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24 of the best spots in Dublin for food and cocktails

Published 10:15 6 Aug 2024 BST

Updated 16:49 29 Jul 2024 BST

24 of the best spots in Dublin for food and cocktails

A combo my indigestion is never quite able to handle, but one that's oft sought after in Dublin.

If you've got a special occasion coming up - one you'd like to celebrate over an aperitif and delicious meal - there's no shortage of opportunities to enjoy both at once in Dublin, all under the same tastefully decorated roof. Of course, there are plenty of opportunities to spread out your evening, hitting up one spot specialising in expertly mixed cocktails first before carrying onto your lavish tasting menu in one of Dublin's many fine dining establishments. However, if you fancy settling down in one cosy corner for the night, you definitely don't need to choose one or the other. There are some amazing spots in Dublin excelling in both food and cocktails, with neither weaker than the other and no compromise on flavour and quality. Here's a list of some of our favourite spots in town serving up great cocktails and food together - ideal for your next special occasion or night out with pals.

24. Big Fan Bao

Aungier Street, more info here

This vibe-y, authentic Chinese restaurant specialises in small Asian plates and larger dishes and has been featured on the Michelin Guide for the last few years on the trot. With feather blade steak and sweet or spicy Taiwanese chicken on the menu, there'll be something for the fussy friend in your life, while you can get experimental with their exciting array of jiaozi and great seafood dishes. To accompany, you've got an amazing list of cocktails, from classics like the old reliable pornstar and espresso martinis to playful creations like Ahh for Saké's Sake! - a tasty mix of yuzu saké, vodka and nashi pear gunpowder tea coming in at €12 - not bad pricing for a speciality cocktail by Dublin standards.

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23. Peruke And Periwig

Dawson Street, more info here

Peruke and Periwig is a higgeldy piggeldy haven, with a classic mirrored bar and a variety of 1700s style powdered wigs arranged around the room, making you feel like you’ve stepped through a portal to a completely different world. Travel up the staircase and you'll find a small but perfectly formed menu with some great vegan options, and a list of signature cocktails offering creamy, citrusy antidotes to your classic cosmos and whiskey sours.

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22. L'Gueuleton

Fade Street, more info here

Known for its Parisian-style awning, elite people-watching potential and modern French menu, L'Gueuleton excels both in its food and cocktail offerings with failsafe dishes like steak frites and immaculately seasoned moules sitting alongside cloud-like cocktails made with egg whites and fruity liqueurs. There's a high chance of escalation, when you dine at L'Gueuleton since Fade Street becomes one of the most popping parts of town when the light dips.

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21. Little Lemon

Royal Hibernian Way, more info here

Little Lemon, the spritz-y sister restaurant of nearby Lemon and Duke opened its doors last Summer, with well-established siblings The Bridge 1859 and the Blackrock supporting from their respective southside corners. In keeping with other bars in the group, Little Lemon is tasteful, expensive looking and well laid out, with small plate offerings a significant step above the pub grub you might usually expect. There's an extensive selection of spritzes and sangria on offer, with plenty of vegetarian options too; summery salads, exotic mushrooms on toast and even a vegan antipasti-style board so no one has to miss out on cocktails-and-nibbles™.

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20. Kicky's

Aungier Street, more info here

Arguably one of the most hotly anticipated openers of 2023 with a reservations list as long as your arm, an evening at Kicky's will quickly show you what all the fuss is about. Head Chef Eric Matthews puts a playful spin on dishes that always do well in Dublin, like the restaurant's carbonara which is served in whipped butter form with rendered guanciale plopped on top, accompanied by a warm hunk of focaccia for dunking. For cocktails, Richie Barrett is on hand mixing up creative potions like The Avocado One or 'Guactail', where citrus and tequila are offset with creamy avo to create a satisfying sup.

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19. Lottie's

Rathmines, more info here

From the minds of Domini Kemp and Brian Montague, Lottie's is a bistro with middle-of-the-road prices and a short but carefully put-together menu. Taking over from the much loved Lenehan's, the restaurant had big shoes to fill here, but in the almost year they have been in operation, Lottie's has made quite the impact amongst D6ers. Where Lottie's really shines is with their extensive drinks menu. While they have all the classics (Cosmo, Pornstar, Old Fashioned) Lottie's also shake up their own signature bevs including a salted caramel espresso martini that works perfectly as a nightcap.

