Kicky's — Restaurant in Dublin

Kicky's Dublin: A Hidden Gem with Unforgettable Charm!

Kicky's Dublin is truly a hidden gem that offers a delightful experience to all who walk through its doors. Nestled in the heart of Dublin, this cozy spot exudes a warm and inviting atmosphere that immediately makes you feel at home.

From the moment you arrive, the friendly and attentive staff go out of their way to ensure your visit is memorable. Their passion for excellent service is evident, as they cater to your every need with a genuine smile. It's the kind of place where they remember your name and your favorite order, making every visit feel like you're returning to a place where you're truly welcome.

The menu at Kicky's Dublin is nothing short of spectacular. It features a wonderful blend of traditional Irish flavors and modern twists that cater to a variety of palates. Whether you're indulging in their hearty Irish breakfast, savoring a perfectly crafted coffee, or diving into one of their delectable desserts, every bite is a testament to the quality and care that goes into their food. The use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients really shines through, making each dish burst with flavor.

The ambiance is another highlight that sets Kicky's Dublin apart. The charming decor, with its cozy seating and tasteful touches, creates a relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere. It's the perfect spot to unwind with friends, enjoy a quiet moment with a book, or even get some work done. The combination of soft lighting, tasteful music, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee makes it an ideal retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life.

In summary, Kicky's Dublin is more than just a café; it's an experience. Whether you're a local or a visitor, this delightful spot is a must-visit. The exceptional food, outstanding service, and inviting atmosphere make Kicky's Dublin a standout choice for anyone looking to enjoy the best of what Dublin has to offer. I can't recommend it highly enough, and I know I'll be back time...

Overall a great meal and attentive service. The table we were at was a bit of an odd on for 3 people (on person on the end, the other 2 along the length). Decor and atmosphere was lively. We had the Taste of Kicky's.

The small bites were great - croquettes were just the right level of richness and the bread and butter was moreish.

The starters were okay - baked apricot and mussels were refreshing but otherwise simple and nice, and the ragu was delicious and savoury. We were served a pesto genovese instead of a cacio e pepe, which was a bit of a letdown. The pesto sauce itself was a nice texture, but overall lacked any noteworthy garlic, cheese or basil flavour.

Main courses were almost perfect - lots of sides which were great, particularly the rice. The striploin was intensely meaty, umami and a stellar steak. The chicken piri-piri was a delightful surprise; tender, juicy and great flavours with just the right amount of spice. The only letdowns were the John Dory - the cockles and sauce had a sort of 'gameyness' (though that could be just my personal taste). Also, one of the salads had a richer, fatty sauce which was a bit too rich without any salt, sweet or sour sharpness to lighten it.

Forgot to photograph desserts but the burnt Basque cheesecake was delicious - hints of vanilla and caramel paired wonderfully with the not-too-aserbic blackberries and sorbet. However, the "Irish Coffee" (what I imagine is a rebranded version of the original tiramisu on the menu) was the biggest disappointment. The mascarpone added nothing against such a large scoop of espresso ice cream. The macaron base was the worst - not enough substance to counterbalance all the ice cream and sauce, and it also seemed stale; it required elbow grease to cut through with the spoon. The ice cream had a wonderful, intense coffee taste (one of the best I've tasted), however it did have some...

Honestly, I really find it difficult to reconcile my experience to the hype. I've read reviews and was really looking forward to visiting. I just feel any sense of value has been lost here.

Service was as good as you would expect in most restaurants, nothing out of the ordinary. The restaurant itself was similar, nothing out of the ordinary, decor could pass as a lunchtime burrito joint.

On to the food. The menu is very small, which I think is usually a good sign. We got the focaccia to start, which was really good. Pillowy soft on the inside, with a crisp, well seasoned crust. The carbonara butter was lovely.

After this, it started to go downhill. First of all, the menu states that you need to order 3 dishes from the menu per person, including a main. Ok, that's fine, let's have a look at the menu so...

We got the crab mayonnaise and the caponata dishes. Basically open toasted sandwiches. I think both were priced at about 17 EUR. I can sort of reconcile the crab price, even though the small amount of crab on the toast was covered in a soggy green cabbage/kale mess. The caponata though was a disaster. Soggy veg and cheese on a slice of sourdough. Tasteless. 17 EUR.

Next were the mains. Looking at the menu, there were 4 choices but unless you were sharing, the only choices were monkfish for 39 EUR, or spatchcock peri peri chicken and fries for 39 EUR. The other 2 choices were lamb/steak to share. Sorry, but who designs a menu this way!? The monkfish was fine, but chicken and chips for 39 EUR? Something is broken ..

There were also options to upgrade the "sharing plates" to mains. The mains version of the duck ragu consisted of about 5 stands of tagliatelle and a ragu which could have been made up of anything. I can't think there would much "sharing" in the sharing plates.

Honestly, once the initial fabricated hype/Chapter One goodwill dies down, so...