Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Dublin 2

OpenTable

Updated 05 April 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Dublin 2? 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!

Glas

4.8

4.8 (2106)

€51 and over

Vegetarian / Vegan

South City Centre

About the restaurant

Ireland inspires us at Glas. We source the best local produce to produce an innovative and delicious menu with vegetables as the star. Glas is about exciting, eclectic flavours, complemented by a carefully curated menu of wines and cocktails.
Children are welcome for lunch, but children under 10 are not catered for after 5.00 pm.

Winner of Best Vegetarian Restaurant at RAI Awards 2023.

Opening times:
Dinner
From 5pm: 7 nights a week

Lunch
Friday 12.00–2.45pm

Brunch
Saturday - Sunday 12.00-2.30pm

Early Bird
Sunday-Thursday: 5-5.45pm

Top review

Paul

Dined 6 days ago

Yet another fantastic night out. Glas never fails to deliver beautiful food and it's such a lovely and welcoming restaurant to relax in with a drink and good conversation

BANG restaurant & wine bar

4.7

4.7 (976)

€30 and under

European

South City Centre

About the restaurant

Just off St. Stephens Green and Beside The Shelbourne Hotel- Top 50 Restaurants 2023, Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 2024 , TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2024.
Head Chef, Nathan Greensmith, leads a talented team, using only the finest seasonal ingredients sourced from local suppliers. Featuring a delightful array of options, including steak favorites and fresh seafood
We believe that exceptional service is just as important as great food. Our attentive staff is trained to ensure that every guest feels welcome and valued, providing personalized service that enhances your dining experience.
We also cater to various dietary preferences, including gluten-free and vegan options
For a special event, BANG Restaurant offers three unique and stylish private dining spaces, accommodating up to 50 guests. Whether it’s an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, our dedicated team is here to help you plan and execute an unforgettable experience tailored to your needs

Top review

Marah

Dined 7 days ago

Great spot. Had a great corner table to enjoy dinner, read and not be rushed thru my meal

Margadh Food & Wine RHA Gallery

4.7

4.7 (178)

€30 and under

Modern European

South City Centre

About the restaurant

Welcome to Margadh Food and Wine
We look forward to seeing you shortly to our daytime cafe and evening wine bar.

Top review

Diana

Dined on 8 Apr 2025

Delicious food, excellently seasoned. We ate from the bar snacks and lunch menus. Great drinks including really interesting wines by the glass. Friendly and efficient service.

Discover more

Experience

Tasting Menu by Louis Wishart

Experience

Roast chicken lunch to share

Yamamori Izakaya Japas & Sake

4.6

4.6 (328)

€31 to €50

Japanese

South City Centre

About the restaurant

- About Izakaya Japas & Sake -

The laidback ambience of Izakaya Japas & Sake combines the merriment of a pub with Japas (tapas-style small plates) and freshly handmade sushi. The vibrant Victorian-style building is located at the heart of George’s Street. It offers a cultural escape through authentic oriental wall décor, an extensive choice of sake, Japanese liquor and banging cocktails. Seasonal and all-time delicious favourites, such as tempuras, duck pancakes, and Omakase, are bursting with flavours and leave your mouth watering for more. Funky tunes during evenings, a fun atmosphere and charismatic staff will make your visit memorable.

- About Lunch -
Izakaya Japas & Sake bar also offers 'Lunch' on weekends. We are thrilled to launch our exciting new lunch menu, available exclusively on weekends from 1 to 5 p.m.

・Indulge in any 5 Japa’s of your choice for just €45 for 2 people( €22.50 per person)
・Each pitcher serves 4 and is price

Top review

Suzy

Dined on 9 Apr 2025

Izakaya is a fantastic place with a great atmosphere and top-notch service. The food is absolutely delicious, with fresh, high-quality ingredients and beautifully presented dishes. From the signature Hot stone wagyu to the amazing sushi and sashimi, every bite is full of flavor. The ambiance is sophisticated yet welcoming, making it perfect for a special night out. Highly recommended for anyone who loves exceptional Japanese cuisine and cocktails!

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Experience

Weekends Lunch Set Menu ( just €45 for 2 people)

Experience

Set Menu €50 per person

Amy Austin

4.6

4.6 (449)

€31 to €50

Wine Bar

South City Centre

About the restaurant

Wine bar on Drury Street serving delicious sharing plates along with a wide selection of wines.

Top review

PeadarVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Food was great, service was outstanding but the experience felt quite rushed. I'd highly recommend the short rib or the duck!

Forbes Street by Gareth Mullins

4.5

4.5 (134)

€31 to €50

Irish

South City Centre

About the restaurant

Executive Head Chef, Gareth Mullins is known for artistically crafting all menu design and food preparation in the hotel’s restaurants and bars. With over 20 years’ experience cooking in five-star hotels in Ireland and Australia, Gareth leads a talented team. His passion for sourcing local Irish produce is found in each recipe he creates. This passion is reflected in Gareth’s Commissioner General of Eurotoques Ireland which consists of 200 of the country’s best-known chefs, producers and educators with an aim to protect our Irish culinary heritage and inspire future generations.

