A smart-casual neighbourhood restaurant from an experienced team working under a pair of serial restaurateurs Domini Kemp (Valence Hospitality) and Brian Montague (The Winding Stair group), Lottie's hit the ground running when it opened in 2023. Quickly picking up critical approval, it also earned a loyal clientèle impressed by its well-priced seasonal menus served with warmth and charm in a handsome airy space.
Formerly a landmark hardware store, the interior is now decked out in warm modern tones with mustard banquettes, dusky pink paintwork, rich wood panelling and exposed brick walls. The smart style is carried upstairs where a private terrace and bar is bookable for private dining, parties and events, while an outdoor terrace and kitchen counter are popular alternatives to the main dining room.
Menus change regularly, moving with the seasonal supply from the valued artisan and small producers that feature strongly, with specialities including dry aged Irish steak, fresh fish and occasional treats like wild game on the à la carte. Early evening menus (Wed–Fri, 5pm–6.30pm) offer excellent value to local regulars, while high stool perches also beckon for a quick cocktail and graze of the snack menu. Meanwhile a simple, nourishing and well-priced ‘Juniors’ menu will keep families happy and not a chicken nugget in sight, but rather grilled fish of the day, grilled chicken, steak or gnocchi – revolutionary! – with mocktails like an Elderflower and Cucumber Cooler bringing a little glamour.
Sourcing and provenance is forefront throughout the range of menus, offering equal parts moreish indulgence and vibrant nourishment – which way you lean is up to you – and done justice to by a kitchen team led by Head Chef Raffaele Raso, that brings both classic skills and contemporary references to these high quality ingredients.
Arguably the star of the show is the abundance of plant-based delights scattered through the range of snacks, starters and sides featuring fresh produce sourced from proudly listed suppliers like Ballymakenny Farm (don’t miss their snack of potato skin loaded with gribiche sauce), Garryhinch Wood Mushrooms (crispy Paris Brown mushroom with soy aioli), Castleruddery Farm (their Castleruddery winter leaf salad with gorgonzola, poached pear, hazelnut is pitch perfect) and Garden County Organic (think charred hispi cabbage, tahini cream, black garlic, pickled kohlrabi, or organic Wicklow carrots, salsa verde, hazelnut dukkah).
Meat eaters are rewarded with top-class produce such as Pat McLoughlin’s superlative beef (which stars in the Sunday roast sirloin with Yorkshire pudding, duck-fat potatoes, carrots, red wine jus and horseradish cream), Silverhill duck and JJ Young poultry (including free-range chicken, but also perhaps guinea fowl with king oyster mushrooms and a Café du Paris butter), the famed Andarl Farm Velvet Pork and wild Irish venison.
Seafood offerings like seabass with a chardonnay and lemon beurre blanc, kombu dumpling and braised leek showcase a kitchen confident about mixing culinary metaphors.
Desserts are crowd pleasers done well (a comforting tiramisu) and with some clever twists (Pedro’s Affogato with rum & raisin ice cream, espresso and PX Sherry), and come with hard-to-resist upsells like Niepoort White Port, Recioto della Valpolicella or a well-made Irish coffee.
A full cocktail and mocktail offer keeps the lunching ladies happy, while a well-curated wine list offers both value (with glasses starting at €8, although with wines of the week tempting regulars to explore further) and some adventure.
No surprise that Lottie's so quickly became established as a D6 favourite - Rathmines is lucky to have this gem of a restaurant.
