Head chef announces closure of popular Dublin restaurant, which will serve a final menu

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Dublin restaurant Allta will close its doors at the end of the year, its founder and head chef Niall Davidson has announced. The Grand Canal Dock venue — listed in the Michelin Guide though not Michelin-starred — will serve a final, celebratory menu before shutting on December 31.

When the last service will run

Davidson confirmed the restaurant will continue trading through the summer, with special sittings of its closing menu starting from July 1. The team plans to mark the end of the project with a multi-course farewell service.

A personal closing chapter

In a statement, Davidson reflected on returning to Ireland seven years ago without a business plan and building the restaurant from that simple question of how an Irish restaurant might feel. He described the experience as a series of demanding but rewarding chapters — four locations, evolving menus and thousands of services — and singled out the people he worked with as the most meaningful part of the journey.

He also said that working alongside his wife during the last five years had been a highlight, and added that, after seven years, he was ready to move on and explore a new direction.

What the final menu will look like

The closing offering will be an ode to Allta’s seven-year run: a seven-course menu intended to summarise the restaurant’s evolution. Davidson invited guests to join him for “one last time as head chef of Allta,” framing the finale as a celebration rather than a farewell of regret.

Public reaction and bookings

The announcement drew a wave of well-wishes from diners online, with many regulars expressing sadness at the news and gratitude for the dining experiences Allta provided. Several former guests said they plan to book a final meal before the restaurant closes.

Reservations for the closing services can be made by email at reservations@allta.ie or by phone on 083 326 5859.

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