Dublin’s status as a foodie destination is evident in its Michelin-starred restaurants (Patrick Guilbaud, Liath, Chapter One) and vibrant casual and budget options.
Fine Dining
- Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud (Dublin City Centre, Merrion Hotel). Ireland’s only two-Michelin-starred restaurant since 1996, Patrick Guilbaud offers a luxurious fine dining experience in an elegant setting beside the 5-star Merrion Hotel. Diners can expect impeccable service, contemporary Irish cuisine with French influences, and a focus on seasonal ingredients. Ideal for special occasions or high-end dining, with options like an €245 eight-course tasting menu or €95 lunch menu. Steamed soufflé of blue lobster bisque, cauliflower and almond soup, and braised short rib of beef with Kampot pepper-crusted halibut are highlights, showcasing premium ingredients. The restaurant will introduce new seasonal tasting menus or expand its sommelier-led wine pairings, maintaining its pursuit of excellence since 1981.
- Chapter One (Dublin City Centre, Parnell Square). A Michelin-starred restaurant in a renovated 1970s bank vault, Chapter One offers a super-luxe fine dining experience with a focus on modern Irish cuisine. Chef Mickael Viljanen’s dishes are creative and precise, served in a chic, intimate setting, perfect for a blowout meal. Booking well in advance is essential. Expect dishes like sika deer with parsnip or local seafood, reflecting Viljanen’s innovative approach. Chapter One will introduce new tasting menu variations or chef collaborations, building on its Michelin-starred legacy.
- Liath (Blackrock, Co Dublin). Hidden in a covered market, this two-Michelin-starred restaurant by Australian chef Damien Grey offers an intimate fine dining experience with unexpected flavor combinations. The tiny dining room and hyper-seasonal tasting menus make it a foodie destination, ideal for adventurous diners. Killary Fjord mussel and sea urchin flan, red mullet with gambero rosso pasta, and wild venison are highlights, known for their bold, fleeting ingredients. Liath’s Michelin star, awarded, may lead to new tasting menu innovations or increased bookings, emphasizing hyper-local produce.
- D’Olier Street (Dublin City Centre, D’Olier Street). A Michelin-starred restaurant opened by three friends, D’Olier Street offers smart, slick fine dining in a modern setting. The menu balances creativity with Irish produce, perfect for discerning diners seeking a polished experience. The atmosphere is elegant yet approachable. Rxpect refined takes on local seafood or grass-fed beef, reflecting Dublin’s premium ingredients. With its new Michelin star, D’Olier Street will introduce new tasting menus or wine pairings, enhancing its reputation as a top fine dining spot.
- Forest Avenue (Dublin 4, Sussex Terrace). Run by husband-and-wife team John and Sandy Wyer, this Michelin Guide-listed restaurant offers fine dining with a relaxed, Nordic-inspired atmosphere. Named after a Queens, New York street, it features tasting menus using Ireland’s best producers, ideal for foodies. Turnip velouté, sika deer with parsnip, and Japanese milk bread with coconut and Dublin oat ice cream are standout dishes. The Wyers opened a new French bistro, Forêt, in 2024, and Forest Avenue will introduce new tasting menu elements or collaborations, leveraging its success.
- Variety Jones (Dublin 8, Thomas Street). Despite its Michelin star, Variety Jones offers a cozy, intimate fine dining experience with a less formal vibe, perfect for both casual and special occasions. Chef Keelin Higgs’ €90 six-course chef’s choice sharing menu features fire-led cooking with local ingredients, served in a narrow, welcoming room. Spaghetti alfredo and duck liver parfait with potato waffles are signature dishes, rarely leaving the daily-changing menu. After a fire in 2023, Variety Jones 2.0 reopens by January 2026, with new dishes and an expanded casual concept, Mongoose, next door.
Casual Dining
- Hawksmoor (Dublin City Centre, College Green). Housed in a restored 19th-century National Bank with a 40-foot cast-iron dome, Hawksmoor offers a stylish, casual steakhouse experience with a focus on high-quality, 35-day dry-aged Irish beef. The lavish yet relaxed setting is ideal for groups or date nights, with excellent service and a €24 Sunday roast. Flaggy Shore oysters from County Clare, extensive steak cuts from small Irish producers, and Irish coffee tiramisu are highlights. Hawksmoor will expand its cocktail menu or introduce new seasonal specials, building on its popularity among Dublin diners.
