Best Restaurants Dublin: 22 Stunners In 2023

Take every guide to the best restaurants in Dublin City Centre and beyond with a sprinkling of salt (including this one…).

‘Best’ is completely subjective – what’s ‘Delish!‘ to one might be ‘Pure and utter sh…‘ to another! So, beware!

In this guide to the best places to eat in Dublin, we’ve combined our own experiences of dining in Dublin restaurants and the various industry awards with the places that have consistently racked up rave reviews online.

Below, you’ll discover everything from rooftop steakhouses and seaside-seafood-stars to some of the best restaurants in Dublin for fine dining.

The best restaurants in Dublin in 2023

From institutions, like Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, to some of the newer places to eat in Dublin, like Mamó, there’s an endless choice in the capital when it comes to food.

The article below provides you with a handy ‘food bucket list’ of the best restaurants in Dublin City Centre and beyond to dive into. So, let’s get started!

1. Chapter One (Parnell Square)

Setting the standard in Dublin for over 20 years, Chapter One offers contemporary Irish cuisine with a French twist courtesy of two Michelin star Head Chef and co-owner Mickael Viljanen.

With an elegant dining room with starched white tablecloths nicely offset by warm lighting, Viljanen combines classical French techniques with plenty of creativity and personality. 

Expect to pay around €150 for a four-course dinner or €180 for a swanky tasting dinner menu.

If you’re in search of the best places to eat in Dublin to mark a special occasion, Chapter One should be at the top of your list.

2. Pickle (Camden Street Lower)

If you’ve read our guide to the top restaurants in Dublin for Indian food, you’ll have seen the mighty Pickle reign supreme.

Crafted by multi-award-winning chef Sunil Ghai, North Indian cuisine in Dublin doesn’t come better than inside Pickle.

The sublime slow-cooked goat keema pao has become a bit of a signature dish, though you might want to kick off with the five-course tasting menu at €75 per person. 

A classic in Mumbai, the tiffin box is a great traditional option for lunch but Pickle shines most when night falls. 

When it comes to guides to the best restaurants Dublin City Centre has to offer, Pickle often earns a very worthy position near the top.

3. Liath (Blackrock)

Not all of the best Dublin restaurants are in the city centre! Take the train to the coastal suburb of Blackrock and prepare your tastebuds to experience one of the more popular Michelin Star restaurants in Dublin, courtesy of Michelin-starred chef Damien Grey. 

It’s cosy and compact inside Liath so tables don’t come easily, but it’s well worth taking the effort to book when the food is this good. 

The five elements of taste form Grey’s style and prices for a tasting menu start from aaround €180 per person with wine pairing available from €110.

Related reads: Check out our guides to the best brunch in Dublin and the liveliest bottomless brunch in Dublin

4. SOLE Seafood & Grill (South William St)

If you’re wondering where to eat in Dublin for impeccable seafood, aim for SOLE on bustling St William Street where you’ll find a sweeping colonnade at the centrepiece of its chic bronze and grey interior. 

One unique feature of SOLE is their private dining experience where you and your guests are able to take a seat at the exclusive Captain’s Table.

With a private bar and dedicated bartender, this is a prime position to order a selection of Carlingford rock oysters or, if you want to push the boat out, SOLE’s Captain Seafood Tower for €120 (between two).

SOLE is another spot that’s regularly listed as one of the best restaurants in Dublin City Centre, and a quick glance at any review site will quickly reveal why.

5. Bastible (Portobello)

Bastible’s low-key decor doesn’t prepare you for the inventiveness of its cuisine, so expect some fireworks on your plate!

Barry Fitzgerald and Claire-Marie Thomas’s magnificent restaurant is slightly out of town in Portobello but is worth the journey and their €85 set menu features a range of delicate tastes and textures. 

The ever-revolving menu could include poached oyster with elderflower and tomato dashi, or venison, parsley root, chanterelles and pine.

