Bell and Pot Café Kitchen

Bell and Pot Café Kitchen
3 Mercer Lane, Dublin 2
bellandpot.ie

I was really excited about visiting Bell and Pot. It had sandwiches GALORE, had a twee theme to it and wasn't too far from my bus stop. It had it all. Sadly, my expectations were not met in terms of access. I shall reveal ALL below.


What has it got?

Seating:  The tables all have moveable chairs but not many of the chairs have arms to help you get up. Some of the seats are quite low but they all vary in height and size.

Doors:  The front door was quite heavy to open - had to ask someone to come and push it open for me.

Ground:  Wooden floors.

Stairs: The restaurant space is flat but the ladies and gents are downstairs.

Bathrooms: The wheelchair bathroom is in the Travelodge Hotel, which is attached. You have to go through two rooms and it is there. Sadly, I could not fit my wheelchair in. And believe me, I tried every which way. My wheelchair is not big but if you're without a wheelchair, they have bars and railings a-plenty.

Spaciousness: Other than not fitting into the wheelchair bathroom, there was plenty of space in the seating areas.

Helpfulness of Staff: The staff were helpful with picking out food and with the door.

Parking: There are two wheelchair parking spots outside the Royal College of Surgeons and two more in front of Stephen's Green Shopping Centre, which are just around the block. There is plenty of other on street parking available.


Rating: 5/10

Why did it lose points? Sadly, the Bell and Pot lost points because of the wheelchair bathroom and the difficult door to open. The fact that it was a specifically designed and planned wheelchair bathroom and yet totally failed to serve its - eh - purpose was quite disappointing. The food is fine and I probably won't be returning here myself but if you wanna try it out and see if you can slither into the bathroom, by all means, be my guest. 

Diep Le Shaker

Diep Le Shaker
55 Pembroke Lane, Dublin 2
diep.net/leshaker


Diep is known as one of the finest places in  Ireland to get Thai food with a separate noodle bar and a great takeaway service too. Diep Le Shaker is their swanky restaurant and I was lucky enough to be given a voucher for their 6 course tasting menu so instead of eating like a pig, I ate like pig royalty for an evening. The food and cocktails were incredible and I just salivate thinking about the grilled pork dumplings.


What has it got?

Seating:  The tables have moveable chairs as well as fixed couches to the wall. There are no arms on the chairs.

Doors:  The entrance has double doors that are light to open and the rest of the doors are wide and easy to push open.

Ground:  The floors are wooden panels, which could be a bit of a hazard when wet.

Stairs: The entrance is flat. There are tables upstairs but everything you will need is on the ground floor.

Bathrooms: They have a wheelchair bathroom that is big enough for an average sized wheelchair with bars and handrails too.

Spaciousness: It might be a bit tight making your way through the restaurant if all of the tables are full.

Helpfulness of Staff: The staff are very attentive here. Not only will they help you with your order if you're bad at making decisions, if you need assistance, they will clear the way for you and also open doors. Very helpful. 10 points for the staff.

Parking: There is a lot of parking available around Fitzwilliam Square with a number of wheelchair parking spots. However, the path is a little bit uneven to and from.


Rating: 9.5/10

Why did it lose points? It lost half a point simply because some of the tables are quite close together so you will have to ask people to move chairs if you are going through the restaurant. Other than that, fantastic staff with even better food. 

Asador

Asador
1 Victoria House, Haddington Road, Dublin 4
asador.ie


A warm welcome to Dublin 4's first review here on Legless and the honour rightfully goes to Asador. They take pride in the heat method that cooks their meat and fish and, boy, it shows. Their chicken wings are divine and almost certainly give Tribeca's wings a run for their money. I had their wings and Asador burger (jerk mayo fans take note) from their pre-theatre menu and there are plenty of other menu options for lunch, groups and for rugby days. Their basil gin deserves a special shout out. It was genuinely like a pool of heaven in a glass.


What has it got?

Seating: All of the tables have moveable chairs and they fit a wheelchair nicely. The moveable chairs have armrests but the fixed couches at some of the tables do not.  

Doors: The doors are slightly heavy to push open but they are wide. 

Ground: Wooden floors, which could be a nuisance on wet days. 

Stairs: Everything is on the ground level. 

