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The Unicorn, Dublin, Co. Dublin

The Unicorn

4.0
4
23 Reviews
€31 to €50
Italian

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 7 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Good for business meals
  • Lively
The Unicorn is an old popular Italian restaurant in Dublin. After closing a few years ago it has recently re-opened in 2024 under new management. It is located on Merrion Square, just a 10 minute walk from St. Stephen's Green. The Unicorn has been a cornerstone of Dublin's dining scene for decades, and under Kristan Burness's leadership, It will once again shine. The much loved Terrace, famous for long leisurely lunches will bring Merrion Court back to life with vibrant al fresco dining offering guests an unforgettable dining experience in the heart of the city.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    €31 to €50
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Comfort Food, Beer Garden
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Wed–Sat 12:00–14:30 Dinner Mon–Sat 17:00–21:30
  • Phone number
    (01) 963 6002
  • Website
    http://www.unicornrestaurant.com/
  • Payment Options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Kristan Burness

Menu

three courses fifty five euros

starters

  • burrata di bufala

    artisanal burrata, heritage tomato, basil cream

    • gamberoni piccante

      sauteed king prawns, n duja butter & herbs, grilled focaccia

      • polpette di cinghiale

        ballinwilliam wild boar meat ball, caramelised onion cream grilled focaccia

        • carpaccio

          carpaccio of swordfish, hazelnut & lime avacado & fresh crab

          main course

          • ragu bolognese di cerva

            classic ragu of wicklow deer, fresh hand cut pappardelle

            • risotto con funghi ai tartufo

              carnaroli risotto, seasonal mushroom's & fresh black truffle

              • pollo

                breast & leg of free range chicken, cacciatorie style

                • nasello al vapore

                  hake fillet, spiced calamari croquetta, samphire & lobster sauce

                  • bistecca di manzo

                    sirloin of irish dry aged beef, wild mushroom, shallot & pancetta ragu truffle mash

                    • ten euro supp€10.00

                  sides

                  • sage double cooked fries€6.50

                    • fagiolini, green beans, poor mans pesto€6.50

                      • insalata di giorno€6.50

                        • garlic & truffle mash€7.00

                          Dessert

                          • crostata al limone

                            amalfi lemon tart, blackberry sorbet

                            • unicorn tiramisu

                              hazelnut, disaranno & chocolate

                              • torta di mele

                                warm apple tart, salted caramel ice cream

                                • fondante cioccolato

                                  valrhona chocolate fondant, pistachio & pistachio ice cream

                                  Last updated: 6 November 2024

                                  What 23 people are saying

                                  Overall ratings and reviews

                                  Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

                                  4.0
                                  4 based on recent ratings
                                  • 4.3Food
                                  • 4Service
                                  • 3.7Ambience
                                  • 3.8Value

                                  Noise • Moderate

                                  Loved For

                                  • Dublin

                                    Good for business meals

                                  • Dublin

                                    Good for special occasions

                                  • Dublin 2

                                    Good for business meals

                                  • Dublin 2

                                    Great for outdoor dining

                                  • Dublin 2

                                    Good for special occasions

                                  Review summary

                                  AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                  The Unicorn is back with a blend of "phenomenal" Italian cuisine and a "sensational" atmosphere. Diners rave about the "superb" scallops and risotto, complemented by a "reasonably priced" wine list. While some mention room for ambiance improvement, the "exceptional staff" ensures a delightful dining experience.

                                  23 Reviews

                                  1. stuart

                                    VIP

                                    London

                                    64 reviews

                                    4.0

                                    64 reviews

                                    Dined 3 days ago

                                    1. Overall 4
                                    2. Food 3
                                    3. Service 5
                                    4. Ambience 5
                                    Overall pretty good return for the Unicorn- two pasta dishes on the cool side but Scallops and Hake very good. Service a bit quirky- good fun.

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                                  2. Margaret

                                    Dublin

                                    2 reviews

                                    5.0

                                    2 reviews

                                    Dined 3 days ago

                                    1. Overall 5
                                    2. Food 5
                                    3. Service 5
                                    4. Ambience 5
                                    Food was lovely we dined here for a Christmas lunch and really enjoyed everything about it and will definitely be back

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                                  3. Brian

                                    Dublin

                                    2 reviews

                                    3.0

                                    2 reviews

                                    Dined 3 days ago

                                    1. Overall 3
                                    2. Food 4
                                    3. Service 4
                                    4. Ambience 2
                                    Food wad good, as was the service, but the room was cold and it was a bit expensive

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                                  4. Jennifer

                                    Dublin

                                    3 reviews

                                    4.0

                                    3 reviews

                                    Dined 5 days ago

                                    1. Overall 4
                                    2. Food 4
                                    3. Service 5
                                    4. Ambience 4
                                    Overall it was a lovely afternoon,food was great and the staff were fantastic & very attentive. Restaurant is newly opened & requires work to finish it off on the walls,toilets etc. I'll be back to try some of the other dishes my table had,everyone enjoyed the afternoon.

