The Ark , High Street. An ordinary bar serving ordinary bar meals - burgers, chicken, chips, and so on. Very good value and one of the few places where you can get an inexpensive meal in the evening.

Bistro Bianconi , 44 O'Connell St (tel 071/41744). Well-established and understandably popular Italian restaurant generating a warm, convivial atmosphere and serving very good pizza and pasta. Open in the evenings every day, and in the summer at lunchtime too.

Garavogue , the rear of 15-16 Stephen St (tel 071/40100). Chic and airy bar and mid-priced restaurant with riverside terrace, serving a tantalizing contemporary menu: choice menu options include crab claws in chilli lime butter, fettucine with smoked chicken, olives and sundried tomatoes, and other dishes. Last orders for food daily at 9pm.

The Loft , above M.J. Carr's , Lord Edward Street (tel 071/46770). Lively, informal railway-themed restaurant, serving moderately-priced Mexican, vegetarian and fish dishes, with carvery lunches in the bar at around midday. Daily 6-11pm.

Riverbank , Rockwood Parade (tel 071/71097). Big, cheerful cafA©-restaurant offering good value open sandwiches and filled baked potatoes during the day. In the evenings, the influence is modern Irish and French. Lunches cost around A?5/a?¬6.98, evening meals from around A?15/a?¬19.05. Mon-Sat 9am-5pm; also Wed-Sat 6.30-10pm.

Winding Stair Bookshop & CafA© , Wine Street, just near Douglas Hyde Bridge. Airy cafA© with a laid-back atmosphere offering inexpensive and wholesome sandwiches, soups, salads and quiche. Daytime only; closed Sun.