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Tours in Dublin |
These restaurants are divided into five categories: Gastronomic, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. The categories serve as guidelines rather than absolute definitions of the establishments.
The restaurants below have been grouped in four different price categories:
$$$$ (over €80)
$$$ (€50 to €80)
$$ (€35 to €50)
$ (under €35)
These prices are for a three-course meal for one with half a bottle of wine or equivalent, including VAT.
VAT is generally included in the price of a meal, and a service charge of 12.5% is also usually added to restaurant bills, although many diners add a discretionary tip of around 5 to 10% of the bill. If service is not included, a tip of between 12.5% and 15% is usual. Credit cards are accepted in most restaurants.
The restaurants below have been grouped in four different price categories:
$$$$ (over €80)
$$$ (€50 to €80)
$$ (€35 to €50)
$ (under €35)
These prices are for a three-course meal for one with half a bottle of wine or equivalent, including VAT.
VAT is generally included in the price of a meal, and a service charge of 12.5% is also usually added to restaurant bills, although many diners add a discretionary tip of around 5 to 10% of the bill. If service is not included, a tip of between 12.5% and 15% is usual. Credit cards are accepted in most restaurants.
Gastronomic
Les Frères Jacques
Located in the city centre, opposite Dublin Castle, Dublin's top French restaurant is celebrated for its classic, seasonal cuisine and its superb seafood, with west coast oysters and grilled lobster especially popular choices. The intimate, traditional décor, combined with crisp white linens, an exemplary wine list and impeccable, formal service, make it an especially popular choice for business lunches.
74 Dame Street
Tel: (01) 679 4555.
Website: www.lesfreresjacques.com
Price: $$$
Located in the city centre, opposite Dublin Castle, Dublin's top French restaurant is celebrated for its classic, seasonal cuisine and its superb seafood, with west coast oysters and grilled lobster especially popular choices. The intimate, traditional décor, combined with crisp white linens, an exemplary wine list and impeccable, formal service, make it an especially popular choice for business lunches.
74 Dame Street
Tel: (01) 679 4555.
Website: www.lesfreresjacques.com
Price: $$$
Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud
The exceptional, modern classic cuisine of chef Patrick Guilbaud, using the best in-season Irish ingredients, makes this one of Dublin's finest restaurants. It is fully deserving of its two Michelin stars, with prices to match. The elegant ground-floor restaurant, decorated with 20th-century Irish art, opens onto a terrace and landscaped garden, offering alfresco dining in fine weather. The dishes too are works of art, dramatically served from beneath shining silver cloches.
Merrion Hotel, 21 Upper Merrion Street
Tel: (01) 676 4192.
Website: www.restaurantpatrickguilbaud.ie
Price: $$$$
The exceptional, modern classic cuisine of chef Patrick Guilbaud, using the best in-season Irish ingredients, makes this one of Dublin's finest restaurants. It is fully deserving of its two Michelin stars, with prices to match. The elegant ground-floor restaurant, decorated with 20th-century Irish art, opens onto a terrace and landscaped garden, offering alfresco dining in fine weather. The dishes too are works of art, dramatically served from beneath shining silver cloches.
Merrion Hotel, 21 Upper Merrion Street
Tel: (01) 676 4192.
Website: www.restaurantpatrickguilbaud.ie
Price: $$$$
The Tea Room
This modish restaurant in U2's celebrated hotel, The Clarence, has handsome light oak furnishings, understated blue lighting, pristine white linens and designer accoutrements. The Tea Room offers a light, sophisticated menu of modern Irish cuisine - baked wild sea bass with fennel puree and Carlingford mussels, followed by roast leg of rabbit with Clonakilty black pudding and truffle mash count among the favourite dishes. Save room for the scrumptious desserts. The martinis served at the neighbouring Octagon Bar are reputedly the best in town.
The Clarence, 6-8 Wellington Quay
Tel: (01) 407 0813.
Website: www.theclarence.ie
Price: $$$$
This modish restaurant in U2's celebrated hotel, The Clarence, has handsome light oak furnishings, understated blue lighting, pristine white linens and designer accoutrements. The Tea Room offers a light, sophisticated menu of modern Irish cuisine - baked wild sea bass with fennel puree and Carlingford mussels, followed by roast leg of rabbit with Clonakilty black pudding and truffle mash count among the favourite dishes. Save room for the scrumptious desserts. The martinis served at the neighbouring Octagon Bar are reputedly the best in town.
The Clarence, 6-8 Wellington Quay
Tel: (01) 407 0813.
