While walking down Dame Street over the weekend, I was shocked to see that Dublin favourite Kingsland chinese restaurant had gone. In its place was a much more gaudy looking establishment called KingCharlies.
A quick google search led me to finding out that it actually closed back in May 2009!
Kingsland was a real Dublin institution. I’ve been trying to find out when it actually opened. The newspaper clip below shows that they opened another branch in Dalkey in 1984, so I guess the Dame Street restaurant dates back to at least the early 1980s? I’ve made the necessary correction on my list of Dublin’s oldest restaurants that are still open.
I think KingCharles is related to Charlie’s, the chain of Chinese fast food places.
I imagined that as well. It looks pretty expensive mind you!!
Sesame King Prawn On Toast – € 7.20
Vegetable Pancake Rolls – € 6.00
http://kingcharlies.com
The owner my father passed and the restaurant was sold in a long drawn out process with the rest of the estate. your assumptions are correct there was a Dalkey branch aptly and unimaginative name Kingsland 2. We also owned Charlie’s fast food also in Dame street name after our father Charlie. The fast food restaurant was sold to Terry one of the cooks whom worked for Kingsland. Terry expanded the brand to serval locations in and around Dublin but I’m unaware whom took over the old Kingsland lease !? Btw Kingsland restaurant opened around 1977/78 and did become was a institute with Dublin society , I miss those times. hope this has clarified matter .
Graeme (eldest son)