Bathrooms: They have a fully kitted out wheelchair bathroom here that is decked out rather nicely as opposed to the usual sterile vibe that wheelchair bathrooms possess. 

Spaciousness: When I was leaving, I had to ask a few people to pull in their chairs so I could make my way out.

Helpfulness of Staff: The staff were very helpful here. 

Parking: Parking might be a little bit tricky here. There is plenty of onstreet parking but it is a busy spot so you may have to park further afield especially if it's a match day. 

Rating: 9.5/10

Why did it lose points? The only main issue with Asador is the lack of suitable parking but, other than that, you will get a top quality meal here all the while knowing that it is good for your chair, making it an even better experience. 

Legless in Cork: Hayfield Manor

Hayfield Manor
Perrott Avenue, College Road, Cork
hayfieldmanor.ie


I visited Hayfield Manor yesterday for a light lunch in the lush library but with its decadent surroundings, including an aviary,  I knew I'd have to visit again when I had something to celebrate. It's a five star hotel so it's top quality all round. I only went for food there so I cannot comment on their bedrooms but Hayfield I'm willing to test them out - call me.


What has it got?

Seating: The chairs are all moveable but they also come in plenty of different heights. Some of the tables might be a little low but there are many options of tables. 

Doors: The front doors are double doors but there is a doorman there to open them. The rest of the doorways were wide and easy to push open. 

Ground: Carpet and tiles. Outside, there is a mixture of cobbles and gravel which might be a little bit tough but you can get dropped right to the door. 

Stairs: On the ground floor, everything is level but there is a lift up to the rest of the floors. 

Bathrooms: Their wheelchair bathroom was just a delight. Proper mirrors, nice soap, mouthwash, towels and ear buds. Yup, the full hog. Most wheelchair bathrooms are very basic so this was a treat. It was a little bit tight but it certainly does the trick. 

Spaciousness: There is plenty of room to maneuver here. 

Helpfulness of Staff: Incredibly helpful. Five star service really. 

Parking: They have their own car park with wheelchair spots. 

Rating: 10/10

Why did it lose points? It's quite difficult for older buildings to accommodate for wheelchair users while retaining the correct periodic style but Hayfield achieved this and they deserve a round of applause for that. 

Legless in Cork: Liberty Grill

Liberty Grill
32 Washington Street, Cork
libertygrill.ie


I have been lucky enough to visit Liberty Grill twice. Once for a hangover brunch (pancakes with bacon and maple syrup - hommana hommana!) and once for dinner with an old buddy (Friend: Martin, Dinner: a hearty chicken burger). According to my Corkonian friends, it is one of the top spots to visit for food, especially for a weekend brunch. Now that I've sampled two of their menus, I can confirm that it tops the list of places I must visit in Cork, along with Crane Lane.


What has it got?

Seating: All of the tables have moveable chairs and the tables are a good height. 

Doors: The front doors are double doors so you might need a hand hooshing them open. 

Ground: Tiled floor .

Stairs: Not a step or stair in sight. 

Bathrooms: They have a large enough wheelchair bathroom but it might be a little tight for bigger wheelchairs. 

Spaciousness: The tables are a bit close to each other so you will have to ask people to pull in their chairs when you're moving through. 

Helpfulness of Staff: The staff here are very sound and helpful. You could do a lot worse for yourself.

Parking: There is plenty of onstreet parking in the area but there is a wheelchair spot on Hanover Street. 

Rating: 9.5/10

Why did it lose points? Liberty Grill is a fantastic spot and I'll always visit here when I go to Cork but the layout of the place may be a little tricky for larger, electric wheelchairs. It's worth testing out just for their Lemon Lime Bitters. 

Honest To Goodness

Honest To Goodness
12 Dame Court, Dublin 2
honesttogoodness.ie


Today I asked the internet for a good city centre lunch destination and, boy, did it deliver. Thanks to Dublin band Sleep Thieves who pointed me in the direction of Honest To Goodness. I ordered the Kick Start sandwich (crispy bacon, sausage, pudding, egg and relish) with white chili bread and it hit every spot of my mild hangover. It had enough substance so I wouldn't be craving a filthy takeaway later on. Brilliant spot for breakfast and lunch.

What has it got?

Seating: The majority of the tables have moveable chairs and there are some high stools around the bar area.

Doors: The front doors are wide and easy to open. 

