This stylish restauarant is a southside outpost of the excellent Pakistani/Asian restaurants Kinara, in Clontarf and Kajjal in Malahide which are both former winners of our Ethnic Restaurant of the Year Award.

A byword for elegant and exciting dining, Kinara Kitchen is a hipper, fresher version, perfectly pitched at Ranelagh’s discerning demographic. The long narrow space feels more like a cool nightclub, with its chic bar, exposed brickwork, dark lighting and chilled out tunes. The styling is smart and unusual, although the neon orange lighting does make it difficult to see the colour of your food.

Although the name might lead first time diners to expect a more casual approach, perhaps even street food, Kinara Kitchen has stayed with the tried and trusted formula and offers the same exciting (and easy to follow) menu as its Clontarf sister. That means excellent dips with poppadums to start, and then all the favourites are there, with their usual freshness, vibrancy and exquisite spicing.

Lasooni Machali – monk fish marinated in garlic, ginger and yoghurt and grilled in the tandoor oven – showcases choice ingredients using traditional techniques with mouth-watering results. Mirch Masala Gosht uses succulent pieces of Irish lamb simmered in a fragrant sauce of tomatoes, ginger, chilli and garlic.

Vegetarians will find an excellent choice of ethnic dishes beautifully prepared, such as palak paneer, channa masala and house dahl. Everything is expertly seasoned, spiced and cooked.

This Dublin restaurants wine list is short, with plenty of choices by the glass but it’s the three beers, including Cobra from India, that make the ideal partners to the spicy fare.

Diners are made feel overwhelmingly welcome, thanks to the interested and caring service. It’s not the cheapest but, with superb quality and generous servings (in most cases three could easily share two dishes), offers real value for money.

Despite stiff competition in this gourmet suburb, Kinara Kitchen has established a name as a stylish contender that delivers on food, atmosphere and service.

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