Restaurants in Dublin for gf's birthday

Jimmywangyang

Hi,

I'm heading to Dublin first weekend in July and looking for a decent restaurant in Dublin city center. Its for my girlfriends birthday so looking to impress and not afraid to pay a little extra.

I have heard a few places like Church on jervis street although some people have said its more like pub grub? Would this place be good for a fancy dinner for two?

Rustic stone has also come up in conversation. Can anyone recommend?

Basically I am looking for a place where 2 people can enjoy a romantic dinner without groups all around us and servers dishes such as steak, chicken etc. Open to all ideas.

Dizzyblonde

Moved from Food & Drink.

You're more likely to get helpful replies in the Dublin City forum.

OldBean

The Church is definitely not what you're looking for.

Try The Pigs Ear, The Winding Stair, Locks Brasserie, Seven Social, L'Ecrivain, The Greenhouse or if you're really willing to go for it, Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud.

Enjoy!

thegreatiam

my missus and I go to marco pierre whites on dawson street for occasions like birthdays etc. A little expensive but not too expensive
(around €30-€35 for a steak) usually we spend €100-€150 total inc wine, starters and dessert.

Id recommend the beetroot and walnut salad followed by a t-bone. The missus usually gets a fillet.

Blingy

One pico is fab and I'm sure does an early bird.
Chapter one (quite expensive).
L'ecrivain I absolutely loved but expensive.
Wasn't impressed at all with the rustic stone.
Dobbins - delicious food.
Pearl brasserie do a great early bird.
Try menupages or tripadvisor for reviews an ideas.
Saba if you like Thai food but book early.

melekalikimaka

i love 777

Ardeehey

Yes, a lot of good recommedations there:

The Pearl is great, owned by the same people that have Lock's (which is excellent and not over the top price wise)
Guillbaud's is amazing and pricey, same with Chapter One.

I thought that Dax just off Lesson St was very good.

JenL

If you're both into steak I can highly recommend Buenos Aires Grill, Golden Lane (near St Patricks Cathedral). It's a bit pricey but the steaks are amazing! You would need to book this soon.
Or a little further out you've Rolly's in Ballsbridge.

Food upstairs in the church is nice but I think the menu can be a bit limited. If you're looking for a spot of lunch their bar food is lovely.

SebBerkovich

Sabor Brazil

The best restaurant i've ever been to. In Dublin or anywhere.
It'll cost about 200 quid for both of you, but it's without a doubt money well spent
(btw it's just off camden street)

EricPraline

How long is a piece of string?

I'd second Dax, superb food and nice ambiance. Both Pearl and Dobbins nearby are great too, the latter probably more reasonable in terms of price. If you want something alternative, try Montys of Kathmandu, a Nepalese restaurant off Dame Street. Nicer imho than Saba, which is more popular with large work parties.

Avoid The Church. Basically pub food, and the crowd gets a little messy on sunny days.

Blingy

EricPraline wrote: »

How long is a piece of string?

I'd second Dax, superb food and nice ambiance. Both Pearl and Dobbins nearby are great too, the latter probably more reasonable in terms of price. If you want something alternative, try Montys of Kathmandu, a Nepalese restaurant off Dame Street. Nicer imho than Saba, which is more popular with large work parties.

Avoid The Church. Basically pub food, and the crowd gets a little messy on sunny days.

I'd second monty's. Just make sure your into that kinda food first. Delicious food and so tasty.

skimpydoo

Blingy wrote: »

I'd second monty's. Just make sure your into that kinda food first. Delicious food and so tasty.

Fallon & Byrne is fab and not too overpriced. I am surprised nobody mentioned it.

RGDATA!

melekalikimaka wrote: »

i love 777

it's nice but it doesn't sound at all like what OP asked for

Geekness1234

Supermac's on O'connell street.
Get the shift while having some chips and a half-decent burger.
What more could a girl want?

foodaholic

Blingy wrote: »

One pico is fab and I'm sure does an early bird.
Chapter one (quite expensive).
L'ecrivain I absolutely loved but expensive.
Wasn't impressed at all with the rustic stone.
Dobbins - delicious food.
Pearl brasserie do a great early bird.
Try menupages or tripadvisor for reviews an ideas.
Saba if you like Thai food but book early.

Agree with all these
the Residence on Stephens Green is also a good one

username123

SebBerkovich wrote: »

Sabor Brazil

The best restaurant i've ever been to. In Dublin or anywhere.
It'll cost about 200 quid for both of you, but it's without a doubt money well spent
(btw it's just off camden street)

How does this place work, there is a tasting menu for 100 euro on the website - is that it? No other menu?

username123

The best steak Ive ever eaten in a Dublin restaurant was in FXBs on Pembroke St. Nice quiet atmosphere too. Personally Im not mad for steak so unless its your "thing" I wouldnt go to FXBs.

