19 Dublin restaurants you need to think about booking now for Christmas

With all this said, it can also be hard to think of the perfect place for dinner so far in advance, and that's where we come in. We've rounded up 18 of the most sought after restaurants in Dublin, spots that are likely to fill up well in advance ahead of Christmas. They're not necessarily festive - you probably won't find many turkey-stuffing-ham combos on their menus but sure no one makes that better than your ma anyway. They're just places where you're guaranteed a tasty meal, the kind you might be waiting til the most wonderful time of the year to treat yourself to, in the company of mates you don't get to see too often and filled with a healthy dose of Christmas cheer.

Down by the river in Clonskeagh, Ashton's has quietly become one of the city’s most inviting new dining spots - and a great shout for Christmas get-togethers. The space is huge, with room for 120 diners in the main restaurant, a riverside terrace for crisp winter afternoons, and a 150-seater Arts Club ideal for larger group bookings or festive parties. There’s also a cosy snug and a proper old-school pub attached, so you can make a night of it without ever leaving the building.

After closing its doors in 2021, this Dublin icon made a much-anticipated comeback in 2024 - and it’s better than ever. Originally opened by the Bereen Brothers back in 2009, Coppinger Row quickly became a hotspot for locals and A-listers alike (yes, Beyoncé, U2, and George Clooney have all dined here). The revamped space now serves up a sleek, contemporary menu and seriously impressive cocktails - basically everything you need for the ultimate Christmas night out.

Uno Mas is one of those spots that had everyone talking from the minute they opened. The stripped-back bistro holds a Bib Gourmand and specialises in quality, unfussy Spanish dishes on small plates. The menu is divided into snacks, starters, mains and desserts and everything down to the olive oil is given careful consideration. The menu changes slightly each day and prices range from €3.90 to €82 for the likes of their impressive, salt-aged Delmonico steak which serves two. They've also already got a sample Christmas menu up on their website if you fancy a peep.

Las Tapas De Lola is beloved by Dubliners for its welcoming, family-style dining room, its mastery of Spanish cuisine and most importantly, its croquetas, those crispy, hand-rolled babies simply can't be bet. Lola is Spanish-Irish owned and a mainstay of the Dublin food scene at this stage, so much so that owners Anna and Vanessa expanded last year with La Gordita, a bodega-style eatery just around the corner on Montague Street. Opened at the site formerly occupied by Gerry's, arguably Dublin 2's most iconic café ever, La Gordita had big brogues to fill but it's risen to the challenge with comforting dishes, a great wine selection and a warm atmosphere. Located ideally close to the buzzy pubs of Camden Street, either restaurant would be perfect for Christmas dinner.

If you are looking for a guaranteed good meal and exemplary service, Mister S is your man. The team are experts in all things smoke and fire, using the very best of Irish ingredients. Time and effort are key in this elevated kitchen, no process too long, no methods too fiddly, if the end result is worth it for these guys. They're renowned for their meat - hello Burnt End Rendang Spring Rolls - but are becoming increasingly well known for their treatment of fish.

Michelin-listed, the team use the best of Irish ingredients giving them the love and attention they deserve to create complex and layered dishes. The Mister S trademark is their expert treatment of meat and fish, with immaculately prepared sides to accompany them. Their crispy potatoes would give your mam's Christmas spuds a run for their money (she never needs to know) and there's just something about juicy cuts of beef cooked over an open flame that screams festive cheer.

Tucked just off Grafton Street, Kaldero is lovingly run by Richie and Alex - the duo behind Bahay, the Filipino food truck you definitely queued for at a festival. They’ve gone brick-and-mortar this year, and it’s paying off in a big way: think banana ketchup chicken skewers, crispy okoy, pork sisig crowned with a glossy egg yolk, and a kare kare oxtail stew that’s pure comfort. Pair it all with a funky chilled red and a heap of garlic rice - perfection.

