Good Restaurants and Hotels in Dublin

The names that move are world-class for food, wine and service.    These are top-quality places, top value---but NOT top price---indeed, they are all very good value for money.

Top value for money places are in bold green in the price column

A la carte prices are for three courses, a drink and service.   Table d'hôte prices are just for the number of courses stated---drinks and tip to be added.

Dishes listed might, or might not, be there when you visit---they change with seasons, etc.

Price

 

Euros

Opening hours

Location

Phone
Lovely capital city.     Lots of beautiful 18th-19th century architecture and some older.     Well maintained in the main business/tourist areas, but can be somewhat dilapidated elsewhere.   Lots of museums that are well worth visiting, including the Irish Writers Museum on Parnell Square.   Several cathedrals.    One of the older universities in Europe (Trinity College).   Very many good bars.    Well worth walking around the city, or taking the circular tourist bus.   People are very friendly and helpful.
Townhouse Hotel

100m from central bus and airport coach station, near O'Connell St, and river Liffey.   Elegant Georgian houses, tastefully restored and extended.   One was the home of Dion Boucicault, the other of Lafcadio Hearn---two 19th century playwrights.    Each room is decorated in a style to evoke one of their plays.   Good breakfasts, extremely courteous and helpful staff.   Wonderful value for money.   One floor (26 rooms) non-smoking.   Advisable to book.

102 double bed & breakfast

Their web site

47-48 Lower Gardiner Street, 1 01 878 8808

Fax: 01 878 8787

Mermaid Café

Top quality cooking and service;  new generation Irish or TOP European.   Mermaids, of course, are amphibious, so this one provides seafood and meat and, being 21st century, lots of vegetarian, as well.   In every dish, there is always the extra little something.    They never underdo the flavours, textures are superb and there is a surprise everywhere.   Eg, starters---Prosciutto with sweet balsamic fig (dripping in the marinade) and rocket salad;   New England crab cakes with amazingly rich garlicky mayonnaise;   Watermelon and feta cheese with cherry tomatoes and basil.   Eg, mains---Grilled pork loin with honey and ginger apricots, buttered cabbage and mash;   Seared wild salmon with minted broad beans & peas, new potatoes and Kalamata tapénade;   Steamed globe artichoke stuffed with basil pesto Niçoise salad.   Desserts also combine wonderful textures and flavours, eg honey roast peaches with white chocolate and raspberry icecream in a tuile.    Good wine list.    Excellent, friendly service.   Advisable to book.

45- 60

Mon-Sat 1230- 1430 1830- 2300

Sun Brunch 1200- 1500 Dinner 1800- 2100

Their web site

69-70 Dame Street, 2 01 670 8236

Fax: 01 670 8205

The Lord Edward

Overlooking Christchurch Cathedral.   On the second floor above The Lord Edward pub, with the restaurant's lounge bar in-between.   Nice décor, lovely mirror, wall lights, fireplace, bay windows.   TOP seafood place, all superbly fresh and well served.   Traditional dishes---about 70 dishes.    Oysters, eel, smoked Irish salmon, trout, herring, crab, etc, etc starters.   Plus salmon, plaice, turbot, sole, prawns, lobster, scallops, sea trout sections on the menu.   In the sole section, there are 9 dishes, including grilled, goujon, caprice, gratin, meunière, bonne femme, Colbert, Véronique.    As well as all of these dishes, there are soups, stews, 3 meat dishes, some vegetarian.   Excellent brown soda bread (home-made).    About 9 desserts, including crème brulée with whipped cream, redcurrants, orange, kiwi.   French wines a bit pricey, but very good ones.   Excellent, friendly, helpful service.    Advisable to book.

4 course Table d'hôte 29.30

à la carte 50- 70

1230- 1430  0800- 2245

Closed all Sun + Sat lunch

23 Christchurch Place, 2 01 454 2420

Fax: 01 454 2420

101 Talbot

Close to O'Connell Street, and the Townhouse hotel.   Large, with a central area set down from the main floor.   Can be quite crowded, noisy.    Large, lovely windows, modern art pictures, lovely ambience.    Modern Irish.   Lot of veg, fish, low fat, lots vegan.   Quite a lot Italian based, like tagliatelle/penne/fusilli with smoked bacon, chilli, tomato or olives, roast tomatoes and walnuts.   Pork, apricot + pistachio sausage with red onion marmalade.    Thai fish cakes.   Baked salmon with creamy white wine and chive.    Roast sweet potato with caramelized fennel and beans, roast onion purée and couscous.   Irish sirloin steak, green peppercorn sauce.   Good wines.   Good, attentive, quick service.    Advisable to book.

25- 40

Tues-Sat 1700- 2300 Upstairs, 101-102 Talbot Street, 1 01 874 5011
Juice

Vegetarian, but very varied, unusual menu.   Huge range of juices, smoothies, lassis, herbal teas, coffees.   But also beers and wines (40 % organic wines).   Pancakes, blinis, eggs, tofu, Mediterranean, Greek dishes.    Examples are tabbouleh, hummus, pimento pâté, tapénade, baba ganoush, olives, bean casserôle, veg bakes, stirfry vegs, garlic ginger spinach stir-fried.    40 % vegan, lot organic.   All home-made.    Healthy Hearts Eating Award (but, lots of customers smoke !).    Note the late night opening Thurs-Sat (ie Fri-Sun early morning).     Very good service.

2 course Lunch Deal 6.25

Early Bird menu 1700- 1900

à la carte 15-25

Mon-Wed 0900- 2300

Thurs-Fri 0900- 0400

Sat 1200- 0400

Sun 1230- 2300

9 Castle House, 73 South Great George's Street, 8 01 475 7856

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