Rare

The story

Rare Kinsale | Michelin Recommended Indian-Irish Fine Dining in Kinsale, Ireland

Rare at The Blue Haven

Recommended in the Michelin Guide and named Best Fine Dining in Ireland at the Gold Medal Awards, Rare delivers an experience that is as surprising as it is refined. At the helm is Chef Meeran Manzoor, who draws on his upbringing in Chennai and a career shaped by global kitchens to create a bold, hyper-seasonal menu.

His cooking marries the vivid spices of Indian cuisine with classical French technique, all anchored by the finest Irish produce. The result is a tasting menu that moves from a lobster ghee roast to venison with date and walnut calovo nero, from a halibut with moru kozhambu to a Puducherry chocolate delice. Every dish is designed to engage the senses, and the ever-changing lineup reflects what is best from the land and waters around Kinsale.

The Chef’s Table

For the most immersive view of this modern cuisine, book the Chef’s Table. Seating just six guests beside the kitchen pass, it offers a front-row seat to Chef Manzoor and his team at work through a floor-to-ceiling observation window. The evening unfolds as a surprise six-course tasting menu, available only at this table. It is an intimate, unforgettable way to experience Rare at its greatest.

Cocktails and Atmosphere

Beyond the dining room, Rare also runs a cocktail bar pouring Irish craft cocktails. The atmosphere is warm and polished — fine dining without pretension, backed by a commitment to local, chemical-free and ethically sourced ingredients. Whether you come for the full tasting menu or a drink at the bar, Rare in Kinsale offers a journey that stays with you long after the last plate is cleared.