Please mention ireland-guide.com when enquiring.

Eden

A highlight of the Temple Bar area, this spacious two-storey restaurant was designed by Tom de Paor and has its own outdoor terrace on the square - and terrace tables have the best seats for the free movies screened on the square on Saturdays in summer; modern, with lots of greenery and hanging baskets, there's an open kitchen which adds to the buzz and a fresh, contemporary house style provides quite extensive seasonal menus that make use of organic produce where possible, in updated classics which suit the restaurant well.

Head chef Michael Durkan's menus are clear and to the point: specialities include a deliciously simple starter of smokies (smoked haddock with spring onion, créme fraîche and melted cheddar cheese), and down to earth dishes like beef & Guinness stew, and belly of pork.

Organic beef is a feature - an excellent chargrilled sirloin with red onion, chips and a classic béarnaise sauce, perhaps - and vegetables, which always include a vegetable of the day, are exceptionally varied and imaginative. A three-course pre-theatre menu is great value.

A well-balanced and fairly priced wine list includes bubblies and cocktails, and half a dozen wines by the glass.

Great food and atmosphere, efficient service and good value too - Eden continues to fly the flag for Temple Bar.

Children welcome before 8pm. Seats 96 (private room, 12-30; outdoor seating, 32). Air conditioning. L daily,12.30-3 (Sun 12-3). D daily 6-10.30 (to 10 Sun). Set L €26, Early Bird D €25 (6-7, Sun-Thu), also á la carte. House wine from €23. SC 12.5% on groups 6+. Closed bank hols, 25 Dec - 2 Jan. Amex, Diners, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

Next to the Irish Film Theatre, opposite Diceman's Corner.