Best Restaurants In Dublin

Ireland’s capital city is home to heaps of culture. The book of Kells. The Guinness Store. Innumerable cobbled streets that have been trod on by more artists and important figures than you can imagine.

Oscar Wilde walked the streets of Dublin with a real sense of panache and while he wasn’t able to enjoy a slice of New York-style pizza back in 1870, you certainly can now. Dublin is one of the best food cities in Ireland and home to a cast range of restaurants and eateries for you to enjoy. The difficulty, of course, lies in choosing where you want to eat in Dublin. There’s so many options that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the Michelin-starred restaurants and hole-in-the-wall ramen joints you can find strewn across the city. If you did want some help in locating the best restaurants in Dublin, you’ve come to the right place.

We’ve stomped around the city doing some serious research (i.e. eating) and come to the conclusion that while there’s basically a countless number of spots you should be visiting, there are a select few which stand head and shoulders above the best. From TikTok-touted small plates joints like Uno Mas to classic food pubs like Spitalfields, these are the 26 best restaurants in Dublin. Presented, as always, in no particular order. Tuck in.

Assassination Custard is a restaurant that’s just as unique and interesting as its name would suggest. This small restaurant on Kevin Street Lower (there are literally only two tables inside and the menu is scrawled on a paper bag) was set up by Gwen McGrath and Ken Doherty in 2015. Since then, it’s been on just about everyone’s hot list. The hours are charmingly sporadic so getting a seat isn’t easy but it’s absolutely worth the extra bit of effort. Expect small, perfectly formed plates of food that fit the bill of what McGrath and Doherty describe as “sort of Italian”. Go. Now.

19A Kevin Street Lower, Portobello, Dublin 8, Ireland

You’ve never had fish and chips like this before. We all know the best fish and chips are the ones you eat at the beach in the summer sun when you’re getting buffeted by the salty sea air. But if the idea of locally caught beer-battered fish that’s fried to perfection and served alongside golden chips with a glass of chilled white Burgundy gets your engine revving then you need to visit Dublin’s Fish Shop. Fish Shop started its life as a converted shed in Blackrock Market back in 2013 but has moved indoors to its current home in Smithfield where you can have a crack at its daily changing menu. Everything from the fish goujons to the whole baked lemon sole is as fresh as it gets and delivered with a sharpness and attention to detail you rarely find given to something as simple as battered haddock. Sit at the counter and prepare for a good time.

76 Benburb Street, Smithfield, Dublin, D07 X3PN, Ireland

Go out onto the streets of Dublin and ask people where the best pizza is and “Bambino” is going to be a pretty common answer. Specialising in crispy New York-style pizza, Bambino has regularly got a queue of people snaking outside of its door on Stephen Street Lower. One bite of their hot pep slice – topped with pepperoni, pickled jalapeños, mozzarella, fior di latte, tomato sauce, grana padano, oregano, and hot honey – and you’ll see what all the fuss is about. Grabbing a couple of different slices is the move but you can always go the whole hog and get a 20” pie if you’re feeling particularly ravenous.

37 Stephen Street Lower, Dublin, D02 T862, Ireland

Handmade dumplings, fresh bao, and a range of other xiaochi (“small eats”) are what you can find on the menu at BIGFAN on Aungier Street. It goes without saying that we’re big fans of BIGFAN, it wouldn’t be on this list of the best restaurants in Dublin if it wasn’t, and we’d highly recommend you check ‘em out the next time you’re in the city. Expect great food and a great buzz.

16 Aungier Street, Dublin, D02 X044, Ireland

Trying to make something cool is practically impossible. Real, genuine coolness has got to come naturally. Much like true love, it’s not something which can be forced. Located smack-bang right in the centre of Dublin, Library Street is a restaurant and wine bar that’s managed to attain that ephemeral sense of cool. Specialising in sharing plates made using seasonal Irish ingredients, the menu at Library Street changes on a pretty regular basis. Past dishes have included hits such as salt-crusted wild venison, Delica pumpkin risotto, and oxtail and porchetta ravioli. Whatever’s on the hobs, though, you can expect it to be cooked with an expert level of attention. Book a table at Library Street Restaurant.

101 Setanta Place, Dublin 2, D02 W3Y7, Ireland

Ramen is one of the most comforting dishes on the planet. When it’s done right, it’s soul-stirring stuff: warm, rich, filling, and capable of coating your lips with a seductive kiss of collagen. If you’re looking for somewhere in Dublin to settle down with a podcast and a solo bowl of sublime noodles then Nomo Ramen should be on your radar. Nomo’s signature tori paitan, which is made using chicken broth rather than the pork broth that forms the base of tonkotsu ramen, is a must-order. That being said, you shouldn’t ignore the sides. Mozzarella chashu croquettes and chicken karaage? We’ll take the lot.

4 Charlotte Way, Saint Kevin's, Dublin, D02 VX20, Ireland

Ka Shing is a really good Chinese restaurant. Simple as that. There are no frills, no gimmicks, and you’ll be in no danger of going into your overdraft when you eat at this affordable restaurant on Wicklow Street. Everyone needs a spot they can go to every few weeks knowing that they’ll never have to worry about the quality of the food dipping or the chalkboard menu being scrawled with dishes that they don’t really fancy. The dim sum is grand and the lunch menu is a serious bargain.

