Diners' Choice: Best Ambience restaurants in Dublin 8

OpenTable

Updated 05 October 2026

Looking for restaurants with the best ambience in Dublin 8? 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!

Old Town Wine Bar and Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (44)

€30 and under

Wine Bar

Christchurch

About the restaurant

Tucked away in historic Dublin 8, Old Town Wine Bar & Restaurant is a cosy, contemporary addition to the city's dining scene. Led by Executive Chef Mark Ussher, it was nominated for Best Wine Bar within its first year, and won Bronze in Best Wine Bar at the 2026 Bar of the Year Awards.

Set in landscaped Le Pole Square, beside the ancient St. Michael Le Pole church, it's moments from Dublin Castle, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Christchurch Cathedral and St. Stephen's Green. In summer, diners can take a table on the Terrace.

Small plates — Dingle Bay crab, tartare, Gildas, Skeaghanore duck — are designed to complement 70+ wines, from rich reds and pét-nat to Champagne, with a strong focus on sustainable, organic, vegan and natural choices, over half by the glass.

Floor-to-ceiling windows and a peaceful patio make for a bright, relaxed setting — historic charm meets modern approach, ideal for wine lovers and anyone after a true Dublin experience.

Top review

Michael

Dined on 14 Oct 2026

Food was excellent. Service was attentive without being intrusive.

Guinness Open Gate Brewery

4.7

4.7 (584)

€30 and under

Brewery

The Liberties

About the restaurant

As we are a working brewery, you must be aged 18 years or over to visit.

The Guinness Open Gate Brewery (GOGB) is located in the heart of The Liberties, Dublin 8 and has been the Home of Experimentation at Guinness since 1904. At GOGB, we dream and live all things beer. It’s where our brewers creatively brew every pint with passion.

We offer limited-edition small-batch beers exclusively in our vibrant taproom. Not too sure what beers to try? Don’t worry, our beer specialists are at hand to help you choose a beer paddle suited to you. We also offer a selection of delicious bar bites - from fried chicken bites to loaded fries to our abundant sharing platters, we have something for every mood, especially when coupled with our exciting seasonal brews.

The Guinness Open Gate Brewery is proud to be an official AsIAm Autism Friendly Accredited venue with the help of Ireland’s Autism Charity, AsIAm.

Top review

Shauna

Dined on 1 Oct 2026

Food was amazing and the staff were brilliant. Our server was so attentive and gave great recommendations. Would definitely go again

1837 Bar & Brasserie at Guinness Storehouse

4.7

4.7 (1060)

€30 and under

Dining Bar

The Liberties

About the restaurant

Located within the historic grounds of the Guinness Storehouse, 1837 Bar & Brasserie celebrates the best of Ireland. Named after the year Guinness and oysters were named as the perfect match.

With great views of Dublin city and a menu of classics - smoked salmon, oysters and a rather famous Guinness burger - along with likes of flatbreads, sharing plates and a Guinness chocolate mousse that playfully resembles a glass of the black stuff.

All dishes are designed by our award winning chef Sean Hunter, to be enjoyed with the range of Guinness beers on offer along with a full drinks list.

The Guinness Storehouse restaurants are open to the public without an experience ticket. We ask that restaurant visitors pre-book their table whenever possible. Walk up visitors to our restaurant will be admitted subject to availability. Please be aware restaurant access does not give you Guinness Storehouse Visitor Experience, but you can buy a ticket on arrival at admissions.

Top review

Laura

Dined on 11 Oct 2026

We both had the Guinness Beef Stew and it more than we expected. Great flavor, tender beef and just the right amount of mashed potatoes.

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Popular dish

Guinness Chocolate Mousse

Popular dish

1837 Signature Beef & Guinness Stew

Popular dish

1837 signature beef & Guinness stew

Bastible

4.8

4.8 (308)

€51 and over

Contemporary European

Portobello

About the restaurant

Bastible is located just a short stroll from the landmark St Patricks Cathedral in the vibrant postcode of Dublin 8.
The restaurant overlooks the junction of Clanbrassil Street and South Circular Road in what was once the old Jewish quarter of Portobello.

Chef Killian Walsh leads the kitchen team and creates seasonal tasting menus using his varied and considerable industry experience. Bastible was awarded a coveted Michelin Star in 2022 and proudly retains it today.

Bastible's atmosphere is relaxed and inclusive. There is no required dress code and we pride ourselves on friendly and knowledgable service.

We look forward to seeing you at Bastible soon.

