Two Dublin restaurants and one in Co Galway have been added to the Michelin Guide, maintaining a small spree of Irish additions over recent months.
Inclusion in the guide does not equate to a star or Bib Gourmand, with these awarded at an annual ceremony, to be held in Ireland next month for the first time. It is nonetheless seen as an important boost to an outlet’s reputation.
In The Old Spot on Bath Avenue, Dublin 4, inspectors found a pub that ticks all the boxes – “traditional, immensely satisfying food; a buzzing atmosphere; and some of the friendliest, most genuine service around”. They highlighted desserts, particularly “the excellently crafted bread and butter pudding”.
Our restaurant critic, Corinna Hardgrave, was also impressed by The Old Spot over recent weeks, describing it as having a “wonderful, cosy neighbourhood feel”.
Also in Dublin, inspectors said diners should keep an eye out for the discrete entrance to Richie Castillo-led, Irish-Filipino restaurant Kaldero beneath the Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre, because “to miss its warm atmosphere and flavour-packed cooking would be a crying shame”.
Chefs Richie Castillo, Daren Liew and Alfred Prasad designed the Filipino, Chinese and Indian menus for Kaldero restaurant on South King Street.
They noted the “infectious buzz” of the chefs and highlighted “big, punchy flavours” in dishes such as “Dynamite Lumpia” – chillis stuffed with pork mince.
In Galway, inspectors enjoyed Blackthorn in The Twelve Hotel in Barna, where they dined in “a bright, airy spot with a Nordic influence”. Blackthorn is filled with “wonderful smoky aromas” from seasonal ingredients being grilled over charcoal, they said, namechecking dishes such as pheasant with cavolo nero and whole black sole with brown butter and capers.
Blackthorn in Barna, Co Galway. Photograph: Instagram
The Michelin Guide now features 115 restaurants in the Republic and 15 in “Belfast and surroundings”. The updated guide for 2026 will be launched in Dublin on February 9th.