Scotch Bonnet in Malahide

28/08/2026: ★★★★☆ 4/5 We visited for our 18th wedding anniversary and overall had a pleasant evening. The restaurant has a lot of character and a nice atmosphere, although the first thing that hits you when you walk through the door is a noticeable damp/musty smell. It’s a shame because the place itself has plenty of charm, and I imagine this is something that could be addressed without changing the character of the restaurant. The service, however, was excellent. Both ladies looking after us were lovely, particularly the younger waitress. I told her I knew absolutely nothing about wine and simply asked her to surprise me. She made the choice for me, brought it over and poured it — and it was a great choice. Friendly, relaxed and professional service throughout the evening. For starters we had the wings, which I had seen recommended by quite a few people. They were good and we enjoyed them. Unfortunately, the biggest disappointment was the main course. I ordered the ribeye steak, well done. I understand perfectly well that ordering a steak well done means sacrificing some tenderness and juiciness, but this was genuinely tough to eat. Instead of enjoying a nice piece of meat, I felt like I was fighting with it on the plate. For the price, and particularly in a restaurant where steak is one of the main attractions, I expected a much better quality piece of beef. So overall, 4 stars from me. Lovely staff, good service, nice atmosphere and an enjoyable anniversary evening, but ultimately you go to a restaurant primarily for the food — and unfortunately the ribeye, which should have been the highlight of the meal, was the weakest part of the experience.

26/08/2026: Excellent atmosphere. The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable, offering great recommendations on wine pairings with the food without ever being intrusive or pushy. We had the Surf & Turf for Two the prawns and ribeye were absolutely delicious, and at €60 per couple, we thought it was great value. The background music was very cool too and really added to the atmosphere. Great food, great service and a lovely vibe. Highly recommend