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Aubars Bar & Restaurant

Padraic Frawley’s modern city centre bar and restaurant is on the pedestrianised Thomas Street. What was once an old pub is now a dashing contemporary bar and restaurant; the layout is on several levels, with no hard divisions and a mixture of seating in various areas, which is attractive but can sometimes lead to confusion between customers coming in to eat and those having a drink.

While the style is uncompromisingly modern, chef Maura Baxter’s values are quite traditional, based on sound cooking. Appealing, well-balanced menus change frequently and offer a number of different options for bar food (Aubars) and more structured meals in the casual value dining café/bar (The Grill @ Aubars); rib eye steak with béarnaise sauce, rocket salad & chunky chips is a sound speciality.

Vegetarians are well looked after, with appealing dishes marked clearly on menus and, all round, a visit here should be an enjoyable experience - and, good value too.

Seats 45 (outdoors, 24). Open from 8 am; all day brunch menu. L 12-5.30 daily (Sun from 12.30). Set L about €15 (12-3); D Mon-Sun 5.30-9.30 (to 8.30pm Sun); early D about €20, Mon-Sat, 5-7pm; A la carte L & D. House wines from €19.95. SC discretionary. Bar meals: 12-8.30 daily. Establishment closed 25 Dec & Good Fri. Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Laser. * Live Cuban/Latin music Fri D.

Directions:

Off O'Connell Street, second on the left, opposite Brown Thomas.