Whatever they serve up here, be in no doubt that it’ll be delightful! They also offer a handy vegetarian menu and a cracking wine list.

There are few places to eat in Dublin that we find ourselves recommending over-and-over as much as Bastible, and it’s for good reason!

6. Brookwood (Baggot Street Lower)

Brookwood is another of the best restaurants Dublin has to offer when it comes to beef, and you’ll find it along the busy Baggot Street.

Its marble floors, grand mirrors and art deco lamps make for an entrancing setting before you even get to the fabulous food on offer!

Seafood and steak is what they do best here on Baggot Street and they also love to throw in a few elaborate cocktails too. 

On the beef side of things, the 8oz fillet of Black Angus for €40 is a highlight while the fish of the day changes on availability and the freshly shucked Carlingford oysters are a creamy delight.

7. Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud (Merrion St.)

Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud is, in our opinion, one of the best restaurants Dublin has to offer if you’re looking to really push the boat out for a special occasion.

40 years of exceptional fine dining and this Dublin institution is still going strong. Their secret sauce? Flawless execution!

If you have cash-to-splash, try the €235 surprise tasting menu prepared with the finest ingredients in season. If money is no issue, then throw in a wine pairing too. 

Related read: Check out our guide to the best breakfast in Dublin in 2023

8. Mister S (Camden Street Lower)

They cook over fire on a robata-style grill at Mister S on Camden Street Lower and then they extract as much flavour as is humanly possible.

If the Burnt End Rendang Spring Rolls for €10 doesn’t get you salivating then the smoked beef short rib and chimichurri for €19 surely will. 

Or maybe choose the succulent glazed pork chop. In fact, try as much as possible! There’s a reason Mister S has picked up so many accolades over the past few years, so stretch your wallet if you can.

Mister S is another spot that’s often pegged as one of the best places to eat in Dublin at lunch.

9. Etto (Merrion Row)

Sitting just off the leafy surroundings of St Stephen’s Green on Merrion Row, Etto is a stylish little spot serving Italian-influenced food alongside a generous selection of wines.

Boasting a mention in Dublin’s Michelin Guide, their fare is also pretty good value considering the quality and location.

Check out their grilled cod, roasted rainbow carrot, dill, shrimp and dillisk for €34 as an example of how to do seafood to perfection using the freshest produce.

Etto’s starter of Irish bluefin tuna crudo, furikake, yuzu dashi, seaweed waffle and wasabi mayo for €16 is pretty special too.

10. Trocadero (St Andrew’s St.)

Located just a stone’s throw from the Molly Malone Statue, the hugely popular Trocadero is spread over two 18th century red-bricks at the heart of Dublin’s cultural centre.

It has been arguably one of the best places to eat in Dublin for over 60 years and boasts a range of fine food set in a handsome Art Deco dining room.

The 9oz Centre Cut Fillet of Irish Angus beef is the steak to look for on their enticing À La Carte Menu, though they also offer €48 and €58 set menus.

Related read: Check out our guide to finding the best Irish food in Dublin

11. FIRE Steakhouse (Dawson St)

It’s not often you get to dine in 300-year-old buildings, but that’s exactly what FIRE Steakhouse offers!

Located in The Mansion House on Dawson Street and set back from the road by an elegant small garden, the building has been the official residence of the Lord Mayor of Dublin since 1715. 

You’ll dine in the Supper Room which dates back to 1864 and features incredible vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows.

And when not admiring the opulent surroundings, get stuck into one of their succulent award-winning dry-aged Irish steaks.

There’s a weekend lunch menu with three courses for €40 pp. Just keep in mind that, as this is one of the top restaurants in Dublin City Centre, you’ll want to book in advance!

12. F.X. Buckley (Pembroke Street)

One of the original steakhouse restaurants in Dublin, the popular F.X. Buckley has been an institution for over 30 years since opening their first restaurant on Pembroke Street in 1987.

