Dublin's restaurant scene has undergone a quiet revolution. A city once known primarily for hearty stews and pub grub now holds Michelin stars, draws chefs from around the world, and offers cuisines you'd struggle to find outside London or Paris. But navigating the scene — especially when you're new to the city — can be overwhelming. Which places are genuinely good versus just well-marketed? Where should you take a client versus where do you go on a Tuesday night when you want something brilliant but unfussy?
We've put together this guide from years of living, eating, and hosting guests across Dublin. Every restaurant on this list is one we'd personally recommend. We've organised them into three price brackets — High End, Mid-Range, and Budget — so you can find the right spot for the right occasion, every time.
High End: Special Occasions & Client Entertaining
Expect to spend €80–150+ per person with wine
Dublin's top-tier restaurants are genuinely world-class. These are the places for milestone celebrations, impressing important clients, or treating yourself after a long project. Every one of them justifies the price with exceptional food, service, and atmosphere.
Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud
Merrion Hotel, Dublin 2 · French fine dining · Two Michelin stars
Ireland's only two-Michelin-star restaurant and the most prestigious dining room in the country. Chef Guillaume Lebrun's French-influenced cuisine is technically flawless, and the art collection on the walls (including original Irish masters) makes the room feel like a private gallery. The lunch menu is significantly more accessible than dinner — it's one of Dublin's best-kept secrets for a high-end experience without the full evening commitment. Service is immaculate without being stiff. Book at least two weeks ahead for dinner, further in advance for Friday or Saturday.
Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen
Parnell Square, Dublin 1 · Modern European · Two Michelin stars
Chapter One has been a Dublin institution for decades, and since Mickael Viljanen took over the kitchen, it's reached new heights. Set in the basement of the Dublin Writers Museum on Parnell Square, the dining room is intimate, elegant, and never pretentious. The tasting menu showcases the best of Irish produce — expect dishes built around wild game, Atlantic seafood, and foraged ingredients. The wine list is deep and thoughtfully curated. This is the restaurant Dubliners choose for the meals that matter.
Liath
Blackrock Market, Blackrock · Tasting menu · Two Michelin stars
Damien Grey's Liath is one of the most exciting restaurants in Europe, let alone Ireland. Set in the unlikely surroundings of Blackrock Market (a short DART ride from the city centre), the 16-seat dining room serves a multi-course tasting menu that changes constantly based on what's available that day. The cooking is creative, technically brilliant, and deeply personal. There's no à la carte — you put yourself in the chef's hands and enjoy the ride. Book well in advance; tables release on the first of each month and go quickly.
Bastible
South Circular Road, Dublin 8 · Modern Irish · Michelin Bib Gourmand
Barry Fitzgerald's Bastible is proof that fine dining doesn't need white tablecloths and hushed tones. The cooking is sophisticated, seasonal, and deeply rooted in Irish ingredients — expect wood-fired sourdough, aged beef, smoked fish, and vegetables given as much attention as the protein. The room is relaxed and the staff are warm without being overfamiliar. The tasting menu is excellent value for this level of cooking. One of the restaurants that best represents where Dublin dining is right now.
Aimsir
Cliff at Lyons, Celbridge, Co. Kildare · Nordic-Irish · One Michelin star
Technically just outside Dublin (30 minutes by car), but worth every minute of the drive. Jordan Bailey's cooking draws on his Scandinavian training, using exclusively Irish and foraged ingredients. The tasting menu is a genuine experience — courses arrive paired with views of the kitchen garden where many of the ingredients were growing that morning. If you have access to a car, this is the most memorable meal you'll have near Dublin. The Cliff at Lyons hotel makes it easy to combine with an overnight stay.
One Pico
Mespil Road, Dublin 4 · French-Irish · Fine dining
Eamonn O'Reilly's elegant restaurant near the Grand Canal delivers polished French-Irish cooking with impeccable service. Popular with the corporate crowd for client dinners — the private dining room seats up to 14 and is ideal for hosting. The à la carte gives you flexibility, and the wine list is one of the best in the city. Discreet, professional, and consistently excellent.