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                                  5. Fran

                                    Dublin

                                    5 reviews

                                    1.0

                                    5 reviews

                                    Dined on 14 December 2024

                                    1. Overall 1
                                    2. Food 3
                                    3. Service 2
                                    4. Ambience 2
                                    Was really looking forward to going back to unicorn as we used to go for special occasions many years ago. Unfortunately it was not a great experience. Lighting was too bright and music was too mixed, ballads then club music. We tried to order a Bellini but were told it wasn’t available, 2 minutes later a different waitress asked had we ordered and we said we wanted the bellini but we were having Prosecco instead. She looked confused and then went and made us the Bellini!! Very slow to clear table after starters, bringing out next course before table was cleared. Had to ask twice for glasses to be cleared. It wasn’t very busy so cannot understand why things were not being done. We looked for a bottle of wine but were told they didn’t have any left , but later as we went into their piano bar next door I counted at least 15 bottles of the wine we wanted on the shelves. They didnt have port which people often order after dinner. Decor still not finished after the renovation, skirting boards missing, black on walls, painting unfinished. It just felt like it opened before it was ready as staff seemed inexperienced and not too bothered and atmosphere wasn’t great.

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                                  6. Kevin

                                    Palm Springs

                                    3 reviews

                                    5.0

                                    3 reviews

                                    Dined on 11 December 2024

                                    1. Overall 5
                                    2. Food 5
                                    3. Service 5
                                    4. Ambience 5
                                    Super lunch. There had been a mixed review which honestly we didn’t understand. We had a first class lunch , everything was super and the veal chop was as food as you will get.

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                                  7. Mary

                                    Norfolk/Suffolk

                                    6 reviews

                                    4.0

                                    6 reviews

                                    Dined on 7 December 2024

                                    1. Overall 4
                                    2. Food 4
                                    3. Service 5
                                    4. Ambience 4
                                    Lovely meal and attentive staff. wine list approachable and well chosen. Decor a bit bland as before but pleasant enough. Great to see it open again, welcome back!

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                                  8. Charlie

                                    Dublin

                                    3 reviews

                                    4.0

                                    3 reviews

                                    Dined on 5 December 2024

                                    1. Overall 4
                                    2. Food 4
                                    3. Service 3
                                    4. Ambience 4
                                    Great food and ambience. Only concern was tip was requested in cash!!

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                                  9. Antonia

                                    Leinster

                                    1 review

                                    5.0

                                    1 review

                                    Dined on 5 December 2024

                                    1. Overall 5
                                    2. Food 5
                                    3. Service 4
                                    4. Ambience 4
                                    Lovely meal at the new Unicorn, food was outstanding especially the dry aged beef.

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                                  10. Kevin

                                    Leinster

                                    1 review

                                    5.0

                                    1 review

                                    Dined on 30 November 2024

                                    1. Overall 5
                                    2. Food 5
                                    3. Service 5
                                    4. Ambience 5
                                    Superb experience at The Unicorn today. Great to see it back. When the word spreads, I’m sure it will be as just busy as before. KC.

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                                  FAQs

                                  The Unicorn is rated 4 stars by 23 OpenTable diners.

                                  Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

                                  Make a booking

                                  2 people
                                  19:00
                                  Booked 7 times today
                                  Google Map for The Unicorn

                                  12b Merrion court, Merrion Row, Dublin, Co. Dublin D02 V962

                                  Additional information

                                  • Area
                                    St Stephen's Green
                                  • Hours of Operation
                                    Lunch Wed–Sat 12:00–14:30 Dinner Mon–Sat 17:00–21:30
                                  • Price
                                    €31 to €50
                                  • Cuisines
                                    Italian, Comfort Food, Beer Garden
                                  • Dining style
                                    Casual Elegant
                                  • Dress code
                                    Smart Casual
                                  • Parking details
                                    None
                                  • Payment Options
                                    Mastercard, Visa
                                  • Executive Chef
                                    Kristan Burness
                                  • Additional
                                    Beer, Corkage Fee, Gluten-free Options, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, Wine
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