Though their story actually goes much further back than that – the first F.X. Buckley’s branded shop opened on Moore Street in 1930 and the first record of a Buckley’s butcher dates to 1660!

But enough of the history. F.X. Buckley is all about perfectly cooked beef. And if you love your steak, then the €60 rib eye on the bone served with Cajun onions could be a decadent option.

This is one of the best places to eat in Dublin that’s as popular with locals as it is with tourists.

13. One Society (Lower Gardiner Street)

There are few coffee shops in Dublin that can go toe-to-toe with the brilliant One Society on Lower Gardiner Street.

This place brings a level of presentation in their food that few cafes can match, and they also throw in some delicious pizzas and pasta in the evening too.

If you’re in the lunch/brunch crowd then you’ll get a mix of classic fare like pancakes and ham and cheese toasties with a sprinkling of flavour-drenched €10.95 menu options like the wonderfully tender slow-cooked brisket reuben and a spicy chicken and chorizo club sandwich. 

Combine quality food with breezy Scandi-style decor and this multi-tasking bistro is a winner both in the daytime and when night falls. 

One Society is one of the best places to eat in Dublin for breakfast or brunch, and it’s a title that’s been well-earned.

14. Saba (South William St)

Thai and Vietnamese specialists Saba have a few joints across Dublin, but their South William St restaurant is probably the best spot to get a true taste of what they do.

While classics like massaman curry, pad thai and phad prik sod will always be tasty crowd-pleasers, don’t sleep on signature Saba dishes such as hake in banana leaf and duck with pineapple. 

With Thai and Vietnamese chefs behind the counter and sourcing as many authentic ingredients as they can, this place is the real deal and it’s also open seven days a week.

15. Richmond (Portobello)

Once an all-night haunt serving fried breakfasts and wine from midnight until 6 a.m, Richmond’s reinvention into a quality modern European restaurant has been quite the transformation! 

Featuring sleek decor with twinkling fairy lights and candles aplenty, these guys now serve up Michelin Bib Gourmand quality food like their unctuous slow-cooked ox cheek, rosti potato, parsnip, king oyster mushrooms and pearl onion in café de Paris jus.

Their sublime 2-course early evening menu (€34) can hold its own against other fine dining restaurants in Dublin and is also a great excuse to nip out for some great food early in the week. 

16. Rosa Madre (Temple Bar)

This cosy little spot on Crow Street is one of the most popular Italian restaurants in Dublin and you’ll find it along the busy streets of Temple Bar.

Check out their exceptional Irish Sole “Meunière” served with Rosemary and Garlic Roast Potatoes for €46 and pair it up with any of their fine white wines (they also do a revolving ‘fish of the day’ option).

This is definitely a great place to visit if you want something a little more refined and not as heavy as some of the other options in Temple Bar. 

Rosa Madre is, in my opinion, one of the best restaurants Dublin has to offer if you’re looking for a mix of light bites and indulgent pasta dishes.

Related read: Check out our guide to the top restaurants in Dublin for vegetarian food (or our guide to the best places for afternoon tea in Dublin)

17. WILDE (The Westbury)

It’s fair to say that WILDE doesn’t hold back when it comes to opulence! Located on the second floor of the Westbury – one of the most popular 5-star hotels in Dublin.

With an airy dining room letting in tons of natural light and plush flowers climbing the walls, it’s a lovely space so make sure to put on your Sunday best when you step through the doors!

The menu features a ‘classics’ section that includes the gorgeous roasted Thornhill duck breast, winter roots, wild mushroom dumpling, sour cherry sauce & toasted nuts for €42.

If you’re looking for unique places to eat in Dublin City Centre, WILDE is well worth considering.

18. Hang Dai (Camden Street Lower)

Dark, neon and stylish inside, Hang Dai is the brainchild of school friends Will Dempsey and chef Karl Whelan. While it looks a bit fun and gimmicky inside, the Chinese food crafted here is of the highest standard and the menu is mouthwatering! 

