The Top List of Great Restaurants - Dublin, Ireland
The Best Places to Dine in Dublin! by Irene Togher
Irish cuisine has suffered in the past from a reputation of being bland and too reliant on the potato. Not so today. With the recent wave of New Irish Cuisine sweeping through Irish restaurants, Ireland is seeing a reversal of this reputation.
While traditional favorites like cabbage and bacon, Irish stew, and boxty are still popular, Ireland has embraced a wide range of cuisine like Italian, Chinese, French, and Russian. Restaurants have begun to blend influences to add uniqueness found only in Ireland. Add to this the superior quality of the ingredients and Ireland comes out tops in the food industry.
Dublin provides the diner with a wealth of restaurants to match any taste and any pocket. Restaurants in Ireland tend to have a very relaxed atmosphere that belies a strict attention to professionalism and quality in the background. Choosing just ten is a difficult task but with superior food quality and enjoyable atmosphere firmly in mind here are ten of the best.
PATRICK GUILBAUD Hotel Merrion, 21 Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2 353 (0) 1-676-4192 This restaurant has been reviewed as one of the top fine restaurants in Ireland and just one visit will tell you why. The setting is spacious and elegant with a bright, airy room, and patio leading to the hotel gardens. The summary on the inside of the menu sums up the food perfectly: "Modern classic cuisine using Irish produce in season." Using the best fish, game and meat Ireland has to offer Patrick Guilbaud aims to present quality, succulent dishes. And he gets the results. The Foie Gras and Roe Deer are to die for and the Irish dishes like Connemara Lobster are equally tasty.
KILKENNY RESTAURANT & CAFE 6 Nassau Street, Dublin 2 353 (0) 1-677-7066 For me Kilkenny Kitchen's lunch represents everything an Irish lunch should be. The house quiche is superb and there's wonderful stew, smoked salmon, and casseroles. But for a truly Irish experience try the freshly baked scones, bread, and cakes.
Located in the Kilkenny Shop, this restaurant is always busy and you're naturally expected to share your table. This just adds to the experience though as you sit in this friendly and relaxed atmosphere, overlooking Trinity College in the heart of Dublin.
THE TEA ROOM 6-8 Wellington Quay, Dublin 2 353 (0) 1-670-7766 If I tell you that U2 are the owners of this restaurant you'll probably want to go along just out of curiosity. But you'll stay for much more. What this place does with salmon and veal is mouthwatering and the service is friendly and efficient.
Although it's certainly a high-end restaurant, it is not "stuffy" and is always popular. You can even find yourself dining beside some celebrities. The fact that it is located in the Temple Bar area - the heart of Dublin's social scene - is an added bonus.
FITZERS - TEMPLE BAR 42 Fawnes Street, Dublin 2 353 (0) 1-679-0440 As one of the award-winning Fitzers Restaurant Group, you would expect good things of this branch - and you would be right. Located in the bustling Temple Bar area, Fritzers is always lively and festive. There's a succulent selection of dishes on this menu - everything from homemade hamburgers to sirloin steak. This place suits most budgets and most tastes.
CUSACK'S RESTAURANT The Mercer Hotel, Merser Street Lwr., Dublin 2 353 (0) 1-478-2179 Unfortunately Cusack's doesn’t generally receive the recognition it deserves. It offers delightful food at reasonable prices served by friendly staff. The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious. You won't be disappointed by the Oak Smoked Irish Salmon and the Char-grilled Pork Chops. But leave room for one of the wonderful puddings on offer.
ROLY'S BISTRO 7 Ballsbridge Terrace, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 353 (0) 1-668-2611 You're guaranteed a warm welcome at this particular restaurant. The chef here, Colin O'Daly, has been named one of the best in Ireland and you'll see why when you taste the food. His dishes are imaginative and best of all they are reasonably priced. He has managed to successfully mix French, traditional Irish and international influences on his menu. Fresh ingredients are key here and the Dublin Bay Prawns are excellent. In fact, this dish has become a specialty of the restaurant.
LOCKS 1 Windsor Terrace, Portobello, Dublin 8 353 (0) 1-454-3391 Locks represents everything that's great about Irish dining. Situated in a beautiful country style house, it oozes warmth and relaxation with its soft lighting and open fires. Add to that the canal side location and you're in a receptive mood for the food long before you get it. And the food is not disappointing. It is reminiscent of good old-fashioned country food but mixed with more modern French and New Irish styles.
BON APPETIT 9 St. James Terrace, Malahide, Co. Dublin 353 (0) 1-845-0314 You can't get much more "Dublin" than dining in a Georgian terrace house basement - and that's exactly where Bon Appetit is located. The food though slants more towards classic French than traditional Dublin fare. However, you will find some Irish and Mediterranean influences on the menu.
The fresh seafood from Howth is great but then so is the steak and Wicklow lamb, so you'll be spoiled for choice. And while you're waiting for your food you can always view the magnificent collection of local watercolors adorning the walls.
THE OLD DUBLIN 90/91 Frances Street, Dublin 8 353 (0) 1-454-2028/2346 One of Dublin's longest established fine restaurants never fails to impress. I love the unusual layout of the dining area - there are several small rooms rather than one large dining area. This makes for a warm, intimate atmosphere. The Old Dublin has become famous for its Russian and Scandinavian specialties like Blini and Planked Sirloin Hussar.
CHAPTER ONE 18/19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1 353 (0) 1-873-2266/2281 One of the best things about this restaurant is its location. Housed in the basement of the Dublin Writers Museum, it is an ideal dining spot for anyone attending a performance at the nearby Gate Theatre.
That's not to detract from the food though. The menu presents an excellent array of New Irish cuisine and meals are reasonably priced. The atmosphere is very welcoming and its tempting to believe that you are going to dine in someone's private house - which is, after all, what Irish dining is all about.
The Top List of Great Restaurants - Dublin, Ireland