Website: www.theclarence.ie
Price: $$$$
Thornton's
Kevin Thornton is widely considered to be Ireland's top chef. His imaginative Michelin-starred cooking (a combination of traditional Irish and southern French cuisine, cooked with refreshing simplicity) can be tasted at surprisingly affordable prices in a plush, formal dining room on the first floor of The Fitzwilliam Hotel, overlooking St Stephen's Green. Signature dishes include sautéed foie gras with scallops and cep sauce, and roast suckling pig with poitin sauce. The set lunch menu is especially popular with business clients.
The Fitzwilliam Hotel, St Stephen's Green
Tel: (01) 478 7008.
Website: www.fitzwilliamhotel.com
Price: $$$-$$$$
Kevin Thornton is widely considered to be Ireland's top chef. His imaginative Michelin-starred cooking (a combination of traditional Irish and southern French cuisine, cooked with refreshing simplicity) can be tasted at surprisingly affordable prices in a plush, formal dining room on the first floor of The Fitzwilliam Hotel, overlooking St Stephen's Green. Signature dishes include sautéed foie gras with scallops and cep sauce, and roast suckling pig with poitin sauce. The set lunch menu is especially popular with business clients.
The Fitzwilliam Hotel, St Stephen's Green
Tel: (01) 478 7008.
Website: www.fitzwilliamhotel.com
Price: $$$-$$$$
Trendy
Café Mao
Exotic curries, spicy satays and other innovative Asian dishes are the order of the day in this small, trendy cafe-restaurant located near Grafton Street. The interior is stylishly decorated in brilliant blues, reds and yellows. There is frequently a queue, but it is well worth the wait.
2-3 Chatham Row
Tel: (01) 670 4899.
Website: www.cafemao.com
Price: $$
Exotic curries, spicy satays and other innovative Asian dishes are the order of the day in this small, trendy cafe-restaurant located near Grafton Street. The interior is stylishly decorated in brilliant blues, reds and yellows. There is frequently a queue, but it is well worth the wait.
2-3 Chatham Row
Tel: (01) 670 4899.
Website: www.cafemao.com
Price: $$
Eden
The outdoor terrace of this airy, minimalist restaurant on Meeting House Square makes an ideal venue for an alfresco lunch of modern, market-fresh cuisine. It is also an ideal venue for a relaxed dinner when classic movies are screened in the square on summer evenings. The menu changes frequently and includes such seasonal dishes as baked woodland mushrooms, roast wild Irish mallard and rhubarb creme brûlée.
Meeting House Square, Temple Bar
Tel: (01) 670 5372.
Website: www.edenrestaurant.ie
Price: $$$
The outdoor terrace of this airy, minimalist restaurant on Meeting House Square makes an ideal venue for an alfresco lunch of modern, market-fresh cuisine. It is also an ideal venue for a relaxed dinner when classic movies are screened in the square on summer evenings. The menu changes frequently and includes such seasonal dishes as baked woodland mushrooms, roast wild Irish mallard and rhubarb creme brûlée.
Meeting House Square, Temple Bar
Tel: (01) 670 5372.
Website: www.edenrestaurant.ie
Price: $$$
Halo
On the north quay of the River Liffey, the trendiest dining room in town (designed by John Rocha) boasts an imaginative menu of Asian-influenced fusion food in an atrium setting, enhanced by smart minimalist furnishings, dramatic velvet throws and subtle spot-lighting. Equally stylish dishes match the setting perfectly. The Valrhona dark chocolate fondant for dessert is a must for those with a sweet tooth.
Morrison Hotel, Ormond Quay Lower
Tel: (01) 887 2421.
Website: www.morrisonhotel.ie
Price: $$$
On the north quay of the River Liffey, the trendiest dining room in town (designed by John Rocha) boasts an imaginative menu of Asian-influenced fusion food in an atrium setting, enhanced by smart minimalist furnishings, dramatic velvet throws and subtle spot-lighting. Equally stylish dishes match the setting perfectly. The Valrhona dark chocolate fondant for dessert is a must for those with a sweet tooth.
Morrison Hotel, Ormond Quay Lower
Tel: (01) 887 2421.
Website: www.morrisonhotel.ie
Price: $$$
Jacob's Ladder
This is a chic, minimalist restaurant occupying two floors of a Georgian house overlooking the playing fields of Trinity College. Chef Adrian Roche specialises in imaginative, modern Irish cuisine, using seasonal ingredients to create such delicacies as scallops with beetroot and shellfish coddle (a modern version of the traditional Dublin dish) accompanied by an impressive wine list.
