Diners' Choice: Neighbourhood gem restaurants in South County Dublin

OpenTable

Updated 05 April 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighbourhood gems in South County Dublin? 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!

Lobstar

4.9

4.9 (1085)

€31 to €50

Seafood

Monkstown

About the restaurant

Lobstar is a unique lobster and steak bistro with a sense of casual cool, located in heart of Monkstown. Our aim is to provide great gastronomic experiences through remarkable food and excellent service in a very relaxing and funky environment. We are passionately committed to offering the freshest, greatest ingredients and to presenting a seasonal menu that is locally focused and globally artistic.

Top review

Jane

Dined 6 days ago

A real treat! Food was excellent, very friendly staff and great service . Always a pleasure to come here . We will return soon .

8A Brasserie

4.7

4.7 (776)

€30 and under

European

Monkstown

About the restaurant

8A Brasserie is a boutique family run restaurant, located in Monkstown that overs a wide range of dishes & wines. We also have indoor & outdoor seating areas to suit all occasions.

On offer we have a daily lunch & brunch menu and a full dinner service from 2pm.

Top review

RickiVIP

Dined 2 days ago

The 8a Brasserie is a firm favourite and is always a great experience.

SOUP Dun Laoghaire

4.7

4.7 (81)

€30 and under

Ramen

Dun Laoghaire

About the restaurant

Neighbourhood Asian Fusion Restaurant focused on creative cooking, craft beers & wines, and all things good vibes.

Key recommendations: Ramen (Pork, Chicken, Veggie, Vegan), Korean Fried Chicken, Spicebags.

We are a super allergen and coeliac friendly spot (and friendly spot in general)!

Top review

Victória

Dined on 10 Apr 2025

Best experience ever! It was my Sister in law’s bday, they made super special for her 🧡 Also, we all agreed: this is the best Ramen in town. Thank you!

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4.7

4.7 (49)

€31 to €50

Irish

Dun Laoghaire

About the restaurant

Open for dinner Wednesday to Saturday with brunch on the weekends, do try our casual restaurant in the heart of Monkstown for great food and drinks.

Top review

Emma

Dined on 4 Apr 2025

The food was very nice and price wise it’s good.

Bresson

4.6

4.6 (1151)

€51 and over

European

Monkstown

About the restaurant

Bresson brings a new fine dining option to Monkstown in a casual, comfortable and friendly ambience. Now serving brunch alongside our set lunch every weekend.

Top review

Aidan

Dined on 5 Apr 2025

Really enjoyable meal, varied selection of options and all choices executed very well. Recommended (4 adults)

Zero zero pizza

4.6

4.6 (384)

€30 and under

Pizzeria

Dun Laoghaire

About the restaurant

Zero Zero was founded in 2014 with the simple intention of bringing real Pizza Napoletana to our fair city's streets. Almost 3 years have passed since our very first lunchtime market. While that wind swept day in Dublin's Docklands almost saw our gazebo fly into the Irish Sea, we persevered...

Top review

Linda

Dined on 29 Mar 2025

Absolutely DELICIOUS pizza. Fantastic simple menu. Staff really lovely. And an amazing toilet! Will return

The Club Dalkey

4.6

4.6 (190)

€30 and under

Gastro Pub

Dalkey

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Club Dalkey, traditional pub & restaurant in the heart of Dalkey.
We are delighted to be reopen and taking bookings!
6 people maximum per table, as per government guidelines, no group bookings , looking forward to welcoming you all back. All customers must have vaccination cert and photo ID.

*******Outdoor tables are non reservable******

Top review

Mark

Dined on 5 Apr 2025

The Club is a great place to eat pub food, in a beautiful old pub. If going at a busy time best to book, they were turning away many people last Saturday night. Regularly eat there and never been disappointed, Staff are always friendly. A favourite place to eat in Dalkey.

Purty Kitchen

4.5

4.5 (1021)

€30 and under

Gastro Pub

Dun Laoghaire

About the restaurant

EST.1728
There are almost three hundred year’s of stories buried in our walls.
Once the host to visiting heads of state, sea admirals, noblemen, merchants and seafarers, the Purty Kitchen, Dun Laoghaire’s oldest surviving premises, is today continuing a rich tradition in the social history of the Dublin licensed trade. We look forward to welcoming you to our vibrant kitchen, bar and live event loft.
Food Served:
Wednesday/Thursday 5pm–9:30pm
Friday 12pm-9.30 pm
Saturday 12pm–9:30pm
Sunday 12pm–8pm

Bar open:
Wednesday/Thursday 5pm–11:30pm
Friday 12pm-00.30 am
Saturday 12pm–00.30 am
Sunday 12pm–10pm

Top review

JamesVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Once again a brilliant experience 👏,great staff wonderful food,a great place to relax.

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Un' Altra Pasta Bar Blackrock

4.5

4.5 (20)

€31 to €50

Italian

Blackrock

About the restaurant

Un'Altra Pasta Bar Blackrock is a family-friendly Italian restaurant that serves up fresh, authentic pasta dishes. The restaurant is located in the heart of Blackrock, and offers a warm and inviting atmosphere. The menu features a variety of classic Italian dishes, as well as some more modern creations. The restaurant also has a great selection of wines and beers. Un'Altra Pasta Bar Blackrock is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious meal with friends and family.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 30 Mar 2025

Delicious fresh food and very friendly staff really recommend this place

Avoca Salt Restaurant

4.1

4.1 (262)

€30 and under

Bistro

Monkstown

About the restaurant

Bright and airy, with a vintage retro style and featuring distressed wooden tables topped in white marble, salvage greenhouse window frames and comfy linen banquettes, Salt continues Avoca’s emphasis on serving delicious, seasonal dishes with largely locally sourced ingredients. Salt's name comes its Salthill locale - which itself was derived from salt works that were once here - plus the nearby sea and, of course, the seasoning. Menus are fresh and interesting (see below), with plenty of appetizing salads and lighter lunch dishes, reasonably priced for the casual mid-week crowd.

Top review

JulieVIP

Dined on 15 Mar 2025

We had a lovely time at Avoca's, the restaurant is ideal for families, they have high chairs, children menu and colouring pens. The food was delivious and the service great! Thank you for everything!

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