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18. Fade Street Social

Fade Street, more info here

Another (dare we say) consistent and reliable city centre spot, Fade Street Social is one of those haunts that never lets you down - ideal if you're experiencing restaurant selection fatigue (a real condition; we're hoping they find a cure soon xx). A Dylan McGrath production, Fade Street Social is home to two restaurants - one serving up wood-fired pizza and the other hauling heartier restaurant fare like sizeable rib eyes and sirloins cooked over charcoal and satisfying veggie and vegan dishes. It's also home to a stylish cocktail bar and rooftop terrace - Alexa, find me a restaurant that does it all.

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17. Delahunt

Camden Street, more info here

If you've been tasked with choosing a venue for date night and want to impress, the unceasingly swish décor and carefully compiled tasting menu at Delahunt can't be bet. With nods to old Ireland across its menus and interiors, an evening at Delahunt is a bit like a visit to your granny's but with a Michelin makeover. Modern and traditional in equal measures, Delahunt offers a truly unique dining experience in a Victorian setting. Enjoy pre-dinner drinks in The Sitting Room, Delahunt's homey cocktail bar with lots of mid-cench furniture and high ceilings, and then head to the restaurant for some great Irish food with a modern twist.

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16. Lisa's Yummy

Clanbrassil Street, more info here

If your Coppers days are behind you but you still yearn for a feel-good bop with deliciously cheesy tunes to round off the night, Lisa's Yummy on Clanbrassil Street needs to be on your list. It's a spot you may have heard of your pals ending a wild night out at, or perhaps you've seen the fuzzy CCTV footage of Leo Varadkar ordering himself a piña colada at the bar. If you're not familiar, Lisa's Yummy is a neon-clad karaoke bar slinging out cocktails and every type of dumpling, with warming soups and stir-fries if you're looking for something more filling. The kind of spot you need to experience yourself to fully understand, and one you won't forget in a hurry.

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15. Krewe

Capel Street and Portobello, more info here

Known and loved by Dubliners for its party atmosphere and legendary seafood boil, Krewe is a must if you're looking for a boozy dinner where the quality of neither food nor beverages is compromised. Crafted in collaboration with Head Chef Niall Smyth, the menu draws inspiration from the vibrant flavours of Cajun Creole cuisine. Following numerous research trips to New Orleans, the culinary offerings source fresh, local ingredients in Ireland, and feature classics like jambalaya and mouth-watering po'boys, each dish meticulously created to capture the authentic taste of New Orleans, a reputation for which the original Krewe on Capel Street is widely celebrated. Krewe recently opened a second restaurant in Portobello, so po'boy lovers both north and south of the Liffey can enjoy the much-loved Creole delights.

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14. Big Mike's

Blackrock, more info here

If you're looking for some of the best meat and seafood to be found on the island of Ireland cooked to perfection, it probably won't shock you to hear you'll find it at Big Mike's, one of hospitality stalwart Gaz Smith's three equally beloved babies. Unlike most of the other spots on this list, Big Mike's is a bit further out into the 'burbs, but absolutely worth the journey for a special occasion, or simply a Tuesday if that's your buzz. Showstopper seafood and meat platters to wow your Insta following and a great menu of signature cocktails to wash everything down with, set against a fun, sophisticated interior. There's also space for dancing in the atmospheric conservatory out front if the spirit moves you.