Ground: The floor is concrete

Stairs: Everything you need is on the ground floor. Hurray!

Bathrooms: They have a big wheelchair bathroom that also has a mirror and proper handrails. 

Spaciousness: Even though every table was full, there was still plenty of room to get through. They layout is great here so it never feels crowded or that your chair is in the way. 

Helpfulness of Staff: Great staff and incredibly helpful. The counter at the till is even slightly lowered so you're not reaching up to pay. 

Parking: There is wheelchair parking further down Dame Court beside Ukiyo. 

Rating: 10/10

Why did it lose points? The staff acknowledged that their old location was completely inaccessible and it's great to see that they made sure their new venue would be spacious and, with that, it is totally wheelchair friendly. The food is wholesome and delicious. I can't wait to go back and sample another sambo. 

Pitt Bros BBQ

Pitt Bros BBQ
Unit 1, Wicklow House, Georges Street, Dublin 2
pittbrosbbq.com


Meat, meat, GLORIOUS meat. With a menu that boasts craft beers, five different meat dishes either smoked or pulled and a selection of mouth-watering sides, Pitt Bros BBQ is not the type of place for people with a plain palette. You get a decent portion for under €15 and when you think you can devour no more, there's a free pour your own ice cream cone on offer. When we went there, the happiness levels went from a stuffed plateau of content to soaring joy with the arrival of the cones. Great spot.


What has it got?

Seating: All of the chairs are moveable here but the tables are often communal so you might have to wait a while to get a spot for all of your party. 

Doors: The doors are a little heavy but chairs fit in nicely. 

Ground: Concrete floor in the seating area and tiled bathroom floor. 

Stairs: No steps in or out. 

Bathrooms: The wheelchair bathroom is huge here. You could probably raise a small family here if you were brazen enough. Plus, they have TWO sinks in there. Spoiled. 

Spaciousness: In the seating area, it can be a little crowded but choose your seat wisely and you should have a clear path to the bathroom and the main door. 

Helpfulness of Staff: The staff are very helpful here in regards to which meat you would like and which table would be best suited to your chair. 

Parking: There is a wheelchair parking spot on Dame Court, as well as plenty of on street parking, and two wheelchair spots on Drury Street where there is also a car park and more on street parking spots. Map here. 

Rating: 9/10

Why did it lose points? Pitt Bros BBQ lost one point because it can be a bit crowded which would interfere with you getting a decent table to suit your chair. Because you cannot pre-book a table, it's walk-in only which means that it's luck of the draw for a suitable table. Otherwise, great spot with incredible food. 

Viewmount Restaurant, Co. Longford

Viewmount Restaurant
Viewmount House, Dublin Road, Co. Longford
viewmounthouse.com


Before visiting Viewmount House, I knew three things about Longford. 1) My cousins live there, 2) my good friend Alan is from there and 3) Luigi's on Main Street Longford serve some damn fine curry chips. I now know that if you want the most mouth-watering beef, go here. It is slow cooked over the course of 48 hours and, to steal a line from my cousin Rob, you could cut it with a butter knife. Flippin' elicious.


What has it got?

Seating: The tables and chairs are all moveable here. 

Doors: The majority of the doors inside are wide and easy to push open. I used the side entrance to get in and they had double doors there and they both opened easily. 

Ground: Inside, the floor is wooden. Outside, there is cobblestones and tar. The cobbles aren't too difficult to cross as the grooves aren't too deep. 

Stairs: There are a few steps inside the restaurant but if you ring ahead and inform them of what you need, they will bring you in the side entrance which is flat. 

Bathrooms: They have a big wheelchair bathroom here. Unfortunately, there is no lock on the door so pee with your eye sharply on the door. 

Spaciousness: There was plenty of room for me but when you are making a booking, again, inform them of what you need so they can accommodate you properly. 

Helpfulness of Staff: They were incredibly helpful here. They covered every aspect and they're very prepared when guests that use wheelchairs arrive. 

Parking: They allowed us to park right beside the door so I had less ground to cover, which was very handy.

Rating: 9/10

Why did it lose points? It lost one point simply because I had to use a different entrance to combat the steps inside. Other than that, it was a great experience. Longford is very lucky to have a restaurant like this. Luigi's finally has some serious competition. 

