Perhaps it happens people living in all cities that while discovering new places that blow you away in your own, you think.. wow you could be in *insert another city you consider chic AF*. Well this seems to have happened me a few times lately in Dublin while dining out. Taking in something that enveloped my senses right here on my doorstep, I was transported elsewhere - something I love + appreciate is where good food + great design works wonders in elevating the vibe of new experiences. And while, of course, I love my home city of Dublin, you sometimes can’t ignore that inner, well.. unintended snob, that comes alive when tricked into thinking you could be anywhere else.
So, yes Dublin has really been impressing me lately with hot spots where not only has the food most definitely been something to write home about but the vibes have been majorly on point too. A solid favourite (if three visits in two + a half weeks doesn’t scream obsessed I don’t know what does) is definitely ROW which, in my mind, gives New York, London and Paris a run for their money. The food is diviiiine.. like majorly wow + the atmosphere contests that of Raf’s in New York or perhaps The Barbary in London. Perfection in a nutshell.
Here are my favourite restaurants in Dublin right now..
ROW
As I mentioned above, ROW is unmissable. The latest venture of Dublin’s renowned brother-duo, Marc + Conor Bereen, ROW is elevated beyond words with a self proclaimed mission to “capture the imagination of Dublin’s cultured, well-traveled food + wine aficionados”; something they do with utter perfection.
Beyond an incredible wine selection that makes organic the only way, the menu at ROW consists of 8 - 10 plates plus a smaller collection of snacks all with fresh Irish produce weaving it’s way throughout the experience. One of the (yes three) times I was at the restaurant recently was with two of my cousins, visiting from NY. We ordered the entire menu + without fail, each plate spoke to us collectively as “the best dining experience we’ve had in a while”. And that’s saying a lot for three girls who all recently went wild on dining out in Manhattan while I was visiting them there. TOP of my list.
BOOK here at — BREENBROTHERS.COM/ROW
ALLTA Bar
I’ve been lucky enough to experience all renditions of ALLTA, from it’s current representation in Grand Canal Docks + the original to it’s pop-up in Slane Castle as a most genius response to lockdown restrictions during COVID + the car park situation for their winter garden restaurant on the 5th floor of St Andrews carpark - each an energy of somewhere else entirely. Somewhere chic, elevated. And ALLTA Bar is no different thanks to the master of it all, Niall Davidson. An absolute must in it’s own right, it’s not just to be considered if you can’t get a booking in the main restaurant, this part of the ALLTA experience is wholly got it going on. Think amazing DJ sets - like the kind where Shazam is repeatedly open on my phone trying to capture everything, great bites + amazing cocktails - frankly I’m not a drinker so it’s the non-alcohol ones for me + they are ** chefs kiss ** perfection. Oh + the desserts are incredibly delightful, so uniquely put together with tastes you wouldn’t imagine possible. ALLTA itself deserves a spot here itself but I decided to give the place of love to it’s fun, cooler, younger sister which for me is always the energy I love in anything, the slightly cooler vibe.
Book here at — ALLTA.ie
THE BUTCHERS GRILL
I verge very closely to admitting total (albeit, nothing to do with Irish catholic) shame in myself that it took me forever to get my ass to this Dublin classic. I think I just always considered it a red meat joint simply for those who enjoy a really luxe steak. However, despite the many meals I could’ve enjoyed here had I not been so I don’t really eat red meat, it was worth the wait. Every bite. I went with a friend who loves a great steak + of course it doesn’t disappoint on that front but beyond that for those like me, the other selections of fish options are phenomenal. From gammas + tuna tostados that will break your heart, I was that annoying person that kept saying.. wow, like wooooow at every new bite. I mean, I’m late to this party but hell I will be here till the end.
Book here at — THEBUTCHERGRILL.IE
ORWELL ROAD
Ok, this one is another brainchild of Marc + Conor Bereen. ORWELL ROAD. Somewhere that had been on my list for quite some time, my Husband + I went on a date night here + loved it from beginning to end. Another place where it’s more than just great food, the atmosphere is intimate with an attention to detail that really shows in absolutely everything at ORWELL ROAD. A in saying that, in everything the Breen’s bring to life. One of the main focuses of the food is around sustainable sourcing which emphasises incredible Irish ingredients that, when brought together by head chef Daniel Hannigan, generate the essence of truly incredible dining without the fuss of the fine dining formalities. A delight in every way.