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13. Hang Dai (Gold bar)

Camden Street, more info here

This modern Chinese restaurant is widely considered to be one of the coolest dining experiences in the city. It feels like sitting in a scene from ‘Tokyo Godfathers’ and NYC subway car with a lick of disco smeared across the ceiling. A great shout for an intimate date (god bless that darkly lit interior) or a boisterous big group. It gets pretty busy, so you’ll need to make reservations. There’s a serious chance of escalation at Hang Dai, with the DJ spinning some tasteful soul/funk while you dine, it’s as easy to go from day to night. The staff go above and beyond for their customers, creating a memorable and enjoyable dining experience

12. Pen & Player

Harcourt Street, more info here

Live your best Daisy Buchanan life at this swanky Harcourt Street spot, with plush furniture, crystal chandeliers and art-deco style fixtures setting the scene. Pen & Player opened on Dublin's Harcourt Street in November of last year and has, as the name might suggest, a strong literary element - each cocktail pays homage to literature with drinks such as The Literary Agent, Sonnet & Signature, and A Page's Turn & Twist all available to order, and each is signature to Pen & Player, solidifying its position as a premium cocktail bar. The food menu offers a good mix of nibbles, small plates and sharing platters, with solid veggie options like the wild mushroom arancini and whipped goats cheese cannoli alongside crowd pleasers like cod tacos, pulled pork bao buns and confit duck leg. It's a bit on the pricier side with cocktails averaging €17, so definitely one for a treat visit.

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11. Drury Buildings

Drury Street, more info here

Set in a massive space that's been creatively transformed into a rambling wonderland perfect for eating and drinking- it's hard to get a 'bad' table here as each one takes in either a colourful piece of art, exposed brick or the view of the Fade Street crowds. The cocktails are hard to beat at Drury Buildings, and the mixologists aren't afraid to go off the menu depending on your tastes. The menu is tapas-style which is made for sharing - and you'll want to share every dish on the menu with juicy crab claws and cheesy croquetas proving hard to resist.

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10. Hawksmoor

College Green, more info here

Standing proudly on Dublin's College Green in the 1840s Italianate building that formerly housed the National Bank, Hawksmoor is slap bang in the middle of town but still has plenty of space and no scrimping on the grandeur. Obviously, the steaks take centre stage with prime cuts coming from the likes of grass-obsessed farmer Ronan in County Meath, and Bronagh and Cathal whose Angus and Herefords roam the wilds of the Burren eating a diverse range of grasses and herbs, but there's also a great menu of expertly mixed cocktails to wet your whistle - a standout is definitely Shaky Pete’s Ginger Brew, a foamy pitcher of a beverage originally created in Hawksmoor's flagship London restaurant. The drink comprises Beefeater gin, lemon juice, ginger and a top-off of white hag IPA, and was first mixed as a hangover cure for Hawksmoor regular Pete who went on to order one every day. It packs a punch and is worth trying for the story alone.

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9. Cellar 22

St Stephen's Green, more info here

She's beauty, she's grace, with a modernised Georgian space, and she's one to add to your list as a matter of urgency for classy cocktails brought to you by mixologists who never miss. If you're looking for a dirty martini or something not on their menu they'll usually always shake/stir it up for you if you ask nicely, and with Cellar 22's location just off Stephen's Green this is the perfect place to lay down your burdens after a day of shopping, or to start off your night with plenty of ideal backdrops for your sophisticated-with-a-hint-of-thirst Insta story. Food offerings range from bar bites to home-made pate, so you're covered whether you just want something dainty to snack on or a hefty feed to appropriately line your stomach.

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8. Daruma

Parliament Street, more info here.

Daruma hit the Dublin food scene with a bit of a bang last year, the authentic Japanese tapas/yakitori-style restaurant is offering up something a little bit different to fans of Japanese cuisine. They have positioned themselves as an affordable go-to post-work and post-pints hangout spot, where you can catch up over some small plates and some incredible cocktails. It's a really exciting menu which will have you ordering nearly everything, from lotus roots chips to a4 wagyu. Experimentation doesn't stop at the food menu, the team at Daruma are genuinely creating some of the most sensational cocktails in Dublin right now, with particular emphasis on sake-based tipples. This is as authentic as you are likely to get in the city right now, so pull up a stool, get ordering and enjoy every bite!