Plenty of good places mentioned here, the only one Id avoid like the plague is the Buenos Aires Grill - bad service, bad food, pretentious and noisy - wouldnt recommend at all, its not a romantic place.

Im fond of Il Baccaro in Meeting House Square. Its small and rustic and the food is authentic.

I also like the food in The Millstone on Dame St - and its not too busy a place or too pricey. The monkfish is super yum.

Slunk

Darwin's on auinger street is pretty good and not that expensive. Was there recently and had the 14oz stiplion. Was one of the nicest steaks I've ever had. The desserts were equally delicious. They also have a very good veggie menu which is one of the reasons we chose the place. Staff are very friendly. Service was a little slow due to a big party at the rear but it wasn't loud and didn't interfere with our meal. That was my second time there and id still go back again.

Have heard very mixed reviews about beuonos Aries grill. Small and tough steak and servers with little or no English.


777 was terrible when the oh went there.


Brasserie 66 is worth a mention too

username123

Slunk wrote: »

Brasserie 66 is worth a mention too

I like the food here and enjoy a group meal, but its crazy busy and noisy, wouldnt consider it for a romantic meal for 2.

John_Rambo

Slunk wrote: »

Darwin's on auinger street is pretty good and not that expensive

Yeah, better steak than FX and Shannahans, that's for sure. Decor is a bit dodgy though!

OldBean

skimpydoo wrote: »

Fallon & Byrne is fab and not too overpriced. I am surprised nobody mentioned it.

Falllon & Byrne is great, and the pre-theatre menu is fantastic value, but the place tends to be very crowded, and due to the high ceilings, very very noisy. It's great for a group, but I find it too much for an intimate meal.

anmhi02

Millstone on Dame street.....my favourite romantic place to eat.....cocktails are gorgeous too. Highly recommend the Baileys Bliss. Enjoy :-)

YumCha

I would second One Pico, Pigs Ear and L'Ecrivain - all suitably fancy, good for a date and great food.

777, Saba and Montys, while I like them I wouldn't pick them for a romantic dinner (and I think Montys is way overpriced).

If you don't mind going out of city centre a little, I'd also recommend Asador - went here for a romantic dinner and it was great! Cote de Boeuf was to die for...

And even further out I've heard lots of good things about Mulberry Gardens, and personally I love the French Paradox (tiny wine bar, very intimate, food gets served to you by chefs wearing chef hats!)

reprazant

OP, you will probably have to state what price range you are looking towards. While the places listed are pretty much all lovely places for a romantic meal, some can fall on the expensive side.

Chris_5339762

username123 wrote: »

How does this place work, there is a tasting menu for 100 euro on the website - is that it? No other menu?

Fixed seven or eight course tasting menu that will fill you up nicely. Lots of drink included but don't book anything else for the evening. The meal will be the highlight.

I'd also recommend Arches Bistro in Churchtown. 2nd on Tripadvisor and a little bit out of town but well worth it.

Slattsy

L'Ecrivain

/thread

Papillon!

+1 for Saba up near Stephens Green if she's into Thai. Nice setting and not too expensive.

The best for Japanese food has to be Musashi on Capel St without a doubt, but it aint too fancy so maybe not the best option

Dont be at yourself

For something a bit different, I really recommend Terra Madre on Bachelors Walk. Tiny menu (printed on an A4 page!) and very simple interior, but the food and wine is amongst the best in Dublin, and the staff are great too.

liffeylite

Aside from those mentioned, how about:

Fire - next to the mansion house
poorthouse - lovely romatic tapas place on south william st
Salamanca - nice Spanish place
Alfies - cool place on south William st
bridge bar and grill - large place in grand canal docks. really cool atmosphere and good food
chez max - lovely French place next to Dublin castle
ely - really nice wine bars and great food. 2 in the docklands and one by merrion square
Eden - lovely atmosphere, nice and romantic
Chatham brasserie - another romantic place with great service
La ruelle wine bar - really nice wine bar place just off dawson street
Bite - south Frederick street - lovely atmosphere there
dunne & crescenzi - great food
il primo - really good Italian food on montague street
white friar grill - gorgeous space on Aunguier street.

out of city centre, mulberry bush in Donnybrook is very romantic. plenty of good places in Ranelagh village also, butcher grill, dillengers, pinochio Italian is a great date spot.

paddydriver

Tribeca in Ranelagh has good atmosphere, reasonably priced, a few good pubs nearby - and the best buffalo wings in Dublin!

username123

liffeylite - If you are talking about Eden on Meeting House Square - I think its gone.