There’s an a la carte menu featuring the likes of Sichuan Kung Po Chicken and Prawn Fragrant Curry, however it might be worth jumping on one of the tasting menus to get a real feel for the food here (there are two – a smaller one for €40 and a larger one at €60). 

Although the various rooftop bars in Dublin tend to attract the pre-heading-out crowds, if you’re wondering where to eat in Dublin that combines great food with a buzzy atmosphere, Hang Dai reigns supreme.

Related read: Check out our guide to the best Chinese restaurants in Dublin (or our guide to the best places for Sushi in Dublin)

19. Glovers Alley (St Stephen’s Green)

Serving refined contemporary food with friendly service in a luxurious dining space overlooking Dublin’s St Stephen’s Green, it’s pretty hard to pick any holes in Glovers Alley!

It’s also home to Andy McFadden, proud owner of a Michelin star at the tender age of 25 and once the youngest chef in London with a Michelin star. 

So if you’re looking for a swanky spot for lunch or dinner in Dublin where the grub is cooked by an expert chef, then you’ve come to the right place!

A three-course dinner will set you back €95, or you could go all out for the seven-course Glovers Alley Classics menu for €155.

Related read: Check out our guide to the best vegetarian restaurants in Dublin (or our guide to the best places for afternoon tea in Dublin)

20. Mamó (Howth)

One of the newer restaurants Dublin has to offer in this article, Howth’s Mamó Restaurant, which opened in 2019, brings a bit of panache to the usually light-hearted fare you’d find beside the seaside.

Situated on Harbour Road between both piers, they serve modern European cuisine in a relaxed and friendly setting and source all of their produce from North County Dublin where possible.  

Now, with many of the top restaurants in Dublin, you’ll be paying out the ear, however, the menu here is excellent value.

Lead by exciting chef Killian Durkin, the €35 wild halibut, celeriac, razor clam and herring roe butter main gives an insightful taste into what Mamó is all about.

Throw in impeccable service, cosy surroundings and masterfully created dishes and you’ll quickly realise why this is widely regarded as one of the best restaurants in Dublin.

21. Mr Fox (Parnell Square)

Chapter One isn’t the only restaurant on Parnell Square serving up excellent fare.

Opened in 2016, Mr Fox also serves contemporary Irish cuisine with a French influence but then it’ll also throw in curiosities like a Japanese-inspired tuna with ponzu and watermelon alongside a buttermilk quail with smoked paprika mayo. 

Serve a seasonal set menu at €78 per person, Mr Fox is well worth a try. Also, make sure to leave room for dessert, as their rendition of classic Irish cornershop ice creams are a delightful and nostalgic nod to childhood treats.

With 4.7/5 from 800+ reviews at the time of typing on Google, Mr Fox is up there as one of the best places to eat in Dublin, based on review scores.

More Dublin eats: See our guides to the best pizza in Dublin and the finest fish and chips in Dublin

22. PHX Bistro (Smithfield)

And last but by no means least in our guide to the best restaurants in Dublin is PHX.

So while this isn’t exclusively a burger joint, their reputed to dish up one of the best burgers in Dublin! Find them down on Ellis Quay, take a seat inside their smart low-lit dining room and make sure to order the €21.95 8oz PHX beef burger. 

Slathered with Irish cheddar, pancetta bacon, jalapeño mayo and red onion jam, your succulent burger is also served alongside skinny-cut chips, pepper sauce & dressed mixed leaves.

If you still have room after this finest of burgers, then PHX also offer sweet helpings of brownies, sorbets and crème brulées for dessert. 

Best restaurants Dublin: What have we missed?

I’ve no doubt that we’ve unintentionally left out some of the best places to eat in Dublin from the article above.

If you’ve eaten in any good Dublin restaurants recently that you’d recommend, let me know in the comments below.

FAQs about where to eat in Dublin

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘Where does the best food in Dublin price-wise?’ to ‘What are some cool restaurants in Dublin for a date?’.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.