Mid-Range: Everyday Excellence
Expect to spend €35–70 per person with a glass of wine
This is where Dublin really shines. The city's mid-range restaurants punch well above their weight — many would be considered destination dining in other cities. These are the places where you'll eat most often: good enough for a client lunch, casual enough for a Wednesday night.
Delahunt
Camden Street, Dublin 2 · Modern Irish
A beautifully restored Victorian grocer's shop turned restaurant. Dermot Staunton's cooking is refined without being fussy — think slow-cooked pork belly, pan-fried hake with brown butter, and seasonal vegetables treated with real care. The downstairs bar (The Canteen) does a more casual menu at lower prices and is excellent in its own right. The Camden Street location makes it perfect if you're staying in one of our nearby apartments.
Etto
Merrion Row, Dublin 2 · Italian-influenced
Small, consistently outstanding, and perennially popular. Etto serves Italian-influenced food using Irish ingredients — handmade pastas, excellent charcuterie, simply prepared fish and meat. The wine list leans Italian and is full of interesting bottles at fair mark-ups. No reservations for lunch (first come, first served), so arrive early. Dinner bookings are essential — this place is packed for good reason. A reliable go-to for impressing someone without the formality of fine dining.
Lena
Windsor Terrace, Portobello, Dublin 8 · Neighbourhood Italian
Occupying the beloved canal-side spot in Portobello, Lena has quickly become one of Dublin's most atmospheric restaurants. The cooking is Italian-influenced with Irish ingredients — handmade pastas, wood-fired dishes, and seasonal produce treated with real care. The wine list is thoughtful, and on a summer evening with the canal-side windows open, there's nowhere better. It manages to feel both special and relaxed — ideal for that dinner where you want the setting to do some of the talking.
Nightmarket
Ranelagh, Dublin 6 · Thai
Arguably the best Thai food in Ireland, and certainly the best in Dublin. Nightmarket goes far beyond the usual pad Thai and green curry — expect dishes from northern Thailand, Isaan, and the streets of Bangkok, cooked with proper technique and excellent ingredients. The som tum (green papaya salad) and the massaman curry are legendary. If you're staying in our Ranelagh apartments, this is on your doorstep and you'll find yourself going back repeatedly.
Mr Fox
Parnell Square, Dublin 1 · Modern Irish
One of the best restaurants north of the Liffey. The dining room is striking — high ceilings, contemporary art, beautiful lighting — and the food matches the setting. The menu changes seasonally, always built around the best Irish produce. The pre-theatre menu is exceptional value. A smart choice for business dinners when you want somewhere impressive but not stuffy.
Assassination Custard
Kevin Street, Dublin 8 · Small plates & natural wine
Don't let the unusual name put you off — this is one of Dublin's most exciting restaurants. Small plates designed for sharing, with influences from across the Mediterranean and Middle East. The cooking is inventive and the natural wine list is among the best in the city. The vibe is buzzy, informal, and the kind of place that makes you feel like you've found somewhere the tourists don't know about. Because they don't.
Uno Mas
Aungier Street, Dublin 2 · Spanish tapas
Dublin's best tapas, full stop. The croquetas are legendary, the patatas bravas are perfectly crisp, and the Ibérico ham is sliced to order. Excellent Spanish wine list with lots available by the glass. Great for groups — order a spread of dishes and a bottle of Albariño and you'll have a brilliant evening without breaking the bank. The upstairs dining room is slightly quieter if you prefer conversation over atmosphere.
Fish Shop
Benburb Street, Smithfield, Dublin 7 · Seafood
Sustainable, seasonal Irish seafood cooked simply and served in a pared-back setting. The catch depends on what the boats brought in that day, so the menu changes constantly. Beer-battered fish and chips here are transcendent — nothing like the chippy version. Started life in Blackrock Market and now settled in Smithfield, where the vibe is relaxed and the seafood is some of the best in Dublin. BYO wine on certain nights keeps the bill down.
