Derry Clarke is one of Ireland’s finest culinary ambassadors and a godfather of Irish cuisine, and this coach house conversion has been a cornerstone of the Irish gastronomic scene for nearly 30 years; indeed, many a successful chef has passed through its kitchen.

However, this is no stiff and starchy temple to gastronomy: the room has a laid-back air and the friendly team make you feel instantly at ease. Start off in the glitzy ground floor bar before heading for the high-ceilinged first floor restaurant or the private dining room which screens live kitchen action; there’s also a terrace for warmer months.

Menus offer a good range of modern dishes which have a hint of the adventurous and are underpinned by a solid classical base and some supreme Irish ingredients. Precisely, confidently prepared combinations have bold yet restrained flavours and Derry has a knack for only putting on the plate only what is absolutely necessary. His legendary kataifi prawns are not to be missed.