The 12 best restaurants in Dublin right now

At first glance, Note may seem like yet another bog standard wine bar and small plate spot. But look past its effortlessly cool facade and you'll discover a dining spot that successfully marries style and substance. Situated on Fenian Street, it boasts a vibrant, seasonal food menu as well as an expertly curated selection of wines. Visitors can enjoy a casual evening over snacks and small plates or splurge on the whole hog (starter, main and dessert). Either way, this is seriously elevated cooking that wouldn’t be out of place in London, Amsterdam or Paris. On a budget? Head there for lunch on Fridays and Saturdays when the three-course set menu is €32 from 12.30-2.30pm.

Price: Mid-range

If you want to go for one super-luxe, blowout meal when you’re in town, then Chapter One is the place to head. Yes, it’s pricey, and you’ll need to book in advance, but this is the pinnacle of fine dining in Dublin. As with most of the city’s fanciest restaurants, the lunch and pre-theatre menus offer tremendous value.

Price: High-end

Saunter by Bambino on any given day and you’ll see a smattering of very excited looking people patiently waiting for their number to be called out. And with good reason. Since opening last year, this New York-style pizza slice shop has established itself as one of the best pizza joints in the capital.  The menu is deceptively simple – pizza slices, fountain soda and beer – but manages to hit the spot each time. Highlights include the Hot Pep, a spicy pepperoni number drizzled in hot honey, and the incredibly moreish courgette and ricotta. You can pick up two hefty slices plus a can of their house beer for €14.50, making it one of the best-value meals in the city. 

Price: Bargain

If you’re craving a burger, then Bunsen is your only man, as Dubliners would say. With multiple outposts dotted across the city, it’s the perfect spot to pop into for a dinner that’s quick and satisfying. The menu is so small it fits on a business card – they only do one thing, but boy, do they do it well. The patties are minced every morning and dripping pink and juicy, while the hand-cut fries are quite possibly the best in town. Wash it all down with a glass of their signature pale ale, developed in conjunction with Dublin-based brewery Whiplash. Outstanding. 

Price: Bargain

You’re all but guaranteed an amazing meal at this intimate spot on Merrion Row. The Etto menu brims with dishes you’ll be dreaming of for months after you lick your plate clean, and there’s a great value weekday lunch menu for two courses. Dishes often change by the day, but be sure to order a side of crispy hashed potatoes with Lyonnaise onions, and the red wine prunes with vanilla mascarpone for dessert. If enjoying a romantic dinner for two, consider the Côte de Boeuf. It comfortably serves two and is one of the best in the city. 

Price: Mid-range

Temple Bar isn’t exactly known for its first-rate dining options, but there are a few winners among the tourist-trap bars hawking €9 pints. Banyi is one of the city’s best sushi spots – it’s unpretentious, casual and reasonably priced. The tempura prawn and avocado roll is a winner, and the sashimi is quiveringly fresh. You'll also find comforting rice bowls and big, steaming bowls of ramen on the menu – the perfect pick-me-up for grey, gloomy days.

Price: Bargain

This tiny Italian joint only has a few tables, but the food coming out of the kitchen is exquisite. Terra Madre serves up the kind of earthy food you’d be served in a Tuscan village, with moreish pasta dishes and traditional secondi. From ragout to ravioli, the pasta is and full of flavour, and make sure to order the involtini di bresaola, a starter of lean beef wrapped around celery and aged parmesan. ‘Authentic’ is a seriously overused term in the food world, but this spot deserves the title. 

Price: Mid-range

Michael's, down in Mount Merrion, has a cult-like following among Dubliners. And with good reason – head chef and owner Gaz hand-picks the best the local waters have to offer each day, and there’s a cracking wine list. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu here, but for the ultimate treat, go for one of the restaurant’s signature sharing platters. Choose from the seafood platter or the surf ’n’ turf, both served with lashings of herby garlic butter. 

Price: Mid-range

Join the inevitable line at the door, put your name on the list and order a pint while you wait for a table to come free - because Pi continues to be one of the hottest tickets in town. Rest assured, though: the pizza is worth the wait. The crust is charred, chewy and perfectly done, and the toppings, including Irish chorizo and artisan cheeses, are divine. Be sure to leave space for dessert – their vanilla ice cream, topped with extra virgin olive oil and sea salt, is dreamy.

Price: Mid-range

It’s still (inexplicably) a little off the radar, but Mr Fox is serving up some of the finest food in the city, hands down. It operates a seasonal set menu, focused on impeccable ingredients served simply – think juicy lamb with smoked ricotta and black garlic or langoustine carpaccio. Save room for dessert, too, as they are serious about that around here. Vegetarians are catered for with a vegetarian set menu, but do note that there is currently no vegan set menu.

Price: High-end

If it's seafood you’re after, make it your business to stop by Fish Shop in Smithfield. This modestly sized seafood bar does exactly what it says on the tin, serving up everything from traditional fish & chips to Irish oysters and mussels. The Fillet o’ Fish Burger is one of the stars of the menu but don’t look past the delicious snacks, including smoked haddock croquettes and anchovy and Russian salad on toast. Prop yourself up at the counter and enjoy with a glass of wine or sherry from their extensive wine list. Warning: space is tight so be sure to book in advance. 

Price: Mid-range

It opened during the dark years of the recession, but Brother Hubbard has gone from strength to strength, recently expanding its branch on the vibrant Capel Street. By day, it offers a vibrant Middle Eastern-inspired breakfast and brunch menu with a baba ganoush aubergine plate and lamb shawarma plate to die for. At night, it transforms into a restaurant with sharing plates and mains – think flatbreads served with labneh and Lebanese-style chicken wings with feta-yoghurt dip. 

Price: Mid-range