Review
Riva Brasserie is located in the middle of Dundalk Town Centre, and is a very busy and bustling daytime spot that in the evenings transforms into a cosy, casual dining restaurant. Over the last five tears they have built up a very good reputation locally for producing homemade fresh food from breakfast time onwards.
The Brasserie is a large open space that is broken into smaller sections, all decorated in a contemporary style with nice chairs in different styles, good sized tables and pretty shelving on the walls. Towards the back there is a chic cocktail bar and a striking chandelier. Floors alternate between dark wood and tiles, and the room is on two levels.
Breakfast starts each day at 8.30 am with a good selection of dishes, ranging from healthy porridge, through pancakes and berries and the ubiquitous Full Irish. Lunchtime brings the crowds in for anything from a wrap or rolls to one of the day’s specials, perhaps a green curry or traditional fish and chips.
The evenings see Riva transform into a busy Brasserie, and the casual atmosphere and good food packs them in. There is plenty of room, so it’s a popular spot for parties and launches, and for a gang of friends it’s ideal.
On the menu starters include a spicy oriental beef salad with lime, a classic prawn cocktail or a crisp confit duck leg. Mains offer a surf and turf of sirloin topped with chilli prawns, twice cooked pork belly or an asparagus, mint and lemon risotto. There’s an evening set menu for only €20, and on Sunday they run a three course lunch throughout the day for €20 as well.
