A Guide To The Best Restaurants In Dalkey

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

In a part of Dublin that isn’t short on celebrity residents, Dalkey is (unsurprisingly) also not short on cracking places to eat.

What is surprising, however, is that most of them won’t stretch your wallet! There’s also a little bit of something to tickle most tastebuds, here!

In the guide below, you’ll discover the best Dalkey restaurants on offer, from the fabulous DeVille’s to one of our firm favourites, Jaipur Dalkey.

Our favourite restaurants in Dalkey

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

These are pubs and restaurants that we (one of the Irish Road Trip team) have munched away in at some point over the years (usually after kayaking to Dalkey Island).

1. DeVille’s

First up is one of the better-known Dalkey restaurants – DeVille’s. Opened on Castle Street in 2012 by brother and sister David and Kim O’Driscoll, DeVille’s serves traditional French bistro fare seven nights a week.

Despite the seemingly French name, DeVille’s is apparently named after the O’Driscoll’s great-grandmother. Appetizers include a French onion soup and a raft of locally caught oysters, while mains feature a beef bourguignon and a choice of 28-day dry-aged steaks.

And since this is a bistro inspired by France, there’s a carefully chosen wine list with red wines from Burgundy, Bordeaux and the Rhone Valley. This is up there with the top restaurants in Dublin.

2. Ragazzi Gastro market

Located on Coliemore Road and slightly away from the main bustle of Castle Street, Ragazzi Gastro Market is a no-nonsense but supremely tasty Italian that serves up Italy’s culinary greatest hits with aplomb.

They even do their own pizza – The Ragazzi – that features King Prawns, Spinach, Tomato and Mozzarella.

They’ll also sort you out with a range of specials and they also do a deadly selection of paninis. You won’t break the bank either, as all their food comes in at exceptional value. 

3. JAIPUR DALKEY

Something of an institution that’s been in Dalkey for 20 years now, Jaipur’s Indian food must be hitting the right notes as some of Dalkey’s rich and famous can sometimes be seen enjoying their fiery cuisine.

But regardless of what type of curry Bono orders, you’re bound to have a good time in this smart restaurant where they combine Irish produce with traditional Indian techniques. 

Highlights include Hugh Leonard’s Butter Chicken, Pujari’s Lamb Rogan Josh and O’Donohue’s Karara Jhinga. They also do tons of vegetarian dishes too. 

4. Finnegan’s of Dalkey

Speaking of institutions, Finnegan’s of Dalkey has been a part of neighbourhood life here since 1970.

Located at the southern end of Castle Street, it’s a fine spot for a pint at any time of year (or day!) and they also offer a hearty dinner menu that goes exceptionally well with a pint of the black stuff. 

Inspired by the nearby coast, some of their fresh seafood offerings include a deep-fried breaded haddock and chips, Finnegan’s Fish Pie and a crayfish linguine. 

5. 1909 Restaurant & Wine Bar

Occupying a lovely old space at the southern end of Castle Street, 1909 Restaurant & Wine Bar is a stylish spot with a cosy brick interior that’s great for winter and has room outside for al fresco dining in the summer. 

Open 7 days a week, starters include a seafood chowder and crispy calamari, while their mains feature filet mignons and a delightful three-cheese wellington. The starter and main set menu between Sunday and Thursday is awesome value too at €24.95.

If you’re in search of Dalkey restaurants for a special occasion, you can’t go wrong with a visit to the excellent 1909 Restaurant & Wine Bar! 

Other popular places to eat in Dalkey

As you’ve probably gathered at this stage, there’s an almost endless number of great places to eat in Dalkey on offer.

If you’re still not sold on any of the previous choices, the section below is packed with some more highly-reviewed Dalkey restaurants.

1. Kathmandu Nepalese Restaurant

In keeping with Nepal’s tradition of everything being at a great height, you’ll have to walk up some stairs to reach Kathmandu Nepalese Restaurant!

Well, one flight of stairs but the analogy still works (sort of). Once you’re up those stairs you’ll be able to savour a world of seductive Nepalese flavours that go perfectly with a few cold beers. 

