*Updated 1st September 2020*
Restaurants have reopened and we're high on life, but some people are still understandably cautious about being trapped in an enclosed space with others for an extended period of time. We know that your chances of catching Covid-19 are greatly reduced in outdoor settings, so dining outdoors will be the key factor in attracting some people back to restaurants again - just expect those tables to be very in demand. Here's where you can eat outside in Dublin - newly updated.
Shouk
Our love for Shouk runs deep. The food, the staff, the prices, the food. They were lucky to already have an outdoor space pre-pandemic but they've since extended it further into their Drumcondra yard, which means you can have all the arayes, mezze and shawarma without any indoor-related risks.
Mamó
Mamó reopened a couple of weeks ago to whoops and cheers across the city, and it's no surprise that their outside tables are very popular. This is one we'll be enjoying well into Autumn - côte de boeuf + those crispy potatoes + red wine + blankets = a very happy situation.
Glas
Vegetarian and vegan Glas have a very Parisian vibe going on outside their Chatham Street restaurant. The three tables are covered with an awning so you and your sweetcorn & jalapeno fritters will even be covered in case of rain (just maybe not the sideways type).
L'Gueuleton
L'Gueuleton on Fade Street have a considerable outside space, prime for people watching, and their new small plates menu looks like another good excuse to visit.
Busyfeet & Coco Café
Sometimes you just want a simple sandwich and a coffee (and a city centre place to sit whilst watching the world go by), and that's when eternally jammed Busyfeet & Coco on South William Street comes in very handy. Upgrade your usual ham and cheese toastie to 'The Billy', with St Tola goat's cheese, bacon, onion marmalade and mayonnaise.
Two Pups
A life without Two Pups and their French toast barely seems worth living, so all the claps to them for getting as many tables as humanly possible outside their Francis Street site. Brioche French toast with caramelised greengage plums, sour cream chantilly, rum cream and crumble in the sunshine is weekend goals right now.
Brother Hubbard North & South
Brother Hubbard have lovely terraces at their Capel Street and Harrington Street locations, with plenty of space for the oul social distancing. They're open for brunch and lunch in both sites, with dinner in Brother Hubbard North, and there's also tonnes of space inside in the latter in case the cold/rain/sleet/storm defeats you.
Pog, Howth
Newly opened Póg in Howth has three nice tables outside looking out onto Howth harbour, so you can enjoy their breakfast board, acai bowl or nduja scrambled eggs with a side of fresh sea air. We're not sure if seagulls like protein pancakes but probably best to keep an eye out just in case.
Urbanity Al Fresco
Smoothie bowls, Vietnamese noodle salads and fried chicken sandwiches are all available at Urbanity's new outdoor space in Smithfield. Open Monday - Sunday for breakfast, brunch, lunch and very good wine. Takeaway's still available too if you'd prefer to take it to a park or back home. Book by emailing hello@urbanitycoffee.ie or calling them on 01 8747288.
Saba's Secret Garden
Saba on Baggot Street have added a secret garden out the back (currently open air but awning to follow) with holiday style lighting and art by Subset. It's open from 12:00 Tuesday - Saturday serving food all day, including black pepper squid, Thai beef salad and Pad Thai. There's also a pretty extensive cocktail menu with €7 cocktails before 19:00. Book online or call them on 01 5631999.
Piglet
Piglet might be cosy inside but outside on the terrace is as close to a Mediterranean holiday as most of us are going to get this year. Order a white port and tonic and some prawn pilpil and indulge in some prime people watching on Cow's Lane. Book online or email oink@pigletwinebar.ie.
The Commons At Moli
The Commons Café in the Museum of Literature, run by Domini and Peaches Kemp, reopened yesterday and has a beautiful courtyard out the back just screaming for a sitdown in the sunshine. They're open Monday - Friday from 11:00 - 15:00 (for the moment), serving lunch and cake, and it's a little slice of paradise in the city centre.