WellThen?

I cannot recommend Sabor Brazil enough. It was simply amazing, read the reviews for yourself.

Number 1 restaurant on trip adviser

http://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurant_Review-g186605-d1829776-Reviews-Sabor_Brazil-Dublin_County_Dublin.html

liffeylite

username123 wrote: »

liffeylite - If you are talking about Eden on Meeting House Square - I think its gone.

There is another Eden on south William street. the one in temple bar has been revamped but it is now called nede. same letters but rearranged.

username123

liffeylite wrote: »

There is another Eden on south William street. the one in temple bar has been revamped but it is now called nede. same letters but rearranged.

ahhh...very interesting! Thats good to know. Is nede as good as eden?

liffeylite

username123 wrote: »

ahhh...very interesting! Thats good to know. Is nede as good as eden?

I don't know anyone that's been yet sorry.

But I found a review on the net about it. it is headed up by 2 chefs from Noma in copenhagen - the worlds best restaurant. so I would imagine its fairly decent
http://www.civilianglobal.com/food-and-drink/review-nede-dublin-new-restaurants-in-dublin/

schemingbohemia

Nede got a poor review in the Irish Times recently, maybe the've taken on some of the comments since

http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/food-and-drink/restaurant/review-getting-things-backwards-1.1419123

Twee.

+1 for Bite. Lovely food and cocktails.

Jev/N

Anyone mentioned The Butcher Grill in Ranelagh - great steaks and wine

AsianDub

Pig's Ear Nassau Street.Good unpretentious food and won't break the bank (much). Savage. Followed by drinks in the Shelbourne

Chris_5339762

Fire has been mentioned a few times... I thought the food in there was crap.

Slattsy

Chris_5339762 wrote: »

Fire has been mentioned a few times... I thought the food in there was crap.

Agreed, its awful.

OldBean

Jev/N wrote: »

Anyone mentioned The Butcher Grill in Ranelagh - great steaks and wine

Again, it's pretty fantastic with what are probably the best steaks in Dublin, but I wouldn't really put it up there for an intimate meal - There's a (great) busy atmosphere and lots happening, but high seats and tight tables don't always lend themselves to a romantic meal the OP is looking for.

+1 for Bite. Lovely food and cocktails.

I've found the food in Bite to be pretty poor, for the price/reputation. The service has been very underwhelming any time I've been in there too.

The menu in Nede looks very dull - I'm a huge Noma fan, so was very excited when I heard it was two former chefs running the kitchen, but the menu looks like the management dosn't get what Noma does, and wants to run with the Chicken/Fish/Steak standard. Disappointing.

Tar.Aldarion

chameleon, the farm (dawson and leeson street), 101 talbot.

daedal

Jimmy Chungs.. Eat until you explode

DebDynamite

I've recommended the Dylan restaurant before on another thread on this forum. Fantastic food and it's a very attractive looking restaurant, for that bit of wow. They have a great terrace you can have drinks on before or after dinner - perfect for a summer's evening.

Ms.Sunshine

Marco Pierre Whites is lovely, as is Rolys Bistro.

Chocoholic84

Ohhh there are so many!

Sabor Brazil is easily the best restaurant in Dublin, but it's very expensive - €200 for 2 people before drinks! It's a very special treat as a once-off though

Dax, Pearl Brasserie, One Pico are all brilliant, Dax being my favourite.
Roly's is also really nice.

The Saddle Room in the Shelbourne is lovely too - we went there a few years ago and I still remember their seafood plate for starters - it was divine!

Paulzx

username123 wrote: »

I also like the food in The Millstone on Dame St - and its not too busy a place or too pricey. The monkfish is super yum.

I'm a fan of the Millstone also. Never had a bad meal there and it's nice and central

eireannBEAR

mcdonalds if she really loves you she will order from the eurosaver menu.

irishgirl19

JenL wrote: »

If you're both into steak I can highly recommend Buenos Aires Grill, Golden Lane (near St Patricks Cathedral). It's a bit pricey but the steaks are amazing! You would need to book this soon.
Or a little further out you've Rolly's in Ballsbridge.

Food upstairs in the church is nice but I think the menu can be a bit limited. If you're looking for a spot of lunch their bar food is lovely.[/

quote] there is a deal on buenos aires grill on grabone or groupon at the moment.cant remember which one

LizT

I love the Winding Stair. Gorgeous food, get a table by the window and watch the world go by on the Quays outside.