The Best Dublin Hotel Restaurants & Dining

Photo courtesy Academy Plaza Hotel

Ireland’s capital city has fast become one of the top dining destinations in Europe. Contributor Gina Baksa shares this list of the top Dublin hotel restaurants

Updated Nov 15, 2022 / Commissions may be earned from our affiliate partner links

Irish literary legends Beckett, Shaw, Wilde, and Joyce all raised a tankard or three in Dublin’s Georgian inns, hostelries, and coffee shops. And no doubt they’d enjoy the modern craic in today’s Dublin with its world-class restaurants, vibrant live music scene, galleries, museums, cafés, and top unique, boutique, and luxury hotels.

Alongside its status as UNESCO World City of Literature, there’s a superb selection of top Dublin hotel restaurants in the city, with award-winning chefs creating world-class traditional Irish and international cuisine. You’ll also find the finest whiskies in the world on the menu, too.

Here are just a few of the top Dublin hotel restaurants to enjoy during your visit to the Irish capital…

The Best Dublin Hotel Restaurants & Dining Experiences

Brooks Hotel

Perfectly located for a Dublin city break, the Brooks Hotel is at the centre of the city’s shopping, cultural, and restaurant scene, just a few minutes’ walk from Grafton Street. Stroll to the Book of Kells and Trinity College before visiting one of the many museums and galleries in the neighbourhood.

One of the most popular places to stay in Dublin, rooms and suites at the Brooks Hotel all have air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and a king-size bed. The master suite has its own private decked balcony and a sunken bath.

Linger longer here with a pre-dinner drink at the Jasmine Bar, with its collection of over 100 whiskies, followed by dinner at Francesca’s Restaurant. The open kitchen is helmed by head chef Patrick McLarnon, who offers a superb organic menu with locally sourced ingredients-making Francesca’s one of the very best Dublin hotel restaurants.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: For further details, visit the Brooks Hotel.

Academy Plaza Hotel

If you’re looking for a Dublin city centre hotel with parking nearby, the Academy Plaza Hotel just off O’Connell Street is ideal. This contemporary property is within walking distance from Temple Bar, the main shopping districts, and most of Dublin’s main sights.

The hotel has 304 air-conditioned rooms ranging from singles to large family rooms. Hypoallergenic mattresses are standard, and the safes are all sized for laptops.

The in-house Plaza Bar & Grill is a popular Dublin city centre restaurant with an Irish and European menu. For more private dining, we suggest making a reservation at Oscar’s Restaurant, a roped off section with more privacy that serves a delicious hot and cold breakfast.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: For further details, visit Academy Plaza Hotel.

Cassidy’s Hotel

With one of Dublin’s best hotel restaurants, Cassidy’s has its home in an historic Georgian terrace on Parnell Square. The property is centrally located near Dublin’s best sightseeing, galleries, and museums, and guests can walk to Dublin Castle, The Jamieson Whiskey Distillery, Abbey Theatre, and many more popular Dublin things to do.

The area is bursting with bars and restaurants, but we recommend dining at the elegant, on-site Restaurant Six, one of Dublin’s top hotel restaurants. The perfect pre-theatre destination–the Gate Theatre is next door–the menu here reflects local provenance from the day’s catch to the finest Irish beef and lamb.

For more relaxed dining, head to Groomes Bistro for juicy burgers and bar food and savour a whisky or two in Groomes Bar.

Rooms at Cassidy’s are light-filled with high ceilings and offer all the amenities you’d expect of a top Dublin city centre hotel, including a fitness suite.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: For further details, visit Cassidy’s Hotel.

Croke Park Hotel

Part of the prestigious Doyle Collection, Croke Park Hotel is one of the best hotels in Dublin with a highly recommended restaurant. The Hawthorn heated terrace and bar has an extensive menu that focuses on using the finest local and national produce, complemented by a carefully curated wine list. 

The Sideline Bar is a vibrant all-day space featuring a large bar, courtyard, and relaxing snug area. Locally sourced ingredients are a feature of the cocktails here, while the food is a casual alternative to the more formal The Hawthorn restaurant.

Stay in one of the plush 4th floor deluxe rooms and you’ll get 24-hour complimentary access to the Executive Lounge-with its snacks and juices throughout the day-and a breakfast buffet each morning.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: For further details, visit the Croke Park Hotel.

The Gibson Hotel

Where to eat in Dublin? It’s a perennial question… We recommend you head to one of Dublin’s top hotel restaurants and make a night of it. The hemi bar at the Gibson Hotel is perfect for pre-dinner cocktails and has a superb menu that includes fish and chips and pan-roasted salmon, alongside Asian curries and veggie dishes.

