New Bistro 18 Dunlo St Restaurant

Alongside our three Hotels, 4 Supermac outlets,5 ethnic cuisine Restaurants, six fast food/ Pizza  restaurants and four café/ restaurants – a new venue for daytime dining has opened up in Dunlo Street , in the past few weeks.
Bistro18 opened its doors in the premises that once hosted the famous Tohers Restaurant  and then Aonach Gastro Pub, offering a quirky, quaint & relaxing atmosphere in which to enjoy affordable dishes, freshly prepared by their chefs every day.

Chris Spann, head chef and co-owner, grew up in a small town of Leamington Spa near Coventry, UK. He lives Portumna and has worked in the catering industry since the age of 13 starting off washing pots and pans. A proud self-taught chef, has spent sone 20 years in the catering industry.  He moved to Ireland in April 2012 and began working at the Ferry Inn in Nenagh as a Head Chef for six years. He underwent a small stint in Corrib Oil as their fresh Food Manager before starting his current project.

Having no personal connection to the town, he and girlfriend Tara were charmed by the characteristics of the old Toher’s building. They needed to purchase an incubation kitchen area for their outdoor catering business and it was the ideal location. They hadn’t originally wanted to open up as a restaurant. but after seeing the beauty of the building and with encouragement from the owners restored it back into a  restaurant.

Open 6 days a week for fresh bakes, breakfasts, lunch & late lunches, they have something for everyone including gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options. Polenta cakes are a fan favorite and aren’t offered in many establishments. It is a a rustic Italian-style cake made with whole grain cornmeal, avocado, spinach and poached eggs.

Their breakfast/brunch menu runs from 8AM-1PM and a lunch/late lunch menu from 2-5PM Monday-Saturday. Last orders are at five so be sure to call in before then. They aim to close up at 6PM but if diners need a bit longer, they don’t kick folks out!

All food options are freshly prepared by the chefs and they’re supplied by Pallas although they’re interested in using local suppliers.

They don’t serve alcohol but hope to apply for a license in the coming future. They’re starting to hold theme night with examples such as a tapas night, next one will focus on American food.

All food is available for takeaway. Local jams, honey, chutneys are for sale and blue moon coffee is available to buy in bags of 500g or 1kg, fresh brown breads sold by the loaf can be pre ordered by phone or online, alongside lots of other bakes and sweet treats.

 “I believe there’s no good or bad time to open, were starting our catering operations and wish to honour our promises to the owners “, explains Chris as to why they opened in a Pandemic!
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They operate a walk-in service but it is advisable to ring ahead to book. To get in contact with the Bistro18 crew, ring them on 090 964 4867 or at [email protected]. You can also receive more updates on their Facebook page or their website www.bistro18.ie.