Best Restaurants in Dublin

Dublin's Restaurant Scene

Dublin's food scene has changed beyond recognition in the last fifteen years. If you'd told someone in 2008 that you could get world-class natural wine, proper Neapolitan pizza, and a Michelin-starred tasting menu all within a ten-minute walk of each other on the Northside, they'd have laughed you out of the pub. But here we are.

The city's always had its stalwarts. Places like the old Unicorn on Merrion Court or Chapter One on Parnell Square have been feeding Dubliners well for decades. But the real shift happened when a wave of young chefs who'd trained in London, Copenhagen, and New York started coming home. They brought technique and ambition, but they also brought something else: a proper respect for Irish ingredients that their predecessors sometimes overlooked. Suddenly, everyone was talking about Burren smoked salmon, Gubbeen chorizo, and Andarl Farm eggs.

What makes Dublin's food scene genuinely special now isn't the fine dining (though that's very good). It's the depth. You've got brilliant casual spots on every second corner. You've got neighbourhood restaurants that would be destination dining in most cities. And you've got a generation of chefs who actually want to cook in Dublin, not just use it as a stepping stone. The result is a city where you can eat exceptionally well at almost every price point, if you know where to look.

This guide is written from the perspective of someone who actually lives here and eats out regularly. Not every famous restaurant makes the list, and some quieter spots do. That's deliberate.

Best Restaurants by Area

City Centre

Chapter One has been Dublin's most consistently excellent fine dining restaurant for years now, tucked into the basement of the Dublin Writers Museum on Parnell Square. The tasting menu changes with the seasons and showcases the very best of Irish produce. It's not cheap, but it's worth every cent. The lunch menu is significantly more affordable and just as beautifully executed. If you're going to splurge once during a visit, make it here.

Etto on Merrion Row is one of those restaurants that does everything right without making a fuss about it. Simple Italian-leaning food, a short menu that changes constantly, and a wine list that'll have you lingering longer than planned. It's tiny, so book ahead. The pasta dishes are consistently superb, and the daily specials board is always worth a look. This is where you'll find off-duty chefs eating on their night off, which tells you everything.

The Woollen Mills sits right on the Ha'penny Bridge, overlooking the Liffey. It's a great all-day spot. Breakfast and brunch are excellent, and the dinner menu features solid, unfussy cooking with good Irish ingredients. The location is unbeatable for people-watching, and unlike a lot of spots in that tourist-heavy stretch, the food actually delivers.

Coppinger Row on the street of the same name, just off South William Street, is a Dublin institution at this point. Mediterranean-leaning food, great cocktails, and a buzzy atmosphere that makes it perfect for groups. Their mezze plates are ideal for sharing, and the outdoor terrace on a sunny evening is one of the best spots in the city centre. It fills up fast on weekends, so don't chance a walk-in on a Saturday night.

Fade Street Social, Dylan McGrath's spot on Fade Street, offers two experiences in one: a more casual gastropub at the front and a proper dining room at the back. The gastropub side is great value for the quality you're getting, and the cocktail bar upstairs is a solid pre-dinner option. The steak in the dining room is superb.

Kimchi Hophouse on Parnell Street is one of the best Korean restaurants in the city. Parnell Street has become Dublin's unofficial Chinatown, with a brilliant run of Asian restaurants stretching from O'Connell Street down towards the Ilac Centre. Kimchi's bibimbap is excellent, and the fried chicken is addictive. Unpretentious, filling, and very reasonably priced.

Camden Street and Portobello

This stretch has become Dublin's most exciting food corridor. Walk from the top of Camden Street down to the canal at Portobello and you'll pass more good restaurants than you could visit in a month.

Bastible on South Circular Road is one of Dublin's most talked-about restaurants, and it deserves every bit of the hype. Chef Barry Fitzgerald cooks with incredible precision, and the dishes have a quiet confidence that's really appealing. The set menu is outstanding value for what you're getting. The room itself is intimate without feeling cramped, and the service strikes that perfect balance between attentive and relaxed.

Delahunt on Camden Street Lower occupies a beautiful old Victorian building that used to be a grocery shop. The cooking is modern Irish at its best: seasonal, ingredient-led, and full of flavour. Their Sunday lunch is one of the best in Dublin, proper roasts done with real care. The upstairs bar, called The Horsebox, is worth knowing about for cocktails before or after dinner.

