Dublin, Ireland — Food and Dining
Restaurants in Dublin, Ireland
Restaurants
Expensive
Bon Appetit
It is well worth the DART ride out of the city to sample Michelin star cooking at a restaurant that has only been open since 2006. Head chef Oliver Dunne works miracles in the kitchen with fresh local ingredients key. The multi-course tasting menus are a decadent popular option, while also on site is more affordable but still excellent brasserie.
9 James Terrace, Malahide
Tel: (01) 845 0314.
Website: www.bonappetit.ie
Fallon & Byrne
A great but very informal way of delving into Ireland’s top class local produce. This venue boasts both a restaurant and a food hall, which works well with clients looking for an informal meal with shopping either side and also for hosts looking to offer gifts with a story attached. As you might expect the wine choices are excellent as there is a wine cellar on site too.
11- 17 Excheckr Street
Tel: (01) 472 1000.
Website: www.fallonandbyrne.com
Farm
There are not many places that serve Irish food this good and so well sourced right in the center of Dublin. Opened in 2007 this bright modern restaurant has already attracted a loyal clientele who come to enjoy the certified organic beef and lamb. The cooking is simple and the ingredients are left to speak very loudly for themselves. Probably the best and freshest children’s menu in town for trendy kids too.
3 Dawson Street
Tel: (01) 671 8654.
Website: www.thefarmrestaurant.ie
Les Frères Jacques
Located in the city center, 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
Pig’s Ear
The Pig’s Ear has recently sprung up near Trinity College and has wasted no time establishing itself. The menu covers a lot of classics such as potted crab to start and shepherd’s pie, but also experiments with a rough terrine spiced up with a pineapple chutney.
4 Nassau Street
Tel: (01) 670 3865.
Website: www.thepigsear.ie
Shanahan’s on the Green
Ireland is famous for its beef and there is no better place to feast on red meat than here on St. Stephen’s Green. Besuited business people toting expense accounts enjoy quality cuts cooked exactly as they like it with a comforting array of side dishes. The wine list is credit card cracking and after a night here the Celtic Tiger still seems well and truly to be roaring.
119 St. Stephen’s Green West
Tel: (01) 407 0939.
Website: www.shanahans.ie
The Dylan Restaurant
It comes as no surprise that this is one of the city’ chicest dining spaces given the style of the hotel itself. Thoughtful local sourcing backs up a comforting menu that goes for fine ingredients and strong flavors rather than too much experimentation. Starters include the likes of Dublin Bay Prawns with pork belly while the main course boasts such treats as saddle of Irish lamb served with dauphinoise potatoes, pancetta and mushrooms.
Eastmoreland Place
Tel: (01) 660 3000.
Website: www.dylan.ie
Moderate
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
Cheap
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
Bang Cafe
Now something of an institution amongst the local trendy set. The setting is pleasingly pretentious, all striking colors, sharp lines and chandeliers. The menu plays it relatively safe with international comfort food, which should come as no surprise with an ex-chef from London’s The Ivy part of the kitchen team. Mains include the likes of pan-fried fillet of Irish Beef with sautéed wild mushrooms, braised shallots and Dauphinoise potatoes or bangers with chive mash and mustard shallot jus.
11 Merrion Row
Tel: (01) 676 0898.
Website: www.bangrestaurant.com
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
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
Gallagher's Boxty House
This popular, traditional Irish restaurant, in upbeat Temple Bar, has a simple, homely décor of pine dressers and bookcases. It specializes 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
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.
Nightlife
Nightlife in Dublin has changed beyond all recognition recently. Alongside the traditional Irish pubs sit stylish bars and buzzing pre-club haunts. The trendy Temple Bar area is the district most associated with the city's best nightlife hotspots and vibe.
Pubs are generally open Monday to Saturday 1100 to 2330 and Sunday 1200/1600 to 2300, although some serve until 0200. In some parts of the city, closing times are enforced by patrolling Gardai (police). Bars close between 2330 and 0100, while clubs stay open until the early hours.
In Dublin (www.indublin.ie) is a free weekly magazine that is useful Dublin nightlife guide with bar, restaurant and club reviews.
Bars
Pravda
One of the most popular bars in Dublin is Pravda, which is set to be transformed into a new, funky, live music and club venue.
2-3 Liffey Street Lower
Tel: (01) 874 0090.
Website: www.pravda.ie
Cocoon
Is a popular haunt owned by ex racing driver Eddie Irvine. Long deep sofas and plush armchairs are dotted around, while DJs play tunes over the weekend.
Royal Hibernian Way
Tel: (01) 679 6259.
Palace Bar
For a more traditional pub crawl, head to Temple Bar, where the Palace Bar can be found.
21 Fleet Street
Tel: (01) 677 9290.
Dawson Lounge
Is the smallest pub in Dublin, with room for about six people in the basement.
25 Dawson Street
Tel: (01) 677 5909.
Clubs
PoD (Place of Dance)
Once a clubbing wasteland, Dublin's reputation for top-rack nightclubs is growing year on year. PoD retains its popularity and has won awards for its outlandish décor.
Harcourt Street
Tel: (01) 476 3374.
Website: www.pod.ie
Lillie's Bordello
The exclusive Lillie's Bordello is where all visiting pop stars, actors and celebrities hang out for after-show parties.
Adam Court,Grafton Street
Website: www.lilliesbordello.ie
Ri Ra
Combines a chilled bar with a free to enter hip club.
Dame Court
Tel: (01) 671 1220.
Website: www.rira.ie
The Academy
Most live music venues host club nights after gigs. The Academy is enjoying a new lease of life and is attracting some big name international DJs as well as the cream of local talent.
57 Abbey Street Middle
Tel: (01) 877 9999.
Website: www.theacademydublin.com
Live Music
Temple Bar Music Center
Eclectic is the key word for Dublin's music scene, with most venues playing something of everything, from jazz, blues and soul to rock and pop, English folk and Irish traditional (known as 'trad'). Trad is played in countless pubs, often in free impromptu 'sessions'. The Temple Bar Music Center is a great venue for spotting new talent.
Curved Street, Temple Bar
Tel: (01) 353 1 670 9202.
Website: www.tbmc.ie
The O2
The largest concerts (rock and pop) take place at The O2.
North Wall Quay
Tel: (01) 819 8888.
Website: www.theo2.ie
The Royal Dublin Society
Its concert hall also caters for both large pop/rock events.
Merrion Road, Ballsbridge
Tel: (01) 668 0866.
Website: www.rds.ie
