Easter weekend is upon us and that means only one thing: Hot Cross Buns. Well, technically it also means chocolate eggs, roast dinners, and an uptick in pastel tableware. But for those of us with a soft spot for seasonal bakes, the arrival of hot cross buns is the real celebration. These sweet, spiced, fruit-studded […]

1 year ago

Brought to you by Aer Lingus. Nothing feels better than planning your next big getaway with Aer Lingus Already dreaming of your next holiday destination? We get it; summer is almost over, the days are getting shorter, and the temperature is beginning to drop. It’s a lot to take in over the next few months, […]

2 years ago

The RDS Dublin Horseshow Best Dressed contest is brought to you by 1664 Blanc. Over 18s only. It’s time to dress to impress. The Dublin Horse Show is back at the RDS this summer, one of the city’s oldest traditions that kicked off way back in 1864. Every year, thousands of people come to Ireland […]

2 years ago

With Hugh Lane Gallery There’s just a few more weeks left of those long summer evenings – and we know just how to make the most of them. There’s something particularly special about a Thursday evening. The workday is over, it’s almost Friday, and there’s a certain buzz in the air. The anticipation for the […]

2 years ago

You should be able to access the most important meal of the day no matter the time. If you’re like me, then you 1) consider breakfast the most elite meal of the day and 2) don’t subscribe to the idea that it’s only for morning time. Nothing grinds my gears like going somewhere for food, […]

2 years ago

On the hunt for the best California rolls in Dublin? Your search is over Saoirse-Monica Jackson of Derry Girls fame recently described her indifference to sushi on the Dish podcast. Her argument goes that- it’s just rice and raw fish at the end of the day. While sometimes it can indeed be a coagulase of […]

2 years ago

Going out out has become less of a thing that excites, and more something that fills me with dread. Listen, this is a lifestyle trend I’m very much into. It probably comes off the back of the everlasting wellness trend, a way of living that prioritises Y-O-U, sometimes in semi-excessive ways. Cosy-core is a little […]

2 years ago

The restaurant has not posted publicly about the closure. After two and a half years in business on Capel Street, Asian bar and restaurant Gushi has quietly closed, with the premises already featuring on Daft to rent. The restaurant was a hugely popular one, sitting on one of Dublin’s best foodie streets, with nothing but […]

2 years ago

All the hospitality headlines you might’ve missed recently. It’s been another busy few weeks for hospitality, with the news of two openers to get excited about on the horizon, and two that have already opened their doors to customers, slotting in nicely to the Dublin restaurant scene. Unfortunately this week’s list does detail two closures, […]

2 years ago

The venue took to socials to announce that Easter weekend was their last in operation. Sad news for Dublin party people, as The Chalk Venue in Swords have taken to socials to announce that they have closed their doors for good after six years in business. The North Dublin venue, established in 2017, was a […]

2 years ago

Small plates are the à l’ordre du jour rn, but I’ve got a bone to pick with them Plop yourself down at any number of new restaurants in Dublin, you’ll find a concise and brief menu. As a food and drink journalist, I come across the small plate model perhaps more than most, but it’s […]

2 years ago

Looking for a weekend activity? Well, look no further than the fantastic markets that are dotted in and around the city. In Dublin, we really are spoiled for choice when it comes to amazing weekend markets, no matter what side of the Liffey you’re based on, or your means of transportation. Whether you’re looking for […]

2 years ago

The amount of customer complaints in a year continues on an upward trend. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) have released the figures for the customer complaints they received last year, which had increased by 8.3% from 2022. In 2023, they saw a total of 4,395 complaints from consumers, compared to the 4,058 complaints […]

2 years ago

The exact kind of news we love to see, all in one place. It’s true that openers have been few and far between since 2024 kicked off, slowing down massively from the surge of new openings we saw towards the end of 2023. That said, things do seem to be picking up for new hospitality […]

2 years ago

The instant serotonin boost of a freshly baked almond croissant just cannot be denied. For people reared on Brennan’s Yellow Pan and Bundys burger buns, the bakery offering in Dublin today is quite something. Gone are the days when you would have to travel to the likes of London or Barcelona to try an almond […]

2 years ago

A long four years after the beginning of covid, Dublin continues to heal. There has been a lot of recent reminiscing about covid lockdowns and restrictions as we pass the four year anniversary when (soon to be former) Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said we’d all be staying at home for just two weeks. As we’re all […]

2 years ago

The gig with a cause is back, and tickets are already on sale. Rock Against Homelessness, in aid of Focus Ireland, returns for its ninth year in May, with a stellar line-up on the cards. Singer / songwriter and Grammy award winner Corinne Bailey Rae is headlining the event, with Ireland’s own Laura Whitmore MCing […]