12A Wicklow Street, Dublin 2, D02 ND37, Ireland

Not everyone loves tasting menus but if you’re intrigued by the idea of a dining experience where you put your faith entirely in the hands of some seriously talented chefs then Bastible is worth a visit. The set menu here is based on the best Irish produce available and is safely one of the best set menus in the whole of Dublin. At €95 per person, it’s not cheap but it’s a worthy investment of your money for the quality of the service and food you get in return. Bastible is one of the best restaurants in Dublin and if you’re a serious food nerd it simply has to be on your checklist.

Leonard's Corner, 111 S Circular Road, Portobello, Dublin, D08 RW2K, Ireland

The pie at Spitalfields is to die for. Imagine a beautiful bronzed layer of quilted pastry draped over a rich mix of chicken, leeks, Hen of the Woods mushrooms, and prunes livened up with a splash of madeira, and you’ll sort of get the picture. I only say “sort of” because it’s one of those dishes that needs to be eaten to be experienced. This warm and inviting pub on Merchants Quay does serious food and serves it in a seriously comfortable room. Even if you’re not up for a sharing pie, you’ll find plenty to ogle at in the form of hand-dived scallops, pork schnitzel, and a ruby red côte de boeuf. Bring an appetite.

25 The Coombe, Merchants Quay, Dublin 8, D08 YV07, Ireland

I don’t know if the reason Note is called Note is because it's pretty much note-perfect but it should be. This slick bistro, run by chef-owner Essa Fakhry, has been one of the city’s hottest tables since it opened its doors in 2021. Collabs with fellow industry trendsetters like New York’s Contra and Amsterdam’s 4850 have only further cemented their position at the top of the Dublin food chain. We’d recommend coming here and dining with someone who’s into their wine – the list of deep-cut natural wines and grower champagnes is simply too good to go unnoticed.

26 Fenian Street, Dublin, D02 FX09, Ireland

If you’re the sort of person that’s swayed on your dinner decisions by celebrity endorsements then we’ve got a doozy for you right here. Ready? Okay: Stanley Tucci has eaten at Grano. Yes, “I’m Italian on both sides” Tucci has been to Manor Street and sampled the al dente pasta at Roberto Mungo’s Grano. Good pasta is easy to make – we’ve got heaps of pasta recipes on this very website – but truly great pasta? That’s an art. Hit up Grano to get your laughing gear round dishes like spaghettoni al granchio, cavatelli al ragu di cervo, and spinach balanzoni stuffed with ricotta and mortadella with butter, sage, and pistachio. Skip it if you’re gluten-free.

Unit 5, Norseman Court, Manor St, Stoneybatter, Dublin, D07 XD89, Ireland

Uno Mas is Spanish for “one more,” and that’s exactly the kind of attitude you should be taking with you into this suave restaurant on Aungier Street. One more potato and onion tortilla for the table? Sure thing. Another carafe of spicy Syrah? Oh, go on then. Two rounds of flan de queso? Why the hell not?! The food and atmosphere at Uno Mas are excellent and you’ll be wanting to take in as much of it as possible.

6 Aungier St, Dublin, D02 WN47, Ireland

Sitting out above the gentle lull of Howth Harbour, King Sitric is a restaurant and guest house where you can take in the very best of Irish seafood and hospitality. The restaurant has been open for over 40 years and you can see its USP from the moment you walk in the room. I’m not someone who ever needs encouragement to get stuck into a pile of fresh crustaceans and briny oysters, and you’ll struggle to find a better selection than the one available here. Seafood: eat it.

6 E Pier, Howth, Dublin, D13 F5C6, Ireland

Humans have always been drawn to live fire. It’s capable of instilling a range of emotions and feelings in us that run the gamut from genuine awe to second-degree burns. Mister S is all about cooking food over fire. That means grilled seabass, smoked short ribs, and even burnt-end spring rolls are all present and correct on the menu. A great spot for a dinner in Dublin when you’re after an experience.

32 Camden Street Lower, Saint Kevin's, Dublin 2, D02 P029, Ireland

Small plates and natural wine aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. They’ve firmly cemented themselves as a permanent part of the dining scene in most cosmopolitan cities and if you don’t like them, you don’t have to acknowledge them. But if you (like me) are partial to places where you can eat padrón peppers and sip a glass of cloudy wine then Row Wines is worth a visit. It’s a hip spot where you can find the team spinning vinyl and sending out plates of chicken, ‘nduja and sweetcorn croquettes. They haven’t been open long but they’ve already got themselves down on a load of “best first date restaurants in Dublin” lists. You can see why.

Coppinger Row Unit, City Assembly House, Dublin 2, Ireland

Overlooking the River Liffey, The Winding Stair is a Dublin restaurant with an adorable downstairs bookshop that’s been charming locals and tourists alike since it opened in 2006. Previous to that, it was just a bookshop and café but even within the last 18 years of its existence, the restaurant has undergone a few different changes. The menu is inspired by hearty home-cooked Irish meals (think smoked haddock poached in milk) and uses the best of the best available local produce. A dream restaurant for any bibliophiles out there.