Wuff

Wuff
23 Benburb Street, Dublin 7
wuff.ie


Located on the skirting board of Stoneybatter and Smithfield, you will find Wuff, a cool little café/restaurant that offers a hefty and tasty lunch at a decent enough price. It's a good corner to munch away the lunchtime hunger pains (the chips are fab) and watch half of Dublin's population stroll by.


What has it got?

Seating: All of the tables have moveable chairs so you can slip your chair in nicely.

Doors: The front doors have a double door and you will need someone to open up both of these to fit through.

Ground: The floor is tiled. 

Stairs: There are no steps to be found in Wuff which is luffly just a big slope up to the bathrooms. 

Bathrooms: They have a wheelchair bathroom and there is plenty of room in here. 

Spaciousness: Wuff wasn't too packed when I was there so I had no problems with getting around. However, when it fills up, you might have to ask people to pull in their chairs. 

Helpfulness of Staff: The staff were very helpful and taught us the knack of unlocking the double doors. 

Parking: There is plenty of on street parking close by. There are specific wheelchair spots in the area. I will update this with precise locations shortly. 

Rating: 10/10

Why did it lose points? I had no problems here with my wheelchair at all and the lunch menu was delicious so all in all, a top notch job from Wuff. 

Da Mario, Celbridge, Co. Kildare

Da Mario
Maynooth Road, Celbridge, Co. Kildare
damario.ie


Whenever I go back to the homestead, Marios is the restaurant that my family go to celebrate anything. Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations or just a Friday night. It's a family-run Italian restaurant and they know their food and wine, particularly of the Sicilian variety, like the back of their hands. All of their pasta and pizza comes as a gluten-free option and they have an adjoining takeaway.


What has it got?

Seating: All of the tables have moveable chairs and if you mention when you are booking that there is a wheelchair user in your party, they'll make sure your table is easy to get to. 

Doors: The front doors are a little tight to navigate but a wheelchair fits through them. The doors out to the bathroom are wide and easy to open. 

Ground: The floors are tiled. 

Stairs: There is one large step at the front door but it is completely flat outside. 

Bathrooms: They have a wheelchair bathroom with all of the correct bars and handrails. 

Spaciousness: As the place fills up, tables and chairs and bodies can block your path but if you have a table on the edge of the eating area, you will be fine. 

Helpfulness of Staff: The staff are very helpful here as they always help me in and out at the front step and hold all the doors open for me. 

Parking: There is a car park at the back of Marios which has wheelchair parking available. 

Rating: 8/10

Why did it lose points? The entrance is a bit tricky as the there is a step in and, after that, you immediately meet a set of doors. This means that you definitely need helping getting in and out if you are in a wheelchair. Other than that, the inside is completely flat and the wheelchair bathroom is practically perfect. 

Pho Viet

Pho Viet
162 Parnell Street, Dublin 1


Parnell Street is a haven of affordable and tasty Asian food but Vietnamese restaurant Pho Viet really hits the nail on the head for all of that and more. Main courses come in at around €8.50 and they have very decent servings. You can bring your own wine and beer, with wine corkage at €5 per bottle and beer at €1 per bottle, you can have a delicious meal and an even tastier price.


What has it got?

Seating: All of the chairs are moveable and the tables fit a wheelchair nicely. 

Doors: The doors are a little bit heavy but they are wide. 

Ground: It's a tiled white surface, possibly a little slippy when wet. 

Stairs: The entrance is flat and there is more seating upstairs. 

Bathrooms: They have a wheelchair bathroom on the ground level. It is big and has a lot of hand rails in place. It is home to a Hoover and some old stereos but that is certainly better than a manky smelling mop. 

Spaciousness: The tables are all quite close together which means that when it's busy, you will have to ask people to shimmy aside.

Helpfulness of Staff: The staff are very helpful here. They rearranged tables for me and cleared a path so I could get to the bathroom. They're also great at recommending which dishes to get. 

Parking: There is a wheelchair parking spot across the road outside Fibbers pub. 

Rating: 9.5/10

Why did it lose points? It lost half a point simply because it's a small space and could get tough to move a wheelchair through. Otherwise, it's a great spot to grab dinner with some mates. 

Gallaher & Co. Bistro

Gallaher & Co. Bistro
16a D'Olier Street, Dublin 2
gallahersbistro.com


In the city centre, it's very difficult to find a restaurant that has all the bells and whistles in terms of accessibility. So it was a very happy surprise when I learned that Gallaher & Co. was not only a good place to drop in for a quick pre-theatre early bird meal but it was also properly wheelchair friendly. Huzzah.


