9 Of The Best Restaurants In Dun Laoghaire For A Meal This Week

In search of the best restaurants in Dun Laoghaire? Our Dun Laoghaire restaurants guide will make your belly happy!

There are some great places to eat in Dun Laoghaire, regardless of whether you’re in the mood for fine dining or a ridiculously good pizza.

From popular spots, like Casper & Giumbini’s, to Dun Laoghaire restaurants where you can grab a meal with a view, like Hartley’s, there’s lots to choose from.

In the guide below, you’ll discover plenty of spots for grub in this lively harbour town, with a little bit of something to tickle every fancy.

Our favourite restaurants in Dun Laoghaire

The first section of our guide to the best restaurants in Dun Laoghaire tackles our favourite places to eat in Dun Laoghaire.

These are pubs and restaurants that we (one of the Irish Road Trip team) have munched away in at some point over the years. Dive on in!

1. Casper & Giumbini’s

Named after the grandmother and great-grandmother of the current owners, Casper & Giumbini’s is built on a passion for Irish cuisine.

You’ll find it finely positioned on the promenade at The Pavillion, where it’s known to dish up the best of modern Irish food.

Top choices from the menu include tasty fresh seafood and premium chargrilled steaks, cooked how you like them. From their stunning lunch menu to dinner and dessert, C&G’s is an excellent place to dine.

2. Hartley’s

Located right near the pier on Harbour Road, Hartley’s Restaurant is arguably the most unique of the many Dun Laoghaire restaurants, and that’s all thanks to its sea views.

Their outdoor dining area offers superb harbour / sea views and there are gazebos and heaters for cooler evenings. The restaurant serves local Irish specialities as well as a selection of European and vegetarian dishes.

The indoor restaurant has a classy ambiance and there’s an enviable choice of craft beer, wine and cocktails for pre-dinner drinks.

From chicken wings to surf and turf, everything is cooked to perfection and beautifully presented. This is one of our favourite places to eat in Dun Laoghaire for good reason!

3. Delhi Rasoi Indian Restaurant

Lovers of Indian cuisine are in for a real treat when they visit the elegant Delhi Rasoi Indian Restaurant. Located in premises that once housed the Gourmet Food Parlour, they serve up quality authentic Indian dishes.

The secret, so they say, is cooking everything fresh each day using quality ingredients. A team of talented chefs serve up the old favourites such as Tikka Masala along with some new ideas to tickle the tastebuds.

Try the sharing platters (including one with seafood, mango and garlic tomato chutney). Specialities include a coconut-milk Goan Prawn Curry or try the hot and fiery Laal Maas.

Related read: Check out our guide to 15 of the best things to do in Dun Laoghaire at any time of the year.

4. Zero Zero Pizza

Zero Zero Pizza has been delivering real Pizza Napoletana to Dun Laoghaire locals and tourists alike since 2014. They started off in a gazebo in the Dublin Docklands and later settled in more permanent surroundings on Patrick Street in the heart of Dun Laoghaire.

Open Wednesdays through Sunday from 5:30pm till late, this casual eatery has a fabulous menu including Garlic Pizza Bread, salads and side dishes as well as Vegan Delights.

Go traditional with the Quattro Formaggi (Four Cheese) or be more venturesome with the Capricciosa featuring Italian ham, mushrooms, olives and artichokes. If you’re looking for casual Dun Laoghaire restaurants that pack a mighty punch, get yourself here.

5. McLoughlin’s Bar

Dating back to 1903, McLoughlin’s Bar is a short stroll from the People’s Park in the heart of Dun Laoghaire. The downstairs bar offers a full range of ales, spirits and great bar food including Irish breakfast, lunch and dinner.

They are all served by friendly local staff who help create a warm and welcoming ambience. This is also the place to find some of the best live music entertainment including folk and trad sessions.

Open daily on George’s Street Upper, it has an award-winning restaurant upstairs for those who want a hearty meal in restaurant surroundings. If you’re looking for casual places to eat in Dun Laoghaire with friends, you can’t go wrong with McLoughlin’s.

6. Oliveto at Haddington House

Haddington House is a gorgeous place to stay and the in-house restaurant, Oliveto’s, is also open to the public. Starched white tablecloths and bentwood chairs create an intimate atmosphere with a sense of history.

The Italian-inspired menu focuses on seasonal quality ingredients. Renowned chef Barry O’Neill is responsible for an exceptional menu of antipasti, homemade pasta, fish and chargrilled meats such as Iberico pork and Florentine steaks (Bistecca alla Florentina).

Light choices include artisan pizzas with gluten-free or 48-hour fermented dough. With a selection of handpicked wines, a memorable meal is assured. This is one of the most popular restaurants in Dun Laoghaire for good reason!

Related read: Check out our guide to 9 of the best pubs in Dun Laoghaire (old-school pubs and more modern-style gastro pubs).

7. Bits & Pizzas Restaurant

Located on Patrick Street, Bits and Pizzas is an informal gathering place serving the “Best Pizza in Dun Laoghaire since 1987”. It now has a new outdoor rooftop dining area too.

Pop in for coffee and a slice of banoffi pie during the day or sit down to starters, soups and salads while waiting for your perfect pizza.

These 10 inch wheels are offered with a multitude of toppings including Hawaiian, Sicilian and vegetarian choices. Meat stuffed calzones go down a treat with a pint of draught beer or a light and fruity Pinot Grigio wine.

8. The Purty Kitchen

Last but not least, The Purty Kitchen is a traditional pub and restaurant on Old Dunleary Road in Monkstown. One of the oldest pubs in Dublin, (dating back to 1728), it has an excellent reputation for great seafood and hearty local cuisine.

The wood-lined bar restaurant is the place to feast on Ham Hock and Black Pudding, Irish Beefburgers, Tempura Plaice and Purty Fish Pie. Head upstairs to the Purty Loft where live music entertainment is provided.

Some big names have played here, including The Dubliners, making the Purty Kitchen a great all-round place to enjoy great food, a full bar and a night of craic. If you’re looking for unique restaurants in Dun Laoghaire, give this place a shot.

What tasty Dun Laoghaire restaurants have we missed?

I’ve no doubt that we’ve unintentionally left out some other great restaurants in Dun Laoghaire from the guide above.

If you have a favourite Dun Laoghaire restaurant that you’d like to recommend, drop a comment into the comments section below.

FAQs about the best restaurants in Dun Laoghaire

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from what are the best restaurants in Dun Laoghaire for a fancy feed to which Dun Laoghaire restaurants are nice and chilled.

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.

What are the best places to eat in Dun Laoghaire?

In our opinion, the best Dun Laoghaire restaurants are Casper & Giumbini’s, Hartley’s and Delhi Rasoi Indian Restaurant.

What Dun Laoghaire restaurants are good for a fancy meal?

If you’re after fancy places to eat in Dun Laoghaire, you can’t go wrong with Odells and Oliveto.