12 Best Restaurants in Dublin 2018
Since moving to Ireland in January 2018, I’ve been exposed to some of THE best pastas, steaks, and seafood ever, as well as cheese and breads. So without further ado, here is the list I’ve put together of the 12 best restaurants in Dublin that I have come across so far!
Tomahawk Steakhouse
I have been to many, many steakhouses in my life, and Tomahawk takes the number 1 spot in my book for best steak restaurant. Everything about it was exceptional; 5 star service, excellent wine, AMAZING calamari (I mean the best ever, it’s a must order), and of course flavorful, juicy cuts of steak cooked to perfection. You will need a reservation if you want to dine here, as it is very popular and spots fill up fast. It’s located in Temple Bar, where I would say a majority of the restaurants I’m going to be discussing are located.
F.X. Buckley
This is my other favorite steak restaurants, also located in Temple Bar. F.X. Buckley began as a butcher shop in 1660, and over time expanded and was turned into several restaurants. The butcher shop earned its fame back in 1922 when James Joyce mentioned it twice in his book Ulysses. The first steakhouse opened in 1987, followed by another in 2000. All the beef is fresh from that morning, and immediately sent over to the restaurant to be served. You will definitely need reservations to dine here as well!
Marco Pierre White Steakhouse
Last steakhouse, I promise! Ireland is known for their beef and lamb, what can I say? Marco Pierre White also ranks with the best steaks here in Dublin, as well as amazing scallops, and a fantastic wine and dessert selection. The staff is very professional and friendly, and super accommodating when it comes to any types of food allergies. Again, you will need reservations in order to dine here. Make sure to ask your server about the history of this restaurant, I’d tell you but it’s more interesting coming from them đŸ˜‰
Klaw
This little hole in the wall seafood shack named Klaw has some of the most amazing seafood I’ve ever had. The owner of the restaurant takes his boat out every morning and catches everything himself, so all the seafood you are eating is served fresh from that morning. Naturally, we tried a little bit of everything. This spot is also located in Temple Bar, and can be easy to miss if you aren’t looking for it. I would recommend going on the earlier side, as the seating area is very limited and it fills up fast.
Etto
If it weren’t for being such a small restaurant, Etto would be Michelin Star rated. Their menu is ever-changing, with new items daily, so there is always a little bit of everything. They also have tons of wines to choose from, and the servers are very knowledgeable. This is a fancier menu (quail eggs etc.), so if you are into that, then this is the spot for you! Like many of the previous places I’ve listed, you will need to make reservations.
Zozimus Bar
Zozimus is a newer bar and restaurant, which servers amazing cocktails and is known for their Sunday brunch. It’s a pretty classy spot, and unless you are looking to just sit at the bar, you will need reservations. The bar itself fills up fast too if you don’t arrive early. This is a great spot for a date or girls night out, and definitely worth stopping into.
Herbstreet
If you are searching for the BEST brunch spot ever, look no further. Herbstreet is a smaller restaurant, with a modern/industrial feel. It also has some of the best waffles I’ve ever had. It’s located right on Grand Canal, and with the floor to ceiling windows it definitely provides a fantastic view. They also offer outdoor dining when the weather permits. We didn’t make reservations and ended up waiting over an hour to be seated, so I would definitely recommend not doing that and making a reservation.
Ciamei Cafe
This next restaurant is actually located in Blackrock, which is about a 20 minute ride south on the Dart. Ciamei is a little hole in the wall traditional Italian restaurant located inside the Blackrock market. We stumbled upon it by mistake as we were wandering around the marketplace. They have some of the best coffee ever, and the most incredible pasta I have ever had. They make all their pasta in house, and it is to die for. I would also recommend trying their cheesecake, it was phenomenal.
The Old Mill
You came all the way to Ireland, so naturally you must try Irish cuisine. Of all the Irish restaurants I’ve been to so far, I keep coming back to The Old Mill. They have the best Irish stew around in my opinion, and offer quite a wide selection of food. They even have a vegetarian menu and a gluten free menu! You pretty much can’t go wrong, no matter what you order. We usually don’t make a reservation here unless it’s the weekend, however sometimes we end up waiting 15-20 minutes to be seated. This is a great casual place to come with friends and grab a pint of Guinness.
Sanai Indian
If you are looking for some good quality Indian food, then this is the spot for you. Sanai offers a large menu with plenty of options for everyone, and the decor inside is inviting and warm. We ordered several appetizers and a main course each, and we were not disappointed with any of it. The service is also attentive and friendly.
The Ramen Bar
That’s right, this place is literally called “The Ramen Bar“. I am pretty bias when it comes to ramen restaurants, as I used to work at one for 3 years, and I can honestly say this is the best ramen I have ever had. Of the many ramen spots I have been too, this place just nails it on the head. Flavorful broth, melt in your mouth pork, and great appetizers that have me coming back here frequently. If you are a ramen lover, I highly recommend checking this place out.
Cafe Rubis
This is my favorite place to go when I’m looking for some good wine and cheese. Cafe Rubis is a wine bar located in Temple Bar, and has some of the most unique decor I’ve ever seen. It feels super classy, with its red velvet chairs and relaxing music. The prices are very reasonable, and they offer the best cheese board in Dublin. Best of all it only costs €10, and you get quite a lot of cheese, bread, and fruit for your money! I usually come here a little on the later side, maybe 10-11pm on the weekends.
I hope you enjoyed this blog post on the 12 best restaurants in Dublin! Check out my updated 2019 list of The 10 Best Restaurants in Dublin!
