Quick answers — eating in Dublin
- Best restaurant overall
- Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen
- Best value
- Pichet (€60-€85 / $65-$92)
- Strongest cuisines
- British, Modern European, French
- Dishes to try
- Irish Stew, Fish and Chips, Full Irish Breakfast, Boxty
- Booking window
- For MICHELIN-starred restaurants, book 1-3 months in advance. Cancellation policies vary but often require 48-72 hours' notice to avoid charges.
Booking well in advance, especially for MICHELIN-starred establishments, is crucial, often weeks to months ahead. Dress codes typically range from smart casual to formal. Tipping 10-15% is standard for good service. Dinner hours usually commence between 5:30 PM and 7:00 PM, with last sittings around 9:00 PM to 9:30 PM.
British
Best British restaurants in Dublin
Modern British kitchens cook seasonal produce with French technique — and the best value in the category is very often lunch at a starred pub rather than dinner in town.
Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen
Two MICHELIN StarsModern Irish · Parnell Square · €160-€200 / $175-$220
Mickael Viljanen
Chef Viljanen’s cooking is a masterclass in precision and flavour, showcasing premium Irish ingredients with Scandinavian finesse. The elegant, understated dining room provides a refined backdrop for an experience of true culinary artistry, where every dish is a meticulously composed statement of seasonality and skill.
Order: Ligurian Octopus, Roast Scallops with Smoked Eel, Aged County Kildare Duck
Variety Jones
One MICHELIN StarModern Irish · The Liberties · €90-€120 / $98-$130
Keelan Higgs
Variety Jones delivers a relaxed yet sophisticated dining experience, centred around wood-fired cooking. Chef Higgs masterfully extracts depth and nuance from high-quality Irish produce, often cooking dishes over embers for distinctive smoky aromas and textures. The industrial-chic interior fosters an inviting, convivial atmosphere perfect for sharing innovative plates.
Order: Wood-Fired Roast Chicken, Celeriac with Truffle
Bastible
One MICHELIN StarModern Irish · Portobello · €80-€100 / $87-$109
Barry Fitzgerald
Bastible is celebrated for its confident, imaginative approach to Irish ingredients, presented in a bright, contemporary dining room. Chef Fitzgerald's dishes are characterised by clarity of flavour and thoughtful composition, often featuring unique ingredient pairings that surprise and delight. It's a consistently excellent neighbourhood gem with serious culinary credentials.
Order: Cod with Fermented Potato, Lamb Shoulder with Wild Garlic
Forest & Marcy
MICHELIN SelectedModern Irish · Ranelagh · €70-€90 / $76-$98
Ciaran Sweeney
This vibrant neighbourhood restaurant is known for its creative small plates, designed for sharing, in a buzzing and contemporary setting. The menu features inventive dishes rooted in Irish ingredients but with global influences. The wine list is equally adventurous, offering natural and biodynamic selections.
Order: Smoked Hake with Leeks, Pork Belly with Apple and Celeriac
Modern European
Best modern European restaurants in Dublin
Modern European is the catch-all for kitchens that borrow technique from France, produce from their own region and ideas from everywhere — usually tasting-menu only.
Liath Restaurant
Two MICHELIN StarsModern European · Blackrock · €175 / $190
Darren Hogarty
Located just outside the city centre, Liath offers an intimate, counter-dining experience focused on an intense, ever-evolving tasting menu. Chef Hogarty's bold, creative dishes explore complex flavour combinations with exceptional technical execution, making for a thrilling and highly personal culinary journey. The minimalist space allows the food to speak volumes.
Order: Turbot with Smoked Roe, Pigeon with Cherry and Pistachio
Pichet
MICHELIN SelectedModern European · Trinity Street · €60-€85 / $65-$92
Stephen Gibson
Pichet offers a stylish, Parisian-bistro ambiance with a menu that blends traditional French cookery with modern Irish ingredients. The open kitchen adds to the lively atmosphere, while the robust, flavourful dishes are consistently excellent, making it a popular choice for both casual and special occasion dining.
Order: Roast Hake, Steak Frites
French
Best French restaurants in Dublin
French cooking is still the backbone of fine dining almost everywhere — expect sauce work, butter, precise service and set lunch menus that cost a fraction of dinner.
Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud
Two MICHELIN StarsContemporary Irish-French · Merrion Street · €180-€250 / $195-$270
Guillaume Lebrun
Ireland’s longest-standing two-MICHELIN-starred restaurant, Patrick Guilbaud offers an experience of timeless elegance within the luxurious Merrion Hotel. The cooking blends classic French technique with exceptional Irish produce, delivering refined, sophisticated dishes in a grand, formal setting. Expect impeccable service and a distinguished wine list.
Order: Carlingford Lough Oysters, Dublin Bay Prawns
Dax Restaurant
MICHELIN SelectedFrench · Pembroke Street Upper · €70-€100 / $76-$109
Olivier Meisonnave
Dax provides a warm, inviting atmosphere with a strong focus on classical French cuisine executed with precision and flair. Chef Meisonnave champions seasonal ingredients, presenting dishes with rich flavours and elegant plating. The cellar-like setting exudes a sophisticated, intimate charm, making it a reliable choice for traditionalists.
Order: Turbot with Champagne Sauce, Beef Fillet Rossini
Budget
Where to eat cheaply in Dublin
Dash Burger
Serving excellent smash burgers with high-quality Irish beef, crispy fries, and unique sauces. A satisfying and quick meal for around €12-€15.
