Five restaurants you can´t miss in Dublin

If you're now thinking that this is something reserved for people in crocs and Capri pants, we can happily report that the likes of Barack Obama, Idris Elba, Matthew McConaughey, Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts have all stopped by for a pint. Singer Robbie Williams is also said to have jumped up on stage to sing along with the band, so this is a place where anything can happen.

The easiest way to get out to Johnnie Fox's is on the pub's own shuttle bus. Alternatively, a taxi is the best option.

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FX Buckley´s - Crow Street

Few things (if any) are better than a perfectly roasted steak and a good red wine in delicious harmony. Luckily, you are guaranteed to get both at FX Buckley’s steakhouse. The restaurant is owned by a family of butchers who can trace their Dublin roots back to the18th century. Since then, their empire has expanded from a single butcher shop to several restaurants and bars throughout the city. 

Although there are several FX Buckley's locations in town, after trying them all, our favourite is still the one in Crow Street. The atmosphere is impeccable and the venue small, so booking in advance is an absolute must. One advantage is that after dinner you are in the middle of Temple Bar, so it is just a short walk for an Irish coffee for dessert.

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Delahunt

There is no shortage of historical and high-quality restaurants in Dublin. One of them that can be highly recommended is Delahunt in the trendy neighbourhood of Portobello.

Located in a Victorian-era building, Delahunt has taken over the premises of a former vegetable shop (mentioned in James Joyce's Ulysses), creating an intimate restaurant with fantastic food, service and drinks. It has no à la carte menu, just a set menu based on the season's best ingredients. The kitchen is Irish with a modern twist and has been awarded a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide and has also been named one of Ireland's 100 best restaurants.

This is the perfect restaurant for a romantic dinner for two, or for an exclusive dining experience for a whole group of friends travelling together.

Locks

A stone's throw from Delahunt lies another local favourite: Locks.

The delicious food and service is up to the standard one would expect from this restaurant that has been awarded a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide. Overlooking the Grand Canal, Locks also offers one of the most distinctive interior designs you will find in a Dublin restaurant. The menu is modern Irish, serving everything from salmon to Irish cattle.

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Hang Dai

Although Chinese/Asian cuisine may not be the first thing you associate with Dublin, the restaurant Hang Dai is well worth a visit!

From the outside it looks like it only has takeaway, but behind the counter you will find a number of booths, tables and an elegant bar. According to the owners, they have taken inspiration from Blade Runner and director John Carpenter's films, as one can easily see.

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While Peking duck and dumplings are its specialities, the bar also mixes some wonderful cocktails. Not only that, once the kitchen closes, Hang Dai transforms itself into a cocktail bar with a DJ.

In other words, there is no need to rush home, as this place only closes once the last guest has rolled out the door.