10 of the best Dublin restaurants that do walk-ins

Frank's was a trailblazer in terms of the recent wine bar trend in Dublin, setting up camp inside a former butcher on Camden Street. Beneath the original butcher's awning, you'll find an extensive wine offering with bottles from all regions to take home or enjoy around their long, communal table, with an ever-changing à la carte menu to accompany. Owners David Bradshaw and Katie Seward bring their combined experience of working in bars and restaurants across Dublin, France and London to this intimate spot, with good vibes and elite wine pairings for every dish guaranteed. Frank's operates on a walk-in basis only and with its thoughtful small plates and carefully selected wine offerings, it's the perfect place for date night.

The tacos at Masa come in portions of two so you can share them with the one you love, or keep to yourself once you get past the politeness stage of the relationship. Inside you'll find a wide range of fillings, from fried chicken thigh, peanut, and salsa to soyrizo and cauliflower for our vegan brethren. Masa's margaritas are loved by all, and with their second location now open on Camden Street you've got double the chances of nabbing a walk-in spot on Valentine's Day. While you may have to queue, Masa is a consistent crowd pleaser and usually well worth the wait.

A swish younger sibling to the revered Fish Shop of Benburb Street, Bar Pez is essentially Dublin's answer to that gem of a local bar you come across on the first day of your holidays in Spain and instantly fall in love with, feeling compelled to return to every day until your Ryanair flight home beckons. The wine list is extensive and cleverly grouped based on the wines' terroir - meaning you can choose a glass from 'oceans', 'rivers', 'mountains' or 'Hills & Plains', while Burgundy deservingly receives its very own section. To accompany, there's an unfussy, seafood-heavy menu written up on a chalkboard, with dishes that could nearly act as an emblem of Spain. A third of the tables at Bar Pez are reserved for walk-ins so there's plenty of space for you and your lover to sneak in - this spot is intimate, unique and definitely romantic, encouraging you to sip away and get lost in each others eyes all evening.

Whisper sweet nothings into your loved one's ear over a bowl of creamy, specially blended broth, at a walk-in spot guaranteed to transport you to a higher plane every visit. Nomo is a testament to the magic a long-standing love of soupy noodles can yield. Head Chef Kevin Hughes began to obsess over ramen from a young age, which only intensified as he ate the dish in cities all over the world, eventually falling in love with the style offered in New York and LA. His goal for Nomo was to serve up the most authentic ramen in Dublin - mission accomplished, by all accounts. Nomo's noodles are specially made by Sun Noodles, a company based near New York - the main provider to ramen restaurants across the U.S. and beyond. Nomo offers a range of different ramen, with the star of the show being their Tori Paitan (chicken broth) blended with whole chicken and vegetables and simmered for seven hours to reach a specific consistency.

Dubliners know the suss at this stage - 777 is a vibe-y, consistently busy Mexican restaurant on George’s Street, known for its margarita-fuelled brunches and tasty Taco Tuesdays. Once something of a secret with its blink-and-you-miss-it signage and elusive aura, 777 is now a go-to for Mexican food in Dublin and, best of all is walk-in only for bookings under six people. That means you can stretch as far as a triple date (or double throuple date) for dinner without having to book in advance.

Nothing says romance like a counter of pungent cheeses, ready and waiting to be transformed to melty toasties and delicate blush or skin contact wine to accompany. A seat at Loose Canon is something that should be cherished and held tight with both hands - this bar is cosy and cool, honing in on wine and cheese and doing both extremely well. Sample a glass, share a bottle, bundle up warm and perch on the curb til a table frees up - they call that bella notte.

The Seafood Cafe in Temple Bar is an excellent choice for a casual, high-quality meal even without a reservation, as they always hold back space specifically for walk-in guests. This makes it a great spontaneous stop for those looking for fresh Irish seafood and oysters in a relaxed atmosphere in the heart of the city centre. While they do offer bookings for part of the restaurant, you often don't need to plan far in advance to enjoy their delicious menu, which includes everything from Fish & Chips to a spectacular crab roll.