols". You can make a reservation on their website.
Suesey Street
Basement bistro Suesey Street reopens on Wednesday 1st July for lunch and dinner Wednesday - Friday, and dinner on Saturday. They'll be detailing their Covid-related precautions via their website and social channels later this week, and their terrace (complete with retractable roof) will allow for plenty of outdoor dining. Book a table via their website.
Wild Goose Grill
The Wild Goose Grill in Ranelagh reopens on Monday 29th June from 17:00 daily. There's a reservation request form on the website or you can call 01 4912377.
Fallon & Byrne
The Exchequer Street food hall reopen their upper floor restaurant on Monday 29th June for lunch and dinner seven days a week. They say they've designed a new spacious and airy room, and there's new menus too. Book here.
The Legal Eagle
The gastro pub with the award-winning wine list opens on Monday 29th June and will operate seven days a week (just like pre-lockdown times, remember those?). Make a booking via their website.
More Confirmed Openings:
Mister S - Tuesday 7th July
Laine My Love - Tuesday 7th July
Chapter One - Wednesday 8th July
Junior's - Wednesday 8th July
Uno Mas - Thursday 9th July
Bistro One - Thursday 9th July
Clanbrassil House - Thursday 9th July
One Pico - Tuesday 14th July
Locks - Thursday 16th July
Craft - Thursday 16th July
Michael's - Thursday 23rd July