12 Best Restaurants In Temple Bar In Dublin

If you’re in search of the best restaurants in Temple Bar, you’ll likely be reasonably surprised.

While the pubs in the Temple Bar area is often regarded as tourist traps, it has many excellent restaurants that offer much more than the typical touristy fare.

Below, you’ll find everything from hearty Irish fare and delicious Italian dishes to some lesser-known Temple Bar restaurants that visitors often overlook. Bon appétit!

The best restaurants in Temple Bar

As I eat in the area quite a bit, I’ve organised this guide from top to bottom – as you’ll see, my two favourite Temple Bar restaurants are the Old Mill and Mongolian Barbeque!

However, if you visit any of the places to eat in Temple Bar listed below, I’m reasonably confident that you’ll leave satisfied.

1. Old Mill Restaurant

Lying in the heart of Temple Bar, with Irish memorabilia adorning the walls, it’s easy to see why The Old Mill is a favourite among tourists.

The interior exudes a warm, cozy atmosphere with dark wooden beams, vintage Guinness memorabilia, and an array of framed pictures and signs.

While the ambiance is that of a classic Irish bar, the food goes waaaaay beyond typical ‘pub grub.’

The Old Mill serves the greatest hits of classic Irish cuisine, including comforting stews, coddles, cottage pies, and fish and chips, all prepared and presented to a very high standard.

Tip: If you’re staying in one of the hotels in Temple Bar, you could do a lot worse than heading out in the morning for the Old Mill’s mighty Irish breakfast!

2. Mongolian Barbeque

The Mongolian Barbeque is one of the more casual Temple Bar restaurants in this guide, but it packs a fine aul punch when it comes to flavour!

Inside, you’ll find a diner-style setting with an open kitchen sets the stage for a unique meal.

Guests select from a variety of fresh meats, seafood, tofu, noodles, and vegetables, which are then cooked to perfection on a cast iron grill.

Known for its fresh and customizable dishes, this all-you-can-eat spot has been a local favourite since 1996, boasting over 2,000 five-star reviews.

If you’re after a quick-and-healthy lunch in Temple Bar, the Mongolian Barbeque is well worth considering!

3. Rosa Madre

This cosy little spot is arguably one of the best restaurants in Dublin if you’re seeking to indulge in a delicious Italian feast

Rosa Madre’s interior boasts a sophisticated and inviting atmosphere, featuring dark and warm wooden elements, shelves of wine bottles, and elegantly set tables with crisp white linens.

Menu highlights include the Gnocchetti with Crab and Amalfi Lemon Zest, which features a lobster bisque, and the Seabass Salt Crusted, perfect for two.

For pasta lovers, the Ravioli Al Tartufo, filled with ricotta cheese and truffle, is a must, while meat fans will enjoy polishing off the 9oz Irish Beef Fillet with demi-glace.

4. The Old Storehouse

So, if you’re in any way familiar with the various pubs in Temple Bar, the chances are you (like me) will have assumed at one point that the Old Storehouse is just about live music and dancing…

However, that couldn’t be further from the truth!

The interior features rustic wooden staircases, vintage bicycles, and Guinness memorabilia, creating a nostalgic vibe that visitors to the city will appreciate.

Having dined here many times in recent years, I’ve always had a memorable meal.

Menu highlights include Irish classics like Traditional Irish Lamb Stew and Homemade Irish Pork and Apple Crust Pie, as well as vegan and vegetarian options.

5. The Shack Restaurant

One of the newest additions to this guide to the best restaurants in Temple Bar is The Shack, which has been serving customers beside the famous Temple Bar Pub for the last 25 years.

It features a warm and nostalgic interior, characterized by vibrant red walls, wooden elements, and cozy seating arrangements (if you can, try and nab the table by the window!).

The menu combines traditional Irish dishes and modern favourites, with highlights like Dublin Seafood Chowder, Irish Stew, and Lamb Shank.

Vegetarian options and homemade desserts, such as Baileys Cheesecake and Hot Apple Pie, round out the offerings. When you finish up, the finest pubs in Dublin are a short stroll away!

6. Gallaghers Boxty House

For something a little closer to home, head to Gallagher’s Boxty House in Temple Bar where you’ll find a small cafe that’s perfected the art of the Irish Boxty.

Opened back in 1988 (long before Temple Bar became the place it is today…), Gallagher’s serve up the three types of authentic boxty found in the border counties of Leitrim, Cavan and Fermanagh. 