Top review

Pragash

Dined 3 days ago

Great experience with the tasting menu and wine list.

Arthur's Pub

4.7

4.7 (168)

€30 and under

Irish

The Liberties

About the restaurant

Arthur's is the nearest pub on the route to The Guinness Storehouse, one of the city's foremost tourist attractions. It is popular both with locals and tourists. Naturally it has the freshest pint of Guinness in all of Ireland.

Arthurs is a classic Dublin pub, old style but well appointed. It has been a pub for over 200 years, and has many historical connections, being beside St. Catherines Church, outside of which the patriot, Robert Emmet, was hung, drawn and quartered in 1803.

We light a real turf fire everyday, play an eclectic mix of Irish music and have live music sessions in the evenings.

Upstairs we have the Arthur’s Blues and Jazz Club, where we host top national and international blues and jazz acts 5 nights a week. On stage we have a concert grand piano, and we also have an excellent lighting rig, and a top professional PA and sound system.

Top review

LiamGold

Dined on 10 Oct 2026

Excellent burger and pints, would highly recommend

Richmond

4.8

4.8 (660)

€31 to €50

European

Portobello

About the restaurant

Head Chef, David O'Byrne, has been running the kitchen since opening day, back in December 2015. Within two years he had earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand & has retained it every year since.
Owner/Manager Russell Wilde has been in the business for over 30 years, so he also has a fair idea of what he's doing.
And they both very much look forward to providing you with an enjoyable & memorable dining experience.

Top review

Maurizio

Dined 6 days ago

The restaurant is beautifully looked after, and the staff were friendly and professional throughout. The food quality is very high: the tuna tartare was excellent, and both the duck confit and the vegetable pie were real highlights. Prices are honest, and the value for money is outstanding. The only thing I’d improve is the wine list: not quite at the same level as the food, and quite expensive, with glasses starting from €11. To be fair, that’s a common issue across Ireland, not a fault of this place. I’ll definitely be back soon.

Tenters Gastropub

4.7

4.7 (278)

€31 to €50

Pub

The Liberties

About the restaurant

Welcome to Dublin's newest bar, located in one of its most historic areas. 🍀 Enjoy the best of Dublin pub fare while nursing a pint of the black stuff, or perhaps a more sophisticated cocktail. 🍺🍸 Whatever takes your fancy, here at Tenters we were born to serve.

From our famous burgers and gourmet pies to fresh seasonal dishes, our kitchen is as proud as our bar. 🍔🥧 Pair your meal with one of our handcrafted cocktails made with fresh ingredients, or simply raise a glass and catch the live sport on one of our screens. 📺⚽

The original Tenters bar has stood on this same corner of Mill Street and Blackpitts since the 1920s, right amongst the local linen-makers and distillers for which the area was known. 🏭✨ Come experience a piece of Dublin's rich history with us!

Top review

David

Dined 2 days ago

I always enjoy my visits to the Tenters. The food is good and the staff are excellent. Always great service.

Fayrouz Restaurant

4.5

4.5 (257)

€30 and under

Lebanese

The Liberties

About the restaurant

Dear customers,
Please note that Fayrouz Restaurant is no longer operating as a BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) venue. We’ve made this change to enhance your overall dining experience and to better align with our future plans.

We truly appreciate your understanding and continued support. We look forward to welcoming you and offering a full dining experience that reflects the best of Fayrouz.

Warm regards,
The Fayrouz Team

Top review

Meral

Dined on 15 Oct 2026

Delicious food, good service, great staff. I definitely recommend this place!

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Experience

2 Course Early Bird

Panda Restaurant Sushi and Burger

4.7

4.7 (74)

€30 and under

Japanese

The Liberties

About the restaurant

Panda Restaurant in Dublin offers a unique fusion of sushi and burgers. Our diverse menu features fresh sushi, including classic nigiri, sashimi, and innovative uramaki rolls. For burger lovers, we serve juicy gourmet burgers made with premium ingredients and creative toppings. Enjoy our combo meals that let you savor both sushi and burgers, along with a selection of delicious starters like tempura, gyoza, and french fries. Dine in our modern and stylish atmosphere, perfect for casual lunches or fun dinners with friends. Our friendly and attentive staff is dedicated to providing a welcoming experience. Panda Restaurant is your go-to spot for a satisfying culinary adventure. Visit us today to discover the perfect blend of sushi and burgers!

Top review

Nikolna

Dined 7 days ago

Best sushi in town . Service as alweys more then excellent

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