BOOK here at — BREENBROTHERS.COM/ORWELL-ROAD
NOTE
One of the things I love most about going out for dinner is the idea of discovering new things, especially the vibe. I love somewhere where small/er plates are on point + the opportunity to taste + experience different dishes is on the cards. NOTE is just that. And then some. Energetic at it’s core, yet equally understated with a touch of European cool, this wine bar come bistro - super retro cool for Dublin - is a really sleek place for a date night or a long evening of slow eating enjoyed with friends. The food at NOTE is Mediterranean by nature with a menu of dishes bold + confident, leaving you considering ordering just about everything. The staff are so knowledgable, friendly + efficient which brought together with NOTE’s incredibly tasty food, a wine list worth it’s weight in gold + the perfect amount of retro vibes, is worth considering this your cue to book your table immediately..
BOOK here at — NOTEDUBLIN.COM
ETTO
Since it’s opening in 2013, ETTO has remained top of all the lists as one of Dublin’s best restaurants. It’s been one of those that when anyone asks me, I recommend without a second of thought. A tiny sweet premises on Merrion Row ETTO has been ahead of the trend when it comes to small plates + a relaxed yet elevated dining experience since before it was cool to do something so “off “ the beaten track. With an emphasis on seasonal locally sourced ingredients, the menu is a delight for those who enjoy contemporary cooking in a manner of grazing a perfect selection of small plates or if you’re feeling it, the full-on cote de boeuf experience. Every time I’ve been to ETTO, I can’t help but fall in love with it a little more + can see just why this award-winning eatery remains top of the IYKYK list!
BOOK here at — ETTO.IE
LUNA
We celebrated my birthday at LUNA this year + it was such a delight. I’d been meaning to go for years + simply just never got around to it with living abroad + then the pandemic turning life upside down. However, it was worth the wait + not just that it was my birthday. From the moment we arrived till the second we left, I couldn’t help but fall so in love with Dublin + the idea that we are becoming more + more a truly wholesome city with a cosmopolitan touch. First off, I want to note that the staff at LUNA were so incredibly beautiful in every way that I emailed the restaurant the following morning to commend them on the most hospitable experience we’d had in a long time. It can seem small but when you’re met with friendly + enthusiastic service staff who hold a well-educated knowledge of what they’re doing + the importance of kindness for the customer, it elevates dining out to another level. In recent time I’ve found you can often feel to be an inconvenience for staff when asking questions at a restaurant + this just wasn’t the case. Kindness always always blows me away. And that was just the beginning of a very memorable experience at LUNA. The food was insane. We did the tasting menu + not one thing disappointed. Paired with exceptional cocktails.. I mean like, exceptional, we left on a happy-tummy high of the perfect amount of plates tested + loved + cocktails to literally write home about. I highly recommend LUNA if you’re looking for somewhere to celebrate a special occasion or are in town for a visit.
BOOK here at LUNA-RESTAURANT.COM
AMY AUSTIN
AMY AUSTIN is the perfect amount cool paired with ample amounts of sh*t-hot-not-to-be-missed wine bar + restaurant to add to your Dublin hit-list!! The ideal little spot to get some time with your girl over some delicious small plates + a really great glass of wine, it’s got that European aura down to a tee. Casual on the fashionable side, AMY AUSTIN is splendidly intimate with capacity for just 30, loud but vibe-y music that brings the atmosphere of sassy sophistication to life + a menu that in ordering jut the right amount leaves you with a yearning to return pronto. Again, another place where the staff are incredibly helpful + friendly, it’s mission to burst with energy at every level is achieved with sheer we-re-not-even-trying-to-be-this-cool excellence. Loved a summer evening here with a friend + absolutely recommend.
Book here at AMYAUSTIN.IE
COPPINGER
Very much an elevated execution of it’s original take, COPPINGER is most definitely a must for all + any occasion. Masterfully balancing a highly stylish energy with culinary excellence, the recently revamped restaurant is a perfect spot for a casual bistro-cool lunch or a more in-depth date night dinner. Offering a mix of Mediterranean-inspired small plates along with heartier mains, it’s an obvious creation of the Breen brothers (who’s other spots on this list include ROW + Orwell Road) yet in their ever evolving expansion of their pristine brand. Unique yet classic, I really loved a work lunch here recently + absolutely recommend for whatever the occasion. A brilliant one that impresses beyond it’s well-known previous self.
Book here at BREENBROTHERS.COM