40 Ormond Quay Lower, North City, Dublin 1, D01 R9Y5, Ireland

Consistency is the key when it comes to finding a good restaurant and M&L is one of the most consistent restaurants in Dublin. You could come here and order the same dish every day of the week and it would taste pretty much identical every time. Málà (that addictive numbing flavour profile synonymous with most Sichuan cooking) is the name of the game with traditional dishes like shredded pig’s stomach with Chinese mushroom sitting happy as Larry alongside more mainstream hits like kung pao chicken. Come with a hungry group and order as much as you can.

D01 K8K3, County Dublin, Dublin 1, Cathedral St, Ireland

If you ever find yourself in the pickle of not knowing where to eat in Dublin, why not give Pickle a try? This north Indian restaurant on Camden Street Lower is consistently lauded as one of the best Indian restaurants in Dublin. The menu combines Irish produce with northern Indian cooking techniques to great effect. Dishes like farmers' butter chicken and tandoor pork champ are textbook examples of food that has a real sense of terroir. In nowhere but Dublin would you find these two cuisines and cultures melding in such a natural way.

43 Camden Street Lower, Saint Kevin's, Dublin 2, D02 N998, Ireland

As far as neighbourhood bars go, Kodiak is a good one. It’s got a laid-back vibe which makes meeting here with your mates a no-brainer and it’s got a sturdy enough selection of charred pizzas on the menu that you won’t have to worry about stressing out to get a booking anywhere when you’re five pints in. It’s not technically a restaurant but it’s a great place to eat in Dublin so we’re including it on this list. The mortadella and pistachio pizza, in particular, is worth the visit to Kodiak alone.

304 Rathmines Road Lower, Rathmines, Dublin, D06 W3Y1, Ireland

Perhaps no restaurant in Dublin represents modern Irish cuisine better than Mae. Nestled on Shelbourne Road, Grainne O'Keefe’s tidy restaurant showcases quality Irish ingredients and presents them with panache in an intelligent tasting menu. The set menu is €75 a head without drinks but it’s still reasonably priced when you consider the sheer quality of the suppliers they’re using and the skill that goes into cooking every dish. The team at Mae are seriously talented.

53 Shelbourne Rd, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, D04 XC66, Ireland

On the surface, Frank’s is a wine bar and wine shop on Camden Street that’s run by David Bradshaw and Katie Seward. But it’s also so much more than that. It’s a statement of intent. The wine list consists of natural and biodynamic bottles which you can either buy and take home to glug with your chums or drink in the bar with those same chums while you eat something from the concise and considered menu. Everything at Frank’s is done well, delivered with the same confidence and je ne sais quoi of the cave à manger-style wine bars you’ll find littered all over Paris.

Camden Street Lower, Saint Kevin's, Dublin, Ireland

There are a lot of nice restaurants in Dublin serving seasonal food. Etto is one of the nicest of the lot. Its central location is definitely a boon but even if Etto was out in the sticks, it’d still be fairly likely that people would be booking up tables there at the next available opportunity. Expect inventive dishes like Guinness and caramel tart or barbecued calçots with smoked Gubbeen, truffle and hazelnut. Expect friendly service. Expect an overall good time.

18 Merrion Row, Dublin, D02 A316, Ireland

This wouldn’t be a comprehensive rundown of the best restaurants in Dublin without the Delahunt. This swish restaurant offers a €80 five-course tasting menu and a chance to sample some of the sharpest cooking in the city, all within the confines of a historic Victorian building. You’ll feel proper urbane when you’re eating here.

39 Camden Street Lower, Saint Kevin's, Dublin 2, D02 K277, Ireland

We love burgers. And if you love burgers and live in Dublin then you already know that Dash Burger is one of the best places to get your hands on a juicy smash burger. The thin, cheese-draped patties are perfect drinking food and an excellent accompaniment to a frosty beer. Honestly, I wish every city had a Dash Burger.

Various Locations

Founded by John Savage, PI was started as a passion project and one man’s mission to make the perfect pizza. Now boasting two separate locations in Dublin, PI has a strong claim to the very best pizza in Dublin. The pork and pineapple pie comes topped with Toons Bridge fior di latte, gouda, white cheddar, roasted pineapple purée, chilli-rubbed smoked bacon, lime-pickled onions, and fresh coriander. It’s phenomenal. Then again, so is basically every pizza on the menu. Buon appetito.

Various Locations

Bar Pez isn’t a restaurant, it’s a bar. As they say on their website, they’re “very much a bar”. But, in all honesty, the food is so good that we couldn’t not mention it in this guide to the best restaurants in Dublin. The snacks and small plates are ostensibly seafood-focussed and shift on a regular basis to reflect the seasons. Pair something off that tight menu with either a bottle recommended by the team or a glass from their daily changing selection of 16 wines.

Unit 3, College Court, Kevin Street Lower, Portobello, Dublin, D08 TY47, Ireland