The Strawberry Tree
The Strawberry Tree is Ireland’s first and only certified-organic restaurant. It showcases the best of seasonal Irish produce, much of which is carefully sourced from local hedgerows by an in-house “wild foods forager”. A 10-course tasting menu takes diners on a culinary journey through Wicklow’s farms, forests, fields and sea: standout dishes include wild sika tartare, wild halibut with wild pine cream, organic Wicklow lamb, and a decadent dessert of wild woodruff crème brûlée with shortbread biscuit. Book the “Big Table Experience” for special occasions of up to 42 guests. brooklodge.com
Caladh
With its clean lines, pared-back decor and dim lighting, Caladh, Irish for “landing place” or “harbour”, is a stylish new addition to the seaside town of Greystones. The food is as elegant as the space it’s served in, refined but without pretension. Classic dishes are taken to the next level with the use of high-quality produce and the clever integration of Asian and Middle Eastern ingredients: pork cheek comes with kimchi and spring onion and harissa honey roast carrots are dressed in tahini yoghurt. There are classic cocktails and a handful of well-priced wines by the glass, as well as a “premium” section for those extra-special occasions. caladh.ie
The Wicklow Heather
Nestled in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains, mere steps from the trails of the awe-inspiring Glendalough Valley, The Wicklow Heather offers the ultimate post-walk reward for hungry hikers. Established over 50 years ago, the rustic wood-beamed restaurant remains a go-to for locals and visitors seeking frothy pints of Guinness and hearty comfort food – think traditional seafood chowder with Irish soda bread, slow-cooked Irish lamb stew and Goatsbridge sea trout. Don’t leave without sampling the famous Wicklow Heather Irish Coffee, complete with a healthy drop of Glendalough whiskey. wicklowheather.ie
The Roundwood Stores
This artisan bakery, pantry and café is a bustling hub in the centre of Roundwood village, where inventive home cooks seek out specialty organic ingredients; friends gossip over coffee and cake; locals pop in for a loaf of sourdough; and walkers warm up with homemade soup by the fire. Housed in the old stables attached to the recently opened Coach House gastropub, space is limited, which makes nabbing a table all the more rewarding. When the weather is fine, order the fresh focaccia sandwich of the day and enjoy it in the sun-dappled courtyard. thecoachhouse.ie
The Grain Store at Killruddery
Set within the grounds of Killruddery, a bio-diverse working farm, is an old 19th-century grain store that has been dramatically transformed into an Instagrammer’s dream – all high ceilings, mismatched wooden tables, dried flowers and fairy lights. It’s here that some of the finest fare in Wicklow is served, straight from the surrounding gardens and fields, for a true farm-to-table experience. Dishes are vegetable-forward, relying on what’s in season. The Grain Store is only open for lunch, but the twice-monthly Seasonal Supper Club offers the chance to enjoy a candlelit four-course evening menu, washed down with craft beer and botanical cocktails. killruddery.com
Daata
Daata was established in 1999 by Pakistani-born chef Mohammed Saleem, as a small takeaway in the coastal community of Bray. Over the years, the family-run restaurant has become something of an institution, with the opening of another outpost in Greystones, followed by two more in Dublin. The eclectic interiors, complete with vintage Bollywood posters, hanging wicker lanterns and cosy booths make for a vibrant setting in which to sample a selection of curries (don’t miss the mughalai prawn) and a cocktail or two. daata.ie
Aobh O’Brien-Moody is a London-based writer and editor specialising in menswear, lifestyle and culture
