Best Restaurants In Dublin City Centre

Though Dublin may be best known for its gorgeous architecture, welcoming people and most of all its Guinness, there are some pretty great places to eat here as well. From lush Michelin-starred fine dining to affordable burger joints and a stunning seafood dining den, this city offers something to satisfy every taste and budget. Whether you're on the hunt for the perfect date night spot or a cool watering hole with plenty of craic, here are the top restaurants in Dublin city centre.

Last edited by Scarlett Welch

Last updated on 24th July 2024




Zizzi Suffolk Street

Trying to find the best affordable restaurants in Dublin city centre? Zizzi Suffolk Street has you covered, boasting a vibrant open kitchen and contemporary styling. As for food, you can expect seared salmon, garlic bread with mozzarella and classic pizza or pasta - we recommend the rustica chicken with fiery roquito peppers, followed by a salted caramel chocolate brownie for dessert. They have plenty of vegan and vegetarian options here, and they cater for gluten-free diets as well.

The Blind Pig Dublin

Cool restaurants in Dublin city centre? The Blind Pig is up there as one of the best. This trendy destination is themed around Prohibition, creating a speakeasy feel from secret menus hidden in books, deep mahogany furniture and bartenders dressed in 1920s attire. The gorgeous and intimate haunt also fronts quite the dinner options, from creamy porcini mushroom tagliatelle to fresh Irish mussels and roasted fillets of salmon. Pair your meal with an Irish old fashioned from the well-stocked bar.

Café en Seine

If you're after Dublin city centre restaurants for lunch and dinner alike, Café en Seine is a more than suitable choice. Step into the gorgeous spot to find art deco-inspired interiors and a stunning marble-topped bar, which serves some of the finest cocktails around. The beautiful Parisian den offers up the likes of Irish black Angus sirloin, butternut squash risotto and steamed mussels, and if you fancy some entertainment, there's live jazz until the early hours.

The Odeon

Gastro and Irish restaurants don't get much better than The Odeon on Harcourt Street, a stunning spot dwelling inside a Grade A-listed building and fronting stunning interiors. Plus, this multi-level destination has plenty of drinks to accompany, wine tastings and even live entertainment too. As for the menu? Expect international dishes such as pork belly with black pudding bon bons, honey soy and ginger chicken skewers or charred corn ribs.

Farrier & Draper

Farrier & Draper is the place for the best casual dining, quirky interiors and late-night tipples. This stylish bar is spread across three levels, filled with vibrant, colourful furniture and boasting incredible service. Visit their restaurant for mouthwatering Caribbean Creole eats like pulled pork quesadillas, shredded Cuban-style beef and jambalaya, or take advantage of their lunch offer where you can get any starter for €8 and any main for €15.

The Market Bar Group

Inside a 19th century Victorian warehouse, The Market Bar can be found nestled in the Creative Quarter, housing an abundance of bars, a club and a restaurant. Hunker down in the former sausage factory for freshly cooked tapas-style bites, with a range of meat, seafood and vegetarian options that are ideal for sharing - our particular favourite is the chorizo al vino, paired with a caprese salad. They also offer all kinds of discounts and deals, including a two-course meal with bottomless patatas bravas and a glass of wine for just €27 Monday to Thursday before 7pm.

Nancy Hands

Boasting a selection of traditional Irish dishes and international plates, Nancy Hands is a cosy gastropub with great dining options - found close to the Guinness Brewery. This historical spot is named after its 18th century landlady - who was also the first woman in Ireland to ever own a pub. The locally sourced menu includes highlights of beef and Guinness stew, chicken parmigiana and roast cauliflower salad with baba ganoush. As for the interiors, expect a traditional wooden bar and comfy booth seating, with low lighting to create an intimate atmosphere for dining in.

Pacino's

Situated in the Temple Bar area, Pacino's menu is jam-packed with delicious pasta and pizza dishes made from local ingredients, freshly cooked to order. We're talking rigatoni alla norma, Italian charcuterie boards and a fully loaded calzone, as well as some cracking brunch dishes. The dark, stylish restaurant also offers an affordable early bird special from Tuesday to Thursday, perfect for a pre-show dinner at just €29.95 for three courses. One of the best places to eat in Dublin city centre? Absolutely.

Fade Street Social

Fade Street Social is a trendy city centre bar and restaurant with one of the best beer gardens. Whether you're heading here for a few after work drinks and light bites or sticking around to tuck into their elevated plates of gastro grub, this place is sure to satisfy you hunger pangs. They've got two distinct dining areas here, where you can get your hands on tasty dishes such as truffle cheese flatbreads, roasted seabream, rump of spring lamb and sumptuous Sunday roasts. The main restaurant serves no-frills homegrown produce, while their wood-fired restaurant makes use of their huge oven to create the best seasonal dishes. Even better? They've got a rooftop cocktail bar too.

Brookwood

A supreme spot for steak, Brookwood is a haven for meat-lovers seeking out dinner in the city centre. It's here that you'll find a menu of gastro and grilled goodies, made using the finest in Irish produce and paired with an expertly curated selection of wines, and their grass and grain-fed beef is supplied by just one local butcher - McLoughlins. Kick of with chargrilled prawns or freshly shucked oysters before diving into the main event, to be enjoyed in their swish polished wood and marble interiors.

