22 Of The Best Restaurants In Dublin
Note
A favourite with the SheerLuxe team on our trip to Dublin, Note is a recently opened bistro and wine bar with a fierce determination to deliver quality food, drinks and service. Presented in a low-key environment, the restaurant features an ever-changing mix of eclectic, modern European dishes championing local producers – think turbot with white asparagus and a fermented asparagus sauce; wild garlic gnocchi and the kitchen’s take on a cheese course – taleggio ice-cream with pear and a cinnamon cracker. Its next-door bar offers a considered selection of natural wines and grower champagnes (there’s a 60+ bottle list), plus a range of classic and in-house cocktails, beers and impressive non-alcoholic options.
Visit NOTEDUBLIN.COM
Grano
If Italian food is top of your list, Grano combines fresh natural ingredients, farmed using organic and biodynamic techniques to create contemporary dishes that respects the roots and traditions of Italian cooking. All ingredients are sourced from small Italian food and wine producers, forming the basis of simple, delicious dishes such as Roman maritozzo bun, stracciatella cheese and Cantabrian anchovies; smoked aubergine, datterini tomatoes, basil and provola cheese colatura; tagliatelle with baby squid, asparagus, bottarga and lemon oil; and deconstructed cannolo Siciliano.
Visit GRANO.IE
Bread 41
Bread 41 is an organic bakery in Dublin 2. The bakery specialises in long-fermented breads, made using traditional methods and just a few simple ingredients; flour, salt and water (we love the oat porridge loaf). Every day the kitchen serves up savoury pastry options using organic ingredients where possible. The focus here in on fermented foods and jams – as well as supporting local farmers and suppliers where possible.
Visit BREAD41.EI
Allta
On Dublin’s vibrant Grand Canal Dock, Allta is a modern Irish gem blending bold flavours, sleek design and a buzzing bar scene. Headed up by chef Niall Davidson, the daily-changing menu showcases Ireland’s finest produce – from Cromane oysters to aged beef burgers. Everything is on the right side of inventive – current hits include razor clams and sea buckthorn ceviche with cherry wood oil, kombu and green strawberries; blue fin tuna tostada with lovage and BBQ pineapple; and beef rib with peanut-miso satay, black garlic, merguez and sweetbread. The stylish space also hosts live DJs and serves imaginative cocktails rooted in zero-waste principles.
Visit ALLTA.IE
The Woollen Mills
The Woollen Mills is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience modern Irish cooking at its best. Championing seasonal, local ingredients, the kitchen serves up elevated comfort food with a modern twist – all in a smart dining room that blends heritage details with contemporary charm. In the warmer months, the spacious outdoor terrace becomes one of the city’s go-to spots for long, leisurely lunches and early evening drinks. The seabream with charred corn and tamarind is a standout, while the rich dark chocolate tart is a must-order.
Visit THEWOOLLENMILLS.COM
L’Gueuleton
A long-time favourite on Dublin’s dining scene, L’Gueuleton brings effortless French charm to Fade Street – one of the city’s most vibrant nightlife spots. Inside, it’s all exposed brick and candlelit tables, while outside, the spacious terrace is ideal for people-watching over a glass of wine. The menu is classic French done right – think tender pork fillet au crépinette, classic steak frites and pan-fried fish served with buttery, herb-flecked potatoes.
Visit LGUEULETON.COM
The Winding Stair
This sister restaurant to The Woollen Mills offers a quieter, more intimate escape – complete with charming views over Dublin’s iconic Ha’penny Bridge. The menu is a love letter to traditional Irish cooking, with comforting dishes like seafood chowder, smoked haddock and potato dumplings taking centre stage. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to linger over a coffee – but before you leave, make sure to pop downstairs for a browse in the old bookstore beneath the restaurant.