Forest Avenue
Sussex Terrace, Dublin 4 · Modern Irish · One Michelin star
John and Sandy Wyer's intimate neighbourhood restaurant earned its first Michelin star in 2026, a recognition long overdue. The cooking is precise and seasonal — a concise tasting menu that showcases the best Irish produce with restraint and confidence. The room is small, warm, and unpretentious. Forest Avenue is proof that great restaurants don't need to shout. Book ahead — word is well and truly out.
Budget: Brilliant Eating Under €15
Expect to spend €8–15 per person
Dublin has a reputation for being expensive, and restaurants can certainly be pricey. But if you know where to look, you can eat brilliantly for very little. These spots deliver food that punches far above their price point — perfect for a quick lunch, a casual dinner, or those weeks when you'd rather spend your money elsewhere.
Luncheonette
Thomas Street, Dublin 8 · Sandwiches & salads
The best sandwiches in Dublin, no debate. Freshly baked bread, creative fillings, and portions that could see you through to dinner. The meatball sub and the roast chicken sandwich are both outstanding. Located at NCAD on Thomas Street in the Liberties, it's worth the trip from anywhere in the city. One of the best lunch experiences in Dublin for under €12.
Brother Hubbard
Capel Street, Dublin 1 · Middle Eastern-influenced brunch & lunch
A Capel Street institution that helped spark Dublin's brunch culture. The shakshuka is famous for a reason, and the Turkish eggs (çılbır) are equally good. Lunch specials change daily and are excellent value — hearty mezze plates, soups, and salads for around €12-14. The baked goods are all done in-house and the coffee is strong. A reliable go-to any day of the week.
Sprezzatura
Camden Market, Grantham Street, Dublin 8 · Italian deli & sandwiches
An Italian-run deli serving panini, arancini, and pasta dishes that taste like someone's nonna made them. The mozzarella is fresh daily, the focaccia is excellent, and a filled panino costs around €8-10. Tucked into Camden Market on Grantham Street, it's small and often busy at peak lunch hours, but worth the queue. Authentic, affordable, and genuinely Italian.
Aobaba
Capel Street, Dublin 1 · Vietnamese
Dublin's best phở and arguably the best-value meal in the city centre. A steaming bowl of beef phở costs under €12 and is big enough to be the only meal you'll need for hours. The bánh mì (Vietnamese baguette) is another winner at around €7-8. Simple, authentic, and packed with flavour. The Capel Street location is always busy — a good sign. Cash and card accepted.
Masa
Drury Street, Dublin 2 · Tacos & burritos
Proper Mexican food at chippy prices. The tacos are small and punchy — order three for a full meal (around €12). The al pastor is the standout, with the carnitas a close second. Fresh salsas, good guacamole, and Mexican beers by the bottle. The Drury Street location is tiny and often has a queue at lunch, but it moves fast. A Friday night taco run from your apartment is a ritual worth adopting.
The Pita Kitchen
Belfield, Dublin 4 · Middle Eastern
Fresh, generous falafel wraps, shawarma plates, and hummus bowls for under €10. The falafel is made fresh throughout the day and the portions are generous. The pita bread is baked in-house and the sauces are all homemade. The mixed shawarma plate with all the salads is one of the best lunches you can get in Dublin for the price. A short trip from our Donnybrook apartments.
Legit Coffee Co
Meath Street, The Liberties, Dublin 8 · Coffee & pastries
Not just coffee — the pastries, croissants, and filled rolls here are excellent and affordable. A coffee and a filled croissant for under €8 is a proper breakfast. Also does batch-brew filter coffee for €2.50, which makes it one of the cheapest good coffees in Dublin. The Meath Street location in the Liberties is a gem — a proper neighbourhood café with loyal regulars.
Kinara Kitchen
Ranelagh, Dublin 6 · Pakistani
Outstanding Pakistani cuisine at very reasonable prices. The lunch deals are exceptional value — a generous curry with rice and naan for around €12-14. The lamb karahi and chicken tikka are standouts, and the homemade naan bread is some of the best in Dublin. Run by the Kinara family who've been feeding Dublin for years. If you're staying in our Ranelagh apartments, this is a go-to for a brilliant, affordable dinner.
