The Woollen Mills

What is it?

A "food house", as they call themselves, in the building of a former woollen warehouse opposite the Ha'penny Bridge, Dublin's most photographed iron footbridge. It has windows on two sides over the Liffey and a rooftop terrace looking over the city's rooftops. It is on the north bank, two minutes from Temple Bar across the bridge, but away from its noise.

What is there to eat?

Irish cooking built on produce: a board of Irish charcuterie, chargrilled meat such as the Porterhouse cut, fish of the day such as skate with chips, and good coffee. At weekends it opens at 11:00, so it works for a late brunch before carrying on around the city. It is not a cheap place, but not a formal one either: it sits somewhere between a pub and a special-occasion restaurant.

Do I need to book?

For dinner or for the roof terrace in good weather, yes: book on OpenTable a couple of days ahead. At midday on weekdays there is usually room.

How to get there

It is on Lower Ormond Quay, next to the Ha'penny Bridge. From Trinity College it is ten minutes' walk; the airport coach stops at Wellington Quay, on the other side of the river.