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7. Row Wines

Coppinger Row, more info here

If you spent your early to mid-twenties in Dublin, you're probably well familiar with this part of town due to the unrivalled allure of Pygmalion's 2-for-1 pygtails, twinkling alongside their trademark purple fairy lights. However, if your tastes have changed over the years and you now yearn for biodynamic wines and the comforting crackle of a vinyl record, we recommend a jaunt over the road to Row Wines. Launched by Dublin-based brothers Marc and Conor Bereen, Row Wines is inspired by Tokyo's Japanese-style listening bars and the natural wine movement, which advocates sustainable, organic farming and the use of grapes native to each area. Alongside an exciting wine list, you've got instantly identifiable small plates like the delicate crab rostis or creamy Coolea cheese dip with wild garlic flatbread, perfect for sharing, and creative cocktails like the Coco Row with plantation rum, coconut milk and pistachio for our babes with a sweet tooth. One to bring everyone from your mam to your mate who’s been working a high-flying job beyond in Tokyo for the last three years along to.

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6. R.I.O.T

Aston Quay, more info here

Sometimes when you're embarking on a night of big-flavour cocktail exploration, the accompanying food needs to be simple; something that'll satisfy and delight with no need to take any risks and in this category, nothing beats a pizza. Renowned Dublin dive bar R.I.O.T comes through with massive Brooklyn-style slices and a great range of cocktails to accompany, whether it's a spicy marg or retro martini your heart desires. Enjoy a game of pool or just sit back and sip away to the soundtrack of your favourite 80's power ballads - don't say we don't give you options.

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5. SISTER7

Smithfield's Queen Street, more info here

In what has to be one of the most inspired collabs of the last few years, the kitchen forces behind BIGFAN have brewed something up with Whiplash brewers and Fidelity barkeeps. The teams have seamlessly brought together great pints, great food in a great setting. ⁠We’ve come a long way from beige deep-friend pub grub, and Sister 7 ushers in an exciting new trend of bar food with a difference. It’s an autophile’s dream, with a custom-designed sound system from the talented hands of ⁠Hatchett Sound. The DJ plays tunes that will have your Shazam app overheating.

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4. Wigwam

Middle Abbey Street, more info here

Another haven for drag brunches, themed club nights and general small plate-fuelled antics, Wigwam is a mainstay on the Dublin scene for cool students and gig-goers heading in for a tipple before the Academy all laden down with cowboy hats, or mullets, or both depending on who's performing. On the food menu you've got hefty sharing platters and charcuterie boards or classic burgers and brunch dishes depending on your preference, with refreshing caipirinhas or espresso martinis mixed with speciality coffee from Vice to accompany.

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3. Electric Circus

Talbot Street, more info here

Experience Morocco from the heart of Talbot Street at Electric Circus, an eclectic space with plush velvet seats, colourful lanterns and cherry blossoms adorning the walls. The food menu keeps things simple with tenders, wings, loaded fries and burgers, while the cocktail menu shakes things up a bit (see what we did there) with the likes of the Yuzo Sour with egg white and yuzo syrup and the Banana Bayou with Kracken Rum, Fireball Whiskey and Creme de Banana sure to have you feeling inspired to order one of everything on the menu. Electric Circus also regularly hosts live music and has a heated outdoor terrace where dogs are welcome to join in with the cocktails and craic.

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2. El Silencio

Clarendon Market, more info here

One of Dublin's many hidden gems is El Silencio, so much of a secret they don't even have a website or a phone number. If you are in the know, however, the margaritas from El Silencio are truly authentic, coming in that perfect pale greeny-yellow liquid that'll have your saliva ducts flooding just upon seeing one. The traditional cocktail glass, reminiscent of an upside-down sombrero and a variant of the classic champagne coupe completes the experience, allowing you to really cup your margarita as you sip. There are a few different variations of margarita when you arrive, so if you're into the fruitier versions, don't be afraid to ask. For food, it probably won't shock you to learn El Silencio has a great range of tacos on the go, with fillings ranging from crispy pork belly to spicy cauliflower poppers.

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1. Bonobo

Smithfield, more info here

The last word in Dublin pizza, Bonobo is one of the central gems in Smithfield's shimmering crown with the likes of its potato and pancetta white base pie attracting pizza lovers from far beyond the D7 bounds. Bonobo is spacious and stylish with an outdoor area that's perfect for parties, with a classic cocktail menu featuring martinis of the pornstar and espresso variety to whet your whistle.