The hotel’s Coda restaurant is home to TV’s hit show First Dates, and guests can expect superb cuisine from Chef Igor Cikarev. Legendary food from a legendary restaurant, aptly named after Led Zeppelin’s first studio album.

Book the Gibson’s penthouse suite and stay in style in the Irish capital. You’ll get panoramic views of Dublin from the private outdoor terrace. Snuggle down in the bathrobes, fix a coffee, hop on the Wi-Fi, and you have your Netflix evening sorted. Guest also have complimentary access to the gym, relaxation room, and outdoor terrace area. Some junior suites have a private terrace.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: For further details, visit the Gibson Hotel.

Herbert Park Hotel

If you’re looking for excellent restaurants in Ballsbridge, the Herbert Park Hotel should be top of your list. Restaurants in Dublin located in 4-star hotels don’t come much better than the Herbert Park Hotel in this leafy upscale Dublin suburb with its beautiful Georgian architecture.

Book a table at the award-winning Pavilion Restaurant. The light-filled dining room looks out over the park and has a terrace for warmer weather. Expect a modern European à la carte menu at dinner-juicy Sunday roasts and locally caught fish are speciality dishes.

Many guest rooms overlook the 48 acres of Herbert Park. We recommend the Pembroke Suite with panoramic views over the city and the Dublin mountains from the outdoor balcony.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: For further details, visit the Herbert Park Hotel.

Marlin Hotel Dublin

This uber cool boutique hotel in the centre of Dublin is just minutes from Grafton Street and has two fabulous eateries:

• Canteen Marlin has a fine selection of European cuisine in a funky space with mirrored walls and banquette seating. The wine list is extensive with a good selection of New and Old World varieties, and service is friendly and efficient.
• For a pub grub menu, head to the Marlin Bar and Grill.

Rooms at the Marlin Hotel are compact with a neutral, bright colour scheme and spacious beds. Soundproofing and blackout blinds ensure a good night’s sleep. The lobby interiors are quirky–check out the Vespa seat–and add to an overall fun and welcoming ambiance.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: For further details, visit Marlin Hotel Dublin.

Wynn’s Hotel Dublin

A Dublin fixture since the Victorian age, Wynn’s Hotel has benefitted from a recent refurbishment that has retained her vintage charm yet added a more contemporary aesthetic.

The stained glass and polished wood are a reminder of a more genteel time, while the bedrooms-a mixture of room sizes and configurations–are warm, comfortable, and well-appointed.

Dublin hotel restaurants can be hit and miss, but not so here: book a table at the Playwright Restaurant and enjoy surf and turf favourites. The location is ideal for a pre-theatre meal before a play at the adjacent Abbey Theatre. Traditional Irish breakfasts and buffet options are served here too. Relax with tea or a cocktail at the Saints & Scholars Lounge after a hectic day’s sightseeing, or tuck into a generous carvery lunch.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: For further details, visit Wynn’s Hotel Dublin.

Dublin Citi Hotel

Are you looking for an historic Dublin hotel that serves authentic Irish food? Then check in at the central Dublin Citi Hotel in Temple Bar–home to Trinity College and the famous Book of Kells, one of Ireland’s greatest cultural relics.

All Dublin’s major sightseeing is within walking distance and the hotel’s Trinity Bar Venue serves up classic Irish pub grub such as steak and guinness pie, and prawns from the day’s catch. We’ve heard the home-made Guinness bread is delicious and the bar is open for breakfast, lunch, and supper with regular live gigs. There’s also plenty of entertainment in the area where visitors can enjoy traditional Irish music, poetry readings, and classical music.

Rooms at the Dublin Citi Hotel are warm and comfortable, with a welcoming colour scheme that’s cosy and bright.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: For further details, visit Dublin Citi Hotel.

Wren Urban Nest

 Dublin’s Wren Urban Nest calls itself Dublin’s most sustainable hotel for good reason: they don’t use any fossil fuels and have installed cutting edge technology to heat the building. All the energy used is renewable, and soundproofing, blackout blinds, and luxurious Respa beds are standard in each of the 137 rooms.

Wren Urban Nest also boasts the very popular ALT restaurant and bar that offers guests-and locals–a fresh, flavoursome, locally sourced menu of snacks and more substantial dishes.

All dishes are ethically produced under the expert hand of head chef Rachel Lynch. Add to the mix an organic wine list and home-made sherbets and shrubs and you have a truly winning Dublin hotel restaurant.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: For further details, visit Wren Urban Nest.

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Contributor Gina Baksa is a freelance lifestyle and features journalist with a focus on luxury brands and experiences. You can follow Gina’s travel adventures on @Travelscriber (Twitter), @ginabaksa (Instagram), www.ginabaksa.com, and www.ginabaksa.journoportfolio.com.