New Shops/Businesses in Bray

SlipperyPeople · 02-03-2026 11:11AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124276503#Comment_124276503

God I just looked up Campo De' Fiori and my wife and I were lamenting that's exactly the type of place we'd love in Bray.

Bray is a funny place - locals don't seem to want or can't spend money on food. Would've thought there's decent margin in an Italian place but probably not if the rent is insane - Ripasso has laid idle for 3 years now and no one taking a chance on it.

There's a fully kitted restaurant up for 1.2 milly. Duggans passed on it so prob not worth it.

https://www.daft.ie/commercial-property-for-sale/fontenoy-place-strand-road-bray-co-wicklow/5328297

SlipperyPeople · 02-03-2026 12:59PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124266873#Comment_124266873

https://www.longthanhchinese.ie/#about

And it is - great - googling "Diep Bray" brings up long thanh bray

0ph0rce0 · 02-03-2026 02:36PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124278063#Comment_124278063

Just Diep rebranded. Still using the Diep name in menu items. Meh. Bland oul tosh.

zoobizoo · 03-03-2026 10:01AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124277770#Comment_124277770

If the Duggans pass on an opportunity, there is a very good reason for it.

They know the local market well.

Pity they closed the Tower Bistro (which was upstairs to the right in The Martello) serving a fancier menu than the rest of the bar.

Also a pity that somewhere like Pink Salt doesn't upgrade their seating and interior. I was in Chakra in Greystones the other week getting takeout and it just felt like a nicer higher end place (and yes, their prices to dine in reflect that).

zoobizoo · 06-03-2026 08:47AM

The shutter at Gusto has been repaired.

spillit67 · 07-03-2026 02:39PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124280385#Comment_124280385

Too far down the Promenade imo.

The fact that Bray is sandwiched between Greystones and Dalkey is a bit of an issue, I think. What attracts people to Bray are the nice days. It’s a huge place and struggles to have a concentration of really good places. Quinnsborough Road really should have some high end eateries on it, in fairness though both the cafes are good.

Do the council not give grants or prizes for shop fronts? A lot of these landlords need to put up some money themselves. Allowing your buildings to get run down is bad for all businesses around and is a viscous cycle.

SlipperyPeople · 07-03-2026 03:56PM

I see the guy who owns burger boy and pendejo tacos is shutting pendejo to expand burgerboyto accommodate for demand and deliveries.

Pity I enjoyed the tacos and frozen margs. Nice to have a different option

zoobizoo · 08-03-2026 04:32PM

I would imagine that the restaurant for lease at The Bray Head Hotel will lie vacant for some time.

And then it will probably be turned into apartments as the cost to transform it into a working restaurant would be significant. Factor in the loss of the Cliff Walk traffic, and then as mentioned before, it's location away from the main strip.

It is a nice space though:

https://www.daft.ie/commercial-property-for-rent/fontenoy-bray-sea-front-bray-co-wicklow/6303591

BlueSkyDreams · 08-03-2026 06:15PM

Any word on the cliff walk reopening?

murpho999 · 09-03-2026 10:53AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124296385#Comment_124296385

Well Cliff Walk is not a business but it's closed for the considereabe future as recent reports have deemed it far too dangerous to reopen.

https://www.rte.ie/news/leinster/2026/0226/1560623-bray-greystones-cliff-walk/

GreatScott2024 · 11-03-2026 10:00AM

Not necessarily a new business, as such, but if anyone is interested in taking up boxing, or starting their kids in boxing. Tough Glove at Castle Street shopping centre are offering introduction deals at the minute.

I've been a member here over 6 months now, and I can't recommend the gym enough. The trainers are excellent, and they cater for all levels. There are early morning classes, and evening classes. Plus a few classes on the Saturday morning.

Any questions, drop us a DM.

zoobizoo · 11-03-2026 06:46PM

The new name for O'Sullivans/McCormacks will be.........

.…................"The Castle Inn"!

As a resident down the Dargle, I'm looking forward to the opening.

GreatScott2024 · 12-03-2026 09:32AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124304790#Comment_124304790

Same, it'll be nice to have an option close by.

I wasn't mad on the layout of O'Sullivans. I felt the back end felt too much like a function room at times.

Hopefully the food is good in this new place.

zoobizoo · 12-03-2026 02:41PM

New music festival in Bray.

https://www.underthegiant.com/

spillit67 · 12-03-2026 08:57PM

What’s going on with Bennys?

zoobizoo · 13-03-2026 07:18PM

Michael Doherty's on the main St is closing down.

George White · 13-03-2026 07:35PM

Ah no

loyatemu · 15-03-2026 12:32AM

I wonder if the introduction of free schoolbooks has killed their business model? Though online sales had probably already taken a lot of that business.

Peckham · 15-03-2026 09:55AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124313378#Comment_124313378

From what I understand they moved their school book business online as they supply in bulk to schools. Physical shop became a strain on the business, so they're closing that part of their business.

More an evolution of their business than a failure.

spillit67 · 15-03-2026 10:33AM

The kind of store that held on against all the headwinds for longer than really could be expected. It won’t be replaced on a like for like basis.

Just too much zoned commercial in Bray (and other places), with more to come. The free parking of Carrickmines and also the Southern Cross retail does not help either.

Time to allow some of these units to be demolished and replaced by townhouses.

zoobizoo · 15-03-2026 11:33AM

Bennys have a notice saying that they've been delayed travelling home due to Middle East issues.

Pity to see another empty unit on the Main St. and a pity that there'll be no arts and craft shop in the town.

George White · 15-03-2026 01:11PM

NNo proper Stationers has MD's properly closed or will it have a sale on Monday?

zoobizoo · 15-03-2026 02:04PM

Sale has started. Great deals.

zoobizoo · 18-03-2026 04:17PM

Sushiro Noodles and Sushi have opened in RaRa near McDonald's. Just saw the sign outside today.

No idea what it's like.

g0g · 18-03-2026 04:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124322001#Comment_124322001

Replaced Rara or added new cuisines?

zoobizoo · 18-03-2026 04:21PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124322004#Comment_124322004

Think it has added new cuisines.

GreatScott2024 · 19-03-2026 10:35AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124322012#Comment_124322012

Hopefully. Rara is our favorite restaurant in the town.

murpho999 · 19-03-2026 11:36AM

I like Rara but I don't like restraurants adding cuisines to their menu. You can't specialise in all. Keep it simple and do things well.

Alun · 19-03-2026 12:18PM

It sounds more like it's a separate crowd doing it and they're just using part of the restaurant space. It's a long time since I was in there, before the name change actually, but it's quite a large space and was never even close to full.

kb70 · 21-03-2026 08:12AM

Bread 41 to open a branch in Bray.

https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2026/03/21/bread-41-to-double-footprint-in-and-around-dublin-with-at-least-four-new-bakeries

Anyone know where? At a guess it might be the old Ruby Macs on the seafront. Only place I can think of that matches their other setups.

New Shops/Businesses in Bray

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