Good Places For The Best Lunch In Dublin

Located in the heart of the city, The Odeon is a multi-purpose split level bar that's become iconic in Dublin. Expect opulent bars stocked with spirits, live sports screenings and delicious eats in this stunning grade A-listed building. Wondering what's on the menu? Whether you're in the mood for fresh fish goujons, truffle mac 'n' cheese or steak open sandwiches, these guys have got you covered.

If you're after a casual and affordable restaurant for lunch, The Market Bar Group has got you covered. Housed inside a 19th century Victorian warehouse, their €17.50 lunch menu features a choice of one tapas plate and a side, as well as bread with tasty dips. They've got everything from salt and pepper calamari to Galway Bay mussels or caprese salad up for grabs, alongside indulgent desserts like Spanish churros.

For sumptuous Italian eats in a laidback but classy setting, Pacino's in the city centre is well worth a visit - especially after a busy day of shopping. You can sample wines chosen by their expert sommelier, which pair perfectly with dishes like rigatoni alla norma, fillet of cod or Neapolitan pizzas topped with everything from creamy gorgonzola to spicy jalapenos.

There's no better place for lunch than an authentic Irish pub, and Nancy Hands is a pretty charming choice. Situated near the Guinness brewery, you can expect only the freshest pints here, as well as traditional Irish music sessions on a regular basis. The menu showcased all things local too, using locally sourced ingredients to create everything from hearty beef stews to classic fish and chips.

This quirky spot can be found inside a 10,000ft red shipping container, flaunting shuffleboard tables, photobooths and industrial-looking interiors. Not only have they got 32 taps of fresh craft beer to sample with your lunch, but they've also got an extensive menu of gourmet burgers, hand-stretched pizzas and more. And if you swing by on a Monday? You can even nab two-for-one dishes when you select any vegan or vegetarian option.

Known all over the country for its affordable Italian eats, Zizzi Suffolk Street is a top choice for your lunchtime outings. Watch as the chefs spin dough in the open kitchen, coming fresh to your table in the form of pizzas topped with torn Bufala mozzarella, slow-cooked pulled pork, goat's cheese and more. They've got plenty of pasta, meat and fish dishes to choose from as well, to be enjoyed in comfy leather booths or next to the indoor trees.

Situated at the top of stylish spot The Mayson Hotel in Dublin 1, Ryleigh's Rooftop Restaurant is a swish steakhouse boasting mesmerising views of Dublin Bay, the mountains, Dun Laoghaire and the iconic Poolbeg Pier. The menu here is equally impressive, featuring premium cuts of meat alongside spicy prawn rolls, pan-seared trout fillets and more, with a three-course lunch menu also available. 

Cool lunch places in Dublin? Offering the ultimate dining experience for any occasion, SOLE is a seafood restaurant on William Street serving some of the tastiest dishes around in an uber-chic environment. Designed with warm, bronze, and grey tones, it creates an atmosphere of urban sophistication that transcends its decor. Its show-stopping delicacies feature the must-try Captain's Seafood Platter—a tower of grilled Irish lobster, mussels, oysters, prawns, and smoked salmon, served with Guinness brown soda bread and traditional seafood sauces. 

In the mood for a Middle eastern feast when scouring the best lunch spots in Dublin? Then the light and airy Brother Hubbard North is the place for you. They offer a cracking menu of modern twists on traditional dishes, from beef kofta topped with feta to roasted chicken wings or a fragrant Turkish stew. And don't miss out on their homemade coconut sorbet for dessert.

A celebrity favourite hotspot blooming on Dawson Street, The Ivy Dublin offers brunch and all-day dining in a flora-filled setting festooned with candy-coloured sofas and a sparkling bar. Boasting a global-inspired menu as funky as the decor, their executive chef dishes out delicacies like blackened cod fillet, steak tartare with Dubliner whiskey, and a creamy truffle risotto. 

Calling all meat lovers. If you start drooling upon hearing the word 'steak,' then you need to check out Hawksmoor in the Temple Bar area. Housed in an old National Irish Bank, this meaty joint sports some seriously cool features from the 19th century, like a cast iron dome and leather seating. But let's get to the important bit: What's cooking? If you're not diving into their signature meat cuts with some mac 'n' cheese or creamed spinach on the side, then you've got to try their Sunday roast with all the trimmings. We're talking perfectly charred meats served with Yorkshire puddings, roasted shallots, and lashings of bone marrow gravy. Yum, yum.

A classy Michelin-starred restaurant that was once home to the founder of Jameson, Chapter One is found in a historic basement space on the Northside of Dublin. The focus here is on local, seasonal produce that showcases the finest Irish cooking and you can even enjoy a unique, close up experience at the chef's table. When it comes to this pick of the best lunch restaurants in Dublin, expect everything from glazed sea trout to creamy poached chicken, served across a three-courses for €85.

You can't go wrong at Bunsen when it comes to the best casual lunch in Dublin. This Temple Bar eatery is known for dishing out loaded burgers and three types of chips, promising Black Aberdeen Angus patties (minced on site) topped with cheese, pickles, mustard and more. As for drinks, you can nab everything from signature pale ales to creamy milkshakes here. Even better? Their burgers start from as little as €8.75.

777 in Dublin's Temple Bar is the place to be for delicious Mexican eats and quality tipples. This vibrant spot is shaking things up with its mouth-watering menu of taquitos, wood-grilled treats, and, of course, premium tequilas. Whether you're in the mood for a classic Margarita or a Mi Cobra Mas Sexy, they've got you covered with their colourful cocktail list. And if you're feeling peckish after a night of tequila-induced fun, sneak a peek at their late-night bites menu.