Welcome to Mara…
What was formerly known as The Old Couch Café has been reborn as Mara, retaining its predecessor's quirky vibe and bijou space. Chef-Owner Luis Martin has both passion and ambition in abundance, largely working alone in the kitchen and serving his dishes in the cosy, well-lit room to just six tables. His well-balanced cooking incorporates locally foraged produce alongside a few influences from his native Spain, such as ajo blanco or cod buñuelo; the cep tiramisu, meanwhile, has become something of a signature.”
Michelin Guide
Taste of Cantabria | June 27th
Sabores del Norte
We’re hosting a special Spanish tasting menu at Mara, inspired by the food and traditions of Cantabria in Northern Spain.
It’s a relaxed, shared experience at €65 per person, with dishes that bring a taste of the Cantabrian coast to the table through simple, honest cooking.
Irish Coast Meets Cantabria
Cooking Classes at Mara
Join Chef Luis Martin for a hands-on cooking class where modern Irish coastal ingredients meet the bold flavours of northern Spain. You’ll learn to cook seasonal dishes in a relaxed, small-group setting—perfect for curious home cooks who want to sharpen their skills and explore vibrant new techniques. We’ve also added a new range of 2026 classes, including butchery workshops and a dedicated baking class.
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Mara Gift Voucher
Delight a loved one, thank a colleague or impress a client with a Mara gift voucher. Can be used for a meal or for cooking classes.
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Beef Butchery Class + Two-Course Menu (January 25th)
Learn how to break down beef rumps into their individual cuts, from steaks to braising and roasting joints and enjoy a comforting two-course beef menu afterward.
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Italian Cookery Class (11th February)
Create classic antipasto, make fresh pasta from scratch, and finish with traditional tiramisu.
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Spanish Tapas Night (March 11th)
Enjoy a relaxed evening cooking your favourite Spanish holiday tapas, from tortilla to garlic prawns, ending with our Basque cheesecake.
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La Hora Del Vermouth | August 2nd
Spend an afternoon exploring Spain’s aperitivo culture through vermouth and classic tapas, finishing with a traditional Spanish dessert. Enjoy house vermouth on arrival, served with smoked almonds, citrus olives, and crisps with anchovy butter.
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"Basque Fire" Txuleta & Txakoli Masterclass | August 9th
From traditional pintxos to perfectly grilled txuleta, discover one of Spain’s most celebrated culinary traditions.
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Italian Spritz & Antipasti | August 16th
An afternoon inspired by the bacari of northern Italy, exploring classic spritzes alongside a generous spread of antipasti. Learn to craft Aperol, Select and Campari Spritz while preparing elegant Italian sharing dishes.
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The Art of Spanish Rice & Godello Masterclass | August 23rd
A hands-on class in Spanish rice cookery and Godello wines, exploring everything from seafood paella to rich arroz meloso and celebrating one of Spain’s most iconic culinary traditions.
A taste of Local
Mara partners with barefoot farm
Mara Restaurant, is proud to announce a new partnership with Barefoot Farm in Dunhill. A collaboration which will see all of the vegetables used in the restaurant sourced from Barefoot Farm.
