Fallon & Byrne
This is a great 'newish' place that combines a restaurant, wine bar and food hall known for its prized beef, just caught fish and a startling display of fruit and vegetables. The cafe provides meals for the pre-theatre crowd of simply a brunch. Expects dishes like Niçoise salad, Veal bolognaise with linguini & Parmesan or Rare seared tuna with cucumber, pomegranate & pickled ginger, soy dressing. All well priced around €14 for mains and 6-10 for salads. The evening menu is more al la carte.
www.fallonandbyrne.com
11- 17 Exchequer Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud
The only restaurant in Ireland with two Michelin stars serving haute French cuisine amid modern Irish art, in a dining room within the genteel Merrion Hotel.
The menu is only à la carte only, and expensive; the table d'hôte lunch is much more affordable.
Dinner from around €110 lunch menu €50. The chef, Patrick Guibaud originally from Cognac and has built a strong reputation for quality. The outside fireplace is great in the cooler months as well as Terrace dining. See their website for the seasonal tasting menu or Sample Lunch Menu.
www.restaurantpatrickguilbaud.ie
21 Upper Merrion Street,00353 1 676 4192
L'Ecrivain - MIchelin Star
Local Dublin Chef opened this fine restaurant in 1987 and has built of loyal clientele for his classic French dishes with a local twist. There are set menus, lunch (from €25) and dinner (from €65), and a Tasting Menu for €85 (or €125 with matching wines).
Expect dishes such as Cod in Chorizo with Chick Pea and crab creme fraiche or Confit de Canard. The restaurant is elegant and has homely feel. Open for Lunch Monday, Thursday and Friday and Dinner Monday to Saturday. Bookings recommended. One of the best in Dublin for fine dining.
www.lecrivain.com
109a Lower Baggot St Dublin 2 t: 353 1 6611919
Tapas - Market Bar
An elegant and popular inner city tapas bar offering an extensive list of tapas, stuffed peppers, mojo chicken, nachos, calamari as well as selection of cheese and cured meats. You can eat at the bar or table service. Reasonably priced, Small plates €8.00, Large plates €12.00. Great menu of drinks from Argentina, Spain and Chile. No bookings so just rock up. Mon - Thurs: 12pm - 11:30pm
Fri - Sat: 12pm - 1am Sun: 3pm - 11pm
www.marketbar.ie
14a Fade St, Dublin 2, 353 (0)1 6139094
Olesya's Wine Bar
A lovely inner wine bar which serves food from Thursday to Saturday. Expect classic such as Farmhouse and cheese Platters or main courses such as Duck Leg with Onion Confit, French Cassoulet and Pasta choices. Selection of over 400 wines from all regions of the world
with more than 100 available by the glass.
Open Sunday to Wednesday from 12.30pm untill Midnight, Open Late Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and bank holidays from 12.30pm untill 1am.
www.olesyaswinebar.com
18 Exchequer Street Dublin 2 Tel: 672 4087
Solas - for the young and funky
This is the place to go to groove and perhaps nibble on something. It's all modern, neon and stainless-steel. Lots of choices in beers and cocktails; definitely one for a hip night out and lots of groovy cocktail concoctions while listening to the guests DJs.
www.solasbars.com
31 Wexford Street, Dublin,
Winding Stair Restaurant & Bookshop
This is great Irish cuisine, served in a casual French bistro style environment. It has just one a Michelin star so don't expect anything casual about the food. Locally grown produced is favoured for dishes like Irish charcuterie, Mushroom and pearly barley risotto or Corned beef with crispy cabbage. Take time out for this one and enjoy the bookshop upstairs. Sunday brunch is served between 12 and 3pm and is excellent value.
www.winding-stair.com
40 Ormond Quay, Dublin, 1 t:01/872-7320
The Lobster Pot
AS the sign suggests, this charming restaurant specialises in seafood, cold seafood platters or Lobster 'a la Newberg' (taken from the shell and flamed with brandy) or you could try the Fresh Dublin Bay Prawn dishes.
Established in 1980 it has a loyal following of seafood lovers for its world-style cuisine. Dress up for this one.
Allow 45€ pp for two courses.
www.thelobsterpot.ie
9 Ballsbridge Terrace, Dublin, 4 t: 01/660-9170