What has it got?

Seating: All of the chairs are moveable. There are tall stools with even taller tables in the centre but there are lower tables and chairs suitable for a wheelchair. 

Doors: You might need a hand with the front door here as there is a slight raise at the doorstep but they fit a wheelchair grand. 

Ground: The ground was tiled and wooden (I think... Let me double check)

Stairs: There was a slope up to the wheelchair bathroom and a flight of stairs down to the ladies and gents. 

Bathrooms: Their wheelchair bathroom is large and has all of the railings in place. 

Spaciousness: There are a couple of tables en route to the wheelchair bathroom so I had to ask people to move their chairs in. Other than that, plenty of room. 

Helpfulness of Staff: The staff made sure I was at a table that suited me and they helped with the door. Top marks for them. 

Parking: There is a wheelchair parking spot on Foster Place beside the Wax Museum and there is on street parking on D'Olier Street too (map here). 

Rating: 10/10

Why did it lose points? None were lost. It has everything you would need for a quick meal. 

Legless In The Country: Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare

Ballyvaughan is, in my opinion, one of the prettiest parts of Ireland. I spent most of my summers there as a child and I still try to go as often as possible. Between rolling mountains, landscapes that are a shade of lavender due to all the rock (so much rock), very good food, live music and tourist attractions like the Ailwee Caves and the Dolmen, there is a lot on offer here.

As a small village, it fares very well in terms of accessibility. I have done up a handful of reviews of restaurants, bars, cafés and tourist attractions and the majority of them have made a huge effort to cater to everyone. Unfortunately, one thing I did notice that not a lot of the accommodation is wheelchair friendly and this is a big problem. It's an issue because while these places have scored highly, if you have nowhere to stay, then what's the point?

The main hotel, Hylands, has no lift and all of their rooms are upstairs. The newly built Burren Coast Hotel had all of the facilities but it has been on sale for the last couple of years. Ballyvaughan is the quintessential tourist spot in Ireland and for it to thrive properly, it needs more people to visit. There is so much on offer here and if there was a steady flow of tourists, even Irish tourists, the hotels, pubs and tourist attractions could adapt to cater for everyone.

However, I have been informed that Meadowfield B&B, Drumcreehy House, Burren View B&B and O'Connor's in Doolin can cater for guests with disabilities. I have linked all of their sites so ring and check before you book anything.

In Ballyvaughan, the footpaths are in semi-decent condition. There are a few broken pavements down at the harbour, there are very few dips in the kerb for a wheelchair to get up from the road. There isn't a lot of traffic and you can walk from one end of the village to the other in less than 15 minutes. If you are staying outside of the village, you will definitely need a car as the roads are narrow and winding.

I have reviewed a selection of things that are going on in the 'vaughan and the areas surrounding. If you can find a way down there, make it your duty to visit.

Reviewed (so far):

An Fulacht Fia
Ballyvaughan Farmers Market
Ballyvaughan Tea Rooms
The Burren Perfumery
Caherconnell Stone Fort
Greenes Bar
L'Arco
Linn Fashion and Gifts
Logues Lodge
Poulnabrone Dolmen
Village Stores

Legless In The Country: Logues Lodge, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare

Logues Lodge
Main Street, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare
logueslodge.ie

I was only in the pub/restaurant part of Logues, not the hotel part, but the part of Logues which I did sample is a good pub to bring the kids for dinner. They have a decent selection of pub grub and there's live music here at the weekends.


What has it got? 

Seating: Most of the tables here have moveable chairs and the tables are a nice height for a wheelchair.

Doors: The doors are easy to get through but you might run into a table as soon as you get through. 

Ground: We have a nice mixture of tiles and wooden panelling going on in Logues. 

Stairs: There is one slight raise at one of the doors into Logues pub/restaurant but there is a flat entrance too. 

Bathrooms: There is a large wheelchair cubicle available in the ladies toilet and I have been informed that the same is on offer in the gents. 

Spaciousness: When I was coming in and leaving Logues, I had to ask quite a few people if they could pull in their chairs so I could get through. While there is space for a chair, you will have to use your manners here to make your way to your table/bathroom/bar.