Using a variety of fillings, from chicken with bacon twirls to corned beef, this is proper hearty stuff and particularly great for when the weather turns colder. 

As this is one of the more popular Temple Bar restaurants, it’s well worth booking a table in advance to avoid disappointment.

7. Bunsen

If you’ve been to Bunsen before, you’ll know that they’re one of the best value casual restaurants in Temple Bar, and they bang out one of the best burgers in Dublin.

They bill themselves as ‘Straight up burgers’, their menu is refreshingly sparse, simply asking the size of the burger you’d like and what toppings and the style of fries (if any). 

You’ll find it right across from the Temple Bar Pub. Try to nab a window seat—it’s a great spot for people-watching.

I’ve eaten at Bunsen over 20 times throughout the years, and aside from the value, the greatest compliment I can give it is that it’s consistently brilliant.

8. La Caverna

La Caverna is arguably the most unique of the many Temple Bar restaurants, as you can probably tell from the photos above.

Set in a historic building, the restaurant features a cozy setting with dimmed lights, exposed brick walls, and rustic wooden furniture.

The highlight is the unique 300-year-old Cellar Dining Room, perfect for those in search of places to eat in Temple bar with an intimate setting.

At La Caverna, menu highlights include the Fillet Steak served with chunky fries, Scallops & Prawns in saffron cream sauce, Rack of Lamb with mint sauce, and homemade Tagliatelle alla Bolognese.

9. The Quays

While The Quays is arguably best known for it’s pub, there’s a restaurant upstairs that rivals many of the city’s finest.

Nestled in the lively Temple Bar area, the Quays Restaurant is located above the pub and it exudes a warm and inviting atmosphere with its rustic wooden decor and traditional Irish touches.

The menu is packed with classic Irish comfort foods, including Traditional Irish Stew, Braised Irish Lamb Shank, and The Famous Dublin Coddle.

For something hearty, try the Slow Cooked Beef & Guinness Stew or Quays Bangers & Mash. The restaurant also offers a selection of seafood and vegetarian options.

10. Montys Of Kathmandu

Showing off the international flavour that Temple Bar has taken on over the years, Monty’s of Kathmandu is a traditional Nepalese restaurant that’s been a staple of Temple Bar since 1997.

Located centrally on Eustace Street and similar in style to Indian food, Montys has served quality Nepalese cuisine for over 25 years, using traditional charcoal tandoor cooking methods for rich flavours.

The menu features popular items like Chilli Momo, spicy dumplings filled with seasoned meat, and Momo with Achar, a sharing platter of dumplings with traditional dipping sauce.

For main courses, options include Gorkhali, a hearty dish with tender lamb or chicken, and Jyogi Bhat, a unique blend of Nepalese rice and vegetables.

11. Il Vicoletto

Il Vicoletto is another of the best places to eat in Temple Bar if you fancy a more refined experience during your time in Dublin.

Here you’ll discover an intimate and elegant setting with rich wooden interiors and an impressive wine display.

The menu features dishes like Ravioli Rossi di Ricotta e Basilico, with red pasta filled with ricotta and basil, and Linguine Branzino, Aglio Nero, Fiocchi di Bonito , a sea bass linguine with black garlic cream.

Risotto alle Capesante Giganti e Asparagi combines scallops and asparagus, while Linguine all’Astice Blu Pescato nell’Atlantico offers Atlantic Blue Lobster in a cherry tomato sauce.

12. Tomahawk Steakhouse

Sometimes, all you need in life is a huge slab of meat. If indeed that is what you’re salivating for, then make a swift detour to the mighty Tomahawk Steakhouse on Essex Street.

Aged upstairs in Dollard & Co Food Market’s dry aging chamber for up to 28 days to ensure maximum flavour, it’s fair to say they take their steaks seriously here. 

The menu features starters like Creamy Garlic Mushrooms served on toasted ciabatta and Pork, Chilli & Red Pepper Meatballs.

For mains, highlights include the 28 Day Himalayan Salt Dry Aged Rump Steak and the Braised Lentil & Spinach Cottage Pie with cheddar mash and greens.

If you’re looking for Temple Bar restaurants to mark a special occasion (especially if you’re fond of a great steak), you won’t be disappointed here.

Explore beyond the Temple Bar restaurants

Now that you have a sense of the best restaurants in Temple Bar, it’s time to explore the city.

There are plenty of things to do in Dublin, including:

• Itineraries: 24 hours in Dublin, 48 hours in Dublin or 3 days in Dublin
• Key attractions: Christ Church, Trinity College and Kilmainham Gaol