Delahunt’s traditional Victorian interiors and seasonal Irish cuisine make it an elegant spot for private dining, with an area available for groups of up to ten people. Bigger parties can hire the entire restaurant mid-week for an exclusive private dining experience.
Sequestered away in a glass-panelled room at the back of the restaurant lies Delahunt’s semi-private snug – expect dark wooden panelling, half-length curtains and restored antiques. Formerly a cash office for the high-end Delahunt grocers, this intimate room seats up to ten diners for a group set menu. What’s more, Delahunt’s cosy snug was graced by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex during their trip to Dublin. The ceiling-less room shares the lively ambiance of the restaurant while still retaining an element of privacy.
Much like the restaurant’s à la carte, the seasonally-changing private dining menus are limited to three options for each course – this is no drawback as the dishes benefit from additional care. Expect to see Delahunt’s traditional cooking techniques at work – the restaurant prides itself on home-curing, pickles, preserves and slow-cooked dishes.
Seasonal starters range from a warming butternut squash and parmesan soup with wild mushrooms, and burrata and mushrooms on toast to the royals’ choice of home-smoked salmon with dill pickled cucumber, Guinness bread and horseradish butter. Main courses cater for carnivores, pescatarians and vegetarians alike – expect daily-changing market fish, beef cheek braised in stout, and a butternut squash risotto. Sharing-style sides, such as Irish champ and mixed greens, arrive at the table alongside the main courses. Desserts are invitingly indulgent and the warm chocolate pudding, vanilla ice cream and coffee caramel is worth the 15 minute wait.