Visit WINDING-STAIR.COM
Wilde
On the second floor of The Westbury, Wilde is more than just a hotel restaurant – think art-deco interiors, good cocktails, faultless wines and serious Irish cuisine. With its light-filled dining room and beautiful foliage installation, it’s the perfect spot for a romantic dinner or a Sunday roast. There’s also an extensive wine list, chosen by the restaurant’s award-winning sommelier. Then there’s Balfes Bar & Brasserie, an all-day, NYC-inspired bistro with an outdoor terrace, as well as The Sidecar – a slick cocktail bar where you can stop for a nightcap or try a selection of bespoke cocktails.
Visit WILDE.IE
/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F04%2Fwilde.jpg?itok=0Ij03WLj)
Mae
A relative newcomer in Ballsbridge, Mae is owned and operated by multi-award-winning chef Grainne O'Keefe. Included in the Michelin Guide since 2022, Mae is named after Grainne’s late grandmother. The restaurant is found above The French Paradox wine shop, which gives Grianne’s team access to an exceptional selection of French wines. The set menu features dishes like agnolotti pasta, cod with black garlic and a signature tarte tatin.
Visit MAERESTAURANT.IE
Uno Mas
This excellent tapas spot serves an á la carte menu at both lunch and dinner. The menu changes a little each day, but you can expect the likes of potato and onion tortilla; BBQ leeks with red pepper, walnut and St Tola cheese; rabbit rice with shiitake and aged manchego; and chocolate ganache with lime caramel, hazelnut and fig leaf ice-cream. It’s worth noting that for dinner, there is a minimum order of three dishes per person, including a main course.
Visit UNOMAS.IE
Lena
One of our favourites on this list, Lena is a neighbourhood Italian restaurant with private dining rooms in Portobello. Take a walk along the canal and you’ll be treated to Rome-worthy pumpkin and ricotta mezzaluna with walnut and sage brown butter; veal shin osso buco with gremolata and risotto Milanese; beef fillet with pickled onion rings, beef dripping potatoes and marsala pepper sauce; and chocolate and olive oil tart with espresso ice-cream and salted caramel.
Visit LENA.IE
777
Behind an unassuming entrance, this Mexican hotspot brings a sultry, speakeasy-style charm to Dublin’s dining scene. With low lighting, a lively crowd and a drinks menu that champions tequila, it’s no wonder this place has built a cult following for its pitch-perfect margaritas. The menu is made for sharing – think tuna ceviche; melt-in-the-mouth Iberico pork with chimichurri; chicken and avocado tacos; and beef tartare tostadas. Trust us – you’ll want to order one of everything.
Visit 777.IE
Chapter One
Chef Mickael Viljanen was born in Stockholm but grew up in Finland. He moved to Ireland in 2000, where he worked with Paul Flynn at the Tannery in Waterford before spending five years at Gregans Castle in the west of Ireland, where he won Chef of the Year. Now he heads up the esteemed Chapter One. The restaurant’s interiors showcase a well-curated selection of Irish art, design and craft designed to ensure that guests’ experience is a multi-sensory one that extends beyond the food. There are functional pieces, including Joe Hogan’s basketry and the bar trolley by DesignGoat, that all enhance the dining experience.
Visit CHAPTERONERESTAURANT.COM
/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F04%2Fchapter-one-dublin.jpg?itok=2Tk_oEjm)
Kicky’s
Kicky’s is all about Mediterranean-inspired food cooked over fire, with a focus on hand-rolled pasta. The menu changes from day to day, depending on what is the freshest, but we suggest opting for the Taste of Kicky's menu, with serves a roster of the menu’s greatest hits. Those could include steamed Roaringwater Bay mussels with kohlrabi, smoked eel, taramasalata, fresh cedrat, bergamot and bonito dressing; Lambay Island crab with seaweed pickled brassica on sourdough; and a classic cacio e pepe.
Visit KICKYS.IE
Alma
Alma means ‘soul’ in Spanish and it also stands for the initials of the four daughters in the family: Anabella, Luciana, Macarena and Agustina. The café marries Irish produce with Argentinian flavours in lovely Portobello. Its small, contemporary menu shifts with each season depending on the local growers and their products. We love the sound of Alma’s Turkish Eggs (oven-roasted pumpkin, tzatziki, two poached eggs, Caesar dressing, seasoned radicchio and caramelized hazelnuts on tartine sourdough bread) and the The Chori-Kimchi (Argentinian-style sausage, salsa verde, Kewpie lime mayo, Asian slaw, green onion, a fried egg and Alma’s kimchi on organic sourdough).
