Where can you get some good food in Dublin city on December 24th? Élodie Noël.
Some people might start fasting the day before Christmas to make sure they have room for the turkey, ham and all the trimmings, but most of us will have to feed ourselves on December 24th even as we finish all those last-minute errands.
Many of our favourite spots will be closed for a few days before and after Christmas (yes, even chefs need to take time off once in a while), but here are some that will be open for business.
Gertrude
The Pearse Street restaurant will be open on Christmas Eve for brunch. If you haven’t already, don’t miss the opportunity to try the lamb burger, the chicken pancakes or the crispy hen’s egg and tomato fondue, all to be washed down with a cup of 3FE brew. For a small seasonal bite, try the mince pies served with a side of custard.
READ MORE: We chat with chef Holly Dalton
Crow Street
If you are heading to the Temple Bar area, Crow Street welcomes diners on December 24 from midday with last orders at 2.30pm. The New York-style eatery will serve a set menu priced at €29.95 for three courses, as well as cocktails.
To add a bit of fun to the Christmas season, everyone who comes in for lunch, brunch or dinner gets a scratch card, and will have a chance to win free Prosecco, sides, tea or coffee.
Loose Canon
If you are looking to indulge with a charcuterie board, a warm cheese toastie and a nice glass of wine in the heart of the city, Loose Canon on Drury Street will be open until 6pm on Christmas Eve. While you’re there, you can stock up on wine and cheeses to share at the Christmas dinner table.
READ MORE: The journey of cheese from farm to cheesemaker
Glas Restaurant
This new vegetarian/vegan restaurant on Chatham Street will be open on December 24th until 3pm serving a lunch menu that includes beer-battered shimeji mushrooms, roast pumpkin and fermented barley risotto, spiced cauliflower ribs and raw mango cake.
The Seafood Café
Niall Sabongi’s Temple Bar seafood place will be serving grilled herring with smoked crème fraîche and chimichurri, crab claws covered in hot garlic butter and shrimp po’boys on the day before Christmas.
Ananda
To make Christmas shopping in Dundrum slightly less painful, Ananda will be open on December 24 offering a special Christmas menu for lunch and dinner. For €26, you will be able to enjoy a selection of starters and main dishes, with meat, seafood, and vegetarian options.
READ MORE: Chicken lollies with roasted and tomato
Farmer Browns
The Rathmines, Clonskeagh and Kilternan outlets of Farmer Browns will be open for brunch on December 24, serving up eggs benedict and avocado on toast, as well as burgers, soups, salads or chicken wings.
Bread 41
If you only have time for a coffee and a warm pastry, Bread 41 on Pearse Street will be open until midday. Don’t miss the occasion to try their delicious croissants (winners of our own test of the best croissant in Dublin) or get some of their amazing bread for a Christmas cheeseboard.
Riba
Great Irish producers are the order of the day on the menu at Riba in Stillorgan, which is open for brunch from 11am to 4pm on Christmas Eve.
