The best restaurants

23/10/2025: Shay is brilliant & everybody who knows him loves him. I’ve brought a few people here over the years & it’s always been a good time. If you ring the bell & get inside, you’ll feel right at home. Not too crowded, just perfect. The lady behind the bar is incredibly lovely too.

26/09/2025: The Hacienda was part of my life for over 30 years. I had one of my first pints here at 15, and for a decade it was where I played pool and darts in a more depressed Dublin. I remember the German Shepherds padding around the bar and Shea’s white Porsche parked outside — a rare sight in 1980s north inner city Dublin. The pub was crammed with Shea’s curios — eccentric, lived-in, unforgettable. To get in, you rang the bell on the locked door, where Shea would look you up and down before deciding if you were worthy. Inside, you might wait for your pint while he finished a game of pool, or have to step back from a shot as he opened the trapdoor to change a barrel. Winters meant a roaring fire, though you also had to contend with what were surely the smallest toilets in Dublin, a one-in, one-out squeeze that tested balance as much as patience and the worst smoking area in any pub anywhere: basically not much more than the size of an old phone box with a scrolled metal gate where somehow up to a dozen people could squeeze in. You froze, you laughed, and somehow it was all part of the charm. Even after I moved to London, every visit home meant calling in. No fuss — just, “Are ye home? When are ye going back?” from Shea, always in his striped T-shirt and tracksuit bottoms, with Rod Stewart crooning in the background. And every so often Linda’s arm would poke through the upstairs door with a cup of tea for Shea or a plate of bar food for customers. She seldom appeared in person; for most, that arm was all they ever saw of her. For over twenty years, the same locals occupied Bullshit Corner — swapping stories, dealing cards, and holding the place together with laughter and tall tales. The darts and pool teams kept it alive in leaner times, hauling its name proudly around the city. Trying to play pool here was an experience in itself — every crucial shot was preceded by a chorus of slagging from some of the best players Dublin had known. That was the heartbeat of the Hacienda. But by the mid 2010s, everything changed. A Hollywood celebrity had began dropping in, and almost overnight Shea swapped his old tracksuit for a bow tie and waistcoat. Social media followed, then hipsters, hangers-on and more stars. One by one, the locals - even the stalwarts of Bullshit Corner - were barred for trivial reasons and replaced. Now the walls are lined with celebrity photos, a shot of Shea with Ed Sheeran greeting you at the door. Gone are the regulars who gave the place its soul. What was once a true Dublin local is now a local in name only — a private club that shuts out the very people who built it. Ring the bell today as a local and you’re as likely to be turned away, or greeted with a “Private Party” sign, as welcomed. And if you do get in, don’t expect the old banter — the only topic now is which celebrity dropped in last. And that’s the wider tragedy. Pubs like The Hacienda, chasing money, glamour and gentrification, have turned their backs on the communities that sustained them through hard times. The celebrities who frequent and promote such places may not realise it, but they’ve helped drain the life out of the north inner city, replacing flesh-and-blood communities with hollow backdrops for curated “authentic” experiences. For me, The Hacienda will always be the earlier days: funny, warm, and imperfect. The quirks, the freezing smoking box, the tiniest toilets, the darts and pool teams carrying its name, and the familiar faces in Bullshit Corner with cards on the counter and slagging across the pool table. That humour and warmth were what made it great. Its loss is a deep sorrow — not just for those of us who knew it, but for Dublin itself. Tragically, The Hacienda will be remembered by many not for the heart that once defined it, but for the day it turned its back on the locals who made it great.

28/09/2025: I have never been to O’Reillys on a Saturday night to find it so empty. Why? Their terrace which is practically outside and well aired doesn’t not allow smokers or “vapers” anymore. Lads find a solution to get the HSE of your back because you are losing costumers…. Such funky place, such a pity!!! (will change review stars once we can smoke and drink again !!!!)

17/09/2025: Escape the grind with a little grinding metal. Great ambience. An art Niveau original gone death metal. Fun diversion.

08/06/2025: Had the classic. Great home made sausage with just the right spices. Roll held together till the end. Onions and peppers were tender and fresh.

04/06/2025: Contained in the huge English Market SC ,this place stands out from all the other exceptional vendors. Just a small stall with usually only 3 workers, it can turn out food to die for. All sandwiches are make rite on the spot. You can customize or order any of the house specials. Grab a special, find a quiet spot, (not possible) and enjoy.

