Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Dublin

OpenTable

Updated 05 May 2025

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in 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!

Old Street

4.8

4.8 (898)

€31 to €50

Irish

Malahide

About the restaurant

Old Street is a modern neighbourhood restaurant situated in the heart of historic Malahide, County Dublin. Local couple Mark and Adriana Fitzpatrick have lovingly restored two of the oldest buildings in the village to offer a comfortable and casual dining experience, along with a contemporary cocktail selection and award-winning wine list. Old Street's Head Chef, Mario Simic, creates dishes of modern Irish food that combine robust flavours and the warmth and generosity of traditional comfort food. The menus are designed to showcase the best of the season from Irish farmers, fishermen, and producers. Old Street is dedicated to providing guests of all ages with a memorable dining experience; featuring house-made charcuterie and Higgins Master Butchers' dry-aged beef.

Top review

Hamish

Dined 3 days ago

A return to one of our favourite restaurants for a birthday dinner and it did not disappoint. Food was as good as ever, the special, an aged tuna steak with a pink peppercorn sauce, was de,icious and the desert tray never disappoints. Wine selection is very good and the service was as excellent as ever.

Pearl Brasserie

4.8

4.8 (1301)

€31 to €50

European

South City Centre

About the restaurant

Located right in Georgian Dublin City Centre. Next door to the famous 5 star Merrion Hotel. Pearl has catered for lovers of fine dining for the past 20 years. French and Asian fusion is the norm. The Pigeon Rossini or Bluefin Tuna Ponzu is still a staple on the menu but it is the €99 -Six course tasting menu that will demonstrate Pearl’s culinary legacy.

We work closely with our dedicated suppliers enabling our team to source the best of ingredients. Culinary ingenuity and skill from the kitchen combined with warm, professional service makes Pearl one of Dublin’s premier fine dining experiences.

Featured in Michelin Guide for over 20 years.
Travelers Choice Award 2021 - Top 10% of restaurants worldwide Tripadvisor
Awarded Chef of the Year 2017 in the Georgina Campbell Awards
Travelers Choice Awards 2020, 2019,2017 - Delighted to be included at No 5

For the past 22 years Pearl Brasserie continues to perform at the top of the game in Dublin.

Bon Appetit!

Top review

TaraVIP

Dined 2 days ago

This truly is one of the most special restaurants in all of Dublin! The staff is just second to none and the intimate setting is amazing! The food is just spectacular! Your signature dish with pigeon is so brilliant!!!

Bastible

4.8

4.8 (98)

€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

Jenna

Dined 1 day ago

Really lovely place for a treat dinner with friends

The Little Pig Speakeasy

4.7

4.7 (109)

€30 and under

Italian

Grafton Street

About the restaurant

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: The Little Pig Speakeasy is for over 23s only. Please make certain to read your confirmation email carefully as it contains all the information on how to find us.

The Little Pig, under the genius of Patrick Thomas, is a truly sophisticated and opulent 1920s speakeasy. With a cocktail menu to die for, it is covered in opulent, rich red velvet upholstered walls with a rustic copper ceiling. Reminiscent of old school glamour, The Little Pig is plush and sexy, offering intimate seating for groups both large and small. Boasting some of the finest cocktails you’ll find in the city, you may find yourself transported back to 1920s high society. If you find yourself hungry while sipping on our Great Gatsby-inspired tipples, why not try some of our delicious New York-Italian dishes, all of which have been created to match our drinks.

Top review

AlysonVIP

Dined on 4 Apr 2025

Great experience overall, good cocktails, good food. Could have more options as starter or sharing plates, though

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4.7

4.7 (1212)

€51 and over

Irish

Grafton Street

About the restaurant

Glovers Alley is a fine dining restaurant overlooking the beautiful surrounds of Stephen's Green.

Chef/Owner Andy McFadden as and his talented team create beautifully presented, impeccable, elegant dishes while the Front of House team provides an exceptionally memorable guest experience.

