10 Best Restaurants in Dublin 2019
If you’ve visited my blog before, you may remember my 12 Best Restaurants in Dublin 2018 post last year. Many of these places I still love, so I recommend checking that out if you haven’t already. After living in Dublin for nearly 2 years, I’ve discovered quite a few new restaurants that are fantastic. It can be difficult to find decent places to eat, especially if you are travelling and have limited time and don’t want to weed through all the Trip Adviser reviews. So with that being said, here are my 2019 choices for best restaurants in Dublin.
Taste at Rustic by Dylan McGrath
I have been to Taste for my birthday 2 years in a row now, so that alone says something. Taste is an upscale Japanese restaurant with Spanish and South American influences. Many of the smaller items on the menu are served tapas style, each bursting with unbelievable flavor. They offer a decent selection of choices on their menu, and honestly you really can’t go wrong with any of them. Some of my favorite items on their menu are the wagyu beef, glazed sticky pork, broccoli tempura, and the nigiri. Just to name a few. Make sure to book a reservation in advance, as it can fill up fast.
SOLE Seafood & Grill
If you are a seafood lover, then this is the place for you! This year SOLE won “Best Seafood Restaurant in Europe” at the World Luxury awards. Need I say more? They offer a wide range of seafood coupled with a warm and inviting atmosphere. It is also perfectly situated behind Grafton st. on South Williams st, which makes it a great place to dine after a day of shopping and exploring.
Aqua
If you want a dinner with a view, then look no further. Aqua is a seafood restaurant located in Howth, which is a lovely little fishing village, and has arguably one of the most spectacular views of any restaurant in Dublin.
Not to worry if you are relying on public transportation, the Dart drops off in Howth less than a 10 minute walk from the restaurant. Make sure you get a reservation, as it is a popular place to watch the sunset!
Delahunt
This lovely upscale restaurant serves contemporary Irish cuisine, with a menu that they switch up regularly. I had a fantastic oxtail soup followed by a lamb rump that was out of this world. They also had a large wine list with some of the best red wine I have ever had. I recommend going upstairs to their sitting room-cocktail lounge area, either before or after your meal. You will definitely need to make a reservation to dine at Delahunt.
Mak at D6
Mak is Hong Kong style dim sum and Chinese restaurant located in Ranelagh. I think we can all agree that Chinese food can be really hit or miss, but I can assure you that Mak wins the game. Some of my favorites are the salt and chili chicken wings, sweet chili crispy pork, and char sui pork bao. They also offer larger main dishes if you aren’t into dim sum, and have some really tasty cocktails.
Rolys Bistro
Rolys is a fine dining Irish seafood and beef restaurant located in Ballsbridge. Literally every item on the menu is mouth watering, and don’t even get me started on the desserts! Rolys is a perfect place to go if you are celebrating something special, or are in the mood to splurge a little on a memorable meal. Another place you will definitely need a reservation for.
Rosa Madre
If you are having a difficult time deciding between Italian or seafood, Rosa Madre has both. Located in the Temple Bar district, they are very easily accessible. They have a great selection of seafood, as well as pastas and meat dishes. While it may look fancy, you can dress on the casual side and not feel out of place.
Bloom Brasserie
Bloom is an Irish-European wine bar style restaurant, which offers a variety of different dishes including steak, lamb and seafood. The live music and setting creates a romantic ambiance, and is the perfect place to take a date or dine on a special occasion. Make sure you book a table ahead of time.
1909
1909 Restaurant and Wine Bar is located in the heart of Dalkey, which is a beautiful town 30 minutes south of Dublin by Dart. I ordered mussels as a starter, and had steak and mashed potatoes as my main course. Everything was fantastic and the service was exceptional. The decor and exposed brick walls give the restaurant a charming old school vibe.
IL Fornaio Enoteca
Il Fornaio is a cozy little Italian restaurant that has a real homey feel to it. Their menu is on the small side, which makes everything feel super homemade and fresh. It’s definitely more casual, but you might want to think about making a reservation because there is minimal seating. Located just across the Liffey from Temple Bar, it is very convenient to dine at.
Still looking for more? Check out my blog post on The 10 Best Restaurants in Dublin 2022!