- Note (Dublin City Centre, Fenian Street). A vibrant wine bar and bistro, Note combines casual dining with elevated, seasonal dishes and a curated natural wine list. The neighborhood feel and Monday dinner openings make it a go-to for relaxed yet sophisticated meals, perfect for small groups or couples. Chicken liver parfait with salted greengage and crumpets, pork chop for two, and chocolate mousse with salted milk ice cream are must-orders. Note will introduce new small plates or expand its €32 three-course lunch menu (Fridays and Saturdays), maintaining its cool, European vibe.
- Coppinger Row (Dublin City Centre, Coppinger Row). Recently revamped by the Breen brothers, this casual bistro offers Mediterranean-inspired small plates and heartier mains in a stylish, cool setting. Perfect for work lunches or date nights, it balances high-quality food with a relaxed atmosphere. Lamb croquettes, charred aubergine, and the celery gimlet cocktail are standouts, praised for their irresistible flavors. Reopened in August 2024, Coppinger Row will introduce new Mediterranean specials or outdoor dining options, enhancing its bistro-cool appeal.
- Etto (Dublin City Centre, Merrion Row). A Michelin Bib Gourmand winner, Etto offers a casual yet refined dining experience in a small, convivial room. The menu blends regular mains with smaller plates, perfect for grazing or a full meal, ideal for romantic dinners or casual outings. Crispy hashed potatoes with Lyonnaise onions, red wine prunes with vanilla mascarpone, and côte de boeuf for two are highlights. Etto’s team is involved in Lena’s opening, and Etto will introduce new seasonal dishes or expand its lunch menu, maintaining its value-driven charm.
- Pickle (Dublin City Centre, Camden Street). Chef Sunil Ghai’s award-winning Indian restaurant offers a casual yet vibrant dining experience with authentic, spice-forward dishes. The modern setting and warm service make it ideal for groups or date nights, considered one of Dublin’s top Indian spots. Expect dishes like lamb biryani or butter chicken, showcasing Ghai’s mastery of spices. Pickle will introduce new regional Indian dishes or vegan options, reflecting Dublin’s diverse culinary scene.
Budget Dining
- Banyi (Dublin City Centre, Temple Bar). A rare gem in tourist-heavy Temple Bar, Banyi offers budget-friendly, unpretentious Japanese cuisine in a casual setting. Diners can expect fresh sushi and affordable dishes, perfect for a quick lunch or relaxed dinner with friends.Sushi platters and ramen are popular for their quality and value. Banyi will expand its budget-friendly specials or introduce new sushi rolls, catering to Temple Bar’s diverse crowd.
- Mad Egg (Dublin City Centre, Multiple Locations). Ireland’s first free-range fried chicken joint, Mad Egg offers budget-friendly, high-quality meals in a casual, lively setting. The focus on sustainability and provenance makes it a standout for affordable dining, ideal for quick meals or group outings. Fried chicken sandwiches and local craft beers are highlights, known for their quality and affordability. Mad Egg will introduce new chicken sandwich variations or sustainable specials, enhancing its eco-conscious ethos.
- Brother Hubbard (Dublin City Centre, Capel Street). A cozy café with urban cool and homely comfort, Brother Hubbard offers budget-friendly, fresh dishes using local ingredients. The warm atmosphere is perfect for brunch or lunch, catering to vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. Chicken supreme fatteh with baby carrot, sumac onions, panisse, and brown butter is a standout dish. Brother Hubbard will expand its budget-friendly brunch menu or add new seasonal specials, reflecting its popularity.
- Fish Shop (Smithfield, Co Dublin). A diminutive spot in Smithfield, Fish Shop offers a budget-friendly, elevated fish and chip experience with sustainably sourced seafood. The casual bar seating and small plates create a relaxed vibe, perfect for a quick, affordable meal. Beer-battered hake, haddock, brill, or plaice with hand-cut chunky chips, plus oysters and smoked haddock croquettes, are highlights.
Dining in Ireland
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Award winning restaurants
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow – Overall – County winners – Georgina Campbell – Good Food Ireland – Michelin Star
County Dublin:
Ireland’s county Dublin combines cultural heritage with urban appeal, with Trinity College’s Book of Kells and Dublin Castle offering historical depth. The Guinness Storehouse provides a journey through Ireland’s iconic stout, while Phoenix Park’s vast green spaces are ideal for cycling. The River Liffey’s scenic walks and Kilmainham Gaol’s historical tours make Dublin a versatile destination for culture and history. Dublin is Ireland’s third smallest county by size (922 square km) and largest by population (1,458,154). Dublin is also Ireland’s most visited tourist county by a margin, with around four million international visitors per year. In terms of hospitality,
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