Daata Bray Success Story
Daata Bray has become one of Ireland’s most renowned Pakistani restaurants. It is well known for its delicious Pakistani dishes. What began as a hubble venture continues to serve authentic and flavourful dishes with passion.
The Beginning of Daata Restaurant
Daata Restaurant was founded in 1999 by Mohammed Saleem, a chef born in Pakistan. He envisioned introducing the Pakistani flavours into Ireland. The name Daata is inspired by the revered shrine Daata Darbar in Lahore, symbolising generosity and hospitality. The small Pakistani takeaway in Bray became an immediate hit on the Dublin food scene. Home-style curry, freshly baked naan, and aromatic spices were the reasons for setting it apart.
A Family-run Legacy
Since the start, Daata Restaurant has been a family-run business. Mohammed Saleem’s wife, Shamin, and his children, Aliha, Fahad, and Kiran have played a key role in its success. Together with their children and a committed team, they continue to lead the restaurant with the same passion.
Expansion Across Ireland
With initial success in Bray Dublin, Daata gradually expanded its reach. In 2017, Daata Greystones opened, followed by a branch in Glasthule in 2019. The demand for authentic flavours led to further growth. Increased demand for authentic flavours spurred growth further. In 2024, Daata Blackrock opened its doors. The four outlets have followed a single vision: good ingredients, authentic recipes, and a pleasing ambience.
Place of Daata in Ireland’s Culinary Scenes
We often hear a lot about indian restaurants in Ireland, but Pakistani restaurants receive far less attention. However this Pakistani restaurant stands as a true success story, showcasing the rich flavours and culinary heritage of pakistan.
In recent years, Pakistani cuisine has become increasingly popular in Ireland. Daata is one of the proponents of that. Daata, with other notable restaurants, is contributing to Ireland’s diverse dining scene. However, Daata’s authenticity sets it apart.
Gordon Ramsay’s Visit – A Stamp of Approval
In 2024, Daata Bray welcomed an unexpected but high-profile guest: world-renowned chef Gordon Ramsay. The staff and the visitors were delighted by his presence. He was more than happy to take pictures with them after the meal.
In their Instagram post, the restaurant wrote: ‘We are over the moon (and still shocked) that Gordon Ramsay chose Daata restaurant for his dinner tonight. WE CANNOT BELIEVE IT.’
For his meal, Ramsay ordered Saleem’s Butter Chicken and Shamim’s Afghani Chicken, the restaurant’s specialties. His visit ensured Daata’s reputation as the best Pakistani restaurant in Ireland.
The restaurant also revealed that Gordon Ramsay had heard of Daata by word of mouth and then came in. He was very happy to speak to the chefs. He commended them on their culinary skills. The restaurant said that It was an honour to host him that night. He also encouraged them by kind comments on their food, service, and ambience.
At that time, Ramsay was filming around Ireland for the new season of his show Next Level Chef. His surprise visit to Daata only adds to the fame of the restaurant.
The Signature Flavours of Daata
Daata offers a specially created menu consisting of traditional and modern flavours. Here are a few dishes:
Butter Chicken: A creamy curry with slow-cooked chicken in a spiced tomato-based sauce.
Mughlai Prawn Curry: A lavish dish in coconut, cashew, saffron, and other aromatic spices.
Daata Thaal Sharing Platter: Selection of the restaurant’s appetising signature starters and curries.
Vegan and Vegetarian Options: The plant-based winning dishes in this category cater to all and any form of dietary specification.All dishes contain authentic ingredients sourced from spice from Pakistan.
Each dish is prepared using valuable ingredients of spices sourced directly from Pakistan to ensure authenticity.
Awards and Recognitions
Daata Restaurant has been a subject to many honours. In 2023, the restaurant won the ‘Best Indian’ category at the Just Eat Awards. Daata Glasthule was further honoured with the title of the Best Indian restaurant in Dublin at the Asian Restaurant Awards. Daata Bray also won the Diner’s Choice award and Best Front of House. These awards reflect Daata’s commitment to quality and exceptional customer service.
Looking on the Future
Daata is not about to slow down anytime soon. With four strong locations behind it. The restaurant expects to continue with expansion, introducing even more people to delectable, classic flavours from Pakistan. Each Daata location in Bray, Greystones, Glasthule or Blackrock stands with the highest commitment to quality, tradition, and excellent service.
Conclusion
Daata Bray started as a little Pakistani takeaway and has grown to a lovely dining place. The restaurant stands out among others restaurants in Ireland for its dedication to authenticity, its family values, and community engagement. As the restaurant continues to expand, it will, no doubt, remain a favourite dining spot for many.
