Dublin’s Trocadero is a long-established favourite for glamorous pre- or post-theatre fine dining, with both locals and legendary stage glitterati flocking to the beloved restaurant since the 1950s. The restaurant gives back to its guests by partnering with charities which support up-and-coming stars, certain to return to this spot once their names are in flashing lights.
The restaurant itself could easily be mistaken for a theatre, set over two red-brick Georgian dining rooms with original light fittings courtesy of the Theatre Royal and signed portraits of famous guests gracing the walls. The old-fashioned restaurant evokes a time gone by with its plush upholstered chairs, deep red fabrics and traditional fireplaces.
The three-course pre-theatre menu plays the leading role at Trocadero. Debut your meal with chicken liver p?té on much-loved Irish soda bread before digging into Barbary duck breast with spiced cherries and port wine jus. Cue the hearty apple and blackberry crumble for pudding. Elsewhere, the à la carte features roast rack of Wicklow lamb and Trocadero’s well-known house beef and spinach cannelloni, along with the lone vegetarian option of open ratatouille and chickpea lasagne. The restaurant honours its heritage by sourcing its high-quality ingredients from local Irish suppliers, many of which are small and family-run producers. The elaborate wine list is a hit with critics, with a spotlight on bottles from Europe, Australia and South America.
Dubbed the ‘Troc’ by its loyal customers, the restaurant takes the crown in the theatre dining scene, catering to guests in the lead up to the main event while also providing nightcaps once the curtains close.