Best Restaurants in Dublin: A Practical Guide to Eating Well
Dublin’s food scene has moved past its "stew and spuds" reputation. Over the last decade, a surge of young chefs and global influences has transformed the capital into a legitimate culinary destination. You will find high-end experimental cooking alongside traditional pubs and a massive influx of international street food. The city prioritizes local sourcing—specifically Irish beef, Atlantic seafood, and farmhouse cheeses. Whether you want a Michelin-starred experience or a greasy bag of fish and chips, Dublin delivers quality. This guide cuts through the tourist traps to show you where to eat in Dublin.
Must-Try Dishes in Dublin
Before booking your tables, ensure you try these local staples.
- Coddle: A traditional Dublin one-pot meal featuring sausages, bacon, potatoes, and onions simmered in a clear broth.
- Boxty: A traditional Irish potato pancake that can be served as a wrap, a side, or a main dish.
- Fresh Dublin Bay Prawns: Often served with garlic butter and soda bread, these are some of the sweetest shellfish you will find.
- Black Pudding: A blood sausage that is a non-negotiable part of a full Irish breakfast.
- Seafood Chowder: Creamy, heavy on the cream and dill, and packed with white fish, salmon, and smoked haddock.
- Smoked Salmon on Brown Soda Bread: Simple, high-quality, and usually served with a squeeze of lemon and some capers.
Best Restaurants for a Splurge
If you are looking for the absolute best restaurants in Dublin for a high-end experience, these three define the city’s fine-dining landscape.
Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen, Northside
Located in the basement of the Writers Museum, this is arguably the best restaurant in the country. Mickael Viljanen's cooking is precise, technical, and visually stunning. Expect a blend of classical French technique with the best Irish ingredients. It is a sophisticated space without being stuffy, but you need to book months in advance.
Liath, Blackrock
Situated in the Blackrock Market just south of the city center, Liath holds two Michelin stars for a reason. Chef Damien Grey focuses on the five senses through a highly curated tasting menu. The dining room is intimate, making it feel like a private dinner party. It is an exploration of flavor that justifies the high price point.
Variety Jones, The Liberties
This is refined dining with a gritty, cool edge. Chef Keelan Higgs cooks much of the menu over an open fire in a narrow, dimly lit space on Thomas Street. It is energetic and unpretentious, but the Michelin-starred food is world-class. Focus on the tasting menu paired with their excellent natural wine selection.
Best Casual Restaurants and Local Favorites
These are the reliable spots where locals head when they want quality without the formal dress code.
Etto, Merrion Row
Etto is a small, award-winning wine bar and restaurant that serves honest, Italian-influenced dishes. The menu changes frequently, focusing on seasonal ingredients. The atmosphere is cramped in a charming way, making it perfect for a date or a quick lunch. Don’t skip the red wine prunes with vanilla mascarpone for dessert.
Uno Mas, Aungier Street
The sister restaurant to Etto, Uno Mas offers Spanish-inspired plates with a clinical focus on flavor. The space is sleek and minimalist. The salt-aged Delmonico ribeye for two is legendary, as are the simple but perfect Gilda skewers. It is consistently rated as one of the best restaurants in Dublin by local critics.
Host, Ranelagh
Located in the leafy suburb of Ranelagh, Host specializes in fresh pasta and wood-fired meats. It has a modernist, stripped-back aesthetic. The pumpkin cappellacci is a recurring favorite that people travel across the city for. It is loud, busy, and reflects the contemporary pulse of Dublin’s neighborhood dining scene.
Pichet, City Centre
Pichet is a modern French bistro that balances high-end technique with a casual, bustling vibe. It is split into a front bar area and a main dining room. The lunch menu is one of the best value-for-money deals in the city. Expect consistently excellent sauces, perfectly cooked proteins, and a great cocktail list.
Best Cheap Eats and Street Food
Eating well in Dublin doesn't have to break your budget. These spots are fast, affordable, and high-quality.
Leo Burdock, Christchurch
As Dublin’s oldest fish and chips shop, Burdock’s is a city institution. There is no seating; you order at the window and eat on the steps of Christchurch Cathedral. Get the "fresh cod" and a portion of chips with plenty of salt and vinegar. Look at the wall of fame to see the celebrities who have eaten here.
777, George's Street
While technically a restaurant, their "777 Sundays" deal offers most dishes and cocktails for €7.77, making it an elite cheap eat. It is a contemporary Mexican spot with a loud, neon-lit interior. The tacos and tequila are the main draw. It is the best place in the city to start a night out.
Kimchi Hophouse, Parnell Street
Located in one of Dublin’s oldest pubs, this spot serves authentic Korean food in a traditional Irish bar setting. It is the perfect hybrid of two cultures. The bibimbap and spicy pork are standout dishes. It is affordable, unpretentious, and consistently great for groups.
Moore Street Market
For a real taste of old Dublin, walk down Moore Street. While historically known for fruit and veg stalls, it now hosts a variety of international street food vendors. You can find everything from authentic Brazilian churros to West African specialties. It is the most diverse and affordable food concentrated in one area.
Best Breakfast and Brunch
Brunch is a weekend ritual in Dublin. These spots are where you go for caffeine and recovery.
The Winding Stair, Ormond Quay
Overlooking the River Liffey, this restaurant sits above a famous independent bookshop. Their weekend brunch focuses on traditional Irish ingredients. The smoked haddock with poached eggs is a standout. It offers a classic, old-world Dublin atmosphere with one of the best views of the Ha'penny Bridge.
Alma, Portobello
Alma is an Argentinian-run cafe that has redefined brunch in Dublin. The menu is creative, featuring dishes like "Smokey Hibernian Eggs" and dulce de leche pancakes. The coffee is excellent, and the vibe is bright and welcoming. Expect a queue on the weekends, but the food is worth the wait.
Brother Hubbard, Capel Street
Brother Hubbard brought Middle Eastern flavors to the Dublin brunch scene. Think big plates of shakshuka, halloumi fries, and Moroccan-inspired eggs. It is a large, airy space that manages to feel cozy. Their retail section also sells some of the best bread and pastries in the Northside.
Best Rooftop or View Dining
Dublin isn't a skyscraper city, but these spots offer a perspective above the rooftops.
Sophie’s at The Dean, Harcourt Street
Sophie’s offers a 360-degree view of the city skyline through floor-to-ceiling windows. The menu is Italian-American, featuring solid pizzas and pasta. While the food is good, you are here for the atmosphere and the glass-walled elevators. It is a prime spot for a sunset dinner.
The Marker Rooftop Bar, Grand Canal Dock
Located in the heart of the "Silicon Docks," this rooftop terrace offers views of the sea, the mountains, and the city. They serve lighter bites and charcuterie rather than full meals, but it is the most sophisticated spot in the city for a drink with a view.
Best Food Neighborhoods to Wander
If you don't have a reservation, head to these areas for a high density of quality choices.
- Stoneybatter: Recently voted one of the coolest neighborhoods in the world, it is packed with independent gastropubs, bakeries, and brunch spots.
- Ranelagh: A short tram ride from the center, this village is essentially one long street of restaurants, ranging from high-end French to casual wings.
- The Liberties: One of the oldest parts of the city, now home to a mix of traditional stalls, new-wave coffee shops, and Michelin-starred restaurants.
- Capel Street: Now pedestrianized, this street is the city's hub for authentic Asian cuisine, specifically Korean, Chinese, and Vietnamese.
Please note that restaurant hours and reservation requirements change frequently; check official websites before visiting.