Lucinda O’Sullivan’s restaurant review: Chaat and cheer at two of Dublin’s latest Asian foodie hubs

Always a fan of Eastern cuisines, our critic visited two of Dublin’s newest Asian eateries, ADDA & Thindi

Samosa chaat at Thindi. Photo: Lucinda O'Sullivan

Lucinda O'Sullivan

Having come to Dublin some eight years ago from Karachi in Pakistan, Ahmed Abdullah found it hard to get the type of healthy lunchtime food he enjoyed, and so he recently opened his own café — ADDA on Clanbrassil Street. It’s a very colourful, welcoming little spot, seating just eight or 10 people inside, but it also has a smashing covered deck area to the front, accommodating a similar number.

A lot of gym enthusiasts, Ahmed told me, want healthy and high-protein foods, which he aims to provide. Along with a super assortment of coffees, teas, smoothies and iced drinks, there’s a lovely selection of eclectic sandwiches, wraps and bagels (€5.50-€8.90) including Brie and Wensleydale cheeses with cranberries, spinach, mango chutney; or turkey salami, with peppers, red cheddar, rocket, gherkin and mustard — add soup for just €3. There was also a shisha menu with fruity and spice flavours at €20-€25. We, however, were there to try the specials of momos (small €9.90, large €14.90) and the chicken dum biryani (€12.90).