Baste
Andy Noonan's outdoor barbecue space on Clanbrassil Street started with mid-pandemic takeaways and has developed into a full sit down area in the evenings. They've just launched new dinner events at €50 a head from Thursday - Sunday for a sharing menu of BBQ bites, meats, sides, salads and sauces, with ice-cream cannoli for dessert, and you can book on their website. Click and collect is still available but just for takeaway.
Coppinger Row
Mediterranean-inspired Coppinger Row off South William Street reopens on Wednesday 8th July with reduced capacity, and you know the outside tables are going to be the ones to nab. There's an awning too in case our typical July weather takes hold. Book via their website or by emailing info@coppingerrow.ie.
Charlotte Quay
Coppinger Row's sister restaurant Charlotte Quay has also reopened with ample outdoor space overlooking Grand Canal Dock. Crab & crayfish croquettes, tuna crudo and gambas pil pil with a chilled glass of Saltatempo Verdicchio overlooking the water are what summer dreams are made of. Book on their website or by emailing info@charlottequay.ie.
La Maison
Old-school French bistro La Maison's outdoor seats have always been in demand, but expect that to take a leap under the present circumstances. If you do get lucky enough to bag one you'll be able to enjoy moules frites, sole on the bone and tarte tatin from your terrace table while judging everyone drinking from plastic pint glasses on Castle Market. Book on their website.
Bresson
French fine dining restaurant Bresson in Monkstown has plenty of space and a few sought after tables on the terrace, so you can enjoy your seafood cocktail, duck á l'orange and cheeseboard with a side of seaside air. Book on their website.
King Sitric
Seafood specialists King Sitric in Howth have a good sized outdoor space which is usually mobbed with tourists, but we won't be seeing many of those this year so your chances of getting one have never been better. They've merged with East Café Bar, the more casual downstairs outpost, and have one menu going forward across both floors and outside. Book by calling 01 8325235 or email reservations@kingsitric.ie.
Lenehan's
Lenehan's in Rathmines is back open, along with two outdoor terraces. There's a large selection of small plates (just remember, no sharing you guys), and a lot of the food is cooked on their grill. Perfect for a humid summer evening in the city. Book on their website.
Michael's
Michael's in Mount Merrion is gearing up to reopen at the end of July but in the meantime you can feast on seafood at their 'garden tables' outside. They're open from 13:00 - 20:00 (along with takeaway) and the menu includes oysters, charcuterie and the infamous seafood platters. Just show up or call them on 01 2780377 to check if there's a free table.
Suesey Street
Suesey Street's terrace is one of the best in the city and has a retractable roof for that inconsistent Irish weather. They're open for lunch and dinner from Wednesday - Friday and dinner on Saturday. Book on their website.
The Terrace At The Shelbourne
The Terrace in The Shelbourne Hotel is one of those city centre secrets that you'll be very smug you're in on. The limited food menu features salad, open sandwiches and platters, and it's a lovely way to while away a few hours, ideally with cocktails or wine in front of you. Book through The Shelbourne.
Yarn
The upstairs pizza place from The Woollen Mills is back open, with a very spacious roof terrace overlooking the Liffey and the Ha'Penny Bridge. Open from 16:30 - 22:00 seven days a week. Book on their website or by calling 01 8280835.
Angelina's
Angelina's outdoor tables are the ultimate in goals on a sunny day in Dublin 4. They're open seven days a week for lunch and dinner with brunch at weekends. Book on their website or by emailing book@angelinas.ie.
Circa
Circa in Terenure are back at it with a new chef, and are in the process of revamping their outdoor space. The new look terrace at the back will feature a roof and heaters, so the weather won't get in the way of your booking, and it should be open in the next week or two. Book via their website.
Fade Street Social
The rooftop at Fade Street Social has a flatbread and bar bites menu, with things like duck spring rolls, padron peppers and chiffon squid, and lots of cocktails to wash them down with. Book a table on their website.
