Afghani chicken and much-loved Pakistani food in Ireland are at the heart of Daata’s remarkable family story, which began with one small takeaway and has grown into a restaurant group with six locations.
For founder Mohammed Saleem, opening Daata on Dublin’s George’s Street was an especially emotional milestone. He first arrived in Ireland from Pakistan in 1990, aged 18, carrying his visa and his mother’s recipes as he began working at Shalimar, then Ireland’s only Pakistani restaurant, also on George’s Street.
Daata’s journey through Irish food
Mohammed’s early years in Dublin were shaped by hard work and community spirit. His daughter Aliha recalls how local flower, fruit and vegetable sellers helped him settle into life in Ireland, sharing produce and welcoming him as he found his feet.
Decades later, returning to the same street as the owner of his own restaurant created a powerful full-circle moment. Daata now operates in Wicklow and across Dublin, including locations in George’s Street, Sandymount, Blackrock and Glasthule. The family has also introduced delivery from its Sandymount, Blackrock and Glasthule restaurants, with collection available from George’s Street.
The story will appeal to anyone interested in food Ireland, Dublin restaurant reviews and the people behind the country’s evolving food scene. It is also a reminder that some of the most meaningful best restaurants Ireland stories begin with a modest takeaway and a great deal of perseverance.
A family business built around recipes
Mohammed and his wife, Shamim, spent years building the business while raising their children. Aliha remembers a childhood in which both parents worked tirelessly in their Bray takeaway. Today, Mohammed and Shamim have stepped back, leaving Aliha and her brother Fahad to continue the family legacy.
Fahad leads the cooking, while Aliha works front of house and brings a highly trained palate to the business. Growing up around Pakistani cooking meant learning the family recipes from an early age. Their father’s belief was simple: anyone can cook, but passion is what makes food memorable.
That family connection remains central to Daata’s identity. Although Aliha and Fahad sometimes disagree over business decisions, they continue to work together, balancing different ideas while protecting the standards established by their parents.
Afghani chicken remains a customer favourite
One of Daata’s biggest sellers is Afghani chicken, based on Shamim’s recipe. The creamy curry combines fenugreek and lemon, creating a distinctive dish that reflects the restaurant’s individual approach to Pakistani cuisine.
Aliha believes Pakistani food offers something for almost every diner, from fragrant curries and comforting creamy dishes to richly seasoned specialities. That broad appeal has helped Daata become a familiar name for people looking for places to eat Dublin, family dining and takeaway food with a strong personal story.
For anyone exploring an Irish food guide or searching for Dublin food recommendations, Daata’s story offers more than a restaurant listing. It shows how traditional recipes, entrepreneurial ambition and a welcoming local community can come together to create a lasting Irish food business.
Read more: Explore food news Ireland and Irish food guide stories, including ideas for where to eat Ireland.
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A lasting taste of family and community
Daata’s growth from a Bray takeaway to a six-restaurant family business is rooted in more than commercial success. It is a story of migration, memory, family recipes and the friendships Mohammed formed when he was starting out in Ireland.
Whether diners visit a restaurant, collect an order or use the new delivery service, Daata offers a taste of Pakistani cuisine shaped by generations and adapted through years spent in Ireland. Its journey is a warm reminder that the best food in Ireland is often found where heritage and local community meet.
Article/Image Courtesy: evoke.ie