Where to Eat Near Our Apartments
One of the advantages of staying with EirStay is that all our apartments are in genuine neighbourhoods with excellent local restaurants. Here's a quick guide by area:
Donnybrook, Dublin 4
- High End: Forest Avenue (newly Michelin-starred, intimate room), One Pico (nearby on Mespil Road)
- Mid-Range: Lena (Italian, canal-side in nearby Portobello), the local Donnybrook village has several reliable casual options
- Budget: The Pita Kitchen (Belfield, short walk), Herb Street (casual brunch)
Ranelagh, Dublin 6
- High End: Forest Avenue (seasonal tasting menu, one Michelin star)
- Mid-Range: Nightmarket (Thai, essential), Kinara Kitchen (Pakistani, outstanding)
- Budget: Assassination Custard does excellent value small plates at lunch, or grab a coffee and pastry from Butlers Pantry
Camden Street, Dublin 2
- High End: Delahunt (upstairs, tasting menu option)
- Mid-Range: Assassination Custard, Uno Mas (tapas)
- Budget: Sprezzatura (Italian deli, nearby on Grantham Street), Masa (tacos on Drury Street)
Practical Tips for Dining in Dublin
Booking
For any mid-range or high-end restaurant, book ahead. Dublin is a small city with a lot of people eating out — popular spots fill up days in advance, especially Thursday through Saturday. Most restaurants use an online booking system (check their website or Instagram). For walk-ins, lunch is generally easier than dinner, and Tuesday/Wednesday nights have the most availability.
Tipping
10-15% is standard at restaurants if no service charge is included. Some restaurants add a 12.5% service charge automatically — check the bill before adding extra. At casual spots and cafés, tipping isn't expected but a euro or two is appreciated. Never feel pressured — tipping culture in Ireland is more relaxed than in the US.
Dietary Requirements
Dublin restaurants are generally excellent at accommodating dietary needs. Vegetarian and vegan options have improved dramatically in recent years, and most mid-range and high-end restaurants will adapt their menus for allergies and intolerances. Coeliac disease is relatively common in Ireland, so gluten-free awareness is high. Just mention your requirements when booking.
When to Eat
- Lunch: Most restaurants serve 12:00–14:30. Early bird or pre-theatre menus typically run 17:00–18:30 and offer the best value
- Dinner: Main service is 18:30–21:30. Last orders at most restaurants are around 21:00–21:30 (earlier than many European cities)
Getting There
Dublin is compact enough that most restaurants are a short walk, Luas ride, or taxi from any EirStay apartment. If you're heading somewhere slightly further out (Blackrock for Liath, Smithfield for Fish Shop), a taxi will cost €10-15 each way. Uber and FreeNow both work well in Dublin.
Our Top Picks (If You Only Have Time for a Few)
If you're in Dublin for a short stay and can only fit in a handful of meals out, here's where we'd send you:
- One special dinner: Chapter One or Bastible
- Casual dinner with character: Assassination Custard or Nightmarket
- Business lunch: Etto or Delahunt
- Best-value meal: Aobaba (phở) or Masa (tacos)
- Weekend brunch: Brother Hubbard
- Quick lunch on the go: Luncheonette or Sprezzatura
Dublin's dining scene rewards curiosity. The best meals in the city often come from the places you'd walk past without a recommendation — the unassuming shop front on a side street, the tiny restaurant above a market, the neighbourhood spot that doesn't need to advertise. We hope this guide gives you a starting point. Eat well, explore often, and if you find somewhere brilliant we've missed, let us know — we're always updating our recommendations.
Staying with EirStay means you're always within easy reach of excellent food. All our apartments have fully equipped kitchens for the nights you'd rather cook, but when Dublin's restaurants are this good, you'll want to get out and explore. Get in touch if you'd like personalised dining recommendations for your stay — we're happy to help.
Want to walk off a great meal? Our local walking routes take you through the neighbourhoods where many of these restaurants are found. For help choosing where to stay, see our neighbourhood review. And if you're in Dublin for business, our complete business travel guide has everything else you need.