Helpfulness of Staff: The staff are super attentive here. Ask for help and I'm sure you'll be tended to. 

Parking: There is wheelchair parking available at the Spar across the road and there is plenty of street parking available. 

Rating: 9/10

Why did it lose points? Logues lost one point because as soon as you get in the door, you meet a table and you have to get people to move. 

Legless In The Country: Tea Rooms, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare

Tea Rooms
Coast Road, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare
tearoomsballyvaughan.com

Fun fact: Steven Spielberg stopped off in Shannon Airport when he was en route to Prince Albert of Monaco's wedding just so he could go up to the Tea Rooms in Ballyvaughan and have their baked cherry cheesecake. I would personally stop for their lemon meringue pie but different strokes for different folks.


What has it got?

Seating: The tables all have moveable chairs here and the majority of them are tall enough to fit a wheelchair. Some of the tables are lower. 

Doors: I had no problems with the front door here. 

Ground: That beautiful Burren limestone flooring lyeth here. 

Stairs: There is a ramp at the front door which is at the perfect angle. There is one step out to the conservatory area and there is another step out to the garden area. However, you can get to a seated area outside if you go around the side of the Tea Rooms. 

Bathrooms: Unfortunately, there is no wheelchair bathroom here. 

Spaciousness: There is plenty of room in the main area of the Tea Rooms. The conservatory could be a little tight though. 

Helpfulness of Staff: The staff are very chatty and helpful here. 

Parking: There is no specific wheelchair parking spot for here but there is a lot of parking available along the harbour. 

Rating: 7.5/10

Why did it lose points? The Tea Rooms unfortunately lost two and a half points because they have no wheelchair bathroom and when it comes to drinking tea, you will definitely need the bathroom. Please don't let you put that off visiting because the Tea Rooms (and their gardens) are so beautiful

Legless In The Country: L'Arco, Ballyvaughan, Co, Clare

L'Arco
Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare
burrenrestaurant.com

As shocking as it may seem, the best Italian food I've ever had in Ireland was in Ballyvaughan's prizewinning L'Arco. Every time I have been there, there has been a queue of people waiting to get a table. If you're going yourself, I'm a big fan of their crepes which are stuffed with spinach and risotto and then baked in a tomato sauce.


What has it got?

Seating: All of the tables have moveable chairs. There are a number of tables that are closer to the bathroom which would be handier for those less nimble on their toes. 

Doors: The doors are big and are easy to open. 

Ground: Limestone flooring as far as the eye can see. 

Stairs: There are no steps in or out of L'Arco and everything you need is on the ground level. 

Bathrooms: They have a large wheelchair bathroom downstairs and the ladies and gents are upstairs. 

Spaciousness: Loads of room here and no obstacles whatsoever. 

Helpfulness of Staff: The staff here are very helpful when it comes to getting you the right table or helping you pick out the right prosecco. 

Parking: There is a wheelchair parking spot located behind the Spar, which is across the road from L'Arco. There is a lot of street parking available outside too. 

Rating: 10/10

Why did it lose points? It didn't lose any here. L'Arco is a huge asset to the village. 

Legless In The Country: An Fulacht Fia, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare

An Fulacht Fia
Coast Road, Ballyvaughan. Co. Clare
anfulachtfia.ie

Sitting on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, An Fulacht Fia offers some of the finest Irish cuisine in the most stunning surroundings. All of the food is locally grown or produced and it is ridiculously tasty. I am literally drooling at the memory of the lamb I had there. The owners, John and Mairin Connole, are so welcoming that you'd almost return for their hospitality alone.


What has it got?

Seating: All of the tables have moveable chairs. 

Doors: The doors are easy to open and they fit a wheelchair nicely. 

Ground: The entrance has wooden flooring, which could be a little bit slippy when it's wet out, and the restaurant area is carpeted. The bathrooms are tiled. From the car park, there is gravel but it's not too difficult to move through.

Stairs: There are no steps in or out of An Fulacht Fia.

Bathrooms: They have a wheelchair bathroom here and I had no problem getting in or out of it. 

Spaciousness: There is plenty of room to move around here but if it is busy, you will have to ask people to move their chairs in if you're going to the bathroom. 

Helpfulness of Staff: Extremely helpful and they will assist you in whatever way you can. 

