15 Malahide Restaurants That’ll Make Your Tastebuds Happy

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

Malahide is a picturesque little coastal town in north Dublin and, while it’s smallish in size, it packs a fine punch when it comes to it’s food scene.

Although there’s plenty of things to do in Malahide (from Malahide Castle to Malahide Beach), it’s the towns many restaurants that keep us coming back for more.

In the guide below, you’ll find everything from casual cafes to Malahide restaurants that are perfect if you want to mark a special occasion.

Our favourite restaurants in Malahide

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

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. Kajjal

Opened in 2007, Kaijal has become one of the most popular restaurants in Malahide, with the Asian cuisine considered by many connoisseurs to be exceptional. It’s got a very relaxed and cosy atmosphere and has a regular clientele which always is a good sign.

Kaijal is also popular with cocktail lovers, and the restaurant management takes the wine list seriously. The Early Bird Sunday lunch is a favourite, and the live music adds to the atmosphere without being overpowering.

They also cater for corporate affairs and parties. If you’re looking for Malahide restaurants to mark a special occasion, you can’t go wrong here.

2. Old Street Restaurant

Old Street bills itself as a neighbourhood restaurant because that’s just what it is. The owners have restored two of the village’s oldest buildings and now run a Michelin recommended restaurant.

Their menus are extensive and filled with goodies from local producers. Whether you’re in the mood for a Black Angus steak or an octopus carpaccio, you’ll be able to order it here. Old Street caters to larger groups and events, and they offer wine tastings and wine pairing menus.

If you don’t usually order a dessert, be prepared to change your mind when the selection arrives at your table. Service is good, and the prices are reasonable, but the quality is outstanding.

3. FishShackCafé Malahide

I spoke to a couple who went here two evenings in a row and had different main courses each time – they said the food was fabulous, and the service was great. What more do you need?

The FishShackCafé brand is well-known in North Dublin, and this one in Malahide doesn’t disappoint. Whether it’s a couples’ night out, a family affair, or a celebration, they have service down to an art form.

The ‘soul’ food on offer is their Dover Sole and is often described as the best the diner has ever eaten. If you’re looking for places to eat in Malahide that do great seafood, get yourself here.

4. Jaipur

According to the Michelin Guide, Jaipur is a friendly restaurant with tasty food. They note that the monkfish with lime, ginger, coriander root & fried okra is a speciality.

This is a restaurant that takes not only its menu seriously but also the origins of their dishes, the creativity of their dishes and the philosophy of food in general.

Vegetarians will love it as there are lots of options for them. The décor is high-quality, and the service can only be called impeccable. Worth a visit.

5. Déjà Vu

A gem of a restaurant in Malahide Village, Déjà Vu has a loyal and regular clientele who rave about the food and service.

One of the reasons they love it is that they can see the chefs at work in the kitchen, sometimes making the bread that’s a firm favourite in the restaurant.

Even with the open-plan layout, the atmosphere is still cosy, and the staff has a lovely vibe. A perfect venue at any time, the brunch menu is fabulous.

6. That’s Amore

If you’re a fan of Rustic Italian décor (as I am), you’ll love this place. The Italian favourites on the menu are fantastic quality, as are the seafood and steak dishes. It’s got something for every taste.

In true Italian style, families are made to feel very welcome, and the staff will try to accommodate any requests. They’ve got a good range of specials too, making the food at That’s Amore great value and always delicious.

The atmosphere lends itself to large gatherings, and they do cater for parties and events.

7. McGoverns Restaurant

The fish and chips at McGoverns Restaurant are precisely as they’re supposed to be – the fish is fresh with light, crispy batter, and the chunky chips are scrumptious.

This casual, family-friendly restaurant is situated on The Diamond in Malahide, and if you’re lucky enough to have a good day and eat outside, you’re in for a treat.

The food and wine are delicious, and the staff are attentive, helpful and friendly. There’s no reason for menu-envy here because every dish has had rave reviews.

Other popular Malahide restaurants with great reviews online

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

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

1. SALE e PEPE

What would a fishing village be without its restaurants serving seafood? In the centre of Malahide, SALE e PEPE has been in business for 27 years serving superb food with great specials every day.

