Ahead of this year’s much anticipated Beyond The Pale festival, we catch up with some of Dublin’s most exciting restaurants as they get set to join the festival programme. First up is Reggie White, owner of cult Rathmines pizzeria, Reggie’s, who shared his thoughts as he gets ready to bring his signature organic sourdough pies to this year’s festival in Glendalough this June.
Reggie, what’s your take on festival cooking – do you see it as an opportunity for chaos, creative freedom, or something else?
There’s enough chaos in hospitality as it is. I see this as an opportunity to deliver restaurant quality food in a festival environment. Festival food can be grim enough so, with Host and Ibile, I’m looking forward to delivering something delicious for festival goers.
What challenges do you face when you take your kitchen out of the restaurant and drop it into a festival setting in Wicklow?
Everyone’s got a plan ‘til they get punched in the face… There’s many unknowns but that’s the fun of it. The pizza oven is the biggest unknown. Make a million lists and do your best.
Is there any one flavour or ingredient that defines your menu at Beyond The Pale?
Nothing unusual. Just the ‘greatest hits’ done to the best of our ability. Quality you didn’t think possible at a festival.
What dish are you most excited to serve at the festival? Is there anything on the menu that might surprise your regulars?
We wanted guests to feel like they’re getting value for money so we’ve combined our garlic bread with our meatballs – two of our very best dishes in one. When the garlic bread meets the meatballs, oh boy, absolutely delicious.
What does it mean for you to be part of the food line-up at Beyond The Pale this year?
It’s all a bit of fun. Something different to make sure we’ve not lost our touch. And a real privilege to be invited.
Your festival menu in three words…
Work – Sleep – Repeat.
Beyond the food, what are you most looking forward to experiencing at the 2026 festival?
Festival cooking is a different buzz, with a lot of camaraderie between the different businesses. I’m looking forward to being out in the open air, having a laugh, doing what we love. Hopefully I get to see some of the exceptional line-up too.
About Dining Experiences at Beyond The Pale
This year sees Ali Dunworth returning to curate Beyond The Plate, which this year is themed The Spice Bag Edition, celebrating global influences on Irish food through tastings, collaborations, and storytelling.
Three of Dublin’s most exciting restaurants – Reggie’s, Host and IBILE – will be cooking up a storm at this year’s festival. Ranelagh’s Host brings primal, fire‑led cooking and generous shared plates; Reggie’s, the cult Rathmines pizzeria, brings its signature pies to the festival; and Ibíle serves bold West African flavours and spice‑driven dishes designed for sharing.
With only three sittings per restaurant per day, capacity for these sit‑down dining experiences are limited. Bookings are now open via itsbeyondthepale.ie/
Beyond the Pale takes place from June 12th to 14th at Glendalough Estate, Co. Wicklow.
