In James Joyce’s Ulysses, an old Victorian grocer’s shop on
Camden Street is mentioned. This is it. Transformed since then into
Delahunt, the main dining space’s panelled walls have been
seriously spruced up, and today sport a navy blue hue with graphic
images hung on them. The restaurant is open from Tuesday to
Saturday for lunch and dinner. Start with an aperitif in the
Sitting Room, a cocktail bar with a mid-century feel (nabbing a
seat in the bay window if you can). Then, tuck into a tasting menu
(there’s no à la carte) accompanied by friendly, attentive
service.

Run by husband-and-wife duo John and Sandy Wyer, Forest Avenue
is a standout on the Dublin dining scene. The self-proclaimed
“neighbourhood dining room”, located on Sussex Street in Dublin 4,
serves modern food in an intimate setting, with a wine list
featuring bottles from small artisan vineyards. The farm-to-plate
menu changes frequently and features a multi-course tasting option
for £67pp; at lunch, tuck into two or three courses for £28pp or
£39pp respectively. Side note: the Wyers have also opened Little
Forest, a local Italian-inspired restaurant in Blackrock village
where wood-fired pizzas take top billing.

For a quick, delicious bite anytime from morning to
late-afternoon, head to ALMA on South Circular Road. The brunch
offering is particularly strong – the dulce de leche pancakes are
ace – and the sausage sambo is a strong lunchtime order. Solo
diners and couples will get the most out of this compact
Argentinian-Irish eatery. The best seat in the house? Pull up a
stool at the front window and watch the world go by as you
munch.