The best restaurants Dublin

Timetable

Restaurants generally open every day around 12pm and close around 10 or 11pm (but the kitchens close and the last order is usually placed around 9 or 9.30pm). Cafés and snack bars serving the famous Irish Breakfast open their kitchens at 8am.

Budget & Tips

In a restaurant, a meal costs from €30. In a pub, you can expect to pay around €15 for a dish. Your bank card will be accepted everywhere and, for small amounts, contactless payments are the norm.

Early Bird. In Dublin, you'll see an Early Bird menu on many a restaurant front. Usually served in the late afternoon between 5pm and 7pm, this is a two- or three-course menu at (very) reasonable prices, often between €20 and €45 (depending on the range of the restaurant). TheEarly Bird, also known as pre-theatre dinner, is for those who want to eat early and then enjoy the nightlife, including shows (plays, concerts, etc.). A real bargain!

What costs extra

There are no strict rules on tipping in Ireland, but of course a good tip is always welcome in the pub (if you're seated at a table) or in a restaurant. It's a good idea to leave around 10% of the bill.

The local way

As Europe's capital of festivities and hard times, Dublin has a whole range of restaurants serving the famous (and copious) Irish Breakfast all morning long (or even longer) or brunches of all kinds all day long. Particularly on Saturdays and Sundays.

Kids

Except in rare cases, children are welcome in the restaurant and often have a menu specially designed for them.

Please note that in pubs, families with children are not accepted after 9pm. And, if you've arrived earlier and are accompanied by charming little faces, you'll have to leave the premises at that time.

Smokers

Smoking is prohibited inside bars and restaurants. But many pubs have outdoor patios (often heated in winter) for smokers.