Best Places to Eat in Dublin
Dublin is making quite a name for itself in contemporary culinary circles, thanks to a burgeoning collection of innovative chefs. You can find everything in the Irish capital from shellfish shacks and dim sum haunts to Michelin-starred gastronomy.
Moreover, casual neighborhood bistros are cohesively communicating the emerging identity of modern Irish cuisine on their imaginative plates. There’s never been a better time to eat out in Dublin – here’s our guide to the best places to savor in the city.
Best Cheap Eats in Dublin
Travelers with small budgets can still feast in Dublin’s fair city.
Lucky Tortoise
Best for low-cost dim sum
Set on Aungier St, this modern dim sum spot is famed for its potstickers and tasty wine on tap. Open since 2019, Lucky Tortoise has grown into one of the best places to eat in Dublin. The €15 (US$16.70) lunch deal on weekdays is great value, as is the €28 (US$31) ‘all-in’ set menu, served family-style on sharing platters.
The Pepper Pot
Best for creative sandwiches
Order the free-range bacon and roast pear sandwich at this quirky tea room cafe set overlooking the atrium of the beautiful Georgian Powerscourt Townhouse. This unusual combination, encased by thick homemade ‘doorstop’ bread slices and Irish cheddar, is perfection.
Grano & Sprezzatura
Best for budget Italian
Dublin has no shortage of Italian spots, but the value and quality of the food vary widely. However, Grano in Stoneybatter, and Sprezzatura can always be relied upon for tasty pasta dishes made fresh each day for €10 (US$11.15) or less.
Bunsen & Dash Burger
Best for budget burgers
With so many players in the game and incredible Irish beef available, the best burger in the city is likely a toss-up between Bunsen and newcomer Dash Burger. Bunsen operates six successful spots in the city center, while Dash has a pair of premises serving epic smash burgers, chicken tenders, and great fries.
Best Fine Dining
When you’re ready to splurge, Dublin has plenty of fine dining establishments to explore.
Potager
Best for modern Irish flair
In the picturesque coastal suburb of Skerries, Potager is a neighborhood restaurant that blends modern Irish themes with classical techniques. Tasting menus feature treats such as smoked cod, pork cheek, oxtail, and chanterelle mushrooms.
Liath
Best for intimate dining
This intimate dining setting has just 22 seats, where diners can enjoy seasonal dishes or a lavish tasting menu with paired drinks.
Chapter One by Mikael Viljanen
Best for lavish dining
Located in the Dublin Writers Museum, this elegant restaurant earned a Michelin star for its modern European dishes, celebrating Ireland’s tastes and terroir while offering impeccable service.
Variety Jones
Best for an offbeat wine-and-dine experience
Keelan Higgs’ informal restaurant quickly clinched a Michelin star and continues to impress with inventive ideas on every plate and an exciting wine selection.
Best Vegan and Vegetarian in Dublin
It’s not all burgers and scallops in Dublin – vegans and vegetarians can eat like kings.
Glas
Best for creative vegan cooking
Located on Chatham Row, Glas offers a formal take on plant-based dining, with vegan dishes that almost eclipse the vegetarian options.
Cornucopia
Best for home-style cooking with a veggie twist
This mother-and-daughter-owned restaurant is an excellent choice for hearty stews and tempting free-from options.
Blazing Salads
Best for pay-by-volume salad feasts
A pay-by-weight deli, this place offers an enticing line-up of salads that changes daily.
Govindas
Best for Indian veg delights
Savor affordable, hearty portions of delicious Indian curries and soups at this laid-back vegan restaurant.
Best Seafood in Dublin
Just as the Liffey flows into the sea, the seafood of the Irish Sea flows back onto Dublin’s tables.
Klaw & The Seafood Cafe
Best for boat-fresh small plates
Niall Sabongi’s duo of Temple Bar outposts celebrates everything from the deep blue sea. Klaw has a New England-meets-New Orleans vibe, while Seafood Cafe boasts elegant small plates and wines.
Michael’s
Best for surf ‘n’ turf
Chef Gaz Smith showcases his dedication to seafood and shellfish in extravagantly indulgent surf & turf platters.
Rosa Madre
Best for Italian seafood treats
Located in Temple Bar, Rosa Madre is known for its emphasis on seafood and shellfish, featuring signature dishes like sea bream tartare and linguine with locally-caught lobster.
Best Modern Irish Restaurants in Dublin
The current Dublin taste sensation is modern Irish cooking, fusing local ingredients with global knowledge.
Delahunt
Best for dinner with a cocktail
Set in a beautifully restored Victorian building, Delahunt’s menu with dishes like smoked mussels and venison leads the agenda for modern Irish cuisine.
Spitalfields
Best for gastropub dining
This Bib Gourmand-awarded pub offers hearty, rich dishes while maintaining a seasonal and light balance.
Mae
Best for meaty mains
In this casual fine dining venue, diners can choose from modern Irish dishes with a thoughtful wine list.
Best Wine Bars in Dublin
What’s on your plate is only the start; head to Dublin’s wine bars for fine food and wine pairings.
Note
Best for lifestyle wining and dining
This slick wine bar offers a carefully judged wine list alongside delicious nibbles.
Frank’s
Best for cozy sampling
In a former butcher shop, Frank’s provides character with small snack plates to complement the wine selections.
Loose Canon & Table Wine
Best for cheese and wine
This informal wine bar features Irish farmhouse cheeses and charcuterie with a curated wine selection.
Piglet
Best for natural and organic wines
Located near Temple Bar, Piglet specializes in natural, biodynamic, and organic wines, offering a delightful food menu as well.
