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10th September 2017
10:48am BST
It can be easy to be a creature of habit.
Frequenting the same coffee shops, restaurants, bars and pubs can be easy and risk-free.
But when you step out of your comfort zone to try something new, unusual and off-the-beaten track, you can often be well-rewarded.
After walking past the Canal Boat Restaurant on Mespil Road almost every day for the last year, I decided to take the plunge (not into the canal thankfully) and book in for an evening cruise and dinner.
We rocked up to the canal-side dock on what was meant to be a miserable evening but the sun was shining and we were happy as Larry.
The boat has a surprisingly well-stocked bar so we kicked things off with a glass of prosecco on deck and later moved downstairs to our table where we chose from the menu and sipped on G&Ts.
Inside was warm and cosy and the atmosphere was lovely. It was getting kinda dark outside so the dim lights inside made it cosy and intimate and the atmosphere was lovely.
For such a tiny kitchen, I mean generous for a canal boat, but small enough in general - all food was prepared and cooked to perfection.
We all tried their soup as a starter and it was super tasty.
Two out of the three of us went for the fish dish which was a definite winner and came with a side salad, crispy potatoes and a creamy sauce.
I opted for the beef which was super tender and flavoursome. It was served with buttery mash and veg - comfort food at its best.
Finishing off our meal with delicious, layered apple pie and coffee, we decided to head up to the top deck and witness the locks opening and closing as we moved from Mespil Road down under Baggot Street Bridge as far as Huban Bridge past Percy Place at Mount Street.
It's a fascinating procedure to watch so we'd highly recommend sitting up on the deck and watching the world go by.
Prepare to be stared at by passers-by too.
After mooring back on Mespil Road we all agreed that it was genuinely one of the nicest and most special things we'd ever done in Dublin.
Summer may be coming to an end, but, luckily for you, the Canal Boat Restaurant operates year-round so make sure to check it out.
They also host events so if you're looking for somewhere to have a special occasion, look no further.
Two-hour dinner cruises are less than €50 per person, learn more here.
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