2 years ago

It’s time to look ahead to another month teeming with events in Dublin. We may still have over a week left in March, but as anyone looking to book something in Dublin will tell you, you’ve got to be ahead of the mark to avoid disappointment. Fail to plan and plan to fail, as they […]

2 years ago

Capel Street’s crown has officially been knocked. It’s official – Time Out have revealed their list of the 30 coolest streets in the world, with a Dublin street ranking as 22nd globally. Camden Street has reached cool status, with its food and drink scene getting a particular shout-out within the Time Out article. This is […]

2 years ago

St Patrick is here to claim back his bank holiday as the best following St Brigid’s in February. The most Irish weekend of the year has almost snuck up on us, and if you’re at a loss at what to be doing with yourself, then not to worry. You can rely on Dublin to have […]

2 years ago

I never wanted Dublin, and arguably now Dublin doesn’t want me, but despite it all, the pull to emigrate to Australia has never been strong. It’s almost a blasphemous statement to make from someone in my position, with my IG feed full of people standing on beaches, location tagged as Melbourne, or Sydney, or Perth. […]

2 years ago

Over half the closure orders were served to Dublin businesses. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) have released their monthly list of closure orders from the month of February, of which there were ten in Ireland (five under the FSAI Act, 1998 and five under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food […]

2 years ago

Scéal have really come into their stride in their first permanent home. If you’ve been here a while, you know the Lovin team’s borderline obsession with a certain bakery, one you used to only be able to find on a Thursday or Saturday morning at the Fumbally stables, between 10am and 1pm (although they rarely […]

2 years ago

“We have some bittersweet news with you.” Bless Up, a modern African and Caribbean restaurant in Tallaght, have announced their impending closure, just seven months after launching at Belgard Square. Only open since August 2023, they took to socials over the weekend to let their loyal customers know that Sunday March 10th, which also happens […]

2 years ago

Get yourself some reading material that will make you forget all about TikTok for a little while. World Book Day is fast approaching, and in a world that’s increasingly going digital, it’s nice to pay homage to paperbacks every now and again. If you’re currently without anything to read, not to worry, Dublin has some […]

2 years ago

We found ourselves standing in a queue at 11am on a Wednesday morning, so we knew the hype was real. Dublin loves a trend, as we know. Burritos, doughnuts, chicken wangs, small plates – we’re always ready to hop on the hot sauce laden bandwagon, whether it’s for burgers, or dumplings, froyo, or pastel de […]

2 years ago

All your hospitality headlines in one spot. Things are ever changing in this city, and that is certainly true of hospitality. Unfortunately this month the news broke that a much loved Italian restaurant in D6 was closing after many years of trade, a spot that served some of the best pizza in the city, at […]

2 years ago

One for the Pompeii Paints guys and girlies. Anyone who grew up going to birthday parties in Leisure Plex will be familiar with the rite of passage that was decorating a bowl, mug, soap holder, you name it, at the institution known as Pompeii Paints. While Q-Zar and bowling were of course a bitta craic […]

2 years ago

This is going to be the new go-to spot for Mount Merrion locals. There’s a new neighbourhood restaurant in Mount Merrion, and we have a feeling it’s going to have the locals flocking to it for any and all occasions. Occupying the space previously held by little bro to big brother Michael’s, Esther’s officially opened […]

2 years ago

The most Irish month in the calendar is approaching, so you best get prepared for it. January dragged out like a pair of hair extensions long past their best-before date, hanging on until the bitter end, but February, on the other hand, has been flying despite being a leap year. Before we know it, March […]

2 years ago

Is there anything better than an icy, salty and bitter margarita after a long day’s work? February 22nd is officially National Margarita Day, and if you’re partial to the tequila based cocktail, you might be in the mood to celebrate.  Margaritas are the kind of drink you crave with an unquenchable thirst until you’re seven […]

2 years ago

They are making their grand return to Dublin city centre. Acai bowl food truck Roots are settling down more permanently with their first brick and mortar shop on Drury Street. Anyone who has ever ventured out to Monkstown for one of their sweet bowls, knows that the acai is fresh and loaded with toppings, and […]

2 years ago

“Onto the next adventure.” Italian restaurant Manifesto in Rathmines have made the sad announcement that they are closing. The news will come as a shock to pizza and pasta lovers in the city; Dublin closures are never easy to stomach, and unfortunately we’ve had to experience a fair few as of late. This one cuts […]

2 years ago

Some Dublin streets are simply more blessed than others. Here at Lovin Dublin, we obviously adore every corner and cul-de-sac of this city equally, as if they were our own children. However, if you’re recommending a restaurant to visiting pals or trying to plan a lunch befitting of the foodies we all are, then some […]

