Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Dublin 1

OpenTable

Updated 05 October 2026

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Dublin 1? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Jay Kay’s cafe

4.8

4.8 (220)

€30 and under

Breakfast

North City Centre

About the restaurant

We are a family run contemporary style cafe, juicery and kitchen boasting speciality coffee, cold pressed juices, superfood smoothies serving breakfast, brunch and late lunch.

Opened in 2022, we wanted to offer our customers, both new and existing, the fresh, delcious Jay Kays offering both on the go and in person. .

Top review

Fiona

Dined 3 days ago

I had been to this cafe twice. Breakfast was unbelievable gorgeous, I enjoyed it very much. Had been recommended friends about this cafe. ❤️

Bovinity

4.7

4.7 (1367)

€31 to €50

Steakhouse

Capel Street

About the restaurant

Bovinity; no white tablecloths, no pretension, just fresh, locally sourced food and drinks.

Breaking free from tradition and carving out a space where authenticity reigns and the experience is as real as the flavours on your plate. The menu includes a curated selection of cuts that speak for themselves. Irish, dry-aged beef, the kind of rich, indulgent flavours that demand attention. The cocktails are unique, modern, and made with natural ingredients . The wine list, carefully selected and chosen to compliment every moment.

This is the kind of place where everything is shared, from the steak to those dangerously addictive sides because, let's face it, that’s what food is all about. Good company, compliments great food. And the vibe? Laid-back, gritty, with a soundtrack that’s as real as it gets. This is Irish hospitality at its finest. Warm, buzzing, no-frills, and full of heart.

**Tables of 6+ will be offered a selection of two set menus. Email info@bovinity.ie for info**

Top review

Cian

Dined 3 days ago

Great food and service as always! Really enjoyed the sharing steak plate! Yum!

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4.5

4.5 (385)

€30 and under

Creative Japanese

North City Centre

About the restaurant

Yamamori North City is located in the heart of Dublin, overlooking the Ha'penny Bridge. Opened in 2007, the restaurant is located in two stunning Georgian Houses and boasts original features which fit well into our modern Japanese theme. In this stunning restaurant, we display some beautiful 19th-century Japanese artwork, and also original Samurai Artifacts.

Yamamori North City is perfect for all occasions and parties, no matter how big or small. Sushi, Tempura, Japanese Grill & Ramen are prepared fresh daily and are some of our staple favourites. We offer an extensive lunch menu that provides a quick yet satisfying option for those on a tight schedule. For dinner, our menu expands to include a variety of traditional and contemporary Japanese dishes, allowing guests to experience a true taste of Japan in the heart of Dublin.

Top review

Gillian

Dined 7 days ago

Great food and service , never fails , a group of ten & we had the best time !

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Urban Brewing Bar & Restaurant

4.5

4.5 (738)

€30 and under

Contemporary European

International Financial Services Centre (IFSC)

About the restaurant

Stack A Restaurant, downstairs at Urban Brewing, is one of Dublin's most distinctive dining spots. Two-hundred-year-old vaulted cellars in the historic CHQ Building, divided by brick and stone, create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the city.

The menus draw on journeys around the world, childhood memories and seasonal change, built on locally sourced ingredients. Old favourites meet a modern, globally inspired menu. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available.

Open daily for lunch, weekend brunch and dinner. Good for groups, our private dining room seats up to 12, with semi-private and exclusive spaces for larger parties of up to 270.

Drinks run just as deep: almost 400 wines and over 700 drinks in total, including our own Urban Brews, brewed on site. Guided brewery tours and tastings also available.

Beyond the restaurant, enjoy outdoor seating on our sunny terrace, a lively ground-level bar, or a more intimate Vault Bar.

Book your table and discover the unexpected.

Top review

Emly

Dined 3 days ago

Had lunch this week as a group, lovely food and perfect service. There was a group with children shouting which echoed around the place due to the low ceilings in the vault but that’s no one’s fault - really lovely place to go highly recommend

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Experience

Craft Beer & Tapas Pairing

Experience

New Year's Eve 5-Course Menu with Drinks Pairing

Experience

Christmas 3-Course Set Dinner Menu

Hera Restaurant

4.5

4.5 (294)

€31 to €50

Unspecified

Dorset Street

About the restaurant

Mediterranean inspired neighbourhood gastro pub in Drumcondra

Top review

Robert

Dined on 8 Oct 2026

Stand out meal. Every single bite delivered carefully considered flavours that matched the textures of the food. Top quality produce treated with top quality craft. Soundest of service too. Looking forward to getting back ASAP.