Top review

sheila

Dined 1 day ago

Wonderful evening, superb food and wine. The dinning room is tastefully decorated. The staff were attentive.

Marco Pierre White Courtyard Bar & Grill

4.7

4.7 (307)

€31 to €50

Steakhouse

Donnybrook

About the restaurant

Tucked in behind a vine gate on Donnybrook's Belmont Avenue, Courtyard Bar & Grill is close to Aviva Stadium, The RDS as well as The Intercontinental Hotel, Herbert Park Hotel and The Clayton.
Whether it's Marco Pierre White Courtyard Bar & Grill in Donnybrook or Marco Pierre White Steakhouse, Dawson St the alliance of the family-run Irish restaurant dynasty Fitzers with chef restaurateur Marco Pierre White raised the bar for stylish dining-out in Dublin. You can depend on Marco and Fitzers to deliver a standard that is anything but standard. Expect your expectations to be exceeded. Also come and join us on Saturday nights for Live Music with our in-house piano man to add to your dining experience. We also host Corkage Thursdays when you can bring your own bottle of wine for just €15 per bottle.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 9 May 2025

Steak was tiny and definitely not good value. I’ve eaten better steaks for less. I’d probably cook it better myself actually. Staff were very friendly but wouldn’t go back again.

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Popular dish

Steak Frites

WILDE RESTAURANT

4.7

4.7 (98)

€31 to €50

Contemporary European

South City Centre

About the restaurant

WILDE celebrates the best of Irish produce served in beautiful surrounds echoing 1930s vintage glamour. Its covered garden terrace is unique in Dublin and floods the space with natural light. Meanwhile an abundance of greenery gives an al fresco vibe and even a bucolic feel throughout the fine dining restaurant which, also offers views over the lively Grafton Street.

Top review

Sherri

Dined on 19 Apr 2025

Simply outstanding on all counts, including food, drinks, service, atmosphere and cost!

Bresson

4.6

4.6 (1154)

€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

Randa

Dined on 3 May 2025

I really enjoyed being here the food was delicious , the presentation beautiful,the ambiance elegant calm the service excellent the wine perfect what can I say I’ll be back !

Red Torch Ginger Sandyford

4.6

4.6 (76)

€31 to €50

Southeast Asian

Sandyford (D18)

About the restaurant

Welcome to Red Torch Ginger Sandyford, South County Dublin
You'd be enjoying the freshly prepared authentic Thai and South East Asian cuisine in the intimate surroundings of our dining rooms, sampling some world-class wines at the bar from our extensive drinks menu or sipping on some hand-crafted cocktails, a truly memorable dining experience awaits.

Top review

Iryna

Dined on 10 May 2025

Loved it, was really nice! Food was great and service was excellent! I will definitely come back!

The Betsy Swords

4.4

4.4 (539)

€30 and under

Gastro Pub

Swords

About the restaurant

The Betsy Swords, bar and restaurant, is located at the heart of North County Dublin. Since opening guests can enjoy its contemporary cuisine and unparalleled service, bringing a touch of magic with decadent decor to provide our customers with comfort, ease and cosiness while enjoying a varied mix of classics and locally inspired dishes.
 Catering for every occasion from lunch, dinner and beyond, with beautiful bars serving cocktails, fine wines and drinks. Our eclectic menu includes The Betsy Signature Steak, fish, vegetarian options and the famous Betsy Sunday Roast. The Betsy is devoted to constant evolution and development, using the best products that are authentic and bursting with honest to goodness quality and flavour. Our décor, lighting and music offer an oasis of calm away from the bustle of life with a warm Irish welcome.

Open Wednesday and Thursday 3pm, Friday Saturday Sunday 12 noon. The Betsy Swords welcomes local residents, businesses and visitors alike.

The Betsy

Top review

Louise

Dined 4 days ago

Fabulous as always. We love the Betsy as the staff are brilliant and food is always gorgeous

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