Best Restaurants In Dublin Right Now

There's a reason The Bank on College Green continues to be recognised as one of the best restaurants in Dublin right now. Offering a seamless fusion of historical elegance and modern Irish cuisine, this central gem delivers an elevated dining experience.

From kale and ricotta ravioli to roasted monkfish or a perfectly chargrilled burger, each dish is crafted with care and local produce in mind. The setting, meanwhile, speaks for itself  - an ornate former banking hall featuring marble columns, a stained-glass ceiling and the kind of atmosphere you'll remember long after dessert is served.

For top-notch Irish cooking that'll leave you feeling full, Nancy hands is the place to go. This charming pub and restaurant is tucked away in the Stoneybatter area, hosting a regular lineup of live traditional Irish music sessions and a weekly quiz on Thursday nights.

Their extensive menu features a number of local and international classics, from beef and Guinness stew to chicken parmigiana or a range of hearty burgers served with chips and garlic aioli.

For a relaxed yet refined dining experience in South Dublin, LJ's Restaurant at The Louis Fitzgerald Hotel is a must-visit. Offering a spacious and bright atmosphere with natural light flooding the room, it's the perfect place for any occasion.

The menu is a delightful mix of comforting classics like a beef burger with smoked Applewood cheese and beer-battered fish and chips. With a curated wine list to complement every dish, this is one of the best places to enjoy great food and good company in Dublin.

One of the coolest restaurants around, BrewDog is a fun spot for casual dining. Not only have they got a terrace that looks out over the Docklands, perfect for alfresco drinks on a summer's day, but they also have shuffleboard tables, photobooths and two floors to dine on in their 10,000ft red shipping container venue.

There are a whopping 32 taps of fresh craft beer and a micro brewery on site, and a mouthwatering menu that features the likes of plant-based Carolina chicken burgers, Tex-Mex pastrami pizzas, Buffalo loaded fries and more. And on Mondays, you can even enjoy two-for-one vegan and vegetarian main courses.

Make sure to check out Pacino's on Suffolk Street, one of the best Italian restaurants Dublin has to offer that boasts sultry, dimly lit interiors that are perfect for date night.

They serve an enticing selection of cocktails like the Don Giovanni Mule or a tequila-based Rosa Di Maggio, to be enjoyed alongside a menu of rigatoni alla norma, Italian charcuterie boards, crushed pistachio pizzas and much more. And if you swing by on Mondays, their Pizzalicious menu offers three courses for €24.95.

Cooking up some of the very best burgers across Ireland, Bunsen's Dublin outpost is the place to go for unbelievable eats in a casual setting. The East Essex Street venue serves prime cuts of Aberdeen Angus Beef that are minced on site, with single patties coming in at less than a tenner each. Nab shoestring or sweet potato fries on the side, and don't forget to try their tasty milkshakes too.

Perched above St Stephen's Green on the second floor of The Fitzwilliam Hotel, Glovers Alley by Andy McFadden is everything you want from a Michelin star restaurant. Expect a highly polished dining room, floral arrangements, plush decor and sweeping views across the park.

There's plenty more excellence on the menu. Andy McFadden's cooking is both inventive and intriguing, with standout dishes including Dublin Bay prawns paired with lardo and peanut rāyu, and Wicklow sika deer with black curry and seasonal accents. There's even a surprise menu if you'd prefer to leave your meal entirely in the hands of the experts.

Tucked away inside the beautifully restored D'Olier Chambers, D'Olier Street brings a heavy splash of sparkle to Dublin's dining scene. Opened in December 2022, it bagged a Michelin star just a few months later.

In the kitchen, executive chef and co‑owner James Moore's CV reads like a tour of some of the world's most celebrated kitchens, including the two‑Michelin‑starred Atera in New York. Expect intricate and indulgent seasonal dishes, from venison tartare and BBQ monkfish to sika deer and scallop with black pudding.

A laid-back restaurant and wine bar located in Drury Street car park, Amy Austin is as quirky as they come for your date night dinners and meetups with friends. Delicious small plates are the name of the game here, such as torched scallops with green apple, chestnut velouté, Champagne foam and black lumpfish or gooseberry-glazed Iberico pork cheek with ajo blanco and salsa macha.

Accompany your meal with a wine on tap or fine wine by the bottle, alongside signature cocktails.