Top review

Val

Dined on 3 Apr 2025

Lovely venue, great staff & service. Food very good too.

The Mongolian BBQ

4.5

4.5 (320)

€30 and under

Asian

Temple Bar

About the restaurant

In the 12th century, nomadic tribes of Mongol hordes invaded and conquered most of Northern Asia and Eastern Europe under Genghis Khan. Stopping each night to make camp, they would place their upturned shields over their camp fires and cook their meat with wooden sticks….And so the concept of The Mongolian Barbeque was born!!
Ok, that’s the history lesson over. One question people ask us a lot is ‘Do I need to be able to cook to eat here?’ And the answer is no! All you do is grab a bowl and choose your ingredients from our selection of meat, seafood, vegetables, tofu and noodles. You pick what you like! Then season with spices, herbs and sauces.
It’s a fun and unique way to eat and is also very healthy as we try to use as little oil as possible when stir frying. We have allergy information for our spices and sauces, so if you have an allergy, or if you are vegetarian, just let your server know, and we can cook your food separately in a wok, instead of on the grill.

Top review

Yvonne

Dined on 22 Mar 2025

We were a party of 6 who visited Mongolian grill fir our daughters birthday lunch. The staff and service were fantastic and as usual food was fab. Mongolian Grill is a gem in the heart of Temple Bar and I would highly recommend it.

9 Below

4.5

4.5 (172)

€30 and under

Cocktail Bar

South City Centre

About the restaurant

A COSY LITTLE SPEAKEASY IN THE HEART OF THE CITY
9 Below bar is Dublin’s hideaway for seductive cocktails and stimulating conversation. Nestled in the former basement of historical Stephen’s Green Hibernian Club, we have taken great pleasure in refurbishing our own piece of this prestigious building, originally built in 1756. Our beautifully designed space offers 4 intimate rooms in which to drink and be merry (and a little mischievous).

Our menu features an enticing selection of champagnes, spirits and cocktails, all dispensed by a couple of fun-loving bartenders who really know their craft. Swing by for after-work libations and you might just find yourself staying all evening!

Top review

Jane

Dined on 12 Mar 2025

Lovely setting, great cocktails, reasonably priced

BAH33 THE AUTHENTIC GAUCHO BBQ

4.4

4.4 (38)

€51 and over

Barbecue

Dawson Street

About the restaurant

BAH33º is located in the heart of Dublin, bringing the traditional spirit of Southern Brazil to our Gaucho Rodizio BBQ Experience.

Our Passadores serve an unlimited selection of premium, 100% Irish meat cuts—carved tableside, just like in Southern Brazil. We take pride in our authentic cooking style, with meats slow-roasted over open charcoal to enhance natural flavours, delivering rich, smoky, and tender bites every time. Complement your meal with various hot dishes, fresh salads, traditional starters, handcrafted cocktails, and delicious desserts for the ultimate Gaucho experience.

Prefer to dine outdoors? Our heated terrace offers a cosy, comfortable setting where you can enjoy our delicious À La Carte menu, featuring BBQ dishes, sandwiches, skewers, finger foods, and desserts.

Whether for a special occasion or a casual gathering, we offer warm hospitality and an unforgettable dining experience.

Book your table now and Taste The Fire!🔥

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 6 days ago

Absolutely unbelievable quality of food and service. Needed to be rolled out after! Will definitely be back again! 10/10

Discover more

Experience

The Authentic Gaucho BBQ

Experience

À Lá Carte Terrace Only.

Kaldero

4.3

4.3 (123)

€31 to €50

Asian

South City Centre

About the restaurant

Beneath the shadow of an iconic Dublin landmark, three masterful chefs have come together to introduce an unparalleled culinary experience to the city. Kaldero is more than a restaurant; it’s a fusion of Eastern tradition and bold, contemporary flair that brings the finest Chinese, Indian, and Filipino flavours to a striking new dining destination.

Under the expert hands of culinary icons Alfred Prasad, Daren Liew, and Richie Castillo, each dish at Kaldero reflects the extraordinary talent and artistry of its creators.

The dining space at Kaldero is a feast for the eyes, designed to complement the artistry on the plate. Rich, reclaimed timber, genuine terracotta tiling, and warm natural materials envelop the room, creating an intimate yet sophisticated setting.

Setting the stage for a truly immersive experience, the music at Kaldero is curated by neo-soul artist Uly, whose selection fills the room with vibrant layers of sound that are as dynamic as the dishes themselves.

Top review

Sharon

Dined 1 day ago

Superb meal. Wonderful choice and flavours. Fresh food prepared in front of you. So convenient to the Gaiety theatre

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