Rare in Kinsale

My wife and I made the drive all the way down from Dublin to Kinsale specifically for dinner at Rare at The Blue Haven, and honestly, it was worth every single minute on the road. They curated a bespoke 9-course vegetarian tasting menu for us that completely blew us away. Often vegetarian tasting menus can feel like an afterthought, but here every single dish was thoughtful, creative, and packed with flavour. The absolute standout of the night was the Paneer Makhani—hands down one of the most exciting twists on the dish I’ve ever had. Stacked and topped with shaved black truffle over a silky, vibrant makhani sauce, it paired brilliantly with warm, glossy, nigella-seeded pull-apart rolls served on the side. Pure comfort food elevated to fine dining. Another massive highlight was the Saffron & Honey course: an incredible rasmalai crafted into a honeycomb design, paired with warm, freshly baked madeleines. Mixing French pastry with an Indian classic was genius. What truly made the night special was the hospitality. A huge shoutout to Pierre, Amy, and Virender out front—they were warm, down-to-earth, attentive, and kept the pacing effortless. In the kitchen, Executive Chef Meeran and his team are operating on another level. The passion and effort they put into tailoring this vegetarian experience went way above and beyond. If you’re in Kinsale—or even debating making the trip down from Dublin like we did—just go. We already can't wait to come back!

Three of us had the tasting menu last night and the experience was fabulous from start to finish. As each of the courses was presented one of the chefs came out to describe them in detail. For me the trout starter was to die for, my daughters chicken dish was her favourite, while my wife thought the fish dish of turbot was delicious. I also went with the signature wines which were all beautifully selected to go with each course. While not a cheap night out, well worth the experience.

A truly amazing dining experience.

What a lovely breakfast. Donna was exceptional and so welcoming and fun!

Absolutely fantastic experience! Each course was delicious and the service was outstanding. Our favourite was the smoked halibut with lobster followed closely by the duck. Highly recommend a visit

Absolutely outstanding! from the food, wine pairing, service, ambience - simply excellent. Can't wait to return and highly recommend.

I dined at nearly every Michelin and many Bib Gourmand restaurants in Ireland this spring, and Rare stands among the very best. Every course was purposeful — gentle Indian spices, deep respect for tradition and ingredient, real artistry on the plate. A scallop dish brought tears to my eyes. Dining solo, I was treated wonderfully. Ireland was a dream, and Rare was one of its highlights.

My wife and I had an excellent vegetarian meal here tonight, Indian inspired but different from any Indian food I have had before, from locally sourced ingredients. The courses were flavorful and varied, filling but not overwhelming. The paneer in a corgette blossom and the chocolate dessert were highlights. The wine recommended by our sommelier was very good too, and we felt well cared for by the staff.

Michelin star quality, excellent service, unique food. This restaurant is one of a kind, combining Irish produce, Indian flare and French methodology. I've traveled extensively in France and India, and this experience really combines the best of both. The staff were very attentive but not overly formal. The food was exquisitely balanced and not overpowered with spices. The setting was calm and relaxing, with a great view into the kitchen behind glass. A perfect start to a wonderful evening in Kinsale.

Truly exceptional dining. Fantastic hospitality. A gem on the south coast.