Eating out in Dublin is always exciting, with so many great restaurants to try. From award-winning gems to casual bistros and glamorous hotspots, the best restaurants in Dublin promise some memorable meals. The capital is home to a great food culture, with lots of focus on seasonal and regional produce, as well as sustainable agriculture. Meanwhile, Dublin’s nearby coastal regions make it an amazing city to eat local seafood or sample fresh shellfish. From group-friendly spots to stellar pubs serving top-notch pints and Sunday roasts, lively brunch destinations and fine dining gems, the best restaurants in Dublin await.
A stylish Dublin steakhouse serving prime cuts of meat and decadent lobster is perfect if you’re looking for premium produce and hearty mains, or head to Temple Bar for a hotspot that takes steak and fries very seriously. For international cuisine, you can’t go wrong with a Chinese restaurant that serves whole roasted duck, made using traditional Asian cooking techniques. As for date night, that’s taken care of with a glass-walled, top-floor eatery that offers spectacular views over Dublin city.
These are Dublin’s best restaurants that you need to try ASAP. Don’t miss out on a spot – read on for a guide of the 11 best restaurants in Dublin and book your table on OpenTable now.
The best restaurants in Dublin for an outstanding meal out – read on to get the lowdown
For elegant French food at one of Dublin’s best fine-dining restaurants – visit Pichet off Dame Street
Inspired by classic French bistros, Pichet is one of Dublin’s best restaurants for celebrating special occasions. The main dining room is simply designed and effortlessly elegant, with an open kitchen that allows diners to see the chefs at work. Pichet is well-known for its charming atmosphere as well as for its award-winning French and Irish menu, which saw it land a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand for 2024. Kick your meal off with a selection of appetising starters, like Irish mussels in butter broth or mushroom soup. Popular mains include roasted halibut with dashi broth and shitake mushrooms or John Stone striploin and pomme fondant. The wine list features an eclectic range of vintages from Europe, including less well-known wine-producing areas like Portugal and the Czech Republic – perfect if you want to sample a unique bottle with your meal.
For fresh Irish produce at one of Dublin’s best steakhouses – don’t miss FIRE Steakhouse and Bar on Dawson Street
Serving juicy steaks and locally sourced produce, FIRE Steakhouse & Bar on Dawson Street is one of the best restaurants in Dublin for meat lovers and serious foodies. The restaurant is located inside a historic Dublin building and has stunningly grand interior design, as well as an all-weather terrace overlooking a beautiful, enclosed garden. The kitchen team sources the meat from local Irish Hereford prime beef farmers and specialises in cooking meat and seafood on the grill. Popular menu items at FIRE include the 35 oz dry-aged bone-in cote de boeuf and the woodfired tiger prawns with garlic butter and fries. You can also start your meal with a half-dozen rock oysters or Irish potted crab and crayfish, while the bar serves a great range of signature cocktails and premium wines.
For a sumptuous Chinese feast at one of the best restaurants in Dublin – visit Mama Yo on Camden Street
The magical dining room and luxurious Chinese menu at Mama Yo on Camden Street marks it out as one of the best restaurants in Dublin for a get-together with friends. Chinese artworks line the walls and add to the exotic feel, while several large trees grow on the restaurant floor, making it seem as if you’re dining outdoors. Mama Yo’s menu, meanwhile, offers an appetising blend of historic and contemporary dishes, all while incorporating ancient cooking techniques. One of the most impressive dishes at Mama Yo is the whole roast duck, which is slow-cooked to perfection in a traditional Chinese duck oven and must be pre-ordered 48 hours in advance. Light bites, like the pork soup dumplings or the lotus buns filled with tempura soft-shell crab, are also popular choices. An alcoholic boba milk cocktail is a unique drink option, while the lively atmosphere makes Mama Yo the perfect spot for groups.
For a stellar Sunday roast at one of the best restaurants in south Dublin – head to Hawksmoor Dublin on Dame Street
Hawksmoor on Dame Street is a stylish steakhouse and cocktail bar serving one of the best Sunday roasts in Dublin. Specialising in high-quality, locally-reared beef, the menu includes hearty prime cuts like chateaubriand and porterhouse steaks, while the popular Sunday roast is made with dry-aged rump beef and served with all the trimmings. Hawksmoor Dublin’s cocktail menu is carefully curated by expert mixologists and features a range of signature drinks made with Irish whisky. The Hawksmoor calling cocktail blends gin with fino sherry, honey and soda, and the gold fashioned adds a unique Kerrygold and salted honey twist on a classic.The lavish yet elegant decor and business casual dress code make this a great spot for a fancy lunch.
For relaxed, stylish dining at one of Dublin’s best restaurants – try Lottie’s in Rathmines
With its laid-back, brasserie-style aesthetic and focus on seasonal Irish produce, Lottie’s in Rathmines is one of the best restaurants in Dublin for a relaxed meal out. The restaurant was awarded a Bib Gourmand mention in the MICHELIN guide 2024, which praised Lottie’s for its simple, home-style food. As well as the downstairs dining room, Lottie’s also has a comfy upstairs cocktail lounge – open at weekends – where you can sip an aperitif or enjoy a cocktail after your meal. Elegant starter dishes include Andarl Farm pork belly with kumquat and salsa verde, and a smooth leek and potato veloute with poached egg and shoestring chips. The mains consist of bistro-style dishes like orzo puttanesca with courgette and tender dry-aged striploin with Parisian gnocchi. Make sure you save room for dessert so you can tuck into the rich chocolate brownie with crème fraîche ice cream. The casual, welcoming feel here is perfect for an intimate lunch or a relaxed weekend meal.
