Traditional Irish Restaurant – The story of The Shack Restaurant

The Shack Restaurant in 1996

The Shack Restaurant – When the restaurant was first opened, it was called The Chicken Shack, it had just 25 seats and a limited menu which consisted of mainly chicken. There were just two wines on the wine menu and a cider! 

“The first five years of owning The Shack Restaurant left many sleepless nights, several periods of uncertainty, and almost financial ruin. It was an endless circle of self-doubt and tremendous fear. At the worst point, it would have been easier to walk away and I considered that path on more occasions than I care to remember. It was not the first restaurant I had owned but it certainly seemed to be the hardest with the most problems and difficulties. All the others seemed like a walk in the park by comparison and it tested me, greatly. As I invested more and more time, resources, and money into, what seemed an endless money pit, the journey to success was not the smooth road I had hoped it would be.” says David.

Temple Bar Area

David was no stranger to Temple Bar as he had been a Restaurant consultant to other restaurants in the area for a number of years, the time he spent in the Temple Bar area, allowed him the awareness of the committed marketing efforts of the Irish government to make Temple Bar the cultural quarter of Dublin. 

With all this in mind, he wanted to develop something that was not only interesting to tourists but also sustainable, where traditional culture could merge with modern. The concept would have to be of interest to both Irish locals and tourists alike. 

With many years of experience in the restaurant industry in Ireland, seeing the ebb and flow of recession and success. he didn’t want to lose the existing clientele that had patronised the restaurant over the previous year. Therefore, his changes were slow, deliberate, and subtle to both the restaurant and its menu, gradually moving away from Chicken and towards creating a modern Irish restaurant in a historic Irish setting.

The Shack Restaurant – Today

Now 25 years later, the restaurant seats 55 guests and caters to 1500 diners almost every week. The Shack Restaurant offers a modern twist on something that is quintessentially Irish. It sits in the heart of the bustling Temple Bar area. Which has a well-deserved reputation as the cultural heart of Dublin. Covering just a few blocks on the south bank of the River Liffey. The area comprises the best that the Irish capital offers. From top-class restaurants, lively bars to theatres. As well as world-renowned art galleries and with its cobbled alleyways, quirky boutiques, and street performers, the atmosphere is homely and nostalgic. The Shack Restaurants menu is expansive, wholesome, and nourishing, while its roots are still firmly embedded in its Irish heritage. Some of the dishes are old favorites with a twist, while others are our own delicious creations. 

The Team.

The food team is headed by Pat Murray. Pat joined The Shack Restaurant in 2001 and worked his way up to the coveted position of Head Chef. He and his Number two, Rajiv Maddhoo, who has been with the Shack since 200. Together with their team produce hearty and wholesome Irish cuisine with modern flair and expertise. 

The service team is headed by Restaurant Manager. Uta Nilas joined The Shack crew in 2000 and such is her love for “Ireland” she became an Irish citizen in 2014. She is joined by John Remus Coteanu who joined the team in 2006. They are joined by a tremendous team that provides a traditional Irish welcome and excellent service to our guests. 

Since opening in 1996, The Shack Restaurant, the traditional Irish Restaurant in Temple Bar has attracted over a million visitors hailing from countries, all over the globe. 

COVID19

In March 2020, The Shack Restaurant was closed as the Irish Government implemented lockdowns across the country. The Hospitality sector was decimated by the pandemic, leaving hundreds of Restaurants on the cliff edge of uncertainty. It would not be till 18 months later that the Hospitality sector was allowed to reopen on the 26th July 2021, albeit with the most bizarre restrictions and new laws, one of those bizarre laws is a COVID PASS. The Shack Restaurant did not reopen until the 16th of September to allow time to observe the outfall of the new laws.

Our Menus and Wine List are here and have a look at Temple Bar HERE on Earthcam