You know how it goes: you fancy eating out on a sunny Monday evening but discover a lot of your go-to restaurants are closed. Never fear – we’ve found 12 great spots around the country that stay open over that tricky span between Sunday and Tuesday.
Arundel’s by the Pier
Kitchen Cove, Ahakista, Co Cork; 086-3408647, arundelsbythepier.com
The smart white and blue exterior of Tom Molloy’s pub fits perfectly into the landscape of Cork’s beautiful Sheep’s Head Peninsula. It sources as much produce as possible from local suppliers in Bantry and Skibbereen, and the menu is heaven for seafood lovers. Sit outside on the water’s edge and enjoy classic fish and chips, mussels with ‘nduja or open crab sandwiches on home-made brown bread. JC
Bar Pez
3 Kevin Street Lower, Dublin 8; 01-5670577, barpez.ie
Walking into Bar Pez feels like you’ve travelled to Spain. The wooden panelling, high counter seats and net curtains in the window have a sense of timelessness. The small open kitchen means diners can watch chef Simone Tamilio orchestrate dishes like a maestro. Expect scallop toast with XO sauce, grilled courgettes with ricotta or fried rabbit and greens. For wine, let Tommy Vivian guide you through he 350-bottle-strong list. JC
Dolly’s Liscannor
14 Main Street, Liscannor, Co Clare; dollysliscannor.ie
This bright, cheerful cafe and wellness hub located in a 200-year-old stone cottage is sure to leave a smile on your face. Elaine Slattery and team serve coffee from Galway-based Calendar Roastery with freshly baked pastries, treats and nourishing dishes. Hosting regular community events, Dolly’s is more than a cafe, it’s a natural meeting point for locals and visitors to Clare. JC
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Fish Shop
76 Benburb Street, Dublin 7; 01-5571473, fish-shop.ie
This remains the insiders’ choice. When a slew of chefs landed on our shores for the Michelin awards in February, Johnny Lake of Trivet and Philipp Reinstaller of Labombe were posting about their discovery – Côtes du Jura Chardonnay Sursis from Stéphane Tissot – one of the many great wines on this exceptional wine list of around 150 bins with 20 by-the-glass options. The gildas have gone, but it is still the best place in Dublin for fish and chips. Notably, it is open for dinner daily, with lunch available every day except Tuesday. CH
Hang Dai
20 Lower Camden Street, Dublin 2; 01-5458888, hangdaichinese.com
Celebrating 10 years on Camden Street, Hang Dai continues to define modern Irish‑Chinese dining. It’s cool, confident and consistently delicious. Menu favourites such as steamed pork dumplings and Skeaghanore roast duck keep diners coming back. Cocktails are fun, frothy and taste great outside on the Gold Bar terrace or sunny street seats. AD
Kin Khao Thai
Abbey Lane, Athlone, Co Westmeath; 090-6498805, instagram.com/kinkhaoathlone
Serving up its “Real Deal Thai Cuisine” for almost 15 years, Kin Khao still packs a punch. Fragrant, spicy plates are built around co-owner Janya Lyons’s family recipes by a team well-versed in northern Thai Isan cuisine. Add favourites like curries, sticky rice and crispy chicken, all perfectly paired with Irish craft beers. AD
Maison Gourmet
6 Henry Street, Kenmare, Co Kerry; 064-6641857
It feels as if Emma and Patrick Puech have been in Kenmare far longer than the 10 years they are celebrating this year. A daytime cafe and patisserie, this spot is open for breakfast and lunch, serving dishes such as croque madame, avocado on house-made sourdough, cakes, tarts, brioches and pastries. The outdoor tables are highly coveted. CH
Shells Cafe & Little Shop
The Seafront, Strandhill, Co Sligo; 071-9122938, shellscafe.com
It’s all about “you, me and the sea” at Shells. Facing on to the crashing waves at Strandhill, this cafe and shop is known for home baking, breakfast dishes such as grilled happy halloumi with gochujang honey sauce, and generously filled, freshly made sandwiches. During the summer, the outdoor covered terrace will host après-surf evenings, with jugs of Aperol spritz and a twist on the classic prawn cocktail. JC
Sofra
18 Liffey Street Upper, Dublin 1; 01-5586902, sofrarestaurant.ie
The heart of Dublin 1’s shopping district is not the typical place location to find outstanding Turkish food, but the team behind Sofra are hitting it out of the park with this good value, family-friendly spot. The signature dish is Altı Ezmeli, a minced meat kebab grilled on the traditional mangal and served on a roasted vegetable sauce. All the classics are here too from hummus and dolma, to lahmacun and pide. Read our full review here. JC
Solas Tapas
Strand Street, Dingle, Co Kerry; 066-9150766, solastapas.com
The plátaí beaga here celebrate the land and sea that surround them. Lobster and crab from local boats, oysters and mussels from Cromane, Dingle goat cheese and Summerville Farm Wagyu beef are beautifully executed into delicate bites. It’s clever, relaxed seasonal cooking that feels a little Spanish, a lot Dingle and entirely its own. AD
Tango Street Food
Muckross Road, Dromhale, Killarney, Co Kerry; 085-2322233, tangostreetfood.com
Tango stands out in Killarney thanks to bold Argentinian cooking, and a counter full of golden empanadas that greet you at the door. Meats are cooked over charcoal on a custom-built parilla, wood-fired pizzas fly out, and don’t miss the choripán, Argentina’s take on a hot dog, dripping with chimichurri – a proper crowd pleaser. AD
The Fish Basket
Long Strand, Castlefreke, Co Cork; 023-8851716, thefishbasket.ie
Elaine and Peter Shanahan know the value of keeping things simple, giving families and day-trippers good-value, fresh, tasty seafood. Spend the day with the kids on the extensive golden sands of the Long Strand before heading to The Fish Basket for all the classics, fish tacos or home-made fish cakes. Keep an eye on social media for details of forthcoming summer pop-ups. JC