The ambience is cosy and relaxed, and nothing is ever too much trouble for the super friendly and attentive staff.

The restaurant’s specialities are seafood and steaks of the highest quality at a fair price. Fish tacos often get a mention, so check them out. At less than half an hour from Dublin City by DART, it’s worth a trip.

2. Chez Sara

Chez Sara is situated right beside Malahide Marina and serves both Italian and French cuisine. Mouthwatering seafood and steaks are complemented by an excellent wine list.

Friendly, helpful staff provide great service and add to the cosy atmosphere. The restaurant is also open for takeaway service and overall is very reasonably priced.

It’s worth checking the opening hours before you plan a visit here, as they closed for around 3 weeks in August after the busy summer season.

3. Taste of the Med

This is a small but perfectly formed café in Malahide serving delicious food and coffee. The staff have a reputation for friendliness and service, bringing lots of repeat business.

Perhaps because of its size, service is swift, so it’s an excellent venue for a quick lunch. A lunchtime favourite of homemade soup accompanied by homemade bread is terrific value, and the portions are substantial.

If you’re after casual places to eat in Malahide where the menu packs a punch, carve out some time to visit Taste of the Med.

4. Kathmandu Kitchen Malahide

When a restaurant is part of a favourite chain, there can be a degree of hesitancy when visiting a new one. However, Kathmandu Kitchen Malahide doesn’t disappoint, as its many excellent reviews point out.

The staff is very accommodating to visitors with special requirements, and the terrace overlooking the ocean is lovely.

The off-street parking and the multi-level gardens at the rear take this restaurant into a different league—it’s like a home away from home.

5. Orchid Restaurant

The pedestrianisation of New Street has allowed all the local restaurants to set out their stall for outdoor dining. The Orchid Restaurant is one of them, and their food is delicious.

It’s arguably one of the more expensive places to eat in Malahide, but you can get good value if you go before 4 pm and have the Early Bird menu.

The fresh tastes of Cantonese and Szechuan cooking make the best use of the local produce. The outdoor dining area is also a nice spot for a bit of people watching.

6. Bon Appetit

A family-run neighbourhood restaurant, Bon Appetit is well-known for its laid-back vibe and creative cooking.

It’s clear that the head chef here takes pride in their work, with modern dishes created using only the freshest ingredients. If you are a fan of tapas dining, you’ll definitely love this place.

Contemporary comfort food and brunch classics can be found on the menu, as well as an extensive wine and cocktail list. The dining room is candlelit, creating a perfect atmosphere for weekend brunches, special celebrations, and lunches. 

7. Scotch Bonnet

Located just a short walk from the Malahide Dart Station, Scotch Bonnet focuses on traditional cuisine with a modern twist.

Try their Baby Back Ribs & Angus Beef burgers and you won’t be disappointed. In reviews online, many customers mention that the Louisiana style chicken wings are extremely tasty.

You can also choose from a wide range of sustainable seafood or the café’s handmade pasta. As for the drinks menu, Scotch Bonnet Urban Café offers everything from imported craft beers to an extensive list of wines from the southern hemisphere.

8. Siam Thai Restaurant

Yes, there’s shortage of outstand restaurants in Malahide, but we’ve reached the end of our guide with, last but by no means least, Siam Thai.

This is one of the oldest Thai restaurants in the village and boasts a stylishly decorated interior with a full bar where you can get a drink before being seated.

As for the food, you can choose between the a la carte menu and the set menu. If you’re visiting, the crispy duck with tamarind is a crowd-pleaser, as well as the sizzling fillet beef with oyster sauce.

What great Malahide restaurants have we missed?

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

If you have any favourite Malahide restaurants that you’d like to recommend, drop a comment into the comments section below.

FAQs about the best restaurants in Malahide

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

In my opinion, the best restaurants in Malahide are Kajjal, Old Street Restaurant and FishShackCafé (although the other options above are great, too!).

What are the best restaurants in Malahide for a special occasion?

If you’re in search of fancy Malahide restaurants, you can’t go wrong with an evening spent at Old Street Restaurant.