We’ve just updated the business listings in this article so check them out below…
Staying Afloat
It’s difficult to ignore that there were a significant amount of closures in the hospitality sector by the end of 2023. These may be down to a number of factors, such as rising rents, the increasing cost of food and the reinstatement of the Hospitality and Tourism VAT rate to 13.5% from 9% (which we’re sure hasn’t helped any small or medium business!).
According to Una Mullally in the Irish Times, it is not just badly managed or badly marketed food businesses that are closing during this period but “excellent places are also closing, and more will fall” (Jan 8, 2024). Mullally predicts that this could be due to the Revenue deadline set for paying back tax debt, which is looming for May 1st 2024. Many hospitality businesses had to avail of this ‘lock-down lifeline’ tax exemption offered by Revenue during the COVID pandemic in order to just keep their businesses afloat.
Our high hope for 2024, was that the Government would reduce the VAT rate to 9% to help struggling businesses so that Mullally’s predictions above wouldn’t come to pass. On a positive note: we’re keen to highlight that there were NEW openings in Waterford City and County in 2024. We’ve updated the ‘Open For Business’ List below…In the meantime, we’re certain these business owners will be glad to see you! Please try your best to support them- browse their websites, view their food offerings, and book a table or buy online from them if possible. Be sure to follow them on their socials too for updates, menus and opening hours etc..
Open For Business
ADEGA Wine Bar (1 Cathedral Square, Waterford City). Portuguese inspired Wine & Port Bar which also serves charcuterie & cheese boards and a selection of cocktails. Click website link above for opening hours.
ANTICHI SAPORI (Phoenix Yard, 39 O’Connell St, Waterford City) who’s name means ‘ancient flavours’ or ‘traditional flavours’ in Italian. Hard working food truckers Carlo and Sofia took up a a permanent position for their Italian food experience in the Phoenix Yard Food Truck Market where they officially opened their new stall at the end of May ’24. Drop by for some of their famous, fab tasting Pizza, Pasta and hearty Italian-style sandwiches. Opens Thurs to Sunday 1pm-9pm. Takeaway and Outdoor seating option available and it’s a dog-friendly space too! Follow them on Facebook for menu updates and opening times.
BUN CHA JOURNEY (20 Michael St, Waterford City). Vietnamese Cuisine- serves the ‘authentic flavours of Vietnam’ such as, traditional noodle soup called Phở, a style of barbecue known as Bún Chả, and gyoza-style dumplings. Opens Everyday 11am-8pm. Follow on Instagram
GRANNY’S TABLE FARM SHOP (Unit 6 Ecopark, Dunhill, Co. Waterford). This friendly Farm Shop stocks Barefoot Farm’s fresh produce and locally roasted coffee brand Mean Bean, bread and cakes from Sunny South Yeast Bakery, Pizza kits by Slice Pizza and a wide selection of other artisan food products.
GROW HQ (Farronshoneen, Dunmore Rd, Waterford) have added a refill shop to their list of services! THE LARDER offers a great array of organic breads, flours, grains, seeds, nuts, oils, tea etc.; with an environmentally friendly ethos of zero waste & zero packaging. Further down the line, they hope to introduce milk, vegetables and eco-detergents to the product offering. The Larder store opens Wed to Sunday 9am-5pm.
KURO Teppanyaki & Sushi Restaurant (8 the Mall, Waterford City). Asian fusion restaurant & Japanese inspired dining. NEW UPDATE: KURO has been closed for renovations for a number of months but is set to REOPEN just in time for the Christmas Party Rush on MONDAY 9th DECEMBER. You can now book a table from that date onwards, via the reservation diary app on their website. And you’ll be among the first to see the amazing ‘nature inspired’ make-over and natural materials they’ve chosen to revive their hospitable surroundings. Follow them on Instagram for ‘opening day’ updates!
SUNNY SOUTH YEAST Bakery and Catering (58 Barrack Street, Waterford City) opened their first bakery store in May ’24 in the City Centre. Since starting their Bakery & Catering Business in 2020 they’ve gathered a loyal local following and support from other local business owners who stock their breads and pastries. Sourdough bread, Soda bread and Cinnamon Rolls are their specialities and we can testify that both their Brownies and Salted Caramel Millionaire’s Shortbread are sublime. We can’t wait to see what more is ‘in store’- Pecan & Salted Caramel Tarts, Fresh Cream Cakes et cetera, et cetera!!! Opening Hrs: Wed 8am-3pm/ Thu 8am-3pm/ Fri 8am-3pm/ Sat 8am-2pm and Sun 10am-1pm(Or until sell out!) 🙂
SEAGULL BAKERY TRAMORE – opened a Wine & Cheese Bar in their Tramore location (in July 2024) which operated over the Summer months. PLEASE NOTE: this is now paused and will recommence in June 2025. Instead over the winter months, the Bakery held ‘Pop-up Wine Evenings’ which proved hugely popular with locals. Tickets for wine tastings are available on Eventbrite. The bad news is their next event (Fri 13th Dec) for Christmas Wine Tasting is now SOLD OUT! So you’ll have to be quick to book when their next one pops-up! Follow on Instagram for updates.
THE ENGINE HOUSE (Bunmahon Village, on the Copper Coast). At the start of the year, this Bar & Restaurant was taken over so is under new management. Opened as a Bar primarily, the owners added food to its offering for the summer months. Now it serves satisfying pub grub using locally sourced products. Check out their socials for daily menu specials too. There is ample out-door seating available in their beer garden to the rear. And it’s a lovely spot for lunch if driving the Copper Coast Route. It’s only a ‘stones throw’ from Bunmahon Strand. Food is served: Mon-Thurs 12-8pm and Fri-Sun 12pm-9pm. You’ll find them on Instagram @enginehousecoppercoast for menu and live music updates!
THE LEMON DROP (1 Broad St, Tramore, Co. Waterford). This edition to the town’s food scene has locals hooked! Nautical-themed Seafood Store selling chef prepared seafood meals and desserts to enjoy at home. Freshly caught in Dunmore East. Some outdoor seating is available. Check their Facebook page for opening hours. Plus they’ve a Christmas pre-order menu available now for some sparkling seasonal seafood.
O’SULLIVAN’S VINTAGE SOCIAL (3-4 The Mall, Waterford) This gastro-bar is a very recent addition to Waterford City’s food scene. The lovingly restored building was once an apothecary, a hundred years ago, which peddled medicinal potions and lotions to locals. Now they’re serving medicine of a different kind and a wide selection of food too. You can choose to have pastries and coffee from mid-morning, do Lunch & Dinner and or be tempted by their casual Tapas menu along with a glass of vino or cool beer. Give it a try to see what you’ve been missing out on this last century! Book a table online. Follow them on Facebook & Insta.
As 2024 comes to an end, we hope the government or a newly elected government will rethink their stance in regards to the hospitality sector in Ireland and there’ll be some help on the way for business owners in 2025!
PLEASE NOTE: If you’re set to open a new food business, to organise an event, to launch a food product or you know of any other new business openings; please drop us an email and we’ll update and add to this article: tastefulthinkingdigital@gmail.com
WE’RE ALWAYS HAPPY TO SHARE ANY GOOD FOOD NEWS!
Adega Wine Bar in the Medieval Quarter