Pickle on Camden Street is Dublin's best Indian restaurant, full stop. Chef Sunil Ghai's cooking is miles ahead of your average Indian takeaway. The spicing is precise, the ingredients are top-notch, and dishes like the lamb shank rogan josh or the Keralan fish curry are genuinely memorable. Book well in advance for weekend dinners.

Camden Kitchen is a great neighbourhood spot that's been quietly doing its thing for years. Seasonal menus, good natural wines, and a relaxed atmosphere that makes it perfect for a midweek dinner when you don't want anything too formal.

Assassination Custard on Kevin Street Lower is technically a wine bar, but the food is so good it deserves a mention. Small plates, natural wines by the glass, and a vibe that's uniquely Dublin. The name alone tells you they don't take themselves too seriously.

Ranelagh and Rathmines

Forest Avenue on Sussex Road in Ranelagh is one of the best restaurants in Dublin. Chef John Wyer and Sandy Wyer have created something really special here. The tasting menu is exceptional, built around whatever's best that week from their network of Irish producers. It doesn't have a Michelin star, which baffles a lot of people, but the regulars don't care about that. They just keep coming back because the food is consistently brilliant. The room is clean and modern, the service is warm, and the wine pairings are thoughtfully chosen.

Luna on Drury Street (with a second location in Ranelagh on Dunville Avenue) does modern Italian food with real skill. The pasta is made fresh daily, the pizzas are excellent, and the tiramisu is the best in Dublin. It's one of those places that works for everything: a quick lunch, a proper dinner date, or a lazy Sunday with friends. The Ranelagh branch is slightly quieter and easier to get a table.

Ashtons on Castlewood Avenue in Rathmines is a proper neighbourhood gastropub. Good steaks, craft beers, and a roaring fire in winter. It's the kind of place where you bump into your neighbours and end up staying longer than intended. Nothing fancy, just really well-done pub food with heart.

Ho Sen on Rathmines Road is a Vietnamese restaurant that's been a local favourite for years. The pho is warming and aromatic, the summer rolls are fresh and vibrant, and the whole thing is remarkably affordable. There's usually a queue on weekend evenings, but it moves quickly.

Stoneybatter and Smithfield

Stoneybatter has gone from one of Dublin's most overlooked neighbourhoods to one of its coolest in about a decade. Manor Street and the surrounding streets are now packed with excellent spots to eat.

L. Mulligan Grocer on Stoneybatter's main drag is hard to categorise. It's a pub, but the food is restaurant-quality. Their scotch eggs are legendary (genuinely, people cross the city for them). The craft beer selection is superb, and they do a fantastic Sunday roast. The building has loads of character, all dark wood and old signage, and the atmosphere is always lively.

Oxmantown on Mary's Lane, just off Smithfield Square, is a brilliant daytime cafe and brunch spot. Their sandwiches are some of the best in Dublin, made with proper bread and quality fillings. The coffee is excellent too. If you're in the area for the Jameson Distillery or the Smithfield markets, this is where you eat.

Slice on Manor Street does some of the best pizza in Dublin. Proper thin-crust Neapolitan-style pizza at very fair prices. It's tiny, so you might have to wait for a table, but they do takeaway too. The margherita is a thing of beauty, simple and perfect.

Bread 41 on Pearse Street has a Stoneybatter outpost now, and it's fantastic. Their sourdough is among the best in the city, and the pastries are exceptional. It's more of a bakery-cafe than a restaurant, but the lunch offerings are superb.

Northside

The Northside doesn't get enough credit in Dublin food guides, which is a shame because some of the city's most interesting eating happens north of the Liffey.

Musashi on Capel Street is a Dublin institution. This no-frills Japanese spot has been serving some of the best sushi and ramen in the city for years. There's usually a queue out the door on Capel Street, especially on weekend evenings, but the turnover is quick. The donburi bowls are filling and flavourful, and the miso ramen on a cold Dublin evening is exactly what you need. Capel Street itself has become one of the most vibrant food streets in the city since it went traffic-free.

Mr Fox on Parnell Square East is worth seeking out. The dining room is gorgeous, all elegant without being stuffy, and the menu is modern European with Irish touches. It's a great spot for a special dinner without the price tag of some of the more famous fine dining spots. Their early bird menu is particularly good value.

