City rounds with entrepreneur Maeve O’Malley

Inviting, creative, happy, unpredictable and a bit mad (in a good way) is how Maeve O’Malley describes her adopted city of Dublin.

“The people, the food and the creativity make it a great place to visit”, the Galway entrepreneur says.

“There’s nothing better than watching people coming together in Stephen’s Green on a sunny day or on a winter’s day, getting to one of the long-standing pubs to soak up the atmosphere.”

With a vibrant and varied hospitality scene, the founder of the Meltdown and Winedown Café concepts believes you can always find what you’re looking for in Dublin.

“If it’s a fancy night out with the girls, a quiet catch-up pint with a few friends, a dance in a club or a date night, Dublin really has it all,” she says. “Paired with the famous Irish hospitality it just can’t be beaten.”

Having started life as the owner of a food pop-up, O’Malley set up her cheese toastie paradise Meltdown in 2018, with two cafés now on Montague Street and Leeson Street Lower.

“I love communal dining, with food and wine that encourages conversation and connection. I’m also really focused on creating a space where women can come to encourage and support each other and share hopes and ideas.”

Newest addition, wine bar

Winedown, has been transformed with that in mind, thanks to the work of a group of female creatives.

O’Malley is all about practice over

Coffee: Love Supreme in Stoneybatter is always great and everyone working there is lovely. I live close by and go all the time.

Drinks & food: Etto, modern European on Merrion Row, is my favourite restaurant in Dublin.

Wine: Loose Canon on Drury Street has an amazing collection of wines. I love getting a glass and watching the ongoings on this beautiful artisan street.

Cocktails: Bonobo in Smithfield does amazing cocktails.

Drinks with a view: The Winding Stair book a seat by the window overlooking the River Liffey.

Outdoor drinks: Has to be Bonobo again … their garden terrace is divine.

Casual pints: Grogans, William Street, is my favourite place for a Guinness.