Dublin’s best curries

Red Torch Ginger is all about freshly prepared Thai and South East Asian cuisine, served in intimate surroundings. Offering a playful take on traditional South East Asian dishes with broad European influences, the emphasis is on seasonal and sustainable ingredients from Irish suppliers. There are several types of curry on offer. We love the Thai-inspired numbers, like the Massaman (mild and flavoured with star anise and cardamom), and Panang, prepared with Thai basil and crushed peanuts. Vegan and veggies rejoice: there’s an entire menu dedicated to meat- and dairy-free plates! A real highlight includes the rich yellow curry, flavoured with turmeric and served with fried baby potatoes, onions, bean sprouts, and crispy fried shallots. Yum!

Monty’s is an award-winning, traditional and authentic Nepalese restaurant, owned by husband and wife team, Shiva and Lina Gautam. Often wrongly cast as an Indian restaurant, the team is very proud of the fact that they are “Nepalese all the way through, owned, cooked and served by Nepalese”. Their focus is on quality raw ingredients and traditional cooking methods, like the charcoal tandoor. All of the dishes are cooked in-house, and no shortcuts are ever taken. Vegetarians will go mad for the Mugling Dal Bhat, Nepal’s national dish, which is rich with lentils, onion, garlic and turmeric. If you’ve got a penchant for meat, opt for the Chicken Chilli Nanglo, a dish that has both Nepalese and Tibetan influence. Polish off your meal with a couple of homemade sweets like Gajar Ko Haluwa – a delicious carrot-flavoured halwa – and thank us later!

Specialising in all things Pakistani, Kinara Kitchen is a decidedly upmarket and sophisticated spot to enjoy a curry. Kick off your meal with the Bagan Behalf – a roasted aubergine dish filled with mildly spiced vegetables – or the comforting Paneer Tikka, served with homemade chutney. We recommend sampling one of the signature dishes for your main course, not least the Nehari Gosht, a hot dish that is frequently eaten in the homes of Karachi, Pakistan. Bursting with flavours of fresh ginger and coriander, this beef-based dish is unlike anything we’ve tried before. Equally delicious is the Goan Fish Curry, its coconut-ty mellowness offset by a healthy pinch of mustard seeds. The decor is beautiful and the service is slick: a must-visit.

Inspired by ‘Blade Runner and John Carpenter movies (with a touch of Deadwood’, Hang Dai describes itself as a futuristic, retro, fun, contemporary Chinese/Asian restaurant and music bar. Whilst the team stays true to some traditional Chinese recipes, their approach is always playful, and they tend to merge various Asian cuisines using high-end local ingredients. The Prawn Fragrant Curry may sound simple, but its flavours are complex and expertly balanced. Similarly, the MaPo Tofu dish, served with broccoli and chilli bean, will tempt even the most ardent meat-eater. The staff are friendly, and the fun interiors and funky music guarantee you’ll leave with a smile on your face. For a curry with a difference, look no further!

Who can resist a Katsu curry? Not us! Hands down, Yamamoto Izakaya makes some of the finest in the city. Our favourite is the chicken katsu (made with deep-fried breaded Irish chicken fillets, a rich sauce and accompanied with steamed zakkoku rice), but if you’re into fish, the lightly spiced tiger prawn curry (complete with shiitake mushrooms and wok-fried in a coriander and coconut milk) is also fantastic. Polish off your meal with one of the Japanese whisky specials, like the Mars Shinshu Maltage Cosmo with notes of caramel and sweet bananas, and relax into the peaceful surroundings.