Keelan and Aaron Higgs's one-Michelin-star room on Thomas Street in Dublin 8, twelve tables, an open hearth, the city's most original tasting menu.
Must order: Whatever is over the fire that night and the sourdough with cultured butter.
Tip: Book at the seating window opening; the room has only twelve tables and the kitchen runs two seatings a night Wednesday to Saturday.
Address: 79 Thomas Street, Dublin 8, D08 F2RN
Bastible on the South Circular Road corner at Leonard's, the Barry FitzGerald-owned one-Michelin-star neighbourhood room with head chef Killian Walsh on a tight modern Irish set menu.
Order: The set menu only, designed around what FitzGerald has from Irish growers and the Atlantic that week.
Tip: The bar seats book up later; if the dining room is gone, ask if the four counter seats are open for the same kitchen.
James Moore's thirteen-course surprise menu inside D'Olier Chambers in Dublin 2, the southside's most precise one-Michelin-star room, opened 2022.
Order: The thirteen-course tasting at EUR 139, with the wine pairing built on small Irish-import bottles.
Tip: Counter seats face the pass and run the same menu, often easier to book than the dining room a week out.
Damien Grey's two-Michelin-star fourteen-seat counter inside Blackrock Market, Co Dublin, fifteen minutes by DART from the city, Ireland's hardest reservation.
Order: The tasting menu only; Grey serves no choice and the kitchen runs a fixed twelve courses.
Tip: Reservations open three months ahead and disappear in minutes. Take the DART to Blackrock and walk five minutes to the market.
Anthony Smith's Parnell Square basement room in Dublin 1, modern Irish bistro a short walk from Chapter One, Michelin Guide listed since 2017.
Order: The pig's-head croquettes if they are on, and the eight-hour bavette with bone-marrow sauce.
Tip: The room runs Tuesday to Saturday from 17:00; the early sitting is the calm one before the post-theatre push.
Pearl Brasserie on Merrion Street in Dublin 2, Sebastien Masi and Kirsten Batt's French dining room across two decades, opposite the Merrion Hotel.
Order: The pre-theatre menu, three courses for around EUR 50, with the foie gras starter if the season holds it.
Tip: Book a window table on the upper level; the basement booths are warmer for a long winter dinner.
Mickael Viljanen's two-Michelin-star basement on Parnell Square in Dublin, the city's most polished tasting room, French technique on luxury Irish produce.
Order: Whatever Viljanen is building on the surprise tasting menu, paired with the by-the-glass wine flight.
Tip: Reservations open in monthly windows; book the morning windows open. Lunch Thursday to Saturday is the same kitchen at lower commitment.
