12 Nov 2024
We’re starting off at the top here with a two Michelin star big hitter. One of Ireland’s most famous restaurants, Patrick Guilbaud is the place to take someone if you really want to show them a lovely time. Run by the Frenchman of the same name, this venue makes the most of Ireland’s natural larder, serving up dishes like Kilmore Quay wild turbot with violet artichoke, fricasse, broad beans, and confit tomato, or fillet of Irish beef with roast foie gras. If the fanciness of the restaurant doesn’t convince your date you mean business in the romance department, the decor will. With its soft lighting, semi-private tables, and muted colours, it’s the perfect place for a romantic dinner in Dublin.
Another Michelin starred venue (no moaning, if you’re looking for romantic restaurants in Dublin city centre, you’ve gotta be aiming high), Chapter One is a beautiful spot to head for a date. A staple on the Dublin restaurant scene, it’s been open since 1992, and has been awarded a star every year since 2007. Chef/owner Ross Lewis has cooked all around the world, and this is reflected in his menus which range from a standard lunch menu to a chef’s table tasting menu featuring treats like Japanese tapioca with St Tola, Ballyhoura mushroom, and leek. The restaurant is situated in the Dublin Writers’ Museum (hence the name), so mixes old-world charm, with distinctively modern plates.
If you’re in any way a fan of period dramas, Wilde restaurant, part of the Westbury Hotel, just off Grafton Street, will absolutely delight you. With its 1930’s theme, this place manages to feel like part of a Downton Abbey garden party, except right in the centre of Dublin. This classy spot really captures the romance of the 30’s, serving up delicious, locally sourced dishes in elegant surroundings. Start off your evening properly with some Carlingford Lough rock oysters before moving onto mains like linguine of pan-fried Castletown scallops with clams, chilli, and garlic. You’re in for a great night in one of the most romantic restaurants in Dublin!
Looking for a romantic restaurant in Dublin that has a bit of a modern twist? Enter Mr Fox. With its muted colours, intriguing art, and comfy seats, it’s immediately obvious that this is the place where the cool kids hang out. Best of all it has a lovely roaring fire that makes it a great place to hang out with a loved one of a chilly eve, tucking into their sharing Chateaubriand with chips and garlic aioli. They also have a great wine list because, let’s face it, all great romantic evenings involve wine.
One of Dublin’s most cosy restaurants, The Mulberry Garden is situated in an old cottage and is, quite honestly, obsessive about keeping things Irish. Seriously, they use Irish soaps, linens, and even Irish sea salt in the restaurant. The food is locally sourced and the chefs here make the most of the produce of the area and the menu changes weekly, depending on what can be found fresh. The inside of the restaurant is beautiful with exposed walls and bright colours of pink and green, but it’s the garden area that really makes this one of the most romantic restaurants in Dublin. A tree-rimmed courtyard sits just outside the restaurant, filled with trees, lights, and even a fire pit. The perfect spot for enjoying a post-dinner tipple.
This stripped back restaurant doesn’t necessarily look like the most romantic of spots. But trust us on this one. The husband and wife chef team here have been lauded as “geniuses” by reviewers, and the food is sure to fill you with a loving feeling. Head here in the evening and you’ll get no choice of what you’re eating, as they only serve a set, six course tasting menu. They use the absolute best of produce, producing dishes that have no names on the menu, just lists of ingredients like “crab, potato, spring greens, shellfish sauce.” It means that everything you eat is a surprise, adding a different element to you meal. This restaurant is right in the city centre too, so if you fancy carrying on your night after dinner, it’s in the perfect spot. If Forrest Avenue is booked out, their sister restaurant Forrest and Marcy is a also a great choice. This one’s one of the best romantic restaurants in Dublin, and we love it!