Parking: There is no specific wheelchair parking spot but the car park is large so there will be enough room to get a chair in and out without scratching your, or anybody else's, car. 

Rating: 10/10

Why did it lose points? No points were lost here. Everything is flat, the wheelchair bathroom is in check and there are no obstacles to get in the way of you enjoying your meal here. In fact, it should get extra points because the food here is that good. 

Tribeca, Ranelagh

Tribeca
65 Ranelagh Road, Dublin 6
tribeca.ie


There are plenty of nice things on the menu of Tribeca but you need not look any further than their chicken wings. One wing in and you'll be thinking about them for days.

What has it got?

Seating: The tables have moveable chairs and then around the edges, they have fixed benches. 

Doors: The doors are wide and are easy to open. 

Ground: Wooden floors. Oaky in colour. A real treat to the eye. 

Stairs: There are no steps in and out of the restaurant but there is another seating level and a wine bar up a flight of stairs. There is no lift. 

Bathrooms: There is one wheelchair bathroom here. I managed to get stuck in there today so some precise parallel turning is required. 

Spaciousness: If you're going through the restaurant when it's busy, you will have to ask people to pull their chairs in so you can get by. 

Helpfulness of Staff: Staff are very helpful and with the point mentioned above, they'll help you with clearing the way. 

Parking: There is plenty of street parking in Ranelagh but it can be very busy. There are wheelchair parking spots down a few of the side roads and, don't quote me on this, but I believe there is definitely wheelchair parking on Elmpark Avenue (map here). 

Rating: 8.5/10

Why did it lose points? It lost a point and a half because it can be a bit of hassle getting through the restaurant to get to the wheelchair bathroom and, then when you get there, the bathroom is a little bit tight. Otherwise, great spot. 

Bunsen

Bunsen
36 Wexford Street, Dublin 2
bunsen.ie

Sweet mother of divine, these burgers are amazing. Slightly on the pricey side but it's burgers the way burgers should be. Believe me, I love my meat.


What has it got?

Seating: A lot of the tables have moveable chairs so you can fit a wheelchair in nicely. 

Doors: The door was open when I got there but it's not a heavy door. 

Ground: It has a painted floor and I don't think it would become a danger zone when it's wet. 

Stairs: There's one step into the building and my friend had to hoy me up. 

Bathrooms: Ok. The bathroom  (regular, run-of-the-mill toilet) does not fit a wheelchair at all. I tried it from many angles but it's a non goer. HOWEVER, I did mention to a member of staff that they should contact the Irish Wheelchair Association about sorting that out and they were very receptive so we shall see... 

Spaciousness: Plenty of room here but if it gets busy, like at lunchtime or dinnertime, it may be a different story. 

Helpfulness of Staff: Extremely helpful and they were super apologetic when they realised my chair didn't fit in the bathroom. 

Parking: There's a wheelchair parking spot right at the front door. 

Rating: 6/10

Why did it lose points? It lost points because you can't get in there independently and it's impossible to use the bathroom. But don't let that deter you from eating their delicious burgers. Go with a mate who doesn't mind giving you a hand in and empty your bladder before you get there. Simples. 

Lemon, Dawson Street

Lemon
60 Dawson Street, Dublin 2
lemonco.com

If you're in the market for some crepes, saunter up here and tickle your tastebuds with thin, battery deliciousness.


What has it got?

Seating: Unfortunately, communal benches are the rage here which makes it difficult to find a decent spot to park your wheelchair. There are a number of tables with moveable chairs but if you want to grab one of them, avoid the lunchtime rush. 

Doors: The front door is normally left open but the toilet doors are a little heavy to push. 

Ground: It's some sort of lino tile that doesn't become much of a hazard when it's wet. 

Stairs: Not a step in sight. 

Bathrooms: They have one wheelchair bathroom and one regular run of the mill bathroom. 

Spaciousness: Space is a little bit tight here as the tables are very close together and there's generally a big queue to battle with too. 

Helpfulness of Staff: Very helpful and very friendly. 

Parking: There is a wheelchair parking spot on Dawson Street beside Fixx Coffee and there are two more wheelchair parking spots on Molesworth Street (map here).

Rating: 8/10

Why did it lose points? Lemon loses two points because it is very tight to move around and you may not always get a suitable table. Otherwise, great spot and hot staff. Yes. Hot staff.