Orwell Road is neighbourhood fine dining at its best, with a kitchen team who deeply respects every ingredient they emulsify and char and a lineup of top-quality suppliers to ensure every dish is the best it can be. The brainchild of Bereen brothers Marc and Conor, former proprietors of Coppinger Row, Orwell Road opened in 2022 to an influx of positive reviews, with Dublin foodies raving about the restaurant's now famous de-boned chicken wing, crunchy and filled with its own herby flesh, and its exciting array of seafood.

That's where Bastible's modern, seasonal set menu comes in, showcasing the best Irish ingredients in innovative ways, with generous servings and every tiny detail considered. From the origin of the sourdough starter (handed down by one of the chef's grandmothers) to the carefully pierced ox tongue, every ingredient is handled with care and given an individual chance to sing. The 9-course set menu comes in at €110 pp, and we recommend getting the Christmas bookings in asap. There's also a vegetarian option available.

Inside, you'll find Michelin-mentioned, French-inspired cooking, with chargrilled meats and gently roasted greens forming aesthetically delightful dishes that you'll rave about for months to come. If you're a meat eater, the tomahawk to share always comes highly recommended but Pichet has great veggie options too. As you'd imagine, the wine list is long and varied with plenty of French options, as well as some interesting additions from the likes of Croatia, Stellenbosch and Crete. As the dishes tend to be crowdpleasers across the board, Pichet will tick the box whether it's a family dinner or a more intimate night with a partner or friend.

Forest Avenue is a small, family-run Irish restaurant where the kitchen is open so you can watch your food being carefully prepared. Their seven-course tasting menu comes in at €84 per person, with the first course simply named "Surprises from our kitchen" and great Irish ingredients skilfully woven in throughout. Forest Avenue is fine dining in a family setting, everything is plated up beautifully and the accompanying wine list is small but perfectly formed, guaranteeing a great glass regardless of what you opt for. It's the kind of place where you just need to sit back and enjoy the process - you'll rarely be disappointed.

Another Bereen Bros deep cut, Charlotte Quay wins points for aesthetics with its waterfront location and swanky interiors. On the fish-forward menu, you'll find tastefully seasoned, chargrilled gambas and white fish, as well as comforting roast dinners and warming, bean-based winter stews. Small plates and great brunch dishes also feature if you'd rather dine during the day, and Charlotte Quay is also dog-friendly if you'd like to bring your pooch along for the occasion. The atmosphere is relaxed and you'll feel well looked after - a welcome departure from the usual Christmas rush.

Regularly gaining viral status for dishes like its signature wood-fired duck, Hang Dai's sound system is almost as revered as its food and the combination of both elements has made it a go-to spot for dinner that doubles as a session. DJ sets are as carefully curated as Hang Dai's bespoke Chinese-fusion menu, and the result is a dining experience that's had the city talking consistently for the past seven years. Proudly Irish in terms of its suppliers, Hang Dai uses the best produce found on the island to create crowd-pleaser dishes that keep people coming back time and time again. The combination of great food and vibe-y DJ sets makes Hang Dai a go-to destination for many a Christmas night out, so be sure to get those bookings in nice and early.

You'll rarely hear Indian food in Dublin discussed without the mention of Pickle, a stalwart of the scene known for its impressive combining of North Indian cooking with the best Irish ingredients. Famed for dishes like its ever-popular Goat Keema Pao and coveted chef's tasting menu, Pickle is the kind of spot you book well in advance and salivate over for months after visiting. You'll have a lot of people recommending this bottle-green eatery to you if you're Dublin-bound, and for good reason. If it's a curry you crave around Christmas time, be sure to book in advance.

Set in the hallowed walls of Allta's former home, the restaurant has some echoes of the place including Kevin Burke (former Allta head chef). As with a lot of Allta-twinged spots, there is a clear concept, and the aim of the game here is sharing, to create an inclusive dining experience whereby diners can try multiple dishes at once. The menu is led by the guiding light of contemporary Irish food, with most dishes taking on a sleekness and originality that are no doubt the envy of the Dublin hospitality scene.