Restaurant Review - Ivy Asia
Wednesday 26 November 2025
There may not have been an ivy festooned double decker bus parked in Dawson Street, as was the case for the opening of The Ivy in 2018, however, for the impending arrival of its new offspring, The Ivy Asia, the ‘great unwashed’ were treated to rickshaws in the rain with live Japanese drumming on Grafton Street and Dawson Street. Meanwhile, back at the mothership, reports were emerging, yet again, of disgruntled kitchen staff, angry over the tips dispersed to them compared to the floor staff. Always great to have a happy team working together! One way or another, the staff grumblings and rumblings don’t seem to have affected business because the glitterati, if not the literati, are still flocking to knock back cocktails and Prosecco at this brash colourful hub of cafe society.
The modern-day version is a far cry from the legendary Ivy, founded in 1917 as a late-night Italian cafe in London’s theatre-land. Today’s customers tend to be ‘stars in their own firmament’ and socialites glammed up to the nines for girlie gatherings or a birthday bash. But, hell, whatever makes you happy.
lucindaosullivan.com
First Published In The Sunday Independent