For mouth-watering seafood at one of the best restaurants in Dublin city – try SOLE Seafood & Grill on South William Street
SOLE Seafood & Grill on South William Street specialises in Irish seafood and is one of the best restaurants in Dublin for fresh, sustainably sourced fish and shellfish. The menu is classic and simple and relies on high-quality ingredients to create an unforgettable dining experience. Diners can either opt for a six-course tasting menu or try dishes from the à la carte list. Start your meal with West Cork mussels cooked in a white wine and cream sauce or local oysters. For an exceptional seafood feast, diners can order the captain seafood tower, which serves two as a main and comes with hot smoked salmon, grilled lobster, brown crab claws, Dublin Bay prawns and more. A juicy fillet steak is perfect if you’ve got meat lovers in your party. Complement your meal with a bottle of French wine and soak up the elegant atmosphere and chic decor.
For breath-taking views at one of the best restaurants in Dublin city centre – don’t miss Sophie’s @ The Dean in South City Centre
Pay a visit to Sophie’s @ The Dean in South City Centre and you’ll immediately notice the incredible views from the restaurants. Both venues have top-floor locations and glass-walled dining rooms that offer panoramic vistas of the city. The menu at the Dublin venue is a fusion of European and global cuisine, while Sophie’s @ The Dean Cork also serves an Italian pizza menu. A whipped goat’s cheese starter served with prosciutto and onion marmalade is a truly luxurious way to open your meal. Meanwhile, decadent mains include vegan penne with sundried tomatoes and golden beetroot and grilled seabass with green pea puree. The interiors are comfy and modern, making Sophie’s a great place to relax and enjoy lunch with friends.
For fun, lavish settings and high-end dining – visit The Ivy Dawson Street on Dawson Street
The Ivy is known for its extravagant, Art Nouveau-inspired decor, as well as for serving decadent yet satisfying food. The Ivy Dawson Street focuses on Irish cuisine and is one of the best restaurants in Dublin for a lavish meal out. Start your experience with roasted Irish scallops with crispy potato rosti, or try the tuna tataki with a wasabi soy dressing. The traditional fish and chips in The Ivy’s signature batter is always popular, and a wild mushroom risotto is perfect for vegetarians. Riffing on its vintage glamour theme, the bar at The Ivy Dawson Street also serves a range of classic cocktails with a twist. The salted caramel espresso martini will satisfy your sweet tooth, while the Ivy Irish coffee is a perfect pick-me-up. Located across several floors – all with a unique design concept – the Ivy Dawson Street has the feel of a stylish cocktail bar and a trendy restaurant hotspot rolled into one.
For traditional tapas at one of the best restaurants in Dublin – try The Port House in Portobello
The Port House, in Portobello, has the warm feel of a Spanish taverna and is one of the best restaurants in Dublin for traditional tapas. It’s an ideal spot to visit with a group of friends or for a casual date night. Small plates and tapas dishes are perfect for sharing, giving the Port House a lively, continental feel. Choose from delicious meat, seafood and vegetarian tapas dishes, such as the croquetas filled with jamon or chicken and chorizo, or the vegetarian Catalan-style cannelloni in a rich tomato sauce. The Port House also serves a wide selection of Spanish and Portuguese wines and a range of classic white wine spritzers made with fragrant amaro liquors like vermouth and Aperol. You can also order a pitcher of sangria – perfect for celebrating with friends or sharing on a romantic evening.
For one of the best bars in Dublin – head to The Black Forge in Drimnagh
Newly renovated, The Black Forge serves breakfast, lunch and dinner made with locally sourced, fresh ingredients. Pair these with a premium selection of beer, wine and liquor, prepared by expert bar staff creating signature and classic cocktails. The plush, elegant interior features a long bar, cosy booths and screens showing the latest matches. Dig into a full Irish breakfast or a superfood breakfast bowl with nuts, yoghurt and fruit in the mornings. For lunch or dinner, choose from a varied menu including fluffy bao buns with shredded Andarl Farm pork belly and blue corn tacos with tempura cod and hot sauce mayo. The signature dish is the forged steak on the stone: chargrilled Irish Angus dry-aged steak served with chunky hand-cut fries and Proper No. Twelve whiskey sauce.
For one of the best restaurants in Temple Bar – visit Boeuf and Frites in Temple Bar
Boeuf and Frites is passionate about doing the simple things well. The limited menu ensures expertise in each dish. Choose prime cuts of grass-fed Irish beef, chargrilled to your liking, or free-range Irish chicken marinated in peri peri sauce or rosemary, thyme and garlic. These come with bottomless frites that are crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. Set in the bustling Temple Bar district, Boeuf and Frites boasts a lively atmosphere, perfect for special celebrations. Grab a seat under the golden chandeliers contrasted with brick walls and enjoy expertly grilled meats served with unparalleled hospitality.
Dublin’s restaurant scene is truly on the up, with incredible new places to eat opening all the time. Whether you want to sample first-class seasonal Irish produce, share small plates with friends or try the best in Dublin fine dining, these restaurants all have something different to offer. These 11 of the best restaurants in Dublin are just a taste of what’s on offer in Ireland’s cosmopolitan capital.