Sample their Garlic Chilli Masala, classic Jalfrezi and a traditional Ledo Bero curry which isn’t something you’ll find on many menus across Ireland. Find them next door to DeVille’s on Castle Street. 

2. Grapevine Dalkey

While Grapevine was originally set up as a wine shop over 20 years ago (yes, the name gives it away!), they now do a fine food menu to go along with their excellent wine products.

Located a stone’s throw from Dalkey Castle, this easy-going spot is a lovely place to hang out in the evening. 

Among some of the menu’s best dishes are the lobster roll, the prawn and chorizo risotto and the mussels in white wine, cream and tarragon sauce. 

3. Nova restaurant Dalkey

Variety is the spice of life at Nova. Taking inspiration from Mexican, American, Italian and Asian cuisine, Nova’s varied menu is good for whatever mood you’re in. Located on Coliemore Road next door to Ragazzi, Nova’s rectangular white facade is easy to spot and the handsome interior includes some stylish Art Deco touches. 

While offering a range of burgers, seafood and vegetarian and vegan options, definitely check out their gorgeous grilled duck breast served with caramelized shallots. 

This is, in our opinion, one of the best restaurants in Dalkey for a feed before nipping in and out of some of the town’s many pubs.

4. Gary’s Gourmet Pizza

What neighbourhood would be complete without a pizza joint? Down in Dalkey, the call is heeded by Gary’s Gourmet Pizza at the top end of Castle Street.

Part of the Dalkey food scene since 2013, they claim to make ‘the most unique pizzas on the planet’ and, judging by their menu, they aren’t too far off!

As well as the usual classics, their gourmet pizza menu is such that on your pie you might find tiger prawns, duck breast, smoked salmon or caviar! You were warned…

5. The Dalkey Duck

If you want a great pub that’s all about the food, then get over to the Dalkey Duck at the top of Castle Street.

While the menu isn’t big, the food that is on offer is exceptionally well-prepared and their hake fish ‘n’ chips is one of Dalkey’s finest feeds.

It’s a great spot for a pint too and their beer garden is deadly during the summer months. Oh, and check out their facade at Christmas when they go all out with the fairy lights and yuletide decor!

6. Benito’s Italian Restaurant

Another Dalkey restaurant that’s had a few brushes with the stars over the years is Benito’s Italian Restaurant. But then again they must have a good reason for visiting and the quality of Benito’s food means they keep on coming back! 

The menu is stuffed full of delectable Italian favourites and they even offer organised wine and food tours to Italy’s most beautiful wine regions, so they clearly take their gastronomy seriously. Sadly, however, I still can’t tell you which type of pasta Bono ordered.

7. The Club Bar and Restaurant

Ok, so The Club’s name isn’t anything special but just wait until you step through the doors! The building dates back to 1840 and its gorgeous interior evokes that time period almost as if we were still there (although just to clarify, I’m very happy we’re not!).

From the grand mahogany bar to the iconic four faced clock above the bar, you could happily whittle away a few hours in here. As you’d expect, all the classic pub food options are here and they also have a spacious beer garden to enjoy during the summer months.

There’s also a decent bit of outdoor seating at The Club, making this one of the best restaurants in Dalkey to enjoy a light lunch in the sun.

What restaurants in Dalkey have we missed?

I’ve no doubt that we’ve unintentionally left out some brilliant places to eat in Dalkey from the guide above.

If you have a place that you’d like to recommend, let me know in the comments below and I’ll check it out!

FAQs about the best Dalkey restaurants

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from what are the best restaurants in Dalkey for a fancy feed to which Dalkey 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 Dalkey?

Our favourite Dalkey restaurants are 1909 Restaurant, Finnegan’s of Dalkey (it’s a pub), JAIPUR DALKEY, Ragazzi Gastro market and DeVille’s.

What Dalkey restaurants are good for a fancy meal?

If you’re looking for restaurants in Dalkey to mark a special occasion, it really is hard to go wrong with DeVille’s.

What are the best restaurants in Dalkey for something casual?

If you’re looking for casual and tasty places to eat in Dalkey, give Gary’s Gourmet Pizza and Finnegan’s of Dalkey a crack.