08/08/2025: A great little place to go for a coffee or a cappuccino. My cappuccino was well presented served quickly. Staff was friendly. I definitely recommend this place if you want to go for a coffee, latte, or cappuccino.

01/08/2025: Nice & quiet place to enjoy very good coffee. It's order, pay and sit (serving) set up, wasn't offered free Wi-Fi, or membership discount cards, but was informed (in their reply) that both is available. Staff could do with lighting up a bit, maybe it wasn't best time & miss the decklared hard to find sweetness. It was my third visit, but I've sat down and meet with friend on business matters, first time. Will definitely go back when in Cashel. Highly recommended for good and reasonably priced coffees in peace.

06/09/2025: The food was delicious and hot, so it was perfect. The staff were very friendly and extremely helpful to our party. I would go there again.

17/08/2025: Good atmosphere, very spacious, lots of tables, all kinds of people come here, varied menu. Service, however, leaves much to be desired: I was sitting at the bar for almost 10 minutes and none of the bartenders cared to ask me what I wanted, serving instead other customers who arrived after me. I left unattended.

16/09/2025: Our server was lovely and understanding of a few honest substitutions, and the request for no salt added. One of us had lunch and the other breakfast and both were excellent. The ham and cheese sandwich with the real Irish cheddar and a good slice of ham was exceptional.

14/09/2025: Fantastic staff. Wonderful atmosphere. Super accommodating for dietary requirements/restrictions. Only issue was no lactose free butter but an excellent experience. Would highly recommend.

28/09/2025: We had such a lovely experience at Namir restaurant! The fish and chips were beautifully fresh and full of flavor — honestly one of the best we’ve had in a long time. The atmosphere was warm and friendly, and the server lady was so kind and attentive, which made the visit even more enjoyable. What really stood out was the generosity and kindness of the owner, who went out of his way to make sure everything was perfect. A true hidden gem — we’ll definitely be back!

08/08/2025: The nicest fish and chips we’ve had! We were passing through Ballybunion on our Wild Atlantic Way road trip and stopped at Namirs. He was closed but turned on the fryers for us and made us the best fish we’d ever had! Tasty beer batter and lovely fresh cod. Such a nice man. Highly recommend!

03/10/2025: Popped in for dinner, good service and good food 😋

12/09/2025: Well worth the stop for great staff and beautiful food.

31/10/2025: Great coffee and v good food. Friendly staff and owner :) Cozy, and nicely decorated setup, would defo recommend 👌🏼

16/10/2025: Very friendly staff. Gluten free options. 🫶

29/10/2025: Nice Hotel with clean rooms. Plenty of parking. Friendly helpful staff

26/10/2025: Great hotel to stay in if you're in Skibbereen

28/09/2025: Went for Sunday Dinner, asked for a table waitress just went off never confirmed if she was getting a table ready. We ordered half Dinner it was small portion but to our surprise it cost €16 considering full Dinner was €17:95 this felt very over priced. Food was just okay service was a bit slow, not really value for money.

10/08/2025: Food is lovely here staff are beet nice and friendly to always making sure Ur km for everything.

20/08/2025: A great pint of stout and good chat with the owner.

19/08/2025: Great music on Saturday nights . Lots of seating. Great staff

29/09/2025: Nice spot for lunch. Decent value and good parking. Nice staff

21/09/2025: Great restaurant, very attentive staff and good value for money

06/09/2025: My first visit. It was buzzing. Well laid out. Good menu . Excellent service. We will be back . A great spot for breakfast,brunch or lunch. We will be back.

06/08/2025: Lovely breakfast for the whole family. Very tasty grub and super family friendly staff. Really nice spot, thanks! 😊

05/10/2025: Really generous portions of amazing home cooked food for amazing prices. The service is great, too! I really love this place and will keep coming back. It's worth queueing for!

23/09/2025: The food here is some of the best home cooked food you'll find in north Cork. Prices are very reasonable for the size of portions. The owner was friendly and helpful with the food options. I had the beef stroganoff. I don't usually eat mushrooms, but I ate some in this, and the whole dish was lovely. The banoffee pie was very good too. We all really enjoyed our dinners here and we'll definitely be back to the Orchid soon as we live locally. Be aware that they don't sell alcohol here. I'm not sure if they allow you to bring your own wine etc. I will ask next time.