Hana Izakaya

4.5

4.5 (55)

€30 and under

Japanese

Capel Street

About the restaurant

Japanese Izakaya style of bar and restaurant offers Authentic Charcoal Yakitori, Sushi, Japas (Japanese style of tapas foods), Donburi (Rice Bowl), Curries and many more on Capel Street, Dublin 1. D01 RT73

Top review

Matheus

Dined on 10 Sept 2026

Lovely place, good food, good price, definitely will come back

MV Cill Airne Boat Bar and Restaurant

4.4

4.4 (628)

€30 and under

European

North Wall

About the restaurant

*Please note the MV Cill Airne is a Strictly Over 18's Venue.

The Boat Restaurant & Bar
Step back in maritime history on board the former tender ship the MV Cill Airne, located on North Wall Quay, Dublin’s floating Restaurant & Bar on the River Liffey. Enjoy the unrivalled views of the waterfront in the heart of Dublin’s docklands. Enjoy a cocktail in our main bar or outside on our outdoor deck – a promising option for a sunny afternoon on the River Liffey. Dine with us in the stunning Quay 16 Restaurant, with a capacity of 80 guests, offering an a la carte menu and competitive group set menus, catering for all dining requirements or celebrate your birthday or any special occasion in our private bar, the White Bar.

Top review

Saskia

Dined on 10 Oct 2026

Very nice place,good food and very friendly staff !

The Ribs Gaucho BBQ / Brazilian Steakhouse

4.4

4.4 (137)

€31 to €50

Brazilian Steakhouse

North City Centre

About the restaurant

At The Ribs – Gaucho BBQ, we bring the heart of Brazil to Dublin city centre with our authentic churrasco. Our signature BBQ Experience is served rodízio style, with skewers of prime meats carved at your table, paired with unlimited hot sides, fresh salads, and homemade desserts. Prefer a slower pace? Our à la carte menu highlights Brazilian classics and premium steaks. The lively atmosphere, vibrant service, and warm design make The Ribs perfect for celebrations, date nights, or simply a night out with friends. Experience a true Brazilian steakhouse in the heart of Dublin.

Top review

Leisse

Dined 7 days ago

All good , the food was delicious, for sure we will back

Sidekick - The Dean Docklands

4.2

4.2 (956)

€30 and under

Contemporary European

North Wall

About the restaurant

If you cannot find availability online please contact us by phone on (1) 2457905 or via email book.dublin@sidekickrestaurant.com
Sidekick has landed in Dublin. The city's new home for crispy wings, stacked burgers and sauce on everything. Find us on the ground floor of The Dean Docklands, steps away from the action, right on the River Liffey. Come hungry, sit at the bar or grab a table with the crew. Our menu is built for big appetites and bigger cravings. Wings come three ways, burgers are stacked and messy on purpose and the fries come with benefits. Wash it all down with a fresh cocktail list packed with signatures, frozen slushies and housemade booze-free sodas. Whether it's after-work pints with the team, a pre-gig feed before 3Arena, or a Sunday catch-up with the neighbours, there's a seat with your name on it. Came for the wings? Stay for the full line-up.

Top review

Angelika

Dined on 5 Oct 2026

Had a good experience at Sidekick overall. We ordered the Caesar salad and wings — both were fine, both dishes could have used a lot more sauce and flavour. The service was good, and we really appreciated that they were able to seat us earlier than expected and accommodate us. Overall, a pleasant experience and a good spot, with just a little room for improvement on the food.

Locke Bar and Lounge Dublin

3.9

3.9 (38)

€30 and under

Dining Bar

North Wall

About the restaurant

Nestled within the contemporary Beckett Locke aparthotel in Dublin's dynamic Point Square Village, the Beckett Lounge & Bar is a vibrant and relaxed destination in the heart of Dublin 1.

This inviting all-day bar and lounge is an effortless social hub for both guests and neighbours. Settle in for a selection of expertly crafted cocktails, a choice of wines, or something cold on tap. The atmosphere is unpretentious and designed for easy conversation and relaxation.

Serving a menu of light plates and comforting favourites from lunch until late evening, the Beckett Lounge & Bar is perfect for a casual bite or a nightcap.

Top review

Kendall

Dined on 11 Oct 2026

Good food, good prices, good environment, right by 3Arena. Perfect!

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