Chimac
Known for its Korean fried chicken, including spicy and sweet-spicy options, delicious loaded fries, and unique milkshakes. Expect to pay around €15-€20 for a substantial meal.
Token
A retro arcade and restaurant offering great vegan-friendly comfort food, including burgers, tacos, and loaded fries, alongside craft beers. Meals typically range from €15-€25.
Brother Hubbard North
Famous for its Middle Eastern-inspired brunch and lunch dishes, featuring vibrant flavours and excellent coffee. Popular for its generous portions. Mains around €12-€18.
Leo Burdock's
An iconic Dublin institution for traditional fish and chips since 1913. Crispy battered cod and generous portions of chips, perfect for a takeaway. Around €10-€15.
Local dishes
What to eat in Dublin
Irish Stew
A hearty, comforting stew typically made with lamb or beef, potatoes, carrots, and onions, slow-cooked to perfection. It's a staple of Irish cuisine, often served with soda bread. Find an authentic bowl at The Brazen Head, Dublin's oldest pub, which prides itself on traditional dishes.
Fish and Chips
Crispy battered fresh fish (usually cod or haddock) served with chunky, golden-fried chips. A quintessential takeaway meal in Ireland. For a classic, satisfying portion with a rich history, head to Leo Burdock's, a Dublin institution since 1913.
Full Irish Breakfast
A substantial morning meal featuring bacon, sausages, black pudding, white pudding, eggs, toast, baked beans, and sometimes fried tomato or mushrooms. It’s the perfect fuel for a day of exploring. Try it at The Fumbally for a modern take or at O'Neill's Pub & Kitchen for a traditional version.
Boxty
A traditional Irish potato pancake, often pan-fried or boiled, and can be served as a side dish, wrapped around fillings, or as a main course. It has a distinctive, slightly chewy texture. The Boxty House in Temple Bar specialises in various delicious boxty dishes.
Coddle
A traditional Dublin dish consisting of layers of pork sausages, bacon rashers, potatoes, and onions, gently simmered in stock. It’s a comforting, humble meal, often enjoyed on colder days. You can find authentic Coddle at The Winding Stair, which focuses on Irish produce.
Seafood Chowder
A creamy, rich soup packed with a variety of fresh seafood like salmon, cod, mussels, and prawns, often with potatoes and vegetables. Particularly delicious when sourced from coastal towns. Enjoy an outstanding bowl at one of the many seafood restaurants in Howth.
Guinness
More than just a stout, it’s an iconic Irish experience. This dark, creamy beer with its distinctive ruby-red hue and frothy head is brewed in Dublin. Savour a perfectly poured pint at the Guinness Storehouse Gravity Bar for the freshest taste and city views.
Soda Bread
A quick bread made with baking soda as a leavening agent, traditionally using buttermilk. It has a dense texture and a slightly tangy flavour. It’s usually served with butter, jam, or as an accompaniment to soups and stews. Most traditional cafes and bakeries offer it, such as The Bretzel Bakery.
How to book a table in Dublin
- · For MICHELIN-starred restaurants, book 1-3 months in advance. Cancellation policies vary but often require 48-72 hours' notice to avoid charges.
- · Many fine-dining establishments require a credit card guarantee or a non-refundable deposit for bookings, particularly for larger parties or peak times.
- · Consider weekday lunch menus at top restaurants; they often offer a more accessible price point for tasting the chef's cuisine, typically €40-€70.
- · Be aware of strict no-show policies. Failure to cancel within the specified window can result in significant charges per person, often the full menu price.
FAQ
Dublin restaurant questions travellers ask
What is the best restaurant in Dublin?
Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen in Parnell Square is the benchmark table — Modern Irish, led by Mickael Viljanen, two michelin stars, around €160-€200 / $175-$220 per person. Order the Ligurian Octopus, Roast Scallops with Smoked Eel, Aged County Kildare Duck
Where is the best British restaurant in Dublin?
Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen in Parnell Square is the British table to book in Dublin (€160-€200 / $175-$220 per person). Other strong options: Variety Jones, Bastible, Forest & Marcy.
Where is the best modern European restaurant in Dublin?
Liath Restaurant in Blackrock is the modern European table to book in Dublin (€175 / $190 per person). Other strong options: Pichet.
Where is the best French restaurant in Dublin?
Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud in Merrion Street is the French table to book in Dublin (€180-€250 / $195-$270 per person). Other strong options: Dax Restaurant.
Where can I eat well in Dublin without spending a fortune?
Pichet is the best-value table on this list at roughly €60-€85 / $65-$92 per person. Beyond fine dining, locals point to Dash Burger, Chimac, Token.
How far in advance should I book restaurants in Dublin?
For MICHELIN-starred restaurants, book 1-3 months in advance. Cancellation policies vary but often require 48-72 hours' notice to avoid charges. Many fine-dining establishments require a credit card guarantee or a non-refundable deposit for bookings, particularly for larger parties or peak times.
What food is Dublin famous for?
Irish Stew, Fish and Chips, Full Irish Breakfast, Boxty, Coddle — the dishes most worth eating where they come from. A hearty, comforting stew typically made with lamb or beef, potatoes, carrots, and onions, slow-cooked to perfection. It's a staple of Irish cuisine, often served with soda bread. Find an authentic bowl at The Brazen Head, Dublin's oldest pub, which prides itself on traditional dishes.
Planning the rest of Dublin?
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