Ireland » Dining in Dublin

The restaurants in Dublin serve as guidelines rather than absolute definitions of the establishments. VAT currently stands at 21% and is generally included in the price of a meal. A service charge of 12.5% is also usually added to restaurant bills and many diners add a discretionary tip of around 5-10% of the bill. If service is not included, a tip of between 12.5% and 15% is usual. Credit cards are accepted in most restaurants.

These are some the famous dining places in Dublin:

LaEcrivain

Portraits of Irish writers adorn the walls of The Writer, a light, airy and sophisticated restaurant specializing in new Irish cuisine.

Address: 109a Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2
Tel: (01) 661 1919. Fax: (01) 661 0617.
Price: 70. Wine: 30.

Les Frres Jacques

Located in the city center, opposite Dublin Castle, Dublin top French restaurant is celebrated for its classic, seasonal cuisine and its superb seafood, with west coast oysters and grilled lobster favorites.

Address: 74 Dame Street, Dublin 2
Tel: (01) 679 4555. Fax: (01) 679 4725.
Price: 60. Wine: 18.50.

Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud

The exceptional, contemporary French cuisine of chef Patrick Guilbaud, using the best in-season Irish ingredients, makes this one of Dublin finest restaurants.

Address: Merrion Hotel, 21 Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2
Tel: (01) 676 4192. Fax: (01) 661 0052.
Price: 100. Wine: 36.

The Tea Room

The Tea Room offers a light, sophisticated menu of modern Irish cuisine, baked wild sea bass with fennel puree and Carling ford mussels, followed by roast leg of rabbit, Clonakilty black pudding, truffle mash, young leeks and ceps count among the favorite dishes. Then there is the passion fruit and orange tart, served with thyme and passion fruit ice cream or a platter of scrumptious farmhouse cheeses for afters. The martinis served at the neighboring Octagon Bar are reputedly the best in town.

Address: The Clarence, 6-8 Wellington Quay, Dublin 2
Tel: (01) 407 0813. Fax: (01) 407 0826.
Price: 55. Wine: 30.

Brownes Brasserie

This grand Georgian townhouse, overlooking St Stephen’s Green, is a popular venue for business entertaining, due to its extensive wine list and sophisticated Mediterranean cuisine. Specialties include shallot tarte tatin and pan-seared scallops served with ratatouille or shellfish salsa.

Address: 22 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2
Tel: (01) 638 3939. Fax: (01) 638 3900.

Eden

The outdoor terrace of this airy, minimalist restaurant on Meeting House Square makes an ideal venue for an al-fresco lunch of modern, market-fresh cuisine.
Address: Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
Tel: (01) 670 5372. Fax: (01) 670 3330.

Elephant and Castle

This cheerful cafe-restaurant, with simple decor and large wooden tables, is located at the heart of Temple Bar. It is renowned for its baskets of spicy chicken wings, its homemade burgers and its gigantic bowls of salad, served all day. It is also a popular venue for American-style Sunday brunch.
Address: 18 Temple Bar, Dublin 2
Tel: (01) 679 3121. Fax: (01) 679 1399.
 

The Mermaid Cafe

The Mermaid Cafe is a small, popular bistro near Dublin Castle, serving homemade American-inspired dishes. Food is served in a relaxed, uncluttered dining room of simple wooden furniture with nautical touches. The specialty giant Atlantic seafood casserole is particularly delicious.
Address: 69-70 Dame Street, Dublin 2
Tel: (01) 670 8236. Fax: (01) 670 8205.