Visit ALMA.IE
Vada
Vada is dedicated to zero waste, with a menu that changes with the seasons. Case in point: the team takes pride in its homemade kefir, a fermented drink crafted from upcycled fruits, vegetables and herbs that would otherwise go to waste. This kefir is naturally brewed, resulting in a tangy, effervescent drink that supports gut health. There are also kefir spritzers on offer if you fancy a boozy one. Another way to sample it? Its weekend-only brunch menu serves the Vada Hash – a winning combination of kefir-candied bacon, herby hashbrown, wilted kale, beet romesco, poached eggs and fermented verde hot sauce.
Visit HELLOVADA.COM
The Pepper Pot
This quirky tearoom serves cakes, all-day breakfast, salads and sandwiches. In the historic Powerscourt Centre, The Pepper Pot café and bakery is an owned by Marian Kilcoyne, who is dedicated to slowness in all food preparations. Her in-house bakery forms the backbone of the menu. She serves lunch throughout the week and a separate brunch menu for Saturdays and Sundays. Whatever you do, make sure to order the ‘Famous Pear & Bacon Sambo’, made with Hegarty’s cheddar, mustard mayo and organic leaves on Pepper Pot crusty white bread.
Visit THEPEPPERPOT.IE
Etto
Stripped-back, monochrome Etto on Merrion Row serves some of our favourite food in the city. Open at lunch and dinner, its dishes change a little each day, but highlights from the current menu include mussels, nduja, sweetcorn and samphire; aged parmesan potato gnocchi with coco de paimpol, gremolata, rainbow chard, artichoke and shimeji mushroom; and strawberry, yuzu curd, pistachio shard and basil ice-cream.
Visit ETTO.IE
Pichet
Pichet offers a modern twist on the classic bistro, blending French and contemporary Irish flavours. Since opening in 2009, the restaurant has earned multiple Michelin Bib Gourmands – the restaurant guide’s honour for excellent, good-value cooking. With a focus on innovation and seasonality, the menus feature locally sourced, high-quality ingredients and each dish combines traditional French techniques with Irish inspiration. From baking fresh bread daily to butchering meat in-house, Pichet ensures every element of its food is as hands-on as possible.
Visit PICHET.IE
Peploe’s
In a historic Georgian building dating to 1790, Peploe's offers a dining experience that combines locally sourced food with an impressive selection of Italian and French wines. Named after the owner's favourite Scottish artist, Samuel J Peploe, the restaurant’s elegant interiors and vibrant art create a inviting atmosphere. The menu is an elegant fusion of Irish and European dishes: think Kilkeel Irish crab with spicy crab mayonnaise, pink grapefruit and avocado; and wild Atlantic cod with Thai coconut sauce, crab roll and pickled vegetables.
Visit PEPLOES.COM
La Gordita
La Gordita launched ten years on from popular sister restaurant Las Tapas de Lola. This space offers Spanish bodega-style food and some excellent wines to match too – we’d order the caviar con patatas, crispy pork belly and ray wing with brown butter sauce. La Gordita (which means ‘little fat one’) is a term of endearment in Spain, especially in founder Anna’s family. We’re not the only ones who like it: earlier this year, the team retained its Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand.
Visit LAGORDITA.IE
Bambino
Some Dublin pals got together to create this chef-driven, minimal-frills slice shop, which now has sites on Stephen Street and Baggot Street. Served by the slice, these impressive stomach-fillers are made using the best tomatoes, flours and cheese, using ingredients from as many Irish suppliers as possible. Our favour combo of choice? The Vodka Slice, with Irish mozzarella, spicy pepperoni, vodka sauce and Toons Bridge fior di latte.
Visit BAMBINO.IE
DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at info@sheerluxe.com.
/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Fwebsite-images%2F2025%2F03%2Fsign-up-pop-up.jpg?itok=TZtXX_xL)