Isabelle's

One of the best restaurants Dublin city centre has to offer, this South Anne Street spot offers a touch of class with a long sweeping bar, contemporary art and an open kitchen for peeping at your food in anticipation. Topping it off, Isabelle's vast à la carte menu makes it the perfect place for a family gathering - expect chargrilled squid, spicy cauliflower gnocchi and a whole range of pizzas, which can also be made gluten-free on request. They offer a scrumptious brunch menu here as well, with a killer cocktail list to boot.

La Cave Wine Bar

Established in 1987, La Cave Wine Bar is undoubtedly one of the city's quirkiest places for a lip-smacking meal. Housing a wide range of bottles from across the globe, it perfectly pairs its signature sips with French-inspired cuisine befitting its vintage pink and red interiors. They've got a number of fantastic set menus available here, starting from €28.50 per person, including everything from baked goat's cheese salad to rosemary-infused lamb cutlets and wild mushroom ravioli, with premium vino to match.

Il Vicoletto

One of the best Dublin restaurants in the city centre, Il Vicoletto is tucked away on one of Temple Bar's hidden cobbled streets - but if you're lucky enough to stumble across it, you won't be disappointed. Having been around since the late 90s, the fresh ingredient-based menu is focused on northern Italian cuisine, with a wine list to please even the pickiest of sommeliers. Dig into plates of homemade sausage ragu, seabass linguine, red prawn risotto and more, with a dreamy tiramisu for dessert.

Pichet

This ultra-chic Temple Bar bistro has been recognised for its innovative fusion of Irish and French cuisines. Acclaimed chef Stephen Gibson spent a decade working all over the world, culminating in Pichet's exciting à la carte menu that simply must be tasted. Think roasted halibut saffron risotto, salt-baked beetroot and loin of lamb with whipped goat's cheese on the a la carte offerings, alongside a three-course set menu for €68.50. It's even been awarded a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide, so you know you're in good hands here.

The Ivy Dublin

If you're after the hottest restaurants in Dublin city centre, The Ivy is well-loved and constantly frequented by locals and visitors to the city alike. The perfect place for a special occasion, this London export brings its classic all-day gastro menu and iconic botanical interiors to Dawson Street. Just as enticing as the colourful decor is the selection of international dishes, ranging from tableside steak tartare to salt and pepper squid tempura and chargrilled Irish halloumi. They also offer a three-course lunch and early evening menu for just €31.95, as well as a delicious brunch on weekends.

Chapter One

Having earned itself a Michelin Star, Chapter One is offering dining experiences like no other. The chef's table is the ideal way to celebrate a special occasion, with impeccable service, a view straight into the kitchen and a seven-course tasting menu made up of Ireland's finest ingredients, as well as a smaller four-course option for dinner. The options change on a regular basis, but expect the likes of barbecued Donegal lobster, roast Anjou pigeon and scallop tartare, with the option to add on wine pairings too.

Kathmandu Kitchen

Looking for Dublin city centre restaurants open seven days a week? Known for putting Nepalese and Indian cooking at the forefront, Kathmandu Kitchen is promising authentic cuisine, alongside zesty cocktails and fine wines. From seafood sizzlers to minced lamb kebabs and Himalayan curry, it's a winner in our books. And if you're on the hunt for a bargain? Check out their pre-theatre menu, where you can get two courses for €27.95.

Balfes

This bright and airy brasserie boasts a chic aesthetic to please even the pickiest of Instagrammers. With lofty ceilings, marble tables, and a sunny outdoor terrace, Balfe's is great for any occasion, offering everything from weekend brunches through to date night dinners. You can head there for eggs benedict and buttermilk pancakes in the morning, or swing by a little later on for the likes of pan-fried spinach gnocchi, chicken Milanese and juicy beef or plant-based burgers.

SOLE

The best restaurants in Dublin city centre for dinner? We've got the goods with SOLE, boasting a striking central bar and rustic wooden decor. Situated on William Street, the venue knocks up the freshest fish in a stunning aesthetic. They use the finest local seafood and in their dishes, with smoked salmon sourced from Howth, County Dublin and Irish beef that's dry-aged in house. The creme-de-la-creme? A two-tier tower of lush lobster, prawns and oysters. This place is open seven days a week, and they offer a fantastic weekend lunch too - comprising two courses for €39, or three for €45.

Angelina's

This waterside restaurant flaunts a beautiful terrace that's perfect for soaking up the city's buzzing atmosphere in the summer. The ideal setting for group dining, Angelina's interiors are made up of a long bar and luxurious leather booths, with Italian-inspired Irish fare making up the menu. Take a seat in the pretty pink interiors or outside basking in the sun, before tucking into everything from five-spiced duck breast with puree potatoes to artisan vegetarian pizzas or roasted butternut squash gnocchi.

777

777 is a mini slice of Mexico in the heart of central Dublin; leave your inhibitions at the door and dive into their insane (and somewhat scary) selection of tequilas - including their famous 100% blue agave bottles - whilst chowing down on tacos, quesadillas and fiery sides. They've got a sunny outdoor terrace on top of their colourful interiors, and you can even nab group sharing menus of all their best dishes for €45 per person. Mexican wrestling masks are, of course, encouraged.