Dublin’s top 5 Italian restaurants

Fresh food, cooked to perfection, is how the Italian cuisine experts over at Rosa Madre define their style of cooking. This top Italian eatery is located in the heart of Temple Bar, and is worthy of its place on the ‘100 Best Italians In Europe’ list. Combining fresh and local seafood with inventive Italian cooking, Rosa Madre offers an unforgettable dining experience that’ll keep you coming back for more. For the pasta lovers of the city (which is all of us, isn’t it?!) chef Antonio Dedola recommends the Lobster Tonnarelli or the Ravioli al Tartufo, both of which are sure to satisfy those Italian-craving taste buds. Rosa Madre is regularly frequented by well-known Dublin foodies as well as by Dublin’s Italian community, which is a sure sign that the Italian food here is Italian food done right.

If pizza is your poison, Little Pyg on South William Street is your new favourite place. This informal Italian restaurant is new to the Italian food scene in Dublin, and has already established itself as one of the best pizza spots in the city. This is likely due to its unique garden setting, its close proximity to Dublin’s liveliest nightlife, and most of all – its Michelin guide pizza from pizza maestro, Enzo Coccia. The style of the pizza served at Little Pyg is of course Neoplitan, cooked in a wood-fired oven with the highest quality oil, cheese and toppings. We’re huge fans of the ‘Spicy Little Pyg’ pizza, topped with San Marzano tomato, fior di latte Mozzarella, Italian pepper sautéed in garlic, chilli, cherry tomatoes with pecorino cheese, basil and extra virgin olive oil. Mouth watering yet? We’re with you! Also on offer here is the Malfy Gin Bar – a terrace inspired by the Amalfi Coast, Dublin’s very own taste of ‘la dolce vita’!

If you’re looking for an authentic Italian dining experience – we’re talking a warm and friendly welcome, home-style cooking, a cosy and informal setting and a menu full of traditional Italian favourites – look no further than Da Mimmo. Da Mimmo is another of the Dublin eateries that made the ‘100 Best Italians in Europe’ list, no easy feat in a region where there are competitive Italian restaurants on every other street corner. A pillar of the North Strand food scene since 2010, Da Mimmo excels in bringing the sapori d’italia, or flavours of Italy, to the Irish market. The premises was bought in 1960 by an Italian couple hailing from Rome and Naples, who opened a successful fish and chip shop as many Italians in Dublin did at the time. It was later taken over by the couple’s son who transformed it into the top Italian restaurant it is today. Da Mimmo serves fresh, homemade food daily, with a changing specials board and a popular two course lunch for just €8.50.

Great food, honestly prepared, and simply served. This is the ethos that Angelina’s is built on, and when you visit this stunning Baggot Street restaurant you’ll find that the proof is in the puddi… pizza! Angelina’s achieves that sweet spot between comfort and chic, and boasts a friendly and informal atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. And the food! The chefs at Angelina’s are experts in sourcing only the best produce. They know when a meal calls for fresh local ingredients, or when they need to call on their Italian cohorts to provide them with authentic ingredients right from the source. Whether you’re craving an Italian-infused brunch, lunch, or dinner, there’s something on the Angelina’s menu for you. If you’re a lover of all things savoury, warm up your tastebuds with the popular Asparagus, Crispy Egg, Serrano Ham and Black Garlic Aioli starter. More of a sweet tooth? The Lime and Lemongrass Parfait with Raspberry Sorbet is a dessert to die for.

Pinocchio is one of Dublin’s most loved Italian restaurants and wine bars, specialising in fine Italian wines and the clever fusion of Irish food with Italian cuisine. When preparing the dishes, Pinocchio pledges to always stay true to the purest Italian tradition while adding its own touch of creativity and fantasy. What makes Pinocchio stand out from the crowd is its commitment to sharing Italian cooking with the wider Irish community. In 2005 the Pinocchio Italian Cookery School was established, offering hands-on cooking classes to professionals and non-professionals with an interest in Italian culture and cuisine. Whether you’re visiting for an authentic Italian experience in one of the Temple Bar or Ranelagh locations, or attending the cookery school to learn from the best in the business, Pinocchio offers a true piece of Italy in the heart of Dublin City.