2 years ago

Up to 76 staff have reportedly been laid off as a result of the closures. British retailer M&S have announced the shock closure of two Irish stores this week, within days of each other. The first Marks & Spencer announcing its closure was a food and clothes store in Drogheda, Co Louth, which will be […]

2 years ago

Brought to you by Bord Bia  Stuck on what to get your loved one this Valentine’s Day? Bake, don’t buy! This Valentine’s Day if you’re stressing about the perfect gift, there’s nothing more thoughtful than doing a spot of baking. Whether you’re adorning that apron for a significant other, or just want to shower your […]

2 years ago

Fall in Love again and again at Kildare Village.  It only takes a token of love to brighten your day. You’ve heard the age old saying – it’s the little things in life that mean the most. It’s a cliche, but it’s true; the little things have the power to completely make our day. The […]

2 years ago

“Is DCC going to protect or close down another Arts and Community Space?” D-Light Studio, based in Ballybough, have taken to socials to appeal for help as they are at “huge risk of closure”. https://www.instagram.com/p/C3IrSAasxf8/?img_index=1 The studio is a social enterprise, where profits go directly towards developing and curating not-for-profit initiatives such as: Artists’ residencies […]

2 years ago

Being vegan has never been more popular, so why are we seeing so many plant-based restaurants in Dublin shutting down? Veganism is on the rise in Ireland, with the number of vegans quadrupling in the last decade, according to a 2023 report from the Vegan Society of Ireland. The signs are there, with the Vegetarian […]

2 years ago

Never have we looked so forward to a new month before. At long last, the 1736 days of January are over, and with it comes your monthly salary which you have been counting down to since approximately January 3rd. For the majority of us, January has been the long and dull month it always is, […]

2 years ago

It’s an exciting day for the plane watchers. History will be made at Dublin Airport on Tuesday evening (January 16), as the largest ever commercial plane is set to arrive on the runway. The 747-8 aircraft from Air China is scheduled to arrive at the airport shortly after 7pm and is carrying Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who will […]

2 years ago

For all the un-ironic, “But first, coffee” people out there. It’s about damn time we got a coffee festival of our own in Dublin, and finally in the year 2024, it’s happening. Cup North, behind coffee festivals in other major cities such as Manchester and Birmingham, are bringing their magic to Ireland for the first […]

2 years ago

“The space limitations and practicalities of the property have made it too difficult to operate.” Fade Street restaurant Duck have been “forced” to close after nearly ten years in business. The BBQ spot focused on roasted, tasting meats which are a staple in Hong Kong cuisine; what set them apart from other restaurants was their […]

2 years ago

“It is no longer viable.” The eatery that operated in the upstairs of Bread 41 for two years has officially closed for good. The much loved Pearse Street bakery expanded beyond their seasonal cruffins and sourdough loaves with a small restaurant towards the end of 2021, quickly becoming just as popular as their original venture, […]

2 years ago

Three Dublin locations featured on the Littered section of the list. According to Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL), Dublin’s North Inner City is the most littered place in Ireland. The 2023 survey looked into Ireland’s tidiest, and untidiest places, with Maynooth coming out as the cleanest town in Ireland. The top five was rounded off […]

2 years ago

Councillors agreed to the closure last night. Harbour Court, a back street off Abbey Street in Dublin 1, is to be closed off following years of antisocial behaviour. Dublin City Council (DCC) states that the lane was regularly used for intravenous drug use, leading to the associated presence of needles and other drug paraphernalia, as […]

2 years ago

One to watch. Huge news as founder of Ómós Digest Cúán Greene has announced that he is opening his own restaurant, guesthouse, and garden after securing a suitable property about two kilometres from Abbeyleix in County Laois. This project has been 17 years in the making, something that Greene has been dreaming about for as […]

2 years ago

Stuck on where to eat this month? Something that struck me when looking back on our vegan-friendly list of last year was that so many of them have unfortunately closed down a year onwards – the likes of Bear Paw Deli, Yum Grub, Woke Cup café, and Thanks Plants have all shut down since we […]

2 years ago

2024 Outs: Unreasonable rent. Anyone who has ever tried to rent in this city knows the situation is fairly dire. Daft is a place where dreams often go to die, whether that’s a landlord trying to pass off a black bin bag as a wall, a literal tent in someone’s back garden passing as suitable […]

2 years ago

The 2023 Christmas trees have fulfilled their destiny. It’s hard to believe another Christmas has come and gone, and with the arrival of 2024 comes the removal of decorations, lights, and the most important festive symbol of all – your Christmas tree. January 6th is fast approaching, and while you don’t have to take your […]

2 years ago