The Winding Stair on Ormond Quay Lower has one of the best locations of any Dublin restaurant, overlooking the Ha'penny Bridge and the Liffey. The cooking is rooted in Irish tradition but done with real finesse. Think slow-braised beef cheeks, pan-fried hake with samphire, and brown bread ice cream. The bookshop downstairs is a lovely bonus.

Sushi King on Capel Street is another Northside Japanese spot worth knowing. Less well-known than Musashi, it's a great alternative when the queue across the road is too long. The bento boxes at lunchtime are brilliant value.

Coastal

Some of Dublin's best eating happens along the coast, from Howth in the north to Dalkey in the south.

Cavistons in Glasthule is legendary. It started as a fishmonger and deli, and the restaurant next door serves some of the freshest seafood you'll find anywhere in Ireland. The menu is short and driven entirely by what's come off the boats that morning. If you're a fish lover, this is a pilgrimage. Glasthule is a lovely village to wander around before or after lunch, and the DART will have you there in twenty minutes from Pearse Station.

Hartley's in Dun Laoghaire, right on the waterfront, is perfect for a long weekend lunch. The seafood is excellent and the views across Dublin Bay to Howth Head are stunning. Walk the pier after your meal and you'll understand why Dun Laoghaire locals are so smug about where they live.

Octopussy's in Howth is a casual seafood spot on the West Pier that's been a favourite for years. Fresh fish and chips, chowder, and crab claws, eaten while watching the fishing boats come and go. It's not fancy, but it doesn't need to be. Take the DART to Howth, walk the cliff path, and reward yourself with lunch here.

Fallon & Byrne in Dun Laoghaire (in the old Pavilion building) is a newer addition to the coastal dining scene. Great for brunch with sea views, and the deli section means you can pick up supplies for a picnic on the pier.

Best Restaurants by Budget

Under 20 euro

Eating well in Dublin doesn't have to be expensive. These spots prove it.

Kimchi Hophouse on Parnell Street does filling Korean meals for well under twenty euro. Musashi on Capel Street is another great option, with ramen and donburi bowls that won't break the bank. Pi Pizza on South Great George's Street serves some of the best pizza in the city at very fair prices. Bobos on Dame Court does proper gourmet burgers that are a step above the usual, and a burger with a side will land you comfortably under twenty.

Lemon on South William Street does crepes, both sweet and savoury, and it's been a Dublin lunchtime favourite since it opened. Quick, tasty, and cheap. Cervi's on Chatham Street is great for a fast, excellent Italian lunch. And don't overlook Aobaba on Capel Street for Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches that are absolutely packed with flavour for under a tenner.

20 to 40 euro

This is the sweet spot for a really good dinner out in Dublin. You've got loads of options.

Etto, Camden Kitchen, and Delahunt all offer early bird or set menus that come in around thirty to forty euro for two or three courses. These are serious restaurants doing serious food at approachable prices, as long as you eat early (before half seven, usually). Pickle is also achievable in this bracket if you're strategic with your ordering, though it's easy to spend more if the wine list catches your eye.

Luna is great at this price point. A pasta, a main, and a glass of wine will come in around thirty to thirty-five euro. Coppinger Row works well for sharing plates, where a few mezze dishes and a cocktail each keeps things reasonable.

L. Mulligan Grocer is excellent value. A starter and main with a couple of craft beers will be comfortably under forty euro, and you'll eat better than in places charging twice that.

Special Occasion (50 euro and above)

When you want to go all out, Dublin can deliver.

Chapter One is the obvious choice, and rightly so. The tasting menu is around ninety-five euro, with wine pairings adding another sixty or so. It's worth it for the experience. Forest Avenue is slightly more affordable and equally excellent, with their tasting menu coming in around seventy euro.

Bastible sits in a nice sweet spot for special occasions. It feels celebratory without being intimidating, and the set menu is around sixty-five euro. The food is consistently stunning.

Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud on Merrion Street Upper is Dublin's only two-Michelin-star restaurant. It's the most expensive meal you'll have in Dublin, but for a truly once-in-a-lifetime dinner, the cooking is remarkable. The dining room overlooks the gardens of the Merrion Hotel, and the whole experience is polished to perfection.

