January is long, frugal and full of resolutions steering us away from the things that we enjoy, including eating out in restaurants. But perhaps there’s a middle ground, where we can continue to experience the joy of food cooked by a professional, just at lower prices. Enter the January deal, where hospitality businesses lure us in with the promise of better value, just when we need it most. From bottomless wings for €20, to kids dining for free, here are some of the best deals on offer this month.
Hawksmoor, 34 College Green, Dublin 2 hawksmoor.ie
For many, a steak dinner is a luxury reserved only for a post-pay-day splurge. Hawksmoor, with its spectacular surroundings, is this month offering a 35-day dry-aged Irish beef with a side for €25. The restaurant also runs a Bring Your Own Wine club every Monday with €5 corkage, meaning crafty diners can snaffle up a steak and chips dinner with a bottle of red for 30 quid.
2 Taps Wine Bar, 30-42 Waring Street, Belfast 2taps-winbar.com
Boasting a slew of January offers, this family-owned tapas restaurant in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter is offering loyal customers 10 per cent off their bill if they show a bill from December or November. Two vegan tapas and a glass of sangria will come in at £18.50 and January birthdays command a glass of bubbles, a free tapa and a portion of churros.
Kombu, Druid Lane, Galway kombugalway.ie
JP McMahon’s Ramen restaurant Kombu made waves on the food scene when it opened last year. For the month of January, Kombu will be running a bao and Japanese beer special for €13.50 from Tuesday to Thursday. Fear not, dry January disciples, as Asahi zero is also included as part of the deal.
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Chimac, 76 Aungier Street, Dublin 2 chimac.ie
Bottomless wings are back every Wednesday at this Dublin Korean-fried chicken and craft beer spot. Midweek diners can avail of a one-hour-and-15-minute slot to devour as many wings as possible, priced at €19.95. There’s also a competitive element at this joint, with a leader board, prizes to be won and a Chimac belt. Patrons have their choice of flavours: Korean Hot, Korean barbecue, naked with sriracha caramel pourover and Hella Hot sauce.
Row Wines, Coppinger Row, Dublin 2 bereenbrothers.com/row
The midweek special at Row Wines is back this January. The deal allows you to choose any two plates from the menu for €25 or two plates and a glass of wine for €30. With options such as Kilkee crab rösti, espelette with a chilli emulsion and glazed pork tostadas, the tricky part may be confining yourself to one. The small plates and vinyl records hotspot also runs a taco and margaritas Sunday where guests can enjoy two tacos and a margarita for €20.
Coqbull, various location in Limerick City, Castletroy and Cork City coqbull.com
The beloved chicken restaurant has introduced a lunch menu with hearty options for €10.95. Dishes include a quarter rotisserie chicken, cheese burger and chips or chicken wings and fries. Along with their new January specials, Coqbull offers two courses every day for €25.
Thyme Restaurant, Custume Place, Athlone thymerestaurant.ie
Named by Irish Times food writer Corinna Hardgrave as potentially the best Sunday lunch in Ireland, the bib gourmand-winning restaurant offers a value menu. While not a January special, the value menu offers five courses for €50. The cooking here is exceptional; croustade of chorizo and smoked cheese, smoked mackerel velouté and mushroom royale with pickled winter Chanterelle all promise to be mouthwatering.
Mo Chara, 19 Roden Place, Dundalk mo-chara.ie
This craft beer hotspot in Dundalk has made a new addition to its menu in the form of Mo Bowls. Featuring al pastor pork, Jamaican jerk chicken and an nduja meat bowl, Mo Bowls will be served from 11am to 4pm and 5pm to 9pm every day.
Ramen, multiple locations across Cork and Wexford ramen.ie
For January, Ramen will offer a free kids’ meal with every two main dishes. This beloved Asian street food spot also offers a 9 before 9 deal where a set dish is priced at €9 before 9pm. Diners can avail of this separately from the kids eat free deal.
Achara, Aston Quay, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 acharadublin.ie
The Achara January family-style dining menu is recommended for tables of five (although tables of four can be accommodated), and includes five of the restaurant’s smaller plates, five large plates, sides and dessert at €49 per person.
777, Unit 7, Castle House, South Great George’s Street, Dublin 2. 777.ie
The contemporary Mexican spot runs a string of midweek deals, although none are January-specific. On Sunday, select dishes and cocktails are priced at €7.77 from 2pm to 10pm. Mondays are billed as margarita Mondays, where two margarita cocktails are priced at €20 all night long. Tuesdays bring taco Tuesday, where you can enjoy two tacos for €9.
La Gordita, 6 Montague Street, Dublin 2, lagordita.ie
If you are looking for something luxurious, look no further than La Gordita’s Chuletón Tuesday. This Michelin bib gourmand spot offers 800g rib-eye on the bone for sharing for €70. The slab of meat at this Spanish cuisine joint usually costs €85.
