Spring eating: lighter menus and how to find them

Spring is when menus begin to lighten and tables move towards the windows. The easiest way to eat well in spring is to look for kitchens that change their menu, to book a lunch rather than only dinner and to keep a backup for the days when the weather changes its mind.

What changes on the menu

As the weather warms, many kitchens move from heavy dishes to lighter ones. You may see more salads, green vegetables, fish and shellfish, and fewer slow roasts. Desserts get lighter too. Not every kitchen changes, so the change itself is a clue to which ones are paying attention.

Ask a server what is new on the menu this month. A confident answer is a good sign.

Lunch comes into its own

Longer days make lunch more appealing. A table by a window with daylight is a better setting than an evening in the dark. Lunch menus are often shorter and cheaper, and rooms are less crowded. If you have a free afternoon, plan a long lunch.

Brunch and coffee

Spring is a good time for brunch, with fresh daylight and lighter dishes. Our guide to brunch in Dublin explains how to find a good one.

Plan for changeable weather

Spring weather in Ireland can change several times in a day. Choose a place with indoor and outdoor seating, and carry a layer. If you want to sit outside, ask what happens if it rains.

Walk first, eat second

Longer days make walking more pleasant. Plan a walk and choose a place near the end of it. Save two or three places in the area to a list, so that you can pick based on how you feel when you arrive.

Mother's Day and Easter

Spring brings two busy family meals. Our guides to Mother's Day lunch and Easter weekend eating out explain how to plan.

Check opening hours

Opening hours matter more in spring than people expect. Some places extend their hours as the days lengthen. Others reopen after a winter break. Check hours before you travel, especially in smaller towns.

Light does not mean small

A lighter menu is not always a smaller meal. Many kitchens swap heavy sauces for fresh herbs, citrus and crisp vegetables, and the plate is just as generous. If you are hungry, ask the server what is most filling among the lighter dishes, and order a side or a starter to share. If you want to eat less, the same dishes work as a small plate.

A worked example for a spring afternoon

Suppose you have a free afternoon and the sun is out. Book a late lunch at a place with a window or a garden, order a lighter main and share a pudding. Walk afterwards, in the park or along the water, and finish with a coffee. Keep dinner for another day. A single long lunch in good light often feels more generous than two rushed meals.

Lighter does not mean joyless

A good spring menu keeps the pleasure and loses the weight. Herbs, citrus, young vegetables and fish suit the season, and a well-made salad or broth can be as satisfying as a stew. Ask the server what is most popular at the moment. It is often the dish the kitchen is proudest of.

Keep your own record

Rate the places you eat in, and note what was on the menu. A rating in spring helps other diners know which kitchens are changing with the season.