Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in South County Dublin

OpenTable

Updated 05 October 2026

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants 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!

Rasam

4.9

4.9 (36)

€31 to €50

Indian

Glasthule

About the restaurant

Rasam serves fine dining Indian cuisine, using a daily blend of spices particular to our kitchen. Each meal is prepared and served with perfection and we have built a reputation as 'the best' Indian restaurant in Ireland.

We are a 5-time winner of best ethnic restaurant and one of a select few authentic Indian restaurants listed in the MICHELIN Guide for Dublin.

Top review

Elizabeth

Dined on 20 Oct 2026

Rasam is my favourite place to eat with friends, to celebrate, to get together with family. Rasam's food is always the very best - and friendliness and kindness make it a very special place. Atmosphere is warm and welcoming - lighting very elegant - and conversation wonderfully audible! Highly recommended

8A Brasserie

4.8

4.8 (1058)

€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

John

Dined 5 days ago

Lovely food and service as always Lili looked after us very well

Lobstar

4.7

4.7 (1144)

€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

Frances

Dined on 16 Oct 2026

Delicious tuna poke bowl and spicy chicken wings followed by perfectly cooked sea bass and seafood tagliatelle. The chef has a super capacity to get good flavours through the food without over powering the fresh seafood. You can’t leave with trying the apple tarte tatin. It’s big enough for 2.

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Popular dish

lobster roll

Popular dish

New York Style Lobster Roll

Popular dish

apple tart tatin

F.X. Buckley - Monkstown

4.7

4.7 (106)

€31 to €50

Steakhouse

Monkstown

About the restaurant

In the beautiful village of Monkstown, F. X. Buckley Steak & Seafood serves up a menu where land and sea meet, from succulent dry-aged steaks to the freshest locally caught seafood such as oysters, scallops and Lissadelle Bay Mussells. Just minutes from Dún Laoghaire, it’s a standout seafood and steak restaurant in South Dublin, offering premium dining in elegant surroundings near the sea.
Frank’s Bar located on the second floor, is a neighbourhood cocktail lounge with a relaxed, intimate vibe. Perfect for after-work drinks, whether a beer, wine or cocktail. In terms of food you can expect succulent burgers, charcuterie and cheese boards while you savour conversations in great company.

Top review

Dami

Dined 5 days ago

Great food , service and ambience. Will definitely be back !!

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Experience

Chateaubriand for Two

Bresson

4.6

4.6 (1243)

€51 and over

European

Monkstown

About the restaurant

Bresson brings a relaxed fine dining option to Monkstown with an elegant, comfortable and friendly ambience.

Top review

James

Dined 4 days ago

The set menu had delicious choice and proper ingredients. Expertly cooked and presented. Taste, taste. And the staff service was cosy, personal and attentive,

Attico

4.6

4.6 (77)

€30 and under

Italian

Dún Laoghaire

About the restaurant

Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria in Monkstown, Dublin. Specialising in Authentic Italian Cuisine.

Top review

Catherine

Dined on 9 Oct 2026

Great food, lovely atmosphere and attentive staff. Overall a superb experience.

China Song 粤苑 (China Tang)

4.6

4.6 (289)

€31 to €50

Chinese

Monkstown

About the restaurant

At China Song (formerly China Tang), we take immense pride in our masterful culinary team, led by Chef Chen from Guangdong, the birthplace of Cantonese cuisine, with over 30 years of culinary excellence. He has been awarded the prestigious Chef Excellence Award multiple times, earning widespread acclaim for his unparalleled craftsmanship and visionary approach.

Our team unites renowned chefs specializing in Cantonese dim sum, roasted meats, Sichuan, Hunan, and other distinguished Chinese regional cuisines. We are committed to preserving the essence of Chinese culinary heritage and infusing innovative flair to present an extraordinary dining experience.

We are meticulous about the selection of our ingredients, sourcing only the finest and freshest local produce to capture the authentic essence of each dish.

*Peking duck requires at least 24 hours’ booking, and it’s subject to availability.

Top review

Jacqueline

Dined 4 days ago

Superb in every sense. Great food and super service. Highly recommend- it’s the best Cantonese cuisine in Dublin!

Gleesons of Booterstown

4.5

4.5 (596)

€30 and under

International

Booterstown

About the restaurant

Gleesons of Booterstown is a bright, spacious and beautifully designed dining space and bar in the heart of Booterstown. It is a local gathering place for family, friends and neighbours to catch up over good food and drinks. Enjoy an exceptional five star dining experience consisting of only the finest locally sourced Irish produce for each of our dishes. With a menu filled with choice, our dishes are prepared to suit every palette. Favorites include Chicken Piri Piri, Pan Fried Plaice, Beef and Guinness Pie, Prime Irish Fillet Steak with Daily Specials too. We’re open seven days a week serving breakfast from 8am, lunch from 12 Noon and dinner from 5pm with friendly service and a smile.

If you are a group of more than 8 people, please contact us directly on 01 288 0236.

Dont forget our 16 bedroom Townhouse upstairs, which is getting great reviews!!

Top review

Paul

Dined on 16 Oct 2026

Great food & service. Couldn’t fault the whole experience.

1909

4.5

4.5 (493)

€30 and under

Contemporary American

Dalkey

About the restaurant

culinary experience in Dalkey, visit 1909 Restaurant & Wine Bar. This inviting venue combines a warm atmosphere with elegant décor, making it perfect for discerning diners. The menu features seasonal ingredients transformed into exquisite dishes, from fresh seafood to succulent meats, showcasing the chef's artistry. Complementing the cuisine is a carefully curated wine list that caters to all palates. The unique ambiance is enhanced by attentive staff who ensure every guest feels valued, while live piano music adds a sophisticated touch. Whether celebrating a special occasion or enjoying a night out with friends, 1909 is the ideal setting for creating lasting memories. Experience the best of Dalkey at 1909 Restaurant & Wine Bar.

Top review

Neil

Dined on 26 Sept 2026

As it was our anniversary we were greeted by a member of staff who immediately wished us Happy Anniversary. Patrick came to our table remembering us from previous visits saying it was nice to see us again, confirming our names. The food and service was excellent as always, the Manager very attentive and they treated us to profiteroles as an Anniversary gesture.

RongCheng Chinese Restaurant

4.3

4.3 (29)

€30 and under

Chinese

Blackrock

About the restaurant

Dear Guest In the Rongcheng Chinese restaurant, you will experiencing a clean and comfortable dining environment. Taste the freshest local ingredients with the purest of Chinese seasoning.Both Traditional Chinese food ,Dim sum and European Flavor are served. We will welcome you with the very best of service!

Our chef team comes from the most prestigious five-star hotels in China, and several renowned chefs have provided culinary demonstrations and services to leaders from multiple counties. We hope to bring you the highest end Chinese cuisine experience in Ireland.

Top review

ciaran

Dined on 11 Oct 2026

Probably the best Chinese food i've ever had, incredible ingredients and top class service. I read mix reviews about portion sizes before we went but everything was huge! Will definitely be back

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