Perched at the top of the Dean is all-day dining destination Sophie's, featuring 360-degree views of Dublin's cityscape. A unique mix of New York, Italian and Irish cuisine, it's presenting a range of recognisable staples in an upmarket way. 

Menus include whipped goats cheese with prosciutto crumble, crab meat salad, 10oz ribeye steak, grilled seabass and more for dinner. Meanwhile, brunch and lunch spans everything from pizza to baby potato and sausage skillet with white pudding, cheese, fried eggs and veggies.

Bright, loud and unapologetically fun, BIGFAN serves up incredible Chinese and Taiwanese cooking with a heavy side of atmosphere. Grab a cocktail, tick off what you want on the order sheet and strap in for a meal that'll live long in your memory. 

Expect delicious dumplings, banging baos and meat that simply slides off the bone. There's plenty on the playful and adventurous side here too, from the Sichuan-style Couples Beef to wagyu cheeseburger dumplings and sweet-and-sourdough prawn toasts.

Situated within a Georgian-listed building just off St. Stephen's Green, Peploe's is a fine dining restaurant that combines old-world charm with the elegance of modern Dublin hospitality. Expect a welcoming, brasserie-style interior, complete with dark wood panelling and crisp white tablecloths.

Their menu is inspired by French and Italian influences, as is the extensive wine list. Tuck into the likes of chicken Milanese, baked aubergine parmigiana and chargrilled rib-eye steaks.

Combining minimalist style with fine dining, Mr Fox is a Parnell Square destination that's bound to impress. Expect exposed brick walls and period features, as well as the stuffed fox which gave the restaurant its name.

They serve an experimental, seasonal set menu for €93 per person, featuring the likes of bluefin tuna with crispy leek, suckling pig topped with smoked apricot and charred mackerel in brown butter - with a vegetarian version available on request.

Pickle is a celebrated, Michelin-mentioned Indian restaurant in Dublin 2, run by executive chef Sunil Ghai - one of Ireland's finest Indian chefs - and manager Benny Jacob. Chef Ghai, originally from Gwalior, India, brings his extensive experience with the renowned Oberoi group to Pickle, which he co-founded with Jacob in 2016.

The restaurant's menu offers a refined exploration of Punjab's diverse and vibrant cuisine. Guests can savour dishes like the rich tawa jhinga masala, smoky tandoori treats, and street food-inspired starters, including the punchy fauzi chicken wings.

Found on the 6th floor of The Mayson Hotel in Dublin 1, Ryleigh's Rooftop Restaurant overlooks Dublin Bay, the Dublin Mountains, Dun Laoghaire and Poolbeg Pier across its panoramic views. There's a gorgeous outdoor terrace but the inside is just as sleek - think leather booths and an open kitchen.

Specialising in grilled dishes, this steakhouse will treat you to t-bone and ribeye for two, pork chop, centre cut fillet, strip loin and more, with steak 'toppers' ranging from lobster butter to wild mushrooms or duck foie gras. 

On the hunt for Michelin Star restaurants in Dublin? Then it has to be Chapter One, a high-end eatery found in the former home of the Jameson founder - a basement space in the Northside of Dublin. Expect elegant, refined interiors featuring wooden walls and trendy artwork, as well as seasonal dishes that showcase locally sourced produce and some of the finest Irish cooking in the country.

They offer four-course dinner menus for €160 or a seven-course tasting feast for €190, with sample dishes including sea bream tartare, roast Anjou pigeon and razor clams in Champagne sauce.

With street art on the walls and a lively open kitchen, Kicky's is cool, casual and full of energy. Expect whitewashed walls, counter seating and a hip-hop soundtrack to set the tone. 

The menu is made for sharing, packing in everything from beef tartare to John Dory tagine. Whatever your order, dessert here in non-negotiable - try the cult favourite Irish coffee to find out why.

Hands down one of the best places to eat in Dublin, Brother Hubbard North can be found just above the river serving delicious Middle Eastern fare. They're known for their modern twists on classic dishes, ranging from beef kofta with feta and roasted tomato to aubergine stew or halloumi fried with chilli honey.

They offer a mouthwatering brunch menu too, featuring pulled pork Benedict and poached eggs with roasted mushrooms, which you can enjoy in a laid-back atmosphere.