Liath in Blackrock (formerly Heron and Grey) holds a Michelin star and offers one of the most creative tasting menus in the country. Chef Damien Grey's cooking is inventive and technically brilliant. It's a small room with very limited seatings, so you'll need to book well in advance.

Best for Specific Occasions

Date Night

Etto is perfect for a date. It's intimate, the food is beautiful, and the wine list encourages lingering. Bastible is another great shout, candlelit and romantic without being cheesy. Forest Avenue works brilliantly if you want the tasting menu experience without the formality of somewhere like Chapter One. For something more casual, Assassination Custard is a great low-key option where the natural wines and small plates create an easy, relaxed atmosphere.

Groups

Coppinger Row is built for groups. The sharing plates format means everyone gets to try everything, and the vibe is loud and social. Fade Street Social works well for bigger parties too, especially if you book the gastropub side. Delahunt can accommodate larger groups with advance notice, and their Sunday lunch is a brilliant group activity. For something more casual, book a long table at L. Mulligan Grocer and let everyone order their own thing.

Solo Dining

Dublin is a great city for eating alone, partly because the pub culture means sitting at a bar with a pint and a book is completely normal. The Woollen Mills has a great bar area where solo diners are well looked after. Musashi on Capel Street is ideal for solo eating. Just grab a seat at the counter and watch the chefs work. Etto has a couple of bar seats where you can eat the full menu. And any of the Parnell Street Asian restaurants are perfectly comfortable for a solo meal.

Brunch

Brother Hubbard on Capel Street does one of the best brunches in Dublin. Middle Eastern influences, excellent baking, and proper coffee. The shakshuka is legendary. Oxmantown in Smithfield is great for a more low-key brunch. Two Boys Brew on the Northside does fantastic brunch with excellent specialty coffee. And The Fumbally on Fumbally Lane in the Liberties does a weekend brunch that's worth queuing for, all wholesome, veggie-forward food in a beautiful old warehouse space.

Booking Tips

Dublin's restaurant scene has a few quirks worth knowing about before you go.

Book ahead for weekends. The most popular restaurants fill up quickly for Friday and Saturday nights. For places like Chapter One, Forest Avenue, Bastible, and Pickle, you'll want to book at least a week in advance, sometimes more. Etto fills up incredibly fast, so try booking as soon as tables are released.

Early bird menus are your friend. A lot of Dublin restaurants offer set menus for early sittings, typically before 6:30pm or 7:00pm. These can be dramatically cheaper than the evening a la carte, often thirty to forty percent less. Delahunt, Etto, and many others do excellent early bird options.

Walk-in culture is alive and well. Not everywhere requires a booking. Most of the casual spots on Camden Street, Capel Street, and Parnell Street are walk-in. The trick is to go slightly off-peak. A Tuesday or Wednesday at 7pm is a completely different experience to Saturday at 8pm. For the more popular places, arrive right when they open for dinner (usually 5:30pm or 6:00pm) and you'll often get a table.

Sunday lunch is an institution. Lots of restaurants that are fully booked for dinner have availability for Sunday lunch. Delahunt, The Winding Stair, and L. Mulligan Grocer all do excellent Sunday roasts. It's also usually better value than an evening meal. A proper Sunday lunch with a glass of wine, lingering over the papers, is one of the best things about eating in Dublin.

Check social media. Many Dublin restaurants announce specials, availability, and cancellations on Instagram. If you're trying to get into somewhere that's booked out, follow them and keep an eye out for last-minute tables. It works more often than you'd think.

Tipping. Ten to fifteen percent is standard in Dublin restaurants. Some places add a service charge automatically (usually for groups of six or more), so check the bill. Staff in Ireland are paid a minimum wage, but tips are still expected and appreciated in sit-down restaurants.

Explore Dublin's Food Scene

If you want to dive deeper into Dublin's food culture, a guided food tour is a brilliant way to discover spots you'd never find on your own. You'll get to sample dishes from multiple places, hear the stories behind them, and learn about Dublin's food history from someone who knows it inside out. Many tours cover areas like Temple Bar, the Liberties, and the city centre markets, with tastings at each stop.

Check out Dublin food tours on Viator or food experiences on GetYourGuide for a range of options, from morning market tours to evening pub and food crawls. They're especially good if you're visiting for the first time and want to get your bearings with the food scene quickly.

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