Popular Dublin restaurant Dillinger's is to close its doors after 15 years. The restaurant is well known in Ranelagh for its unique approach to American-style dining with meats cooked over coal and exotic cocktails.
'Well, friends, after 15 amazing years, it’s time for us to say goodbye. Back in 2009, we opened our doors with big dreams, and what a wild ride it’s been ever since! From the very first chicken & waffles to the last round of bread & butter pudding, we’ve had the absolute best time serving you all,' said a statement from the owners on Instagram.
'Whether you popped in for a quick bite, celebrated life’s big moments with us, or just needed a night off from cooking (no judgment, we get it), thank you for making us part of your lives. You all turned our little spot into something special.'
John Farrell
Dillinger's is owned by John Farrell, a restaurateur who has been behind some of Dublin’s most popular restaurants including The Butcher Grill, 777 and Super Miss Sue. In 2009, Dillinger’s was the first restaurant he opened, on the site of what had been Dylan McGrath’s Michelin-starred Mint.
Although Farrell picked Ranelagh carefully as a location, he was astonished at how fast Dillinger’s took off. “I thought it was a good area – restaurants there tended to do quite well,” Farrell told Hospitality Ireland in 2015. “I really didn’t expect it to do that well! I remember the opening night. I was as nervous as hell. My hands were sweating.”
In the same interview, Farrell noted, "I got a lot of free PR and a lot of attention when we opened Dillinger’s because it was kind of the story of the recession – ‘casual-dining place replaces Michelin-star restaurant’. I wouldn’t have had a recession if it was my choice, but it happened, and I still had confidence in myself, even though times were bad.”
'Full Hearts, Big Smiles'
Dillinger’s will still be welcoming customers over the next few weeks, and will be taking bookings. The last service will be on Monday, November 4, where a 'last surprise' will take place.
'To our amazing staff – you guys are the real MVPs. Your hard work, laughter, and ability to handle anything thrown your way (including the occasional kitchen chaos) made every shift unforgettable. We couldn’t have done it without you,' the owners said on Instagram.
'We’ll leave you with full hearts, big smiles, and maybe a craving for one last Brunch.'
