Monday 20th October, 2025 – Famed for exceptional quality dining experiences, Michelin-starred chef Oliver Dunne is serving up Christmas with a twist this November with the launch of ‘Feast by Lidl’ – an immersive new pop-up festive restaurant where diners can choose their own immersive culinary experience in this tale of two Christmases which seeks to answer the all-important question – ‘Are you Naughty or Nice?’
Guests can discover whether they’re a little bit Naughty or truly Nice when it comes to their Christmas plate, choosing between two tasting menus that reflect Ireland’s love for Christmas cuisine as new research commissioned by Lidl Ireland reveals the nation’s best-loved and most divisive dishes that make or break the festive feast.
A staggering 81% of the Irish public are traditionalists when it comes to Christmas dinner, preferring to stick to tried-and-true classics. Nearly two thirds (64%) say that not having the traditional turkey and ham feast would ruin their enjoyment of Christmas day.
Thinking about the most loved parts of the plate, stuffing is the star of the show, with a fifth of the public (22%) saying it’s the highlight of the meal. Roasties come in a close second (20%), followed by the classic turkey (17%) and ham (11%).
At the other end of the table, nearly 1 in 5 (17%) like to switch up the festive feast and experiment with new dishes. More than a third of Irish people (35%) would trade turkey for beef, whilst a quarter would consider duck (23%) as the centrepiece of the meal. 1 in 10 would choose venison (9%).
The item most Irish people would like to see banished from the dinner plate is chestnuts (16%), with 28% of the public going as far to say that they loathe them, but Brussels sprouts take the crown for the most hated Christmas food of all time, with nearly one in five (16%) banning them from their Christmas dinner plate altogether. Nearly 1 in 10 would vote for red cabbage (10%), pigs in blankets (9%), cranberry sauce and cauliflower cheese to drop off the plate.
This Christmas, Lidl Ireland is serving up a festive twist on tradition as the country’s leading discount retailer invites food lovers to take a seat at the season’s most daring dining experience – “Feast by Lidl”.
Following the success of last year’s sold-out wine tasting in the dark experience Vino Sensoria – which saw Lidl fans snap up tickets in less than 48 hours – Lidl Ireland is back with this season’s must-attend Christmas event, showcasing the best of the retailer’s award-winning Deluxe Christmas food and drink range with a specially crafted tasting menu curated and prepared by Michelin-starred chef Oliver Dunne.
The exclusive pop-up restaurant opens its doors to the public at The Chocolate Factory, 26 King’s Inns Street, Dublin 1, for an exclusive run over two days on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th November, with lunch and dinner sittings available. With limited reservations available, tickets for ‘Feast by Lidl’ go on sale at 9am, Friday 24th October via Eventbrite and are expected to sell out fast.
PICK YOUR SIDE – NAUGHTY VS NICE
For traditionalists, the Nice Menu at ‘Feast by Lidl’ takes diners on a classic tasting journey through Lidl’s most-loved Deluxe festive favourites and best selling Christmas foods, bringing a traditional taste of home to the festive season. Guests on the ‘nice’ side can expect joyous excess to match the larger-than-life setting where the spirit of Christmas is as big and bright as the dazzling decorations which crown this the most festive restaurant in Dublin.
For experimentalists, the Naughty Menu at ‘Feast by Lidl’ is a playful reimagining of the nation’s most divisive festive foods, transformed into inventive dishes designed to reawaken taste buds and surprise the palate. Served in whimsical but elegant surroundings, with theatrics for good measure, the naughty side is reserved for the wickedly curious.
No matter which side of the restaurant, guests can expect elevated seasonal dining with a sumptuous five-course Christmas tasting menu perfectly paired with Lidl’s curated selection of wines, beers and spirits, by Lidl’s Master of Wine, Richard Bampfield, showcasing the quality and value at the heart of Lidl’s award-winning Deluxe range.
Commenting on the pop-up concept, chef Oliver Dunne said:
“Feast by Lidl is a Christmas dining experience like no other and I’m so excited to work with Lidl Ireland on this unique concept. Christmas dinner is sacred, particularly in Ireland – it’s about comfort, nostalgia and family. However, food should also surprise you. Feast by Lidl takes the familiar and flips it on its head. It’s festive dining that proves great food and great value can absolutely share the same table.
Working with Lidl Ireland’s fresh seasonal ingredients, locally sourced from Irish suppliers, I’ve created two unique menus celebrating the best of Christmas food. The Nice menu is designed to be a festive food hug, showcasing the best in fresh Irish seafood, succulent turkey and ham with all the trimmings and decadent desserts, whilst the Naughty menu puts the forgotten festive fayre in the centre of the table, from tender duck, to juicy scallops and indulgent pâté. Whether you’re naughty or nice this year, Feast by Lidl will challenge perceptions and leave you wanting more.”
More than a meal, Feast by Lidl is a celebration of Irish quality, local produce, and what people value in the season. Almost half of the Irish public surveyed (42%) said that spending time with family and friends was what they valued most about Christmas, whilst almost a quarter (22%) enjoy good food and drink and a fifth (18%) value the magic of the season.
With 90% of people surveyed saying price is a key factor in choosing festive food, and 88% prioritising quality, Feast by Lidl showcases how Lidl’s Deluxe range delivers both – combining beloved flavours, bold reinventions and a feast that challenges the festive taste buds.
Eimear O’Sullivan, Corporate Affairs Director at Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland said:
“Christmas is undoubtedly the most anticipated meal of the year and we can see from the research just how much we as a nation value not only the exceptional food, but time spent at the table. Feast by Lidl is a completely unique festive dining experience which celebrates all that the season has to offer in a bespoke dual-concept restaurant space that really has the wow factor no matter which side you’re dining on.
Working with Chef Oliver Dunne, we’ve created a multi-course tasting menu that perfectly showcases the incredible breadth and quality of our award-winning Lidl Deluxe range and allows diners to experience for themselves the freshness and value in every bite. Feast by Lidl proves that whether you stick with tradition or embrace the unexpected, festive flavour and meaningful moments always belong together. With tickets priced at just €20, we’re expecting this event to sell out fast so get in quick and reserve your seat at this year’s biggest and boldest Christmas event.”
Tickets for ‘Feast by Lidl’, priced €20 (excluding booking fee) per person, go on sale at 9am on Friday 24th October via Eventbrite – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/feast-by-lidl-tickets-1819129357879
Ticket sale proceeds will be donated to Lidl Ireland’s charity partner, Family Carers Ireland.
–ENDS–
Notes to Editors
Event Details
Location: The Chocolate Factory, 26 King’s Inns Street, Dublin 1
Dates: Saturday 8th – Sunday 9th November 2025. Daily lunch sitting at 1-4pm and dinner sitting at 6-9pm
Consumer research conducted by Red C on behalf of Lidl Ireland via online survey of 966 people, geographically represented across Ireland, from 2nd – 9th October 2025.