4 Nassau Street
Tel: (01) 670 3865.
Website: www.jacobsladder.ie
Price: $$$
This is a chic, minimalist restaurant occupying two floors of a Georgian house overlooking the playing fields of Trinity College. Chef Adrian Roche specialises in imaginative, modern Irish cuisine, using seasonal ingredients to create such delicacies as scallops with beetroot and shellfish coddle (a modern version of the traditional Dublin dish) accompanied by an impressive wine list.
4 Nassau Street
Tel: (01) 670 3865.
Website: www.jacobsladder.ie
Price: $$$
Wagamama
There is often a long queue in this basement branch of the slick Japanese chain of noodle bars, located just off Grafton Street and St Stephen's Green. The cheap, tasty rice and noodle dishes served at long wooden benches are, however, well worth the wait. A gigantic bowl of ramen (noodle soup) is a meal in itself.
King Street South
Tel: (01) 478 2152.
Website: www.wagamama.ie
Price: $
There is often a long queue in this basement branch of the slick Japanese chain of noodle bars, located just off Grafton Street and St Stephen's Green. The cheap, tasty rice and noodle dishes served at long wooden benches are, however, well worth the wait. A gigantic bowl of ramen (noodle soup) is a meal in itself.
King Street South
Tel: (01) 478 2152.
Website: www.wagamama.ie
Price: $
Budget
Avoca Café
This stylish cafe, on the top floor of the well-known Avoca Handweavers craft store, serves hearty soups, delicious home-baked breads, imaginative quiches and salads, freshly squeezed juices, tea, coffee and gorgeous cream cakes to weary shoppers.
11-13 Suffolk Street
Tel: (01) 672 6019.
Website: www.avoca.ie
Price: $
This stylish cafe, on the top floor of the well-known Avoca Handweavers craft store, serves hearty soups, delicious home-baked breads, imaginative quiches and salads, freshly squeezed juices, tea, coffee and gorgeous cream cakes to weary shoppers.
11-13 Suffolk Street
Tel: (01) 672 6019.
Website: www.avoca.ie
Price: $
Elephant and Castle
This cheerful cafe-restaurant, with simple décor and large wooden tables, is located at the heart of Temple Bar. It is renowned for its baskets of spicy chicken wings, its homemade burgers and its gigantic bowls of salad, served all day. It is also a popular venue for American-style Sunday brunch.
18 Temple Bar
Tel: (01) 679 3121.
Website: www.elephantandcastle.ie
Price: $
This cheerful cafe-restaurant, with simple décor and large wooden tables, is located at the heart of Temple Bar. It is renowned for its baskets of spicy chicken wings, its homemade burgers and its gigantic bowls of salad, served all day. It is also a popular venue for American-style Sunday brunch.
18 Temple Bar
Tel: (01) 679 3121.
Website: www.elephantandcastle.ie
Price: $
Ely
This lively wine bar, occupying the ground floor and basement of a splendid Georgian townhouse near St Stephen's Green, serves tasty Irish fare (including Irish stew and genuine Dublin coddle, which consists of bacon, bangers and potatoes) and around 80 different wines by the glass.
22 Ely Place
Tel: (01) 676 8986.
Website: www.elywinebar.ie
Price: $
This lively wine bar, occupying the ground floor and basement of a splendid Georgian townhouse near St Stephen's Green, serves tasty Irish fare (including Irish stew and genuine Dublin coddle, which consists of bacon, bangers and potatoes) and around 80 different wines by the glass.
22 Ely Place
Tel: (01) 676 8986.
Website: www.elywinebar.ie
Price: $
Gallagher's Boxty House
This popular, traditional Irish restaurant, in upbeat Temple Bar, has a simple, homely décor of pine dressers and bookcases. It specialises in boxties (griddled potato cakes containing savoury fillings, such as beef and Beamish stout, smoked fish or bacon and cabbage) and other tasty Irish fare.
20-21 Temple Bar
Tel: (01) 677 2762.
Website: www.boxtyhouse.ie
Price: $
This popular, traditional Irish restaurant, in upbeat Temple Bar, has a simple, homely décor of pine dressers and bookcases. It specialises in boxties (griddled potato cakes containing savoury fillings, such as beef and Beamish stout, smoked fish or bacon and cabbage) and other tasty Irish fare.
20-21 Temple Bar
Tel: (01) 677 2762.
