Horse & Hound

An elegant, intimate establishment with bold décor and an unusual shopping centre location, this long-standing Indian restaurant continues to deliver eminently satisfying dishes to the residents of its lovely seaside town. There are clearly skill and experience aplenty in the kitchen, evident everywhere from the plump tandoori prawns to the superior naan from a proper tandoor oven. The kulfis for dessert are not to be missed either, with a terrific creamy texture and well-balanced flavours. Chatty, engaging service enhances the appeal.

There's a slightly magical feel to this stylish, cosy restaurant. With just a handful of tables, it makes for a personal dining experience, with Damien Grey and his small team offering a genuinely warm welcome and explaining the dishes personally. First-class ingredients are present throughout the surprise tasting menu, which showcases bold, original dishes centred around the five tastes: salty, savoury, sweet, bitter and sour. Each precisely crafted creation brings together a range of these flavours in perfect harmony, such as aged parmesan with eel and marjoram.

A complete top-to-toe refurbishment has left this former Victorian coaching inn looking fabulous, with an aesthetic that could be best described as shabby-chic meets Irish country house. The front bar has been retained, making this still feel very much like a pub, while the large, airy dining room provides a great setting for dishes that come free of gimmicks or over-elaboration, instead showing off the natural flavours of the produce, such as quality cod from the Irish Sea. There is a welcome originality too, as when offering beef cheeks in a bun instead of the classic pub burger.

The scent of roses greets you as you head up to the surprisingly plush lounge and contemporary restaurant. Fresh, authentic dishes come in original combinations and they dry roast and blend their own spices. You must order the breads; the peshwari naan is delicious!

Nestled away in a small parade, the ‘Black Fox’ takes its name from its position midway between the suburbs of Blackrock and Foxrock. Split over two floors, the upstairs has a slightly plusher feel, while the atmosphere is livelier downstairs, in part thanks to the open kitchen. The menu evolves with the seasons, mixing Mediterranean influences like ossocollo with East Asian elements like shiitake dumplings, across modern, flavoursome dishes. Service comes from a friendly and knowledgeable team, while a carefully curated wine list completes the experience.

Its name means ‘bliss’ and this smart Indian restaurant certainly feels like a haven from the bustling shopping centre in which it sits. Accessed via a narrow entrance, it's a sizeable place inside with a swish cocktail bar – and is stylishly decorated with attractive fretwork and vibrant art. The combination of accomplished, original cooking and assured, attentive service makes for a great all-round package. The ‘Railway Journey’ tasting menu is encouraged and is certainly the way to go if you want to sample as much of the cooking as possible.

Pizza