Website: www.boxtyhouse.ie
Price: $
Leo Burdock's
Be prepared to queue awhile at the oldest and best fish 'n' chip shop in town, for delicious fresh fish and huge portions of crispy chips made with the finest Irish potatoes.
2 Werburgh Street
Tel: (01) 454 0306.
Price: $
Be prepared to queue awhile at the oldest and best fish 'n' chip shop in town, for delicious fresh fish and huge portions of crispy chips made with the finest Irish potatoes.
2 Werburgh Street
Tel: (01) 454 0306.
Price: $
Personal Recommendations
Il Baccaro
Hidden in a dark, intimate 17th-century cellar at the heart of Temple Bar, this busy Italian taverna serves tasty regional dishes including Florentine-style steaks, spaghetti bolognese and all the usual favourites, as well as delicious antipasti, platters of cold cuts and cheeses. House wine is poured straight from the barrel to a young and lively crowd.
Diceman's Corner, Meeting House Square
Tel: (01) 671 4597.
Price: $
Hidden in a dark, intimate 17th-century cellar at the heart of Temple Bar, this busy Italian taverna serves tasty regional dishes including Florentine-style steaks, spaghetti bolognese and all the usual favourites, as well as delicious antipasti, platters of cold cuts and cheeses. House wine is poured straight from the barrel to a young and lively crowd.
Diceman's Corner, Meeting House Square
Tel: (01) 671 4597.
Price: $
Nude
Join budget-conscious students and weary shoppers at this hugely popular, trendy 'healthy fast food' eatery, co-owned by the brother of U2's lead singer, Bono, and located near Trinity College and Grafton Street. As the name suggests, Nude is a simple, no-frills, canteen-style cafe serving nourishing home-made soups, hot and cold snacks, wraps, smoothies, coffees and juices.
21 Suffolk Street
Tel: (01) 677 4808.
Website: www.nude.ie
Price: $
Join budget-conscious students and weary shoppers at this hugely popular, trendy 'healthy fast food' eatery, co-owned by the brother of U2's lead singer, Bono, and located near Trinity College and Grafton Street. As the name suggests, Nude is a simple, no-frills, canteen-style cafe serving nourishing home-made soups, hot and cold snacks, wraps, smoothies, coffees and juices.
21 Suffolk Street
Tel: (01) 677 4808.
Website: www.nude.ie
Price: $
The Mermaid Café
The Mermaid Café is a small, popular bistro near Dublin Castle, serving homemade American-inspired dishes. Food is served in a relaxed, uncluttered dining room of simple wooden furniture with nautical touches. The speciality giant Atlantic seafood casserole is particularly delicious.
69-70 Dame Street
Tel: (01) 670 8236.
Website: www.mermaid.ie
Price: $$
The Mermaid Café is a small, popular bistro near Dublin Castle, serving homemade American-inspired dishes. Food is served in a relaxed, uncluttered dining room of simple wooden furniture with nautical touches. The speciality giant Atlantic seafood casserole is particularly delicious.
69-70 Dame Street
Tel: (01) 670 8236.
Website: www.mermaid.ie
Price: $$
Oliver St John Gogarty
This is a lively pub in Temple Bar offering above-average pub food, including Irish stew, Galway prawns and other regional favourites, accompanied by daily live, traditional Irish music.
58-59 Fleet Street
Tel: (01) 671 1822.
Website: www.gogartys.ie
Price: $ (bar), $$ (restaurant)
This is a lively pub in Temple Bar offering above-average pub food, including Irish stew, Galway prawns and other regional favourites, accompanied by daily live, traditional Irish music.
58-59 Fleet Street
Tel: (01) 671 1822.
Website: www.gogartys.ie
Price: $ (bar), $$ (restaurant)
Roly's Bistro
This large, lively bistro serving French, Irish and international classics is rated among the top venues in town. The Kerry lamb pie, the Clonakilty black pudding encased in brioche, or the Dublin Bay prawns served with mushrooms, leeks and a brandy and tarragon cream butter, are all recommended.
7 Ballsbridge Terrace
Tel: (01) 668 2611.
Website: www.rolysbistro.ie
Price: $$$
This large, lively bistro serving French, Irish and international classics is rated among the top venues in town. The Kerry lamb pie, the Clonakilty black pudding encased in brioche, or the Dublin Bay prawns served with mushrooms, leeks and a brandy and tarragon cream butter, are all recommended.
7 Ballsbridge Terrace
Tel: (01) 668 